In the Beginning... Read online

  No wonder there was so much turmoil in her thoughts. I wish you had waited.

  Why? Would it change what he had done? He is a monster. A horrible, hideous monster. Why didn’t you all kill him fifty years ago?

  If we had been able to find him, we would have done just that. Cormac was honest about it. The old bastard had eluded them for fifty years, disappearing just when they thought they were close to him. Taniss had ensured his family had some astonishingly sophisticated security in place. It was only recently, with the advent of the internet, that they had been able to find many of his properties throughout the area. The man hid behind false names, corporate identities, and sham companies. Aodhan—most comfortable with the new technologies—had been responsible for tracking Taniss. And his grandchildren. Had they found Taniss fifty years ago when he first started hunting Dardaptoans they would have executed him swiftly. If they had… How old is your father? He does not appear very old.

  Forty-eight. I was born when he was still in college. Why?

  If they had found and executed Leo Taniss fifty years ago, his Rajni wouldn’t have been born. But how many Dardaptoan lives would have been saved?

  At least his brother-in-law. And Kindara’s babe.

  What right did he have to happiness when so many of his people had been lost because her grandfather had eluded capture for so long? What right did he have to expect his people to accept her so easily? Just doing some math. Had we killed your grandfather, you would not be here now. Nor would your sister.

  I’m sorry. I’m so sorry for what he did. I am. But…

  She pulled away from him for a moment to look him directly in the eyes. I can’t be sorry to be alive! To be sorry my dad and my sister exist.

  No. You cannot. And neither can I. What kind of a man does that make me? He slipped his arms around her waist and tugged her close, hoping against hope that she would not pull away from him like she had every time before.

  But she appeared to need the contact just as much as he did. Her hair brushed against his chin as she leaned her head on his shoulder. He could feel the sigh in her mind before she echoed it with her lips. I don’t want the rest of my cousins to see those files.

  I wish you would have waited until I was here with you. Then you would not have had to watch them alone. I’m sorry you had to see them at all.

  I couldn’t. The answers are somewhere in those files; I know they are. I’m going to find those answers.

  No matter how long it takes? Cormac pushed the issue, and he knew it.

  ****

  Josey stared at the vampire man for a long moment. The wind ruffled the hair on his head, had tinged his cheeks with color. He looked like the mountains that surrounded this hotel. Wild and rugged. Strong and unyielding. But beautiful. He was a very beautiful man, in that wild, rugged way. I’ll stay. I work with you. With the healers, whoever.

  His eyes flamed with heat, and his hands tightened on her. One was around her waist, fingers splayed on her hip bone. The other was clenched around her knee. He held her tight, and his warmth surrounded her. Protected her from the cold.

  Far cry from the man who’d tried to drown her in her own tub.

  What was she supposed to think about that? He had been so willing to hurt her, to terrify her, without giving a bit of thought to her. Now that he thought her his mate, he was considerate and protective. Now that she mattered. Now that he thought some goddess had had a hand in her being here. What was she supposed to think about that?

  His hand ran up her spine and down again. Josey fought the urge to arch into the caress. Fought not to encourage him.

  What the hell was she supposed to do right now? Just let go, let herself just hang on for the ride? Do whatever he wanted and try to be happy? Go to her dad and beg him to take her home? To try to forget everything that had happened in the last weeks?

  She would never be able to do that.

  We need to get inside. My father—he’ll want to talk to me. To make sure…I’m happy. Safe. That I want to be here. I need to think of something to tell him. She would not lie to her father. But she did not want him to kill the vampire, either.

  Just tell him that we are learning of each other. He tilted her chin toward his with a gentle finger. Tell him I swear to keep you safe, while we figure out what we will be doing together.

  I don’t want to lie to him. Her eyes were locked on his.

  So don’t. He stood, lifting her with him. Josey permitted the embrace for a moment, then slipped her legs down to the floor.

  Emily is pretty determined to build this lab here. Josey still wasn’t sure how she felt about it. She wants me and my father to head it. To use a portion of the facilities to organize a corporate research program. Designed entirely to find drugs for the Dardaptoan people.

  I know. She and the Dahr spoke of it. It is a worthy pursuit. One I will help you with. But Jocelyn—take note. I will not be sleeping on the couch again. My place is in the bed beside my Rajni.

  And that is where I will be for the rest of our life together.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Her father wrapped her in his arms again and Josey just let him hold her. He represented the security she had been missing for the last few weeks. With her dad, she knew she would always be safe. It had always been that way; since as long as she could remember.

  Pity she was an adult now, and he couldn’t just rush in to fix her problems like he had when she was a child. He stepped back and looked at her, then signed. “Are you happy?”

  Josey thought a moment before signing in return. “I don’t know. I am not unhappy.” How could she tell him the real truth? That she was more confused now than she had ever been?

  Her father signed another question. “Has he hurt you?”

  This answer took a bit longer for her to form. “Not really. Not once he decided I was his r-a-j-n-i, that is. Now he is just smothering.”

  Her father looked at her as he stood just inside the suite he’d been assigned. Josey stared back. Her hands flew as she signed. “Daddy? You already know what a r-a-j-n-i is, don’t you?”

  She easily saw the sigh on his lips, the resignation in the eyes so like her own. He didn’t bother with signing when he spoke. “Yes. I have. For a while.”

  Josey stared at him, before speaking. “You are one of those things?”

  “L-u-p-o-i-u-x, yes.” He spelled the word with strong movements. Her father was the most fluent in sign of all of her relatives. “Sweetheart, I am not like those who hurt you.

  You know that.”

  “They were going to kill me. They were not going to stop. And you are one of them? How?”

  He explained it to her, how he and Rand had been camping when she was just five, celebrating Rand’s eighth birthday. Told her how a rogue wolf had gotten into their camp and bit the both of them before Jason could kill the beast. And he had. And then later he had become one. He told her how he’d done his best to protect her and Jade from that world. How he had kept a close eye on Rand, until his worst fears were realized when Rand turned sixteen.

  It was a lot for her to take in. Her father hugged her, held her close and Josey just clung to him. She wouldn’t cry; his presence was a clear sign to her that the ordeal she’d faced over the last two weeks was over. He would see to it that she got to leave this place if she wanted.

  He was another option. Another choice for her to make. With him there to take her away if she wanted, it was her choice what she did next.

  Josey drew in a deep breath, then spoke slowly. “I am staying.”

  Her father looked at her, brushed a hand against her hair. His eyes were resigned when he smiled. “I know.”

  ****

  His Rajni’s mind was quiet, her attention held close within. Cormac watched her as she moved around the suite, straightening her ever-growing pile of medical books. She touched the books a lot, but this time he easily sensed that she was only partially aware of what she was doing. Woman, what are you thinking?r />
  Can’t you tell? Her sarcasm was weak this time.

  No. You are fast building a wall against me. I do not like it. Come here.

  She obeyed and that surprised him. His Jocelyn never did what he ordered. She climbed on the mattress beside him, folding her legs up beneath her. She rested her chin in one hand and looked at him. Well, now what?

  Now what? I don’t understand what you mean. Cormac pulled his vestis over his head and flung it toward the laundry bin. His pardus followed. Her eyes shut and he fought a laugh.

  He knew she liked looking at him. He’d caught her taking peeks several times over the last few weeks. She was already dressed for bed in her own sleeping garments. Would she protest him sleeping beside her again? He had meant what he said; his place was beside his Rajni, and though he may not act on the anger he knew existed between them, he would have her close through the night. Lie down. Go to sleep.

  Not that easy. Kind of had a big day today, in case you haven’t noticed! But once again she obeyed. Her acquiescence had his focus narrowing on her thoughts further. She pulled the blankets back and settled onto the pillows. Her eyes stayed on him as he slipped in beside her.

  I know. But it will get easier to accept these changes. I’ve seen many changes in my life.

  That’s because you’re old as dirt. Green eyes blinked at him. I’m staying. I lied to my father and told him I belonged here.

  You do belong here. Right here. With me. Why must you deny it so? Cormac might have been a bastard for it, but he took advantage of her mood and slid his hands around her waist. Pulled her closer. You may as well give in to the inevitable.

  Maybe I should. Kiss me.

  Her hands landed on his shoulders. Her mouth was within inches of his. Her eyes were clenched shut. A look of resignation clouded her face.

  He would never deny his Rajni his affection, but…this was not what she wanted. He brushed the softest of kisses over her lips, then pulled away. He drew her hands off his shoulders one by one.

  Why did you stop? I would have let you!

  Exactly. This is not what you want yet. Sleep, female. Tomorrow you can begin your research anew, with help from your family. You don’t have to worry tonight.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Really? He’d made it abundantly clear that he wanted her. That jerk vampire man thought he was entitled to her, yet when she finally gave in, offered him what he so obviously wanted—and she’d had no trouble seeing the physiological evidence of his arousal—he told her no. Closed his eyes and just laid there.

  He wouldn’t even help her forget.

  Jerk.

  Gold eyes opened and his hand buried in her hair. I won’t ruin our first time together. It won’t be because you need escape from the reality you’ve now found yourself in. Our first time together will be because you feel we belong together.

  So now you have principles? Bully for you! Josey flopped over, being careful of the stitches in her abdomen. That will never happen!

  You sure about that? His hand traced up her spine, then slipped around her waist. He curled his body protectively around hers. Surrounded her. Josey tried to forget how that made her feel.

  It was a long time before she slept.

  ****

  He'd found the damned demon sleeping in the floor outside his sister's door that morning. He hadn't been able to resist shoving a boot in the bastard's stomach. Only Kindara opening the door and rescuing the creature had kept the confrontation from escalating.

  Despite her obvious irritation with the demon, she felt something for him. She flared when he was around, her temper, her words. Animation hit her like he hadn't seen in almost thirty years. What was he, as her brother, supposed to think about that? He'd spent four hundred years tracking demons and removing them from the Gaian realm. Demons were conscienceless, wicked creatures that preyed upon the different Kinds. Predatoi such as Cormac, especially with his amount of training, were supposed to kill demons the instant they met them.

  But this demon was apparently family to his female. Just like the two damned dogs he'd brought back on the helicopter.

  Still, that didn't mean the demon could take Cormac's sister from him. It left a disgusting taste in Cormac's mouth just knowing his sister had been alone with the damned incubus for three days.

  They had to have had sex. But was it willing?

  If it hadn't been, Cormac would easily kill the demon and damned the consequences. Jocelyn would just have to understand.

  ****

  Josey smiled at Rathan when he and Kindara entered her office. Cormac's sister was obviously irritated, but her face wasn't as pale as the last time Josey had seen her. And Rathan walked close at her side. Possessive.

  She'd never seen him with a woman in the ten years she'd known him, she'd never seen him with a date at all. As sexy as she'd thought him—and who wouldn't, with his dark eyes and dark hair and strong body—he'd always been so alone.

  Now he was attached to Kindara like glue.

  "Hello." Josey signed to Rathan, but her greeting encompassed both. "What are you two doing here?"

  Rathan brushed a kiss against Josey's cheek, then stepped back so she could see his lips. He was able to read her signs, but he couldn't sign in response very well. He tried, but had yet to master the complex language involved. Or maybe as a demon, he simply read her mind? Could he do that? Maybe he'd read her mind and hid it from her throughout the years?

  The books she'd read on the different realms and Kinds had said demons were deceptive.

  "Kindara wishes to get a few more blood samples from you and your sister. Your father and cousins. Then she and I are traveling to my home. She will study the medical system of my world, trying to determine whether our capabilities can assist the Dardaptoan people."

  Josey nodded. Any knowledge was a step in the right direction. She signed, "I understand. I will arrange the tests."

  Rathan smiled, his demon-wicked smile able to warm any woman. Josey was no exception. "She has also asked that you formally take on her research here while she is away. We do not know how long we shall be in Relaklonos. But she has several ongoing experiments in the process, along with a healer named Barlaam. She has asked for you to work with him."

  Josey felt honored. This woman had been tortured at her grandfather's hands, yet now she wanted to share her life's work with Josey? Kindara must be an incredibly strong person to have faced what she had. Josey didn’t know if she'd have had the same strength.

  She forced air through her vocal cords. The words deserved to be spoken. To Kindara. "I would be honored to oversee her research."

  Kindara stared at her for a moment, and Josey stared back for a long time. Then Kindara surprised her by wrapping her arms around Josey.

  Josey hugged the other woman in return, oddly touched by the gesture.

  ****

  Her sister was waiting for her when Josey entered the hotel lobby. Jade looked better, not as tired has she had the evening before. Josey hugged her again. Jade was up to something. Josey had no trouble seeing that. Josey signed her question quickly. “Do you still think Barlaam is the one?”

  Jade’s expression turned sly. Calculating. She looked at Josey as she spoke. “I know I am. And he knows it, too. But he’s playing hard to get.”

  “Jade, please…be careful.” Josey spoke the words slowly. She rarely spoke to her sister, found it easier to sign what she meant to the younger woman. Jade was signing before she could talk, and Jade was the first person Josey had signed to without fear or shyness. Her little sister had never judged her, and sign was the preferred method of communication between them. “This life is not something you should rush into at all.”

  “Barlaam is who I am meant to be with. I will be with him.”

  Josey had always envied her little sister her confidence. And her ability to get what she wanted. Jade was a master manipulator; this was tempered by a genuinely good heart. Everyone loved Jade.

  Barlaam was a g
ood man; Josey had had no difficulty seeing that about the man. And he was a dedicated healer. They’d had several long conversations via notebook over the last few days, and of the Dardaptoans other than Cormac and Jierra, Josey could honestly say she liked the brother of the king the best.

  But there was no way in hell she would want a 400-plus-year-old vampire for her sister.

  That thought plagued her through the rest of her day. She had several meetings, with Emily, with Kindara—who looked stressed, exhausted, and worried—and with her father. The plans for a new Taniss Industries lab were moving very quickly under her father’s guidance—he too was a master at getting what he wanted.

  One-hundred-eighty degree changes, something she had never been used to.

  Her vampire man was absent throughout most of the day, and she couldn’t help but wonder where he was. She might have fallen asleep angry with his refusal to kiss her the night before, but now she appreciated it. She wasn’t ready to have sex with him. Not now, maybe not ever, despite how she couldn’t help but noticing how strong he was, how his eyes glowed gold when he looked at her. How good he smelled when he brushed passed her. How his smile could be both charming and wicked when he looked at her a particular way.

  Damn him.

  Maybe the medical books were right when they said Rajnis’ bodies were particularly attuned to each other. Human attraction hadn’t been studied nearly as much as the Dardaptoan attraction. Josey had put off reading the studies, but that was what she would be doing for the rest of the afternoon.

  There had to be a way for her to end this thing between her and the vampire man. She could continue her research into the Dardaptoan health care, but she had to do something about him.

  She spent the remaining time in her office pouring over the information about Rajni bonds. Nothing she found gave her any hope. Everything seemed to say the bond was unbreakable.