In the Beginning... Read online

  “I will not rape you. Never!” Aodhan grabbed her under her arms and dragged her to her feet. Where before she was spirited and as dangerous as a little cat, now she was practically limp in his hands. He shook her slightly.

  “Who hurt you before? Tell me!”

  As soon as he had the man’s name he would find him and kill him. Rend the bastard’s arms from his body and feed them to Tajic. “Tell me, woman. So that I may set my men to find him. So that I may kill him for what he has dared to do to you.”

  Chapter Four

  Mallory tried to control the shaking that still wracked her body, tried to even out her breathing, but when he’d come at her with the knife then shoved her toward the couch she was back in the TI parking garage all over again. Defenseless, helpless, all over again.

  His words barely registered. When they did she couldn’t believe them. Why would he care what had happened to her in the past? Wasn’t he planning the same damned thing? She couldn’t go through it again, not again.

  He sat her down on the couch; this time his hands were gentle. As if he cared about her.

  “Oh, little kitten, you will not forgive me for the longest time, will you?”

  “Never.” Mal was barely aware of whispering the word, but for all that she was quiet, she meant it.

  “Then it will be best, I think, to just do this while you know not enough to understand and to dread it.” His tone was resigned, but the hands he had on her were gentle.

  The gentleness was what frightened her now.

  She had expected pain, and roughness, like before. And like he had shown her when he’d dragged her from her home.

  “It must be done.”

  “What must be done? Why did you kidnap us? Don’t you think I deserve to know that much before you do whatever it is?”

  His fingers ran through her hair, pushing it out of his way. He trailed a touch down the side of her neck as he stared at her. Pity was in his eyes. His strange yellow eyes. She’d never seen eyes like his, not color or shape. Nothing about him was like anything she had ever seen before.

  “Poor little kitten. You’ll hiss and hiss when backed into a corner, but you don’t have too much fight to protect yourself with, now do you?”

  “I can protect myself just fine.”

  “Until tonight, hmmm?” Before she knew what he’d done, he had both her wrists locked into one of his hands. She pulled against him, once again aware of his strength. He refused to let her go. He leaned forward, crowding her.

  Mallory leaned back, desperate. “Please, stop. Don’t do this! I thought you said you wouldn’t ”

  “I will not force you to lie with me, woman. I give you my solemn vow that I will only touch you in that way when you wish it, when you are ready, and not a moment before. But I will have this from you. It will be done, this night.” “What will be done tonight?” Her voice rose and she pulled against his hold again. It did no good. He had her and he wasn’t letting her move until he was ready to. “Get off of me, please!”

  He didn’t. His left hand was now wrapped like a vise around the back of her neck. His right hand held both of hers. “You will soon learn, kitten. I promise you, tonight is the only time this will ever hurt you. In fact, in time, you will crave me like I crave you.”

  He freed her hands then pulled her over him, using his superior strength to have her sitting on his lap with barely a movement. Mallory felt the press of his muscles against her shoulder. He turned her, until they were chest to chest.

  He was big and strong and muscled. And he was not letting her go until he was ready to. He pushed her hair to one side. Stroked her neck again. Then his left arm went behind her shoulders. His right hand slipped around her neck.

  Again.

  Why was he so fascinated by her neck?

  “It would be best, kitten, if you kept yourself as still as you are able. I could force your compliance, but I will not like doing that to you.”

  For what? What was he doing? Was he crazier than she suspected? Mallory couldn’t just sit still and let him do whatever it was he planned on doing to her. She couldn’t. She wouldn’t be able to respect herself if she let herself be a passive victim.

  His head lowered. His lips brushed her neck. Once. Twice. Mallory fought an instinctive shiver of nerves.

  “You said you wouldn’t force me.”

  “I know. And this is different. I have waited near on six hundred years for you, kitten. I will not spend another night waiting to claim you as my Rajni.” Oh, God. He really was crazy!

  Mallory struggled on his lap, feeling the unmistakable evidence that he was enjoying having her so close. “Stop!”

  He pulled back, then looked at her with what she thought was resignation on his face. “As I thought, then. I am sorry; I am going to have to do it. I can only promise you that we will both get through this, though it will hurt you. Once it is over we will have centuries together, my love. I can only hope you’ll forgive me eventually.”

  Mallory couldn’t fight, could barely blink, when he moved again. His arms went around her, tighter than ever before. She couldn’t move, could barely breathe. He kissed her neck again, this time more insistent. “Stop!” Sharp pain rushed through her when his teeth sank deep.

  He’d bitten her.

  Just like the bastard before.

  Fear of what he would do next consumed her, and for the first time in her life, Mallory fell into darkness.

  ***

  It was a blessing, Aodhan thought, when he felt her go limp in his arms. For the pain would soon begin. And conversion was rumored to be unbelievably painful. He quickly accomplished his task of draining all the human blood from her body, then forced his wrist over her mouth.

  She took to him instinctively, like she knew exactly what was expected of her for her continued survival. Her teeth pierced his skin and she fed fiercely, fighting him to get closer. It was unexpected, to say the least. When it became apparent that his wrist was not adequate enough to meet his female’s needs, he shifted her to give her access to his neck.

  She hummed in her throat as she sank her teeth, small human teeth at that, into his carotid. It took her little time to extract from him what it was she needed. And he freely gave, forcing himself to remember he’d made a vow not to touch his Rajni until she requested it. But it felt so goddess-damned good to have her tucked against him while he provided.

  After she finished feeding from him he cuddled her close, waiting. He would have to pull the rest of the human blood from her body and replace it with Dardaptoan again, if needed, before the conversion was complete.

  She slept on and it concerned him. She was a fighter, that had been evident from his first glance of her, so why did she continue to hide from him in a shroud of darkness? Was it a conscious act?

  The conversion began an hour later and she fought and screamed. At the end, she pleaded with him to just make it stop. Oh, how he wished he could.

  He wiped the sweat away, first from her forehead, then his own. His arms trembled from the strain of holding her down while she struggled. He greatly feared her thrashing would lead her to hurt herself even more. “I am sorry, kitten...we will get through this together. I can promise you that.”

  Chapter Five

  Mallory woke cuddled close to the man’s chest, her head pillowed on his broad shoulder. He was watching her. The pain was only a dull ache now, but she would never forget it. She clung to him, her arms locked around his neck, her mouth pressed close to his skin.

  “It is over now. I think.” His words were low, soft. “How do you feel?”

  “Like I’ve been on a nasty drug trip. One I don’t want to repeat.” She pulled her arms down, trying not to wince at the pain in her shoulders from where she’d held him so tightly during the...whatever...it was that had happened. He reluctantly let her move away from him. Mallory studied him for a moment. The clothing he wore, though black in color, was covered in blood. Her blood. Her own shirt and jeans were ruined.
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  “You won’t ever have to.” His hands dropped to her sides and he shifted her until her knees rested on either side of his hips. Mallory looked at him, studied the gold of his eyes. He was pale and exhaustion showed on his face. Why was he so tired? She’d been the one to go through hell...

  “What exactly was it that you did to me?” She had an inkling, but didn’t want to put it into words. She didn’t believe in such things. Didn’t. Couldn’t. Wouldn’t.

  “I am from a race of beings far older than humans. We have the ability to change humans into our Kind by a type of blood transfusion. I know you understand what I am talking about.”

  “I know I understand you’re crazy, and that my brother will be coming to cut off your damned head for what you have done.” Mallory tried to stand, to slip off the bastard’s lap. His hands tightened around her thighs.

  “No. Don’t move just yet. And your brother will not succeed.”

  Her brother never failed at anything, but he was human. This...this creature obviously was not. Would it be fair to expect her brother to fight against him?

  Not without an army of men.

  “Why me?” It sounded so trite and cliché, the question. But what else could she ask?

  “Fate, in the form of the Goddess Kennera. The moment a Dardaptoan is born, she whispers the name of the one that Dardaptoan is fated for. She whispered your name for me! I know you don’t understand it, how could you? You were human. Hopefully, in time, you’ll see the wisdom in her fating us together.”

  “Ridiculous. I don’t believe in fate.”

  “Tell me this, then, kitten? How do you think it is that I found you and Theo found your sister? You were meant for us. I have waited six hundred years, and only you were for me. I cannot discount the teachings and customs of my people because of your human beliefs.” His hands tightened on her again. Mallory stared at him, unsure what to say in response. “You were meant for me, kitten. And I will provide for and protect you, no matter what. Do you understand me?”

  “Not really. I think you’re crazy. I want my sister, and I want to go home.” “I can only help you with half of that. You will see your sister shortly ” The knock on the door startled her so much that she nearly fell from his lap. He caught her, his hands strong around her waist. He sat her aside as if she weighed nothing, and rose. She watched him as he answered the door and stepped outside to speak with the knocker. It was her only chance.

  Mal darted across the suite to the patio door, and slipped out. A single flight of steps led to the ground level and she scaled them quickly. The crazy bastard wasn’t keeping her here any longer. She’d find Mickey and get the hell out before he could do that blood-drinking thing to her again.

  ***

  Aodhan heard the patio door slide open and he darted back into the suite. Sure enough, his female was gone. Quicker than he expected. Why had he not considered something as simple as the patio door?

  He laughed at her spirit and determination.

  He wasn’t worried; there was only one exit out of the inner garden, and only members of his own House or those high enough up in the other Houses knew of it. He would catch her eventually, but for now he would give her a bit of time to realize that she wasn’t escaping him that way. They had plenty of time for it, the breakfast with the Dahr and Dhan wasn’t for another hour. She might have to forego a shower, but that mattered little to him.

  He whistled again, absurdly amused by her flight.

  Chapter Six

  He’d found her, but he hadn’t hurt her, and Mallory wondered at it. Hadn’t it angered him? Why wasn’t he lashing out at her? Threatening her? Hurting her again?

  She walked at his side, trying to ignore the hand he had at the small of her back. She wasn’t used to just playing along, or giving in, in situations where she was threatened. What in the hell was she supposed to do now?

  “We will meet with the king, then you may return to our suite and tidy yourself. An entire wardrobe will be ready for you upon your return to the suite. I have a bit of business to attend to, then we will be free to spend the rest of the day and all of tomorrow learning of each other.”

  What was she supposed to say to that? She remained quiet. Thought about what had happened. She and her sister were not escaping anytime soon. This fortress was too well guarded, and the men around her too well trained. They were stuck here until Rand arrived but Mallory half hoped he wouldn’t.

  What would these creatures do to her brother if he tried to take her and Mickey away from them? No, she didn’t want Rand or her Uncle Jason, or anyone else in her family anywhere near this hotel. She and Mickey would have to find the way out of here themselves.

  When he led her into a room and she saw her cousins Josey and Emily, Mal felt sick. What were they supposed to do? Why were they taken in the first place? Had these men these vampires followed them from the bar?

  She kept her attention on the four men throughout the meeting, only half aware of what Emily was saying next to her. There had to be some reason they were chosen. But what was it?

  He led her away from the breakfast room a few minutes later, and though she wanted to resist to fight, scratch, claw at him she forced herself not to. He was her most valuable source of information. And like it or not, she needed that information in order to formulate a working plan.

  She did as he instructed once they were back in what he referred to as their suite. The clothes he’d provided were in turquoise and white, exclusively, along with silk scarves in the same colors. She slipped a blue tunic and trousers on after a quick shower, but left off the scarf.

  Then she thought better of it and slipped one around her waist and folded another up and stuck it in the deep pocket of the pants. She might be able to find a use for the extra somehow.

  Anything could be a weapon if needed. That was something her brother had taught her long ago.

  He waited for her outside the bathroom, sprawled over the couch like a lion. His hair curled around his head in dark chestnut waves, wild like a mane. This creature was a predator. She would remember that.

  His wolf, his damned pet, was sprawled on the rug beside the couch. The animal was huge and terrifying. And had the same gold eyes as his master.

  Mallory paused in the doorway to the bathroom and stared at the two beasts.

  Both just watched her.

  “Come, kitten. Tajic will not harm you, will never harm you. Come say hello.”

  Mallory bit her lip and stepped closer. It was then she saw the familiar black and white dog that went with her cousin Josey everywhere. Little Freedom, a petite Border collie, wagged her tail from where she lay beside and half behind the large wolf. The little dog looked as bewildered as Mallory felt.

  “Why do you have Josey’s dog? My cousin goes nowhere without her dog. She needs to be with Josey.”

  “She will be returned to your little blonde cousin today. She and Tajic were just getting better acquainted. They are quite taken with one another.”

  “You mean, even the damned dog was kidnapped?”

  “I guess you could say that.” He smiled, an arrogant masculine expression that had her lip curling in response.

  “Why? I think I deserve to know why you broke into my home and took me. Don’t you? And why my sister and my cousins.” Mallory crossed her arms and tried to ignore the wolf. It wasn’t quite tame, and she could easily see that. And wolves had always made her nervous for some inexplicable reason. She’d had reoccurring nightmares about wolves since she was eight or nine years old.

  “You owe me an answer.”

  Chapter Seven

  She was still so frightened of him, though she stood arms crossed over her chest and glaring at him. Who would have suspected that his fierce little cat would be so achingly frightened and vulnerable? Certainly not Aodhan. Tenderness rushed through him. He straightened on the couch, rested his elbows on his knees as he looked up at his female. “Sit down. Let me explain what brought me to you.”


  She did so gingerly, sinking into the chair next to the couch. He would have preferred she sit beside him, close, but knew it was way to soon for that. The dog hopped into her lap and she ran her fingers through the animal’s fur, obviously something she’d done multiple times. Perhaps he should get her a puppy? Something for her to focus on while she was adjusting to life here in Dardanos. He’d think more on that later.

  “What do you know of this area, kitten?”

  “That this city was populated by a tribe of an obscure religion from Tanzania. My brother told me to avoid it. Said it had a high crime rate and few resources.”

  He smiled, but filed that information away for later. That was an odd thing for her brother to tell her. “That is false. Perhaps your brother wanted you to avoid this city for a reason, but crime and poverty are not a huge part of our city. My people and now your people the Dardaptoans have lived in the American West since the time shortly after Christopher Columbus claimed he’d discovered this land. It took very little effort for our people to make their way to this land. I was a young man of around eighty and I remember the journey clearly. This area has changed much, though my people have always lived at the foot of these mountains. Only our lodgings have changed with the times in which we lived.”

  “You’re crazy. You really think you are six hundred years old?”

  “Five hundred and ninety-eight. I was born in the fourteen hundreds, sweetheart.” “Prove it.

  “I can’t exactly be carbon dated, now can I? But my version of a family Bible is right over there. It lists all the members of the Adrastos family, going back to the year 1066 before the time of your Christ.” He stood, ignoring the way she flinched when he passed her. It would take her time, but she would grow accustomed to him. The book was old, and one he’d had originally on leather scrolls. Theo had painstakingly transcribed it into a book form centuries ago, before he’d lost his eyesight. He flipped open to the page that recorded his birth, his fifteen younger brothers, and his younger sister. “Here I am, right here. Aodhan Peol Ranam Adrastos.”