Dark Protectors: Provoked Part 32

The vampire was her exact opposite and the last person she would've chosen to fall in love with. He ate meat, for goodness' sake. And the guy probably sacrificed animals on a daily basis in the name of research. Well, even if he didn't sacrifice animals, he would do so to cure Virus-27.

Of course, the virus was now a threat to her as well as to the other mates.

Mates.

She was a mate. The thought brought both irritation and an odd warming in her abdomen.

How soon would she have Kane's abilities? He attacked with emotion, sending some kind of waves. Could she attack with the waves? She approached life so differently from Kane . . . maybe she wouldn't ever be able to attack.

Where was her grandmother? How dare she put herself in danger on purpose?

The door slid open and all six-plus feet of Kane Kayrs sidled inside.

He was sweaty.

Amber's heart thumped hard.

The vampire was naked to the waist, the strong muscles of his chest glistening. She swallowed. "You look like a romance novel cover."

He barked a surprised laugh, dark gaze wandering over her nude body. "You look like my greatest fantasy coming to life."

Now wasn't that sweet?

Graceful steps forward and he brushed his fingers over the marking. "Beautiful," he murmured, his voice hoa.r.s.e.

Tendrils of instant need peaked her nipples and softened her s.e.x. She took a step away from him, reaching for a silk robe he'd left for her earlier. Being naked around Kane was dangerous. She angled the mirror toward him, craning her neck to see.

He frowned. "What are you doing?"

"Nothing." Yep. He had a reflection.

Amus.e.m.e.nt curved his lip. "Stop believing silly legends."

How the heck was she supposed to know? "Okay. So, what have you found out?"

"Nothing yet. We need to talk. Why don't you go scout out breakfast in the kitchen while I take a quick shower?" He disappeared behind the bathroom door.

Why in the world did he make an order sound like a request? She knew a freakin' order when she heard one.

Shaking off irritation, she padded barefoot through the rooms to the small kitchen. The appliances were top-notch, the counters granite, but the lack of a window made her shoulders twitch. She needed to get outside soon.

A round kitchen table sat to the side with bright yellow cus.h.i.+ons. She'd bet every cent she owned that somebody else had chosen the cus.h.i.+ons.

Opening the refrigerator, warmth flushed through her. He'd stocked up on organic tofu, nuts, and vegetables. Sometimes the hard-a.s.sed vampire could be such a sweetheart.

Maybe they could figure out a way to live together.

She frowned. Not without love.

Grabbing all the necessities, she had tofu omelets almost ready when he stalked into the kitchen.

The vampire wore loose sweats, his feet bare, his chest broad. Wet black hair curled at his nape, and his eyes had morphed to a dark violet bordering on black. His harsh features seemed even stronger than usual.

Her mouth went dry.

He glanced at the pan. "Yum." The deep tenor of his voice lacked enthusiasm.

She grinned. "Sit down. You'll love properly prepared tofu, I promise."

"Uh-huh." He slid gracefully into a chair, hunger on his face. But he wasn't looking at the food.

Her hands shaking just enough to annoy her, she dished up two plates and carried them to the table. Then she grabbed the organic orange juice from the fridge and poured two gla.s.ses.

"Thanks for breakfast," Kane said, his gaze on the tofu.

"Anytime. Stop staring and try your breakfast."

He took a deep breath and then ate a small bite. "Hmm." Eyebrows raising, he took another bite and then frowned. "This is good."

"See? Tofu takes on the taste of anything else you cook with it, and I use a lot of spices." She unfolded her napkin. Maybe she should replace all the eggs in headquarters with tofu. "You don't know everything in the world, Kane."

"Okay." He dug in. They ate in silence for a while. Finally, he cleared his plate. "That was good. But I'm still going to eat meat."

They'd see about that. "To each his own." She finished half her plate, her stomach full. "What do we need to talk about?"

"Demons, your grandmother, and eternity." Kane sat back, his gaze thoughtful.

She coughed on her orange juice, quickly swallowing. "That's quite a list."

He smiled, but his eyes remained focused. "I know."

There should be a law about vampires having to wear s.h.i.+rts when talking about important matters. The hard lines of his very impressive chest kept distracting her from reality. Maybe that had been his intention.

She set down her gla.s.s. "Demons and my grandmother first."

"Okay. We're going to reactivate the tracker embedded in her foot soon, and then we'll have to go quickly."

"I'll be ready."

"I don't think you should go."

That was incredibly sweet. She shoved back from the table, the chair squeaking on the hard stone floor. "We mated so I could learn to attack."

"Sometimes it takes years for mates to share a gift. Believe me, you're no stronger today than yesterday." He shook his head.

"Neither are you, then."

"True."

"So together we can use our skills and help save my grandmother, and maybe your brother." She wouldn't believe Jase was gone until she saw proof. There were too many uncertainties in war. "Besides, I'm the best s.h.i.+eld you have against demons. You need me."

"I do need you." His eyes darkened.

Was he talking about just with the demons? Or was it something deeper?

He crossed corded arms. "The last two times you attacked demons, you nearly pa.s.sed out."

Logic was the only way to deal with this particular stubborn male. "You're being an a.s.s."

"Maybe." He shrugged, apparently unconcerned.

Logic, d.a.m.n it. Logic. "I can s.h.i.+eld myself, and if I remember correctly, I can help s.h.i.+eld you. Maybe if I s.h.i.+eld you, you'll be able to attack and protect us and your brothers. If you're attacking, the demons will concentrate on defense and not on making the brains of your brothers bleed."

Kane's nostrils flared. "That's quite an image you created."

"I find visuals help in arguments." Man, now she was starting to talk like the guy.

He shook his head. "I can't be worrying about you while also trying to keep Dage from going crazy."

Dage? The breath swooshed out of Amber's lungs. "You really do think Jase will figure out a way to die."

"I really do," Kane said softly, the words full of pain. "And it's my job to help my brothers deal with that fact and get out of demon headquarters in one piece while saving your granny."

She studied him, reality smacking her hard in the face. He didn't want to believe Jase was going to kill himself-Kane held as much hope as the rest of them. But as usual, he was trying to be the voice of reason and prepare everyone. "Who covers your back, Kane? Who protects you?" Her heart warmed for the man.

He shrugged. "I'm not emotional and don't need protection."

But he was, and he did. "Let me help s.h.i.+eld you and find my grandmother. She's my grandmother, and I have to be there. I just know I have to be there."

He gazed at her, no expression on his face.

Logic wasn't really working. She'd go over his head to the king, but Dage would probably follow Kane's advice, especially since Amber and Kane had mated. "I know you don't trust fate or intuition, but I do. And I need to be a part of the rescue for my grandmother. It's my risk and my chance."

He blinked and rubbed both hands down his face. "I don't know."

Three words the scientist probably hadn't muttered very often in his long life.

Amber sighed. "I do know. You're going to have to trust me at some point, Kane-no matter what happens between us."

His hands dropped to his lap. Calculation entered his gaze. "Okay. We strike a deal. You're my mate, Amber. I let you go into danger against every logical reason I have, and you give us a hundred years as mates."

Surprise shot her shoulders back. "You want a formal contract regarding our relations.h.i.+p?"

"Yes."

What an a.s.s. Temper nearly had steam shooting from her ears. Plus, the thought spiraled through her brain that Kane had always planned to take her on the mission. This was just manipulation. "So, does this contract of yours detail how many times a day I seek your advice? How many times a year we have dinner together? How many times in a century we f.u.c.k like jackalopes?"

He huffed out a chuckle. "I told you, there are no jackalopes. And no, all I want you to agree to is to spend the next century living with me as mates. The rest of your list is totally up to you."

A hundred years in exchange for him allowing her to do something she had every right to do anyway. Even so, what was a century compared to her grandmother's life? Amber knew, deep down, she had to be on the raid to rescue Hilde. "It's a deal with one caveat."

"Just one?" One dark eyebrow rose.

"Yes. You can release me from the hundred years at any time. The second you do, I have the choice whether to go or stay." The man had no idea of what she'd do for freedom. He'd want her gone within a month.

He sighed. "Amber, I need to concentrate on curing the virus after we get your grandmother back. The last thing I'll have time for is you playing a bunch of silly games so I let you go."

"Take the deal, Kane."

"Fine. Just so long as you understand that I'll handle immature behavior as I see fit."

She frowned. "Meaning what?"

"You act like a brat, and I'll treat you like a brat."

Oh, the vampire had no idea who he was messing with. She held out her hand. "It's a deal."

His hand enveloped her in a warm, firm grip. "Deal."

A smile flashed to her lips, and she couldn't help the challenging curve.

Someone knocked on the door.

Kane froze. Releasing her, he stood. "Stay here."

Not in a million years. She followed his long strides through the living area to the door.

The king stood on the other side, his face blank, his eyes a burning blue. "We reactivated Hilde's tracker-she's on her way to Scotland. We should have her final location within a few hours, and then we'll go."

Kane's shoulders straightened as if he were bracing himself. "And?"

"We intercepted a second video. The demons cut off Jase's head-he's dead."

CHAPTER 30.

Amber cleaned up the breakfast dishes, her heart hurting, her mind spinning. Kane had left with the king to create battle plans without saying another word.

The rage and pain in his eyes would haunt her forever.

Everything that happened to his family, to his people, wasn't his fault just because he was so smart. Why did he have to take all the responsibility on himself?

She wanted to help him. Truth be told, she wanted to soothe him.