Claimed

Chapter 3

Dage tugged on his onyx cuff links as he dressed in the family quarters, fury sliding under his skin. To be so close as to actually taste her ...

“Conn and Jase have made themselves scarce somewhere in this damn hotel,” his brother Talen noted, yanking on a black bow tie.

Dage couldn’t help but smile. Forcing Talen into a tuxedo was like making a leopard wear a tutu. His brother was made for flak jackets and combat boots. “You look pretty in a tux, brother. Your mate will sigh with joy.”

The good natured punch from Talen would’ve killed a human. “Shut up. By the way, that’s a lovely marking on your palm.”

The marking ached like a raw tooth and had since appearing the previous night. It needed to find a home on Emma’s flesh. Now. “She doesn’t want to be marked.” The words hurt to say. He hadn’t seen her since handing her off to Cara for much needed rest because he’d been swamped with Realm business all day.

Talen grinned. “Can’t blame her. Branding is archaic, neanderthalic, and absurd.”

“Neanderthalic? Cara makes up her own words, I see.” Damn but Dage adored his sister-in-law. He clasped his long dark hair at his nape, then straightened his black jacket, his gaze sweeping the plush executive suite with its thick carpet and rounded beige chairs. The hotel smell of lemon cleanser began to irritate him.

“Yeah, I know.” Talen snorted in amusement. “But the marking is necessary for their protection—to give them our defenses as well as immortality. There’s no other way—and there’s no other choice.”

Dage chuckled. “Life is so black and white for you, isn’t it? You plan, fight, conquer, and go home.” His brother was perfect for his position as head of security for the entire Realm.

“Yes.” Talen double-checked the weapon stored at the small of his back. “You’re a fine king and well suited for the crown.” Golden eyes flared. “But in this instance, at this time, diplomacy be damned. Find your woman and mark her as your own.”

While his brother was as subtle as a ten point earthquake, Dage hoped to entice his mate rather than conquer. As a first resort anyway. But whatever the means, the end result would be the same. He’d finally touched his queen. Finishing off his grape energy drink, he rolled his shoulders, his own weapon in place. “We haven’t had to arm ourselves for the colloquium in centuries.”

“You haven’t. I’ve always been armed.” Talen tucked a knife against his shin. The family quarters were well guarded, but once inside the grand ballroom there would be too many guests to be certain of safety. Vampires, shape-shifters, and witches galore. All of the leaders throughout the Realm—a symposium equal to that of the United Nations. Talen snapped another knife in place up his left sleeve. “You need to stop drinking that stuff.”

“Why?” Immortality had some benefits. “I’m allowed one vice.”

Talen grinned. “That’s a stupid vice. At least at the damn colloquium we get scotch.”

Dage shrugged. “I know you wanted me to cancel the colloquium, but we couldn’t with us having gone to war with the Kurjans. Diplomacy is at a must right now.”

“I know. Portland was a good choice of location this year. Easy to travel from if necessary.” Talen returned to his main topic. “Are you going to mark Emma or not?”

Dage fought a growl. “Of course.” His pretty blue-eyed scientist would damn well wear his mark—sooner rather than later. He’d waited centuries to find her.

The wait had ended.

“Ah, I have news.” Talen shifted his feet in shiny new loafers, no doubt wishing for combat boots. “Cara’s with child.”

Dage threw an arm around his brother’s thick shoulders. “Congratulations. You’ll have a fine son.”

“Are you sure? I mean, have you seen my son in your head?” Talen’s eyes held a never before seen uncertainty.

Dage forced a smile. “No—which means there’s nothing to worry about.” He hoped. He cleared his throat and sought the right words. “In fact, I’d like you to concentrate on strategy and security for the next while.” His brother was a strategic genius, a talent that would more than serve the Realm.

Talen stilled. “Is that so?”

His brother was also known for a deadly temper. “Yes. We’re at war and need to focus on making plans with the shifting nations as well as covens. We need to organize.”

“I’m not sitting on the sidelines.” A muscle began to tick in Talen’s jaw, a sure sign punches would soon follow.

Dage readied his stance. He’d hate to have to kick his brother’s ass right before the ball. Damn but it’d be a good fight if they both let loose. “You know as well as I that planning for the battle is more important than shooting a gun.”

Golden eyes flashed. “You know as well as I that no battle strategy goes according to plan. I’m as good as Conn on the ground.”

Together the two men were unbeatable. “I know.”

Talen sighed. “Dage, I appreciate it, I really do. But my job is my job and I need to do it right, whether or not my mate’s with child.”

“I know. But with Janie and now the new baby, you have a lot to think about.”

“Yes, and if something happens to me, I know you’ll take care of Cara, Janie, and the baby. We’re at war, Dage.” Talen clapped him across the shoulders. “We can’t turn our backs on duty, no matter the reason.” He grinned. “Now let’s go find our mates.”

Several suites down, Emma bit her lip as she tugged her skirt into place. One minute she was running for her life through a dark forest with the evil undead on her tail, and the next day she stood in the loveliest blue and silver ball gown imaginable. They’d arrived at the Portland hotel in the wee hours of morning, and she’d even had time to sleep before being reunited with her sister. Now she was pretending to be Cinderella.

She looked down at the pretty fabric and sighed. The corset top pushed her breasts up while the waist cinched in before the skirt flared out. The three-inch silver heels made her feel like a princess. She tried to bring reality back to her mind. “I need to call Henry at the lab and see what’s going on.”

Cara glanced up from her perch against the sofa, looking beyond beautiful in a light golden gown that brought out the highlights in her auburn hair. “Why? Dage is having a research lab built. I’d assumed you’d want to work there.”

“My life is in Boston, Cara.” At least it was. “Henry is a good friend and an excellent lab partner. I’m sure he had no idea what Davis was up to.”

“Yeah, good old Davis, your creepy boss.” Cara rolled her eyes. “Great plan hooking up with the Kurjans to conduct research. What could go wrong?”

“I need to find out what’s happening at the lab, and no phones would call out from the hotel today. I don’t like being kept here like this.” Armed guards lined the halls of the family quarters. Dage had supposedly been conducting business all day and had yet to make an appearance. She’d met her hulking new brother-in-law earlier when Talen had dropped by for an introduction. The guy was dangerous, no question about it. Just like his older brother.

“I know.” Cara smoothed back her hair. “But we’re in danger and I guess security has to be tight. Can’t you just enjoy the ball tonight?” She flashed an impish grin. “With your black hair pulled up and those blue eyes, you look like Sleeping Beauty.”

Emma rolled her eyes. “At least the dress fits.” In fact, an entire wardrobe had been provided for her. The vampires had some clout. She sighed. “It’s just that, I feel trapped like when we were kids. Yesterday, running through the woods, I thought of all the times ...” Pain clenched her stomach.

Cara nodded, losing her smile. “I know. All the times we ran from Daddy and his latest beating. What a prick.” She straightened her shoulders. “But we survived. We’re here now.”

Emma nodded. “Yes. This is where you want to be, right?” She focused on her younger sister, trying to open up any psychic power she may own. Was the baby all right?

Cara laughed, fingering an intricate golden cuff winding up her arm. “Yes, Emma. We don’t need to plan a big Lucy and Ethel type of escape. I love Talen and want to stay with him.”

Relief washed through Emma. Good. No matter what happened to her, Cara and Janie would be taken care of.

“So.” Cara raised an eyebrow. “Such a strong sense of relief you’re experiencing. Making plans of escape yourself?”

Damn empath. “Get out of my emotions, sis. I don’t need any plans to walk out the door. They can’t keep me here.” She had work to do back home.

Cara straightened her skirt. “Besides relief I’m sensing concern. What has you in knots?”

Emma cleared her throat. If Cara wasn’t worried about her pregnancy, no way was Emma going to plant that seed of doubt. “Knots? Seriously? All of a sudden everything we know about genetics, intelligent species on this planet, and reality has been challenged. I mean, vampires exist.”

Cara laughed. “Science has always evolved with new discoveries, Em. This is no different.”

Well, that was true. Emma nodded. “I want to take your blood and sequence map your DNA.”

“Now you sound like a vampire geneticist.” Cara snorted. “So, vampires. What about Dage? You’ve been dreaming about him forever and now he’s here. You going to walk away from him?”

No. She’d run. Emma opened her mouth to answer, shifting her attention as her niece skipped into the dressing room wearing a frilly white dress with sparkly shoes. “You look beautiful, Janie.”

The four-year-old clapped her hands together and gave a happy hop, her brown curls bopping and her iris blue eyes sparkling. “I wish my friend Zane could see me.”

Emma gave Cara a reassuring smile, knowing full well her sister was concerned about the friend who only visited Janie in her dreams. Sometimes psychic abilities were more of a curse than a gift. “I’m sure we’ll all meet Zane someday, Janie girl.”

Janie grinned. “I know a secret.”

Cara glided toward her daughter, a smile on her face. “What kind of secret?” She turned a questioning glance in Emma’s direction, who shrugged.

The giggle Janie gave echoed with fun. “I’m not ’posed to tell.”

Putting her hands on her hips, Cara set her face in a mock glare. “Says who? Talen?” Her voice warmed even as she rolled his consonants.

Janie clapped her hands over her mouth. “Uh huh.”

“Spill it, kid,” Emma said.

A tiny frown appeared between Janie’s eyes as she pondered. Then she gave a happy giggle. “Okay. He changed the center ... center ... um ... center ...”

“Centerpieces?” Cara guessed.

“Yep.”

Emma frowned. “What were the centerpieces?”

The silk dress shimmered when Janie shrugged. “Some crystal thingies.”

“What are they now?” Cara tugged one of Janie’s curls into place and then smoothed down the little girl’s skirt.

“Pretty plants with little flowers.” Janie skipped over to Emma.

“Oh,” Cara said, her cheeks pinkening and her eyes glowing.

Emma smiled. A plant physiologist, Cara was most comfortable with live plants or flowers nearby. “Talen’s got a sweet side.”

The door swept open. “I most certainly do not.” Talen, his dark hair loose around his shoulders, strode inside and reached for Janie to envelop her in a hug. “It was a secret.” He smacked a noisy kiss on the little girl’s cheek, setting her on her feet. “You look stunning, little one.” Janie preened and smiled. Talen zeroed in on his wife.

Emma glanced to his side and fought to keep her mouth from hanging open. Dage stood in the doorway dressed in a black tux—all powerful male animal. The sharp angles of his face enhanced those amazing eyes. Even in the civilized garb, something not quite tame emanated from him.

His gaze swept her head to toe. “You’re wearing my colors, love.” He stalked forward and leaned down to brush her cheek with a kiss. “Soon you’ll be wearing me,” he whispered for her ears only.

Desire blasted into her even as she stepped back. She liked things organized, nicely lined up in test tubes. There was nothing nice about Dage, and she sure as hell couldn’t predict him. And any outcome she’d envisioned ended with the king destroyed—because of her. She shook her head. “No.” Damn but that sounded breathy and unsure.

His eyes hardened but he didn’t get a chance to respond because Janie threw herself into his arms. “Uncle Dage. Do you like my dress?”

An astonishing change came over the king. His face softened and his eyes glowed as he caught the little girl and stood her on a cherry wood end table. “You’re beautiful, Janie.” His smile crinkled the corners of his mouth.

“Like a princess?” the little girl whispered.

Dage held her tiny hand with a delicate touch Emma would have to be blind to miss. “You are a princess, sweetheart.”

The smile bursting across her niece’s face reached Emma’s heart. An odd relief eased her mind. Janie’s safety wasn’t only on her shoulders anymore. Dage and Talen were more than equipped to keep the little girl safe should the worst happen. In case she failed to find a way to cheat death.

Talen cleared his throat. “Maybe we shouldn’t go to the dinner tonight. I’m armed, but ...”

Cara shook her head. “Oh no, I am so going. I’m starving.” She tucked her arm through his and held out a hand to Janie. “Come on, sweetheart.”

Dage set the little girl on the floor. “We’ll be right behind you.” His gaze dared Emma to refuse.

Cara gave her a lopsided grin and tugged her family out the door. “See you at the ball.”

Emma inched toward the door. “Let’s go to the dinner, Dage.”

He shifted his weight, effectively blocking her way. “I thought we’d get a couple of things clear, love.”

Butterflies took flight in her stomach. “Like what?” She lifted her chin. Damn but that sandalwood scent made her want to tackle him to the floor and shred clothing until she reached his flesh.

His callused finger traced a path along her jaw and she had to quell the warmth in her core. “First, you need to understand it’s well-known you’re a probable mate—my mate.”

She drew breath in, counting slowly to five, fighting the urge to tap her pretty shoe on the plush maroon carpet. The idea of his naked skin slowly wafted away as temper slid in. “I choose my own destiny, Dage. Period.”

He nodded. “Of course. Tonight you’re going to choose to finish what we started in the cave.” Clasping her chin between his thumb and forefinger, he leaned down to brush her mouth with his. Once, twice, and then a third time.

She tightened her shoulders, fighting the need to grab him. Desire beat against her independence. Her mind ruled her body, not the other way around. Yet her hands drifted up his jacket, the soft fabric tickling her palms. Her knees trembled and she clutched his lapels, yanking him closer and taking his mouth. She slid her tongue in and explored. Mint and male exploded on her taste buds.

Independence be damned.

With a low rumble in his throat, Dage stepped in and deepened the kiss, one hand curving to cup her ass and tug her against a rock hard erection. He took control of the kiss smoothly, naturally. So easily. Bending her slightly, his tongue explored her mouth, his lips turning firm and demanding. She softened, accepting him. Her need to meet his passion, her need to please him was one she’d dissect and deal with later. For now she allowed desire to fill her mind, to fizzle her thoughts. Her hands slid to the buttons on his shirt and were instantly captured by his.

He released her mouth, raising his head. “Duty calls, love. We need to table this for later.”

She stared for a moment at his stunning face before taking an awkward step back. What in the hell was she thinking? Her knees trembled while her breath panted out.

He held out his arm and she took it still in a daze, shaking her head as he escorted her through the door and down the hallway. Tall, dangerous looking guards stood at attention every few yards against the oak paneling.

She fought to control her raging thoughts. “Dage, I don’t understand why you’re having this ball and symposium when you just went to war.”

He shortened his stride, eyeing her high heels. “We have the colloquium every ten years without fail so we can update each other, consolidate, and know our allies. We also need a Realm show of force—an in-your-face type of thing for the Kurjans.”

“What exactly is the Realm?” As she walked beside him her feet already ached in the three-inch designer heels—but they were so worth the pain.

“We’re like your United Nations. Several vampire nations, shape-shifters, and witches all belong.”

“You’re the King of the Realm?”

“Well, king of the vampires. We run the Realm, though I don’t have a say in individual shape-shifting clans or covens.”

“So you’re at war just because the Kurjans have been working on a virus for the mating gene?”

“That and Janie. They’ve prophesized our niece’s future with a psychotic little Kurjan named Kalin—and I won’t let that happen. Ever.” Dage paused to lean against the wall, tugging Emma to face him. “The virus also affects shifters.”

“Shifters?” Emma teetered on her heels before finding her balance. “Like Katie and Jordan?” Cara and Talen had stayed with the lion shifters when running from the Kurjans.

“Yes.” Dage’s eyebrow rose. “Have you met Katie yet?”

“No. But I spoke with her on the phone when Cara stayed with them.” Katie had done her best to explain the hierarchy of her lion shifting clans, but the organization was still a jumble in Emma’s head.

“Ah. Wasn’t that when you ran cross-country with the Kurjans on your tail?” A vein stood out in the king’s neck and the air shifted around him. Anger.

“Er. Yes.” She needed to retrieve her research in Montana. “I didn’t want to put Cara in any more danger, so ...”

“And once she told you about us?”

“About your family or the vampire race at large?” Emma had been shocked to discover the Kurjans, and then thankful beyond belief to find out the white-faced mutants had enemies strong enough to take them on. She thanked the fates every day Talen had found Cara and Janie before the Kurjans did.

“Both.” Dage’s grip on her arm tightened.

“Then I figured Cara was safe and I should continue to Montana.”

Dage pivoted, pinning Emma against the raised wallpaper. “I’m hoping you learned your lesson.”

Considering the blood-sucking bastards had captured her and nearly taken her to Canada to mate with their leader, then yeah. “I need to hide better next time.” She bit her lip against a grin.

Dage’s large hand ran down her back to cup her ass and gave a gentle squeeze, tugging her into male hardness.

Heat rushed through her. She fought to keep her voice calm. “You know, for a king, you’re rather improper sometimes.”

“You’ve never met the king, love.” He nipped her ear and her knees began to tremble. “It’s the man who has you.”

Heat pooled in her abdomen even as she shoved both hands into his hard abs and pushed. Neither of them moved an inch. “You said something about the virus affecting shifters as well as vampire mates?” Damn, she needed to get her hormones under control.

Dage inhaled, his shoulders moving with the effort. “Er, yes. We think the twenty-seventh chromosome of a shifter controls the shift or mandates the type of shifter.” He spoke against the column of her neck, his breath warm on her skin. “To be honest, we don’t know anything for sure.”

“Type of shifter?” Emma struggled for a moment to accept this new reality. “I don’t understand.”

Dage lifted his head. “Shifters are either canine, feline, or multi.”

Emma fought a shiver of pleasure when he grasped her hand. She shook off the sensation. For the love of Pete, she was holding hands with a vampire—another species on this earth, one far stronger than humans. True danger in a seriously sexy package. Focus. She needed to focus. “Multi?”

He wound his fingers through hers, instantly warming her palm. “Yes. Multi-shifters can change into any animal except for feline or canines.”

Geez. How was it possible for humans to have missed this? Emma’s rational mind began to organize the information. “What does the virus do to shifters?”

Dage shrugged. “We think the virus attacks the gene to change the shifter into a werewolf.”

Emma chewed her lip for a moment. “A werewolf?”

“Yes. Werewolves are pure animals who crave feeding and killing. They’re bound to a master with a single spell, no rational thought, no humanity.”

Well, that sucked. “How does one become a werewolf?”

“Humans become weres by being bitten by a werewolf. Before the virus, shifters were immune to such a bite.”

Emma shook her head. “I don’t understand. Why go to the trouble of creating a virus to turn shifters into werewolves? Why not just bite a bunch of humans?”

“Because human werewolves don’t live long—a year at the very most. Shifters are much stronger.” Dage pushed away from the wall. “We think the Kurjans truly had no idea the scope of this virus when they began their research.”

So the Kurjans were attempting to create an immortal slave class. It made sense from a psychotic world-domination type of viewpoint.

Dage drew Emma’s arm through his to ease down the hallway again. “My brother Kane has had men creating a lab for us. I was hoping you’d agree to do some research.”

Wariness warred with an uneasy interest within Emma. No doubt the vampire’s lab would be state of the art. “I have a lab, Dage.” Unless the Kurjans still controlled it.

Dage paused and cleared his throat. “Ah. No, you don’t.”

Emma swung around to face him, halting him in his tracks. “Excuse me?” He was so not telling her what to do.

His gaze met hers head-on. “We blew the building up.” Her mouth gaped open. “You did not.” Her good Manolos were in her locker, damn it. As well as her passion pink Newton lipstick that had been discontinued. She couldn’t even find it on eBay.

“Sure we did.” Not by one tiny tick did the king appear anything but factual and at ease with the truth.

“Why?” she gasped.

He shrugged. “The Kurjans controlled your facility. All data there had to be destroyed, so we did a complete job of it.”

“What about the people who worked there?” The vampires wouldn’t have killed anyone, would they? Fear began to tremble down her legs.

“We’re keeping dossiers on all of them. So far, only your boss Frank Davis seems to have known about the Kurjans.” Dage rubbed a hand down her arm. “He’s disappeared, but probably to another Kurjan facility.”

Goose bumps rose in response. “What about Henry Duvall?”

“We can check the data later if you want.” Dage’s eyes narrowed. “Why? Who’s Duvall?”

“My lab partner.” Emma lifted her chin. “And a good friend.”

“Ah.” Dage’s eyes lightened in understanding. “That’s right. I remember that name. He protested when we moved your belongings to storage and put your house on the market.”

Shock made her voice tremble. “You did what?”

Dage lifted an eyebrow. “Love, the Kurjans are after you. You certainly can’t go back to your old life.” He clasped her hand again. “We had to send Duvall a couple of letters from you insisting there was a family matter and you’d gone on vacation with your sister. He finally quieted down.” The king’s tone implied Henry had made a wise choice in doing so. “Were you, ah ...”

“What?” Emma stumbled. “No. Of course not. We were just friends.” Good friends, considering they had the same taste in men.

“Good to know.”

They’d put her house up for sale. Unbelievable. She’d spent hours choosing just the right paint color for each room. It had taken over a week to sand and refinish the hardwood floors—with Cara and Janie pitching in to help. The garden was a work of art with its pansies and hydrangeas. Emma loved that house. She sputtered for a moment, her mind reeling as Dage turned and began leading her down the hallway again. She gritted her teeth together until her jaw ached. “We’ll discuss this later.” When she could form a coherent thought without wanting to kill him.

“Of course.” Dage reached a large double door and tucked Emma’s arm more securely in his. “You stick close tonight to either me or one of my brothers.”

She nodded, then barely suppressed a gasp as he swept the doors open to reveal a ballroom rivaling anything royalty had devised through the years. About two hundred people had already taken seats around blue covered tables set for eight with fine china and crystal. The scent of roasted chicken wafted through the air. Dage led her through the room, nodding to several dignitaries until reaching the head table where Talen, Cara, and Janie sat with another couple.

Dage grasped her hand. “Emma, this is Jordan Pride and Katie Smith.”

Jordan stood and held out a large hand. Ah—the mountain lion shifter. A myriad of brown, black, and blond streaked hair reached his broad shoulders. Tawny eyes twinkled at her. “My pleasure.”

She shook his hand, realizing she hadn’t quite believed in the existence of shifters until right that moment. An odd electric power shot up her arm from his touch. Weird. “Nice to meet you.” He released her and she took the seat Dage pulled out.

Katie grinned, her golden eyes alight. “It’s nice to finally meet you in person.”

Emma returned the smile. She’d enjoyed her phone conversations with the lioness while Talen and Cara had stayed with the shifters.

Katie leaned forward, her blond curls pinned up in an elegant chignon. “I’m still incredibly impressed you were able to outmaneuver not only the Kurjans but the vampires chasing you.” She shot a teasing glance toward Dage.

Emma shrugged. “I didn’t see an alternative. I had to keep traveling northwest until I could reach my friend’s place in Montana.” She’d almost made it, too. One second she’d been gassing up her car at a Texaco just outside Bozeman and the next lying in the back of a Kurjan van, half drugged out of her mind. She still didn’t know how they’d found her. Unless Davis had somehow figured out her plan, which was more than possible.

“Where’s your friend now?” Katie asked.

“Working abroad.”

Jordan leaned forward. “Where is the data now?”

Dread pooled in Emma’s stomach. “The Kurjans said they found the cabin, and my flashdrive in the car. It has probably been destroyed, though I have a fairly good memory of most of the lab results.” Her kidnapping had led to Cara’s kidnapping by the Kurjans. Was it only yesterday she and Cara had been locked in the Kurjan facility? Cara patted her knee under the table, no doubt sharing her sister’s feelings at the moment. Damn empath.

Waiters poured wine. Cara raised her eyebrows at the herbal tea placed in front of her.

“You can’t have wine, Cara,” Talen said, smiling when the waiter put a Shirley temple in front of Janie.

Cara rolled her eyes. “I probably could, but since my stomach is a bit pitchy, I think I’d rather have the tea.”

Katie covered her wineglass with one hand. “I’ve been fighting a cold and would like tea as well.” The waiter immediately fetched her a cup.

Emma smiled, suspecting Katie of claiming a cold just to keep Cara company. Apparently her sister had found a good friend. A friend who could shift into a mountain lion. What an odd world she’d just entered.

Dage leaned over and brushed a curl off Emma’s face, sending a shaft of pure need through her body. His unique scent of leather and sandalwood wafted her way and she fought a shiver.

“I’m going for the wine.” She took a deep sip, hoping to cool her desire. Yeah right. That would work.