Burn the Night

Sixteen

Danaus bade me to stop pacing for a third time, but I wasn’t listening. My mind kept turning over the fact that I was suddenly being thrust into talks with a clan of Japanese nightwalkers; a significant and completely unexpected event. I was a fledgling the last time a member of the Far East nightwalkers appeared before the coven, and the meeting did not go well. After centuries of silence, I knew that the naturi were the reason for their appearance. But did they also know that I was partially to blame for the failure to prevent their return?

To further complicate matters, I was now aligned with members of the naturi in hopes of killing their queen so I could place a different naturi on the throne. And the best part: I was expected to play nice with the naturi that had been trying to destroy me for most of my existence. How had things gotten to be so bad so fast?

Leaning against a tree at the edge of the clearing, Danaus watched as I swung my katana through the air, slicing at the wind that was beginning to stir. After a brief trip to my house, where we took the opportunity to rearm with an assortment of blades, we traveled out to the clearing the Savannah pack used during the full moon for its meetings. Out here, we were hidden from the view of humans in the event that this conversation went as poorly as their last visit to the coven.

“Are these Japanese nightwalkers really that tough?” Danaus inquired as I carefully slid the sleek sword into the sheath hanging across my back, then ran my hands down over the knives strapped to my sides.

Keep your voice to yourself. You don’t know how close they are. They could be listening.

A little paranoid, aren’t you? Danaus asked in a mocking tone. But his sense of humor didn’t keep him from being just as prepared as me. The hunter had grabbed his favorite sword with the rune inscribed along the blade, as well as a collection of knives that were secreted about his person.

They are in a foreign land and may be looking for an advantage over us. It’s enough that they had to step in and save our hides from the naturi. They need not hear our private conversations about them as well.

Why are you so concerned?

I finally stopped pacing and stood in front of the hunter. Because I am completely unprepared for this. I don’t know what they want. They’ve not spoken to anyone outside Japan in centuries. These nightwalkers are also centuries old. Ancients! I’m half tempted to go track down Jabari since I know he’s still lurking in the region, but I fear he would make a bigger mess of things.

We’re better off without him.

I— The words halted in my brain as I felt a swell of power drawing near. A car had stopped less than a mile away from the clearing. They weren’t attempting to cloak their appearance any longer. There were three nightwalkers approaching, along with one human I could only presume was Matsui. A ball of anger flared. I had trusted my bodyguard to protect me. I have to admit that I had always suspected he was a spy, but I’d hoped I was wrong. After I was finished with the Japanese nightwalkers, Matsui was getting on a plane with them. Gabriel would have to find another replacement for my poor Michael.

Unfortunately, I was also coming to the realization that I would never find a replacement for my fallen bodyguard. Michael and Gabriel had been the perfect combination. Their experience, wisdom, and just general common sense allowed them to survive at my side for several years. Finding another that would protect me with his life and wouldn’t betray me was proving to be difficult.

Danaus sensed our approaching company as well and pushed away from the tree to slowly walk out into the clearing. With a wave of my hand, a large fire sprang to life in the center of the clearing, deepening and pushing back the shadows to the surrounding woods. Several other fireballs burst into existence around the clearing, hanging in the air like oversized fireflies. We all had perfect night vision, but I wanted nothing to be hidden here. I wanted to remind the Soga clan exactly who they were dealing with. The Fire Starter.

The hunter came to stand beside me, a frown pulling at the corners of his mouth as his hands rested on the hilt of two knives strapped to either side of his waist. “You’re right. They are old. Ancients at least as old as Jabari, if not older.”

“You should never have come,” I whispered, angry with myself for not considering it sooner. His life had already been at risk when we faced the naturi that evening. I didn’t need to add to it by pitting him up against a trio of nightwalkers that were significantly stronger than me. I should have handled this alone.

“Don’t start this now,” Danaus growled.

“I’ve risked your life enough tonight. You should be home—”

“Doing what? Baking a pie in the kitchen? Your laundry?”

“This is nightwalker business—”

“And as your consort, that makes it my business as well,” he snapped. “I was handling nightwalkers long before we met, Mira, and I’m going to continue to handle nightwalkers regardless of whether we are involved. You have to stop trying to protect me.”

Clenching my teeth, I closed my eyes for a second while I dragged in a deep breath through my nose and released it through my mouth. He was right. I was being overprotective. If there was anyone among my acquaintances that could handle himself in a fight, it was Danaus. Since taking him as a lover, it had become easier to forget that first and foremost he was an efficient killer.

“Stay behind me,” I grumbled, refusing to vocally acknowledge that he had a valid point. That didn’t stop him from chuckling softly at me as he took one step back so he hovered just behind my left shoulder.

Hideo was the first to step out of the shadows and enter the clearing. He raised one hand to shade his eyes against the bright light of the dancing flames that filled the immediate area. The ancient nightwalker was followed by two of his companions, on either side of him. Matsui stepped around them and briefly bowed to me before turning back into the woods. I could only guess that he was going back to wait at the car. My greatest concern, however, was the one missing nightwalker from their group.

“Thank you for agreeing to meet me here. I thought the added privacy would be most beneficial to our talks,” I said, forcing a smile onto my lips.

“We are honored that you have agreed to speak with us during this most trying time. We are sure that you are quite busy with your own troubles,” Hideo stated with a nod of his head. He glanced around the clearing and I could hear him sniffing the air. “This is an interesting location.”

“This is actually the meeting spot for the local lycanthrope clan. Since the full moon has already passed, I thought it would be the one remote location in the city where we would be undisturbed.”

“And the scent in the air . . . ?”

“Yes, it is human blood,” I confirmed. The smell of dried blood lingered. Considering that we spent centuries hunting down and ingesting the delicacy, it was no surprise that most nightwalkers could easily discern between human blood and the blood of other races simply by smell, even if it was a day or two old. “During the full moon there was an altercation between the lycanthropes and a group of humans determined to hunt them down. Members of the Daylight Coalition.”

“I fear we have not heard of them.”

“You will,” Danaus grimly interjected, drawing a frown to Hideo’s mouth. I saw him cock his head ever so slightly toward the nightwalker on his left as if he were listening to something the nightwalker was silently saying.

“I was unaware that one of your companions was injured in the battle,” I stated, changing the subject to the more important topic of the location of the missing nightwalker.

“Not injured,” Hideo corrected with a wave of his hand. “I hope that you don’t mind, but it was a very long journey here. He was in need of sustenance. I apologize for not seeking your permission first.”

It was an excuse. Not a particularly good one, but one I could not argue with at the moment. I held up my hand and smiled at my companions. “Please say no more. I understand your situation and you are welcome to feed in my domain so long as you abide by the coven’s rules of discretion and protection of the secret.”

“Of course. Thank you,” he agreed with a slight bow of his head. He then turned his attention to Danaus, who was just behind me. I could easily imagine the grim, disapproving expression etched in the hunter’s hard face. I had little doubt he was also disturbed by the missing nightwalker. “Despite the lycans’ recent problem with the humans, we find it reassuring that you have chosen to keep a human close to you in the form of a companion, as well as the human bodyguards that you keep on staff.”

“Apparently you have not been fully informed. Danaus beside me isn’t a companion. He is my consort on the coven,” I replied with a growing grin that allowed my fangs to peek out. I was waiting for their shock but was ultimately disappointed.

“Matsui had mentioned his increased importance in your life,” Hideo admitted. “We have long seen it as essential to have a strong relationship with humans. It’s reassuring to see the West adopting a similar mentality.”

“Mira remains very unique in her stance toward humans and their place in her life,” Danaus said blandly.

“But as an Elder, she could represent a positive influence for others,” Hideo countered with a small confident smile.

“I hope so,” I said.

“Please allow me to introduce my companions.” Beside Hideo on the left, a nightwalker who appeared to be about the same age and yet felt several centuries older stepped forward. “This is my second in command, Tetsuya.” The nightwalker quickly bowed to us and then stepped back behind Hideo’s shoulder again while the other nightwalker stepped forward. “And this is my close advisor, Kojima.” The final, remaining nightwalker at least had a few flecks of gray in his hair, but his face still looked relatively young and fresh. However, Kojima felt as if he were the youngest of the trio.

“It is both an honor and a surprise to meet you,” I said. “If my memory serves correctly, I was but a weak fledgling when an emissary from the East met with the coven, and the purpose of that meeting was to break all ties with the coven and the nightwalkers of the West. If you’ll forgive my bluntness, why the sudden break from the silence?”

Hideo’s earlier smile widened and I saw only the barest flash of fang, as if he were trying to hold it back and was failing. “I was forewarned of your bluntness and have been told you appreciate it in those you deal with. Of course, I’m sure you must know what would drive Japan’s nightwalker clans into breaking their centuries of silence.”

“The naturi,” Danaus said in a low growl.

The smile melted from Hideo’s face at those two words. We had expected as much. Since the opening of the doors following the battle at Machu Picchu, the world had been flooded with naturi. Even the Soga clan, after centuries of isolation and silence, were looking to me to clean out this nest because I was the famed Fire Starter. But fame was not going to help me survive the nights ahead of me.

“Yes, those earthbound monsters have been hunting down my people these past several months. Our human daylight guardians are no match for them. Two entire clans have been completely wiped out. Another lies on the verge of extinction. These clans are nearly as old as the people of Japan themselves, and now they are gone forever.”

I nodded once, chewing on my lower lip. “Yes, we have lost many nightwalkers and lycanthropes as well due to the increased presence of the naturi.”

“We have come to find out what the coven plans to do about the naturi threat,” Kojima stated.

Frowning, I stared down at the ground, weighing my next words carefully. I had little encouragement to offer them, but then, I had to remember that they’d turned their back on the coven and our ways. Was it really my job to offer them a hand of assistance?

“As of my last meeting with the coven, the naturi threat was being handled by the keepers of the individual domains. The coven itself is not acting beyond the occasional incursion,” I explained in a firm, even tone. “For now, it is seen as the job of every nightwalker to rein in and hunt down the naturi.”

Hideo looked over at Kojima and then at Tetsuya before leveling his narrowed gaze on me. “And that is the coven we remember. Unwilling to act to save its own; concerned only with hiding from humanity so it does not have to answer for the lifestyle with which it has become so enamored.”

I merely shrugged my shoulders at his correct assessment. “It is not in the nature of the nightwalker to change. We are as we have always been.”

“Ahhh . . . but you are different,” Tetsuya replied. “You were reborn differently than the rest of us. You are the Fire Starter.”

“Little more than a parlor trick when it comes to fighting the light clan,” I said with an absent wave of my hand. At the same time, the flames around us shifted and flicked brightly, as though a breeze had swept through the woods and disturbed them. It seemed they were starting to move in for the kill, and I had to fight the urge to reach for my nearest blade. It wasn’t that I was a coven Elder that attracted them to me in the first place. It was the fact that I was the Fire Starter and had survived multiple encounters with the naturi. I was a survivor, which was what they needed when it came to defeating the naturi at last.

“But you must have some plans for your own domain,” Hideo pressed. “Matsui spoke of one naturi in particular, Rowe, who has been hunting you. We have even heard that the queen of the naturi has made it a special mission to acquire your head since you were so instrumental in stopping their return many centuries ago.”

Kojima stepped forward to stand in front of Hideo. His hand slid down to his side where I could only guess there was a concealed blade. The soft sound of earth crunching beneath Danaus’s feet drifted up to my ears as the hunter restlessly shifted his stance. “We’re under the impression that you may be under increased pressure here and planning something that could alleviate some of that pressure for your own kind and the shapeshifters.”

A smile toyed with the corners of my mouth as I looked over at Danaus. The hunter was watching me closely, waiting to see if I was willing to reveal my own plans for Aurora to our visitors. In truth, I couldn’t decide. The Japanese nightwalkers had turned their back on us. They had left us to lead our own lives and demanded that there be no interference in their lives from the nightwalkers of the West.

Desperation had drawn them back to our side, but I didn’t expect them to agree so easily with what we had planned, no matter how desperate they were. In fact, I was more concerned with them becoming a hindrance if they didn’t agree. Hell, I wasn’t banking on the coven to back me on this, so I wasn’t telling them either. How could the Japanese clans go along with my plans?

“You are correct in that we have plans for my domain of Savannah,” I admitted with a sigh as I finally decided to step out on this limb. “Unfortunately, you have to keep in mind that my main goal is not the preservation and protection of our people while eliminating the naturi threat. I am aiming for something far grander. I want a permanent peace. That is what we were meeting about in the tunnels when you aided us tonight.”

“A permanent peace?” Hideo repeated. “You have found a way to return the naturi back to their cage?”

It was a tempting idea, but one doomed to failure in the end, as we had already proven with their escape. The cage that held the bori was enduring, but I wasn’t willing to put my money on the idea that it would last indefinitely either. Putting the naturi back in the cage was not only impossible because I had no idea how it was accomplished in the first place, but also impractical. I didn’t want to have to fight another Rowe years from now as he completed a list of sacrifices in order to free his people. Like I had said, I wanted something more permanent, even if it meant a sizable sacrifice and a change in mentality for us all.

“There will be no return of their cage,” I said grimly with a shake of my head. “We do not know how it was formed. Furthermore, the naturi have been scattered to the four winds, and we would never get them gathered together so they can be recaptured.”

“Then how would we achieve this permanent peace that you spoke of?” Tetsuya inquired.

“We first need to get rid of Aurora.”

“Stopping Aurora would bring us peace? We would still be overwhelmed with naturi,” Hideo said.

“Stopping Aurora would be the first step in the process of achieving peace,” Danaus said, drawing all eyes over to him. “She maintains her plan to destroy not only nightwalkers but humans as well in her effort to save the Earth. She is single-minded in her plan, and she has begun to turn on her own kind. She is alienating those she would need to accomplish her grand scheme.”

“There is a fissure that is growing among the naturi,” I added. “We should be able to use that break in their solidarity to our advantage.”

“How?” Tetsuya asked warily.

I smiled at him. “An alliance.”

“With the naturi?” Hideo demanded, his soft voice hardening for the first time. “You are planning an alliance with the naturi?”

“Yes,” I said with a slight hiss of warning. I wanted to keep this meeting as civil and calm as possible, but I knew that what I was suggesting now was treasonous among the nightwalkers. We had spent too many centuries fighting against the naturi. From the very birth of our race, they had been our enemy. There was no reconciling your differences with your enemies. At least, not when it came to the naturi. What I had said earlier was too true. Nightwalkers didn’t change. But then, I guess Tetsuya was right; I was different.

“Aurora has tried to kill both of her sisters in the name of treason. The younger of the two sisters, Cynnia, wants to establish a coexistence between naturi and nightwalkers. A number of naturi have already rallied to her side, and she aims to take on Aurora. If we can get Cynnia named queen of the naturi, we have a chance at creating a permanent peace between our two peoples.”

Danaus stood beside me with a hand resting on the hilt of one dagger at his side in the form of a warning.

“From what we have come to understand, the naturi are weary of war. The race is slowly dying off. Cynnia is offering them a chance at survival by simply blending into the background, a return to the forests of the world where they can live in peace.”

Kojima shook his head and paced a couple steps away from his companions, edging a little farther into the clearing. He was clearly the most emotional of the trio, struggling to maintain the same outer calm as his companions. “If they are already facing eventual extinction, why do we not just take advantage of it and kill them off?”

“Because their numbers are still great,” I said, closely watching the pacing nightwalker for any sign that he was reaching for a weapon. “The war that would ensue would place us against all the naturi, and no matter what you may hope, we would never be able to rally the nightwalkers together to defeat the naturi horde.”

“You would also be faced with the Great Awakening if you attempted to wage such a war,” Danaus reminded us.

The Great Awakening. I liked to think it was something that nightwalkers from both the East and the West were trying to avoid. Especially since we still had to deal with the naturi epidemic first. I could only manage one thing at a time.

“My people are ready for the Great Awakening,” Hideo firmly said.

I shook my head. “But the world is not. If your people are struggling with the naturi, then you are not ready to face a world that knows about nightwalkers and lycanthropes. Those humans you are so eager to call your friends are just as likely to turn on you the moment they begin to see you as a threat—which you are.”

“Coexistence is the only way we can hope to continue our current life while remaining hidden from humanity,” Danaus said. “Cynnia wants peace between the two sides, and it is the wisest choice at this juncture.”

“Do you seriously think peace with the naturi is possible?” Kojima demanded, glaring at me. I didn’t blame him for his doubts. He was only voicing the same thoughts that I had. The only difference was that I knew what had truly happened among the Machu Picchu ruins. Cynnia wasn’t just trying to save her own skin; she was trying to save her race from an even bigger war that Aurora was planning. We didn’t need to turn the humans against us just yet. That would come soon enough, I was certain.

“With Cynnia as their leader, yes,” I replied. “I’m not so blind as to think that all the fighting between the nightwalkers and the naturi will stop. There will be small branches that are determined to keep the war going even after Aurora’s defeat, but that is nothing in comparison to the war Aurora is determined to wage.”

Hideo scratched his chin as he silently stared at me. “This Cynnia was the one you were meeting with tonight?”

“Yes. The leader of the Savannah lycanthropes, me, and my associates all met with her tonight to discuss her plan. In truth, I have just now agreed to go along with her plan. There is still much planning and strategizing that needs to be done, but I believe in her vision for our two peoples. After countless centuries that have cost us too many lives, I believe that Cynnia can finally bring the war between the nightwalkers and the naturi to an end.”

“If Cynnia is for peace between our races, why were there naturi attacking you tonight?” Tetsuya inquired.

“Because Cynnia is being hunted by her sister Aurora. The queen has become paranoid and insane with power. At Machu Picchu this past fall, she branded Cynnia and her sister Nyx traitors. She banished her consort Rowe. She has made enemies of the very people she needs most at her side to succeed in defeating the nightwalkers and the humans. Those so-called traitors are now gathered together to bring her down.”

“And they have won over the Fire Starter as well,” Danaus added with a smirk. “The odds are starting to tip in our favor. Aurora may have greater numbers, but we just need to take down the queen to finally quell the naturi nation. Cynnia will lead them into seclusion while the nightwalkers and the lycanthropes return to their previous way of life.”

Hideo shook his head at me. He paused and threaded his fingers through his hair, pushing it away from his eyes. “And what happens if this Cynnia succeeds and takes her people away from the human world? What if the naturi are allowed to return to the woods where their numbers are permitted to grow once again? Won’t we be eventually faced with a new, stronger threat?”

An evil grin slipped across my face, and I could feel a lavender glow filling my eyes. “The peace that I speak of is merely a temporary one in hopes of avoiding an even greater and more dangerous war that will rip away our veil of secrecy. The fight between Cynnia and Aurora will cut into their numbers, leaving the naturi weakened. It will take them a long time to replenish themselves. That will give us time to train our own death squads to specialize in hunting down the naturi in their own territory. At the moment, we haven’t an edge when it comes to fighting them in the woods. Time and research will give us that edge. Do not mistake my decision to agree to a truce with the naturi. My ultimate goal will always be their complete extinction.”

Mira! Danaus exclaimed in my head, though there was no outward signs that he was stunned by my admission.

It is better to kill them off before they get the chance to kill us off, I coldly replied. Cynnia has some pretty ideas, but the truce between the two races will always be temporary. She can’t rule forever, and I know Rowe. He won’t allow the coexistence to stretch indefinitely. He is a soldier and he has been trained to kill nightwalkers.

But you agreed to a truce with Cynnia!

I will not be the one to break that truce, but make no mistake, it will be broken eventually, and we will be prepared for it.

“Your plans are interesting,” Hideo conceded. “We are reassured by the fact that your end goal remains the elimination of the naturi race. However, we cannot accept a temporary truce with a group that we plan to ultimately destroy. The naturi are our sworn enemy and we cannot agree to work in harmony with them.”

“Even if it means avoiding the Great Awakening?” I asked, cocking my head to one side as I stared at him.

“This just may be a sign that it is finally time for the Great Awakening to happen.”

“I can’t accept that.” I crossed my arms over my stomach and glared at Hideo. “If it is within my power to delay that horrible event, I will do everything I can to delay it. Humanity is not ready.”

“And we cannot accept such two-faced betrayal,” Hideo countered, looking completely at peace with his decision. It was all I could do not to snicker at him.

“The clans of the East truly are different,” I said. “Here, betrayal is a way of life. It’s a survival mechanism.”

“We are not like you,” Tetsuya said, looking more than a little offended.

“And yet you came here looking for my help. I may be different, but I was raised by the nightwalkers of the West. I’m not that different.”

“We cannot help you,” Hideo firmly said.

“Because of my ultimate plans of betrayal?” I raised one eyebrow at him.

“Because working with the naturi would be a betrayal of our promise to fight them,” Hideo corrected.

“Then maybe it’s time to rethink that promise, if you have any hope of protecting your people in the long run,” I said, and held up my hand to stop his next comment, which I knew would be a rejection of that very suggestion. “Remain in my domain for a few nights. It is a long flight back to Japan, and you and your people will need some time to regain your strength. Think about what I have told you. If you would like an audience with Cynnia to further discuss her vision, it can be arranged.”

“And the coven’s position on your plans?” Kojima asked.

“The coven has no position on my plans because I am handling this as the keeper of my domain. If we succeed in ridding the world of Aurora, I will then deal with the coven.”

Hideo frowned at me, his dark eyes narrowing. “While we appreciate your offering and the position that you find yourself in, we believe that our situation is direr at the moment. We politely request that you accompany us back to Japan where you will aid us in ridding our lands of the naturi pest.”

My voice dropped to a low warning. “I’m afraid that I can’t do that. My job is to protect my domain, not yours.”

“And I am afraid that your refusal is not an option,” Tetsuya countered.

I took a step backward while both my hands dropped down to the knives on either of my hips as I waited for the attack. “You can’t force me to assist you. My work is here.”

“We are confident that you will come if it means coming for your consort,” Kojima said with a dark grin.

It was then that I finally felt it. He had been cloaking himself deep in the woods, but now that he had drawn close to the clearing, I could sense his power clearly despite his efforts to hide himself from me. I growled, stepping in front of Danaus to block the other three nightwalkers in front of me from approaching.

The other one is here. He’s going to attack you from behind, I warned Danaus silently.

It’s too late, Danaus snarled in my brain. He’s already done it.

I twisted around to find the smaller man hanging onto Danaus’s back, his legs wrapped around the hunter’s slender waist while holding a short blade to his throat while his other hand held a knife close to Danaus’s heart.

Boil him, but don’t kill him. I will handle the others.

The fireballs that circled the clearing crashed to the ground in an explosion of sparks and debris as I launched myself at my three opponents. It wasn’t that they had hoped to kidnap me for their own ends. I was pissed over the fact that they thought for even a second that they could lay a hand on Danaus. It would not be tolerated.

Knives spun out of my hands in a flurry of glinting silver across the clearing. They were easily blocked by my skilled opponents, but it gave me enough time to draw my sword. As it cleared the sheath, I coated the sleek blade in dancing flames. The trio hesitated to approach, allowing me to back to them to the edge of the woods.

At the same time, the screams of their secret companion echoed through the clearing, bouncing off the trees and soaring into the black sky above. There was a heavy thud as the body hit the ground behind me. I could hear the scrambling in the dirt as he writhed about, undoubtedly clawing at his flesh.

“Drop your weapons now, or your companion will be boiled from the inside out,” I threatened.

“Nomura,” Tetsuya whispered, his gazed locked over my shoulder.

“Do it now! He doesn’t have much time!”

“Agreed,” Hideo said, throwing down the sword strapped to his back. His companions quickly followed and then held up their empty hands in acquiescence.

Turning sideways, I looked over at Danaus, who released the Japanese nightwalker from the ugly grip of his powers. The nightwalker named Nomura stopped writhing about and curled up into a tight little ball on the ground, moaning.

“In case you were wondering, Danaus can more than take care of himself,” I said smugly. “Touch him again and he will not hesitate to kill you all. Touch anyone else in my domain and we will both hunt you down. I can sympathize with your desperation, and that is why I have spared your companion’s life.”

“How?” Hideo whispered.

“That’s my secret,” Danaus said in a low voice.

I took a step backward and put my sword in its sheath on my back. “Take your companion and return to your daylight resting place. My offer stands. You may stay in my domain for a few nights to give your companion some time to recover. Consider my plan. The elimination of Aurora may also succeed in helping your own people in Japan.”

“We do not welcome the Great Awakening, but working with the naturi to avoid such a fate is equally abhorrent to us.”

“I’m not thrilled with the idea either, but we have been backed into a corner.” I frowned. “It’s time to make some tough decisions.”

“Agreed,” Hideo said with a slight sigh, sounding tired for the first time. I couldn’t blame him. Dawn was drawing close and it had already been a very long night.

Cautiously, the three members of the Soga clan approached their fallen member and carried him from the clearing, keeping as much distance from Danaus and myself as possible. Kojima paused long enough to pick up their weapons at the edge of the clearing.

When my eyes finally fell on Danaus, I considered rescinding my offer and burning all four of them to a crisp, but I got hold of my temper at the last second. Hurrying to the hunter, I put my hand over his, resting on his throat. He had been cut deeply enough that blood was leaking between his fingers, while a second more shallow wound had sliced through his shirt and cut through the flesh over his heart.

“I’m fine,” he reassured me in a low voice that danced across my skin.

“You’re not. That bastard cut you. He could have seriously injured you. I thought their goal was to kidnap you. How could I possibly agree to help them if they killed you?” I ranted.

“I honestly think it was an accident.” Danaus weakly smiled at me, trying to ease my fears and cool the anger bubbling just below the surface. “When I started to boil his blood, he jerked away from me, pulling the knife across my throat as he rushed to get away from me.”

Danaus lifted his hand, wiping away the blood to reveal a long, angry red cut, but at least the bleeding had stopped. I pulled away my own hand, covered in his blood, my fingers trembling. A deep, unrelenting longing rose in my chest, nearly dragging a whimper from my throat. I wanted to lick my fingers clean of his blood. I want to suck the blood from his fingers and run my tongue along this throat to clean away the last of his blood. And if I was honest with myself, something dark inside of me longed to sink my fangs in his throat and finally drink deep.

With jerky movements I grabbed the edge of his cotton shirt, wiped my hands clean of the temptation, and took a step away from him. It was more than the fact that Danaus would not let me drink from him. It was that I refused to ever allow a nightwalker to feed from him, including myself. Danaus was above such things. He was my lover and constant companion. He was too precious to ever become a source of sustenance. I wouldn’t allow it.

But that didn’t mean my instincts didn’t scream for his blood. Danaus understood that longing and was smart enough to give me space when I needed it.

“It’s been a long night. You need to feed,” he murmured.

“Yes,” I reluctantly admitted, looking away from him.

He placed his hand under my chin and tipped my head so I couldn’t hide from his direct gaze. “Go feed. I will take the car back to the city. Do you want me at the house?” His thumb gently stroked across my cheekbone, and my eyes slipped shut for a moment, easing some of the hunger pains.

“No need. It’s late. I will go directly to bed when I return to the house. I have much to think about tonight.”

“As you wish.” He leaned in and slowly pressed a kiss to my forehead. His motions were slow and controlled, careful not to set off any of my more predatory instincts when the smell of his blood was still wafting through the air. I could feel the turmoil churning within him as he walked away and I remained a silent ghost in his thoughts. He still struggled with my need to ingest human blood, but he was fighting to accept it. This relationship was not an easy thing, but we were trying.