Betrayal: Immortal Protectors, Book 1 Read online

  She jumped back startled.

  “I-I was about to get dressed and come find you,” she stuttered.

  She’d combed her hair back away from her face.

  Nothing hindered his view.

  She was so beautiful.

  His body reacted.

  He saw the same heat reflected when their eyes met. “We leave in thirty minutes. Would you like something to eat?”

  Emma nodded, her eyes never leaving his face.

  “Ah hell.” He moved toward her, unable to stop himself from reaching for her.

  When his lips covered hers, she sighed and wrapped her arms around his waist. He wished they had more time.

  These would be their last few minutes alone.

  She felt so damn perfect in his arms.

  Just a few minutes. If he could just spend a few more minutes with her, maybe he could calm the searing need that nearly had him trembling.

  No, they didn’t have time.

  She was dangerous. He couldn’t form coherent thoughts around her. It shouldn’t be this hard to walk away. The urge to be with her was too strong, like a tangible thing. It was new for him to not be in complete control and he didn’t like it.

  Emma’s hand touched the side of his face and she looked into his eyes. She spoke his thoughts, “Can’t we be together one more time, Cyn?”

  He couldn’t deny her.

  He groaned, and gave in to desire.

  Impatiently, he yanked his pants off, and his erection sprung free. He tugged away her towel, baring every inch of her in one fell swoop. He lifted her up and she wrapped her legs around his waist. He carried her to the bed and sat with her on his lap, so she straddled him.

  “Ride me Emma,” he told her. “Hurry love, we don’t have much time.” He lifted her by the hips and pushed up into her. Emma drew a sharp intake of breath as he filled her heated moist center.

  She leaned forward and placed her hands on his shoulders and looked at him, her pretty face puzzled. Had she never done this before?

  Emma frowned and bit her lip as she peered down to where they were joined. She raised her hips and when he began to slide out of her, she pushed back down. Hissing in pleasure, he was mesmerized at the sight of her above him. The feel of her snug heat made him buck under her.

  Cyn shuddered as she pushed him back onto the bed and began to rock her hips up and down in a steady rhythm. He kept his hands on her hips — in heaven, but allowing her to set the pace. At first, her movements were slow but as she neared climax, her tempo increased. The sound of flesh hitting flesh and their moans filled the room.

  Cyn teetered near the edge. Through half-closed eyes, he watched Emma. She was enticing, her eyes closed, lips curved into a sensual smile.

  When she shuddered and fell against him, Cyn held her in place and continued to drive in and out of her. Not able to hold back long, he held her against his chest and rode the wave of completion.

  She lay on his chest for a few moments. When their eyes met, he glimpsed a flicker of unguarded emotion.

  He kissed her. She didn’t kiss him back.

  The moment was over. He could literally feel her pull away from him and reassemble her walls. When he slipped out of her, Emma got off the bed without a word. She donned her bra and top before shimming into her jeans. The entire time she kept her eyes averted.

  He wondered why she acted so uneasy after making love. Something about intimacy bothered her. He decided not to ask, as it didn’t matter. After they rescued Roderick, he would never see her again. He threw his clothes back on.

  “I’ll be in the kitchen,” Cyn called as she turned toward the bathroom. “We leave in ten minutes.”

  # # #

  Cyn sat at the kitchen table drinking coffee. Why did Emma distance herself from him after making love? His bite may have frightened her. He definitely shouldn’t have bitten her. Not once had he ever bitten a woman during lovemaking. He wasn’t sure what came over him that drew him to do that. Perhaps she feared him still.

  No, she had most definitely enjoyed sex with him. And he hadn’t bitten her this morning. Emma was an enthusiastic lover. When she walked into the kitchen a few minutes later, she looked away when their eyes met. She dropped her bag onto a chair before going to the counter to pour a cup of coffee. Inexplicably, it troubled him to see her so subdued.

  Cyn held out a bagel to her that he’d already buttered.

  “Thank you,” she muttered as she took the bagel and bit into it.

  “Are you alright?” he asked before downing the last of his coffee.

  “Great, why do you ask?” She raised her eyes to his as if daring him to say something.

  What the hell do I say now?

  They stared at each other not moving, it seemed that neither of them were sure what to say or do next.

  Finally, he decided it was best to just avoid the conversation. “We better go.” He walked past her out of the kitchen.

  Emma’s changing moods intrigued him. Everything about her called to him.

  Watch your back. Kieran’s words came back into his head. Could this all be a ploy?

  Her stance was rigid when he picked up the strap to blindfold her. Cyn almost changed his mind, but he could not risk her knowing the location of the house. He had to consider Blue’s safety. He tied the blindfold and took her by the arm leading her to the garage. “Sorry, I have to take precautions.”

  “Of course,” Emma replied, her voice flat.

  # # #

  They rode the motorcycle to the outskirts of Atlanta before Cyn stopped to remove her blindfold. Once she donned the helmet again, they rode on.

  When they finally stopped outside an old white farmhouse, Emma looked around puzzled.

  The old two-story, though in dire need of new paint, stood proud against the darkening background of tall pines. Several of its shutters clung in desperation to the weathered boards flanking the sides of the windows. One fallen victim leaned haphazardly against the house on the wide front porch.

  Cyn drove around to a square dirt patch in the back of the house and helped her dismount. She took the helmet off and stepped back, careful not to brush against the bulky silver Harley Cruiser already parked there.

  The arc of Cyn’s long leg sweeping over and off of the bike was a graceful thing to watch but her appreciation came to an abrupt end when he motioned to the ground next to her feet. “Can you grab that piece of wood for me?”

  She handed him the square block of wood that he slid under the kickstand to keep the bike upright on the ground.

  “This is my brother’s place,” Cyn told her looking up at the farmhouse.

  The back of the house wasn’t in much better shape than the front. The door to a screened-in porch hung at such an awkward angle it couldn’t even close. The obvious cause behind the constant creaking of the rusty hinges as it opened and closed in the breeze.

  Cyn noticed her raised eyebrows. “Kieran’s not much into home improvements.”

  That was a huge understatement.

  Emma followed closely behind him and scanned the area, feeling ill at ease. She sensed the other Protector as soon as they got to the rickety back door and stepped onto the porch.

  Emma’s hand shook as she risked steadying herself on the doorframe. What if his brother could sense her demon nature? She held onto the fact that the spell star to camouflage her true identity had worked so far.

  Without knocking, they stepped into a stunning modern and enormous kitchen that looked to double as a meeting room of sorts. An oversized oak table in the center of the room surrounded by six leather executive style chairs filled the room.

  A stainless steel side-by-side refrigerator and stove lined one wall, along with a microwave and dishwasher. On the adjoining wall, there was a large farm style sink which was surrounded by a tan and rust speckled granite counter. A computer and coffee maker rested side by side. She made special note of the steaming cup of coffee, cell phone, gun, and sword that lay near the c
omputer.

  The dense tree line surrounding the house could be viewed from the large picture window on the wall opposite the sink.

  Emma moved behind Cyn when two men walked into the kitchen.

  The first man to enter had to be Kieran, Cyn’s brother. He was as tall as Cyn and had the same golden hair. But unlike Cyn, Kieran’s hair just reached his shoulders. The Protector was leaner than Cyn with the clearest green eyes Emma had ever seen. They were almost transparent. His demeanor was harsh. He spared her one brief glance before lifting his chin at his brother in greeting. Like Cyn, Kieran was handsome, but more intense and aloof.

  The other man, also a Protector, had just arrived. He wore a heavy coat and his sword hung prominently across his back. This male was exotic with caramel skin and luminescent gray eyes. A bit shorter than the brothers, the Protector had a strong jaw and a broad muscular chest. Under his unbuttoned leather coat, his gray t-shirt stretched across his well-formed pecks. The man sported the same feral look about him that was second nature to Protectors. He wore his midnight black tresses braided down his back. More hostile than Kieran, this Protector took his time to eye her with distaste, his lip curled all the while. Cyn approached the intimidating Protector and put his hand on his shoulder.

  “Rowe. It’s been awhile.”

  Rowe returned the gesture and gave Cyn a pointed look, his expression solemn. “If Roderick’s alive, we’ll get him.” His deep voice coated in middle-eastern accent.

  Cyn turned and motioned toward Emma, who tried to stay behind him as much as possible. “This is Emma.”

  “Emma this is Rowe and my brother Kit,” he told her as he motioned toward each in turn.

  Kit? Cyn’s nickname for his brother didn’t fit the somber man. When Kieran glared at Cyn, his nostrils flaring, she understood why he disclosed it.

  Kieran’s eyes snapped to her and Emma swallowed hard. She was surprised when he relaxed and gave her a subtle nod. Rowe ignored her.

  “We won’t eat you lass. Sit down, have some coffee.” Kieran had managed to maintain more of his Scottish accent while still sounding remarkably like his brother. The familiarity halfway assured that she was safe from Kieran. However, she wasn’t so sure about Rowe.

  Kieran went to the coffee pot and topped off his cup. Cyn shook his head, flashing a crooked smile at his brother. “Kit is addicted to coffee. If he goes any length of time without it, he loses his mind.”

  The Scot disregarded his brother’s comment and gestured at a map spread out on the table. The mood in the room changed when men stood around the table and studied the map. Kieran circled areas with his finger and briefed them about the newest information on the location of the demon compound.

  Emma moved to stand by Cyn. Without taking his eyes away from the map, he motioned for her to take a seat. Too uneasy to sit, she remained standing.

  “We know the demons are in this area, our droid sent general coordinates, but it was discovered before we could confirm an exact location. This area does make the most sense. Demons have to stay close enough to the city so they can get there, have their fun and be back under ground by daylight.” Kieran indicated a large circle around the city center. “They also have to be far enough out of the city so they can hide and keep their human followers.”

  Cyn addressed her, “As you saw when you were there, they keep humans to feed from. Most of the humans are there voluntarily. They serve as food for the older demons which may be too old or weak to hunt. Humans are also used to train the young ones how to feed.”

  Repulsed, Emma shuddered. She’d never felt the urge to feed from a human or demon for that matter. Being a half-demon meant that she didn’t need blood to live. Even most of the full-blooded demons she’d run across sought to blend in with humans and got their blood from demon-owned blood banks. Before her encounter with Gerard, that is.

  The men continued to analyze and study the map. After a while, Emma began to tire. She poured herself a cup of coffee and sat in a chair at the end of the table to watch them. The men were well trained. Some of their conversation flew over her head as they tossed around coordinates and strategies. Although frustrated at her lack of understanding, she drank down the strong brew and absorbed as much information as she could.

  An hour later, Cyn and Rowe decided to go scout the areas Kieran indicated on the map.

  Emma jumped up and went to walk out with Cyn. She didn’t want to be left behind with Kieran. Even though he was Cyn’s brother, he was still her natural enemy.

  “I won’t be long,” Cyn said as he wrapped his arm protectively around her shoulder and held her to him, not seeming to care they had an audience. Cyn brushed his lips across her brow. When he tipped her face up to him, a stab of emotion that she couldn’t quite identify took her by surprise. If they had more time, if things were different, she could fall in love with this man.

  “You have to stay here. We’ll be gone for a short while. Kieran will stay with you.” She glanced uncertainly at Kieran, who at the moment, spoke with Rowe.

  “It will be okay, Kieran won’t harm you. He’ll keep you safe,” Cyn assured her.

  “It’s not just that. I don’t want to sit around waiting. I can be of help. I was there, remember?” The tensing of his shoulders indicated he would not change his mind. She gave him her best pleading look.

  Cyn proved unbending. “I won’t take you with me now. You’ll have to wait.”

  She glared at him, but remained silent knowing she could not force him to take her.

  After Cyn and Rowe left, Emma sat on the edge of one of the leather chairs in the kitchen and watched Kieran pour himself yet another cup of coffee. Some of her apprehension lifted when he topped off her cup.

  Soon Emma tired of sitting in the quiet room. Other than studying every detail of the kitchen, there wasn’t anything else to do. Kieran didn’t seem to feel uncomfortable by the silence in the room.

  Finally, after almost an hour of Kieran not speaking a word, Emma became restless.

  “Can I ask what you are reading?”

  Kieran looked away from the paperwork in front of him and glanced at her, almost as if he’d forgotten she was there. “The information Cyn got from you.”

  “Do you mind if I explore the house?” she asked.

  “Go at it,” he replied, his attention already away from her.

  Upon leaving the kitchen, she was impressed. Though the exterior of the house was in shambles, the entire interior was well maintained. Most of the furniture was of the highest quality. Like Cyn’s home, Kieran’s place was sparse but expensively furnished.

  In the spacious living area, a buttery suede sofa and a pair of chocolate leather chairs faced a sizeable stone fireplace. But that was the extent of the room’s furnishings.

  She ambled down a hallway to find a small guest bathroom and two good-sized bedrooms. The bedrooms were almost identical, each with a large bed and single dresser. Across the hall, she peeked into what was obviously Kieran’s master bedroom. The dimly lit room housed a beautiful rustic unmade bed fashioned from tree branches. The askew black bedding suited the somber man. Not wanting to invade his privacy, she went back to the living room and out the front door.

  Emma strolled out to the front porch bathed by rays that filtered through the tall pines. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath lifting her face up to the warmth of the sun. Would her life ever be simple again? Would she be able to enjoy the simple things like the sun on her face after tomorrow?

  The enjoyment didn’t last long. Kieran’s sharp voice startled her.

  “Come inside.” He scowled at her from the doorway. When she entered the house, he waited for her in the living room.

  “Remain in the house. Cyn will be cross with me if you’re not here when he returns.”

  Kieran walked away without another word and went back into the kitchen.

  The day was not progressing as she’d hoped. Other than Cyn and Rowe scouting, not much headway had been made towa
rd rescuing Briana. Emma sat in the living room for a long while and leafed through a book on folklore. Literally appalled at how many discrepancies it contained. Kieran kept a lot of books on the paranormal. Emma wouldn’t have expected such a collection from someone who lived it every day.

  She let out a breath and put the book down. Surely, there was something useful she could be doing. Too anxious to sit any longer, she went to find Kieran. Maybe she could get him to have a conversation with her?

  Kieran sat at his computer and typed in what looked like the same type of code language Cyn used.

  The room was quiet except for the tapping of keys. Emma cleared her throat. “Er, Kieran, I was wondering. If the Protector’s mission is to destroy demons, why is Cyn raising Blue?”

  Kieran didn’t answer her right away. Then he faced her, his expression pensive. “Our mission is to kill those that are a threat to humans or others who cannot defend themselves. We don’t bother any demon unless it threatens someone unable to defend himself. As far as any other type of relationship for us, it can get complicated.” Kieran frowned in thought. “Blue was a baby when Cyn rescued him from harm. He considers the boy his own now.”

  Emma liked the burr of his Scottish accent. Cyn’s is barely perceptible. “What about when Blue matures? His demon nature may become dominant and it may be hard for him to overcome it, even living with a Protector.”

  “Cyn is hoping Blue will be able to. He is only half-demon and is well cared for and taught the Protector way. We’ll have to wait and see. Then cross that bridge when we reach it.”

  Emma’s heart skipped. Kieran didn’t seem to think badly of half-demons. She wondered if he would be as accepting of her. What was she thinking? Maybe under different circumstances, she could’ve found out. But there was no sense in even considering any kind of relationship with Cyn. Not after what she was about to do.

  “What time are we going to the demons’ compound? Are more Protectors coming to help?”