Provoked

CHAPTER 28

He’d never make it back to Kurjan headquarters in time. Kalin leaned against the side of the barn, stretching his legs over the hay. The kill had taken longer than he’d expected, and he’d missed his window to run home in darkness. But what a kill it was. The woman had fought well for a human—and she’d tasted like blueberries. He’d rather have found a witch, but sometimes things just didn’t go his way.

As usual, his victim had been a petite blue-eyed brunette. He didn’t need a shrink to draw a connection to Janie Kayrs.

Stretching his neck, he finished licking blood off his fingers.

Appeased for the moment, the beast within him relaxed into slumber. Finally. He’d been pissed off since losing the older demon destroyer.

The damn demons.

The bastards had somehow traced his call and taken the demon destroyer from the wolf compound. Of course, the idiots had allowed the Kayrs family to retake the old broad from their temporary location. His enemies were truly morons.

He scooted away from the outside wall as the sun slowly rose in the sky. Someday he’d stand in the sun. But not today.

Once again his nights were free so he could hunt. Years ago he’d led a group of werewolves, true beasts who loved to kill, and somehow had found an odd relief dealing with them.

He actually missed the monsters.

The Kurjans had created Virus-27 without knowing the full potential of the bug. The virus had turned many of the shifters into hairy werewolves before Kane Kayrs had created a cure.

Kane Kayrs. Supposedly the smartest man on the planet. Kalin would bet his left arm the Kurjan scientists were smarter. They had created the virus, after all. Even after all this time, the vampires hadn’t figured out the true purpose of the disease.

Why did all important matters take so much damn time?

Shutting his eyes, Kalin searched for calm. He slipped into a dream world, not very surprised to find himself walking in a tree-filled park. He’d known Janie would call at some point.

The grass was short and green, while the sun poured down with a gentle touch. He lifted his face with a hum of appreciation. Birds squawked in the distance, while a gardenia-scented breeze rippled over his skin.

“I tried to make the sun as realistic as I could,” Janie said, her voice melodious in the dream world.

He turned to the side, finding her perched on the back of a wooden bench, her feet resting on the seat. White tennis shoes covered what had to be size four feet. “Are your feet that small in real life?”

She glanced down and shrugged. “Sure. You met me in person. . . don’t you remember?”

Of course he remembered. He’d saved her life by throwing his knife into the eye of a werewolf who would’ve killed her. “Yes. You owe me.”

“Not really. You attacked my home in the effort to kill my dad.” Fire flashed in her pretty blue eyes. “I’d say we’re even.”

There probably wasn’t a reason to inform her he still planned to kill Talen Kayrs. “All right.” As he studied her, he realized the woman from the night before didn’t come close to Janie’s beauty. Curly brown hair fell to Janie’s slim shoulders. Pale skin, smooth as alabaster, covered her fine features. Her body was tight, her breasts high, her movements graceful. But it was the deep blue of her intelligent eyes that haunted his dreams. In all his hunts, no woman had ever come close.

Janie swung one jean-clad leg back and forth. “I need a favor.”

Interest sizzled through his veins. “Go on.”

“While you greatly disappointed me by not finding the location of my Uncle Jase, I know you have connections in the demon world.”

Sure. The same bastards who had set up him so neatly before. He faked a confident smile. “Yes, I do.”

Her pretty face paled even more. “I need you to find out if he’s dead or not.”

The woman’s pain was palpable. Kalin had the oddest urge to stroke her shoulder. Shaking his head, he shuffled his boots. He was the leader of the Kurjan military, for God’s sake. “What’s in it for me?”

“How about you just do the right thing for an old friend?” she asked soberly.

He winced. “I don’t work that way, Janet. I want something else.”

She took a deep breath. “What do you want?”

Now that was a loaded question. “How old are you now?”

“Almost twenty-one.” She tilted her head to the side. “Why?”

Just how far would she go for her precious uncle? Kalin moved before she could react, grabbing her by the waist to stand on the bench. For once, they stood eye-to-eye.

She stopped breathing, her gaze on his.

For once, he was glad his green eyes were nearly human. “I want a kiss.”

Surprise opened her mouth in a small O. “You can’t be serious.”

He was deadly serious. Sure, they were enemies. Someday she’d hate him. But she was also right that she was the only friend he’d ever had. He wanted one kiss given willingly before all hell broke loose. “Just one.”

While he usually saw fear in a woman’s eyes, he could swear curiosity filled Janie’s. She truly wasn’t afraid of him. Yet.

Her gaze dropped to his lips. “Let me get this straight. I kiss you, and you contact the demons to find out if Jase is really dead or not.”

“That’s the deal.” Now he held his breath.

“Okay,” she whispered. Sliding her hands up to his shoulders, she leaned in and pressed her soft lips against his.

Electricity shot down his spine.

Her mouth was tentative and much warmer than his. She tilted her head to the side, opening slightly.

He reacted instantly, grabbing her hips and yanking her closer. Plunging his tongue in her mouth, he took. She tasted like honey and heaven, a mixture he’d never even imagined.

She began to struggle, and his fangs dropped low. One nicked her.

The first drop of her blood ignited a hunger beyond belief.

She sank her teeth into his bottom lip, drawing his blood.

Shock made him step back. They both breathed heavily, staring at each other. She wiped blood off her lips.

He licked his.

A low growl rumbled up from his chest. Her blood was the sweetest thing he’d ever tasted—probably tasted like pure sunshine.

She took a deep breath. “Happy now?” Her eyes were wide, her hair mussed, her cheeks pink.

“Not even close,” he said honestly. “I’ve always known someday I’d have you, but I’d never realized how very much I’d truly want you.” The woman had bitten him. Really bitten him. Mating her would make her immortal—his for eternity. “Prepare yourself because I’m coming for you soon.”

Sadness and wisdom filtered through her amazing eyes. “I’d give myself to you in a heartbeat if you’d choose the right path.”

He shook his head, his long black hair flying. The woman didn’t know what she was saying. “Your path isn’t the right one, Janet Isabella. Only one species can rule the earth, and it’s my time.”

“You’ll rule with death and fear.” She shook her head, her shoulders straightening.

“Of course.” Something told him deep down he’d never kill her. Not like those other women.

She jumped from the bench, her tiny shoes not even sending up dust as she landed. “I’ll expect the information from you shortly.” Turning on her heel, she walked leisurely down the path toward the edge of the park, her perfect ass swaying in the tight jeans.

He smiled. The woman had guts. What an excellent battle it would be.

“My Janet.”

Janie sat up in the bed and swallowed several times to keep from throwing up. She had Kalin’s blood. While she didn’t know how it worked yet, she knew getting his blood would give her a power over him. One she’d need someday.

Of course, she hadn’t planned on his taking her blood.

Damn it.

Now both Zane and Kalin had her blood. While they could all work together to end the war, neither man seemed interested. They both had their stubborn plans, and her destiny was to thwart those.

Life truly wasn’t fair.

Not for a second did she trust Kalin would discover the truth about Jase. She’d just needed the Kurjan’s blood.

It had been so much easier to get that blood than she’d thought it would be.

Her stomach ached when she thought about her Uncle Jase. She’d heard about the video from her father, and his face had been shadowed with pain as he’d prepared her for the worst. Uncle Jase might be gone for good.

For now, she needed to clear her head.

Swinging her legs over the bed, she yanked on sweats. Hustling into the bathroom, she brushed her teeth and washed her face.

Energy still sizzled through her veins from trying to trick Kalin. She definitely needed to go for a run.

The smell of pancakes tempted her as she headed for the door. Poking her head in the kitchen, she found a slice of peace at the sight of her father flipping chocolate chip pancakes. He wore black combat clothes and flak boots with a pink apron tied around his waist.

“Sit and eat,” he said, turning around.

He was still the biggest man she’d ever seen. Broad across the shoulders, he had fierce features and hands bigger than dinner plates. She adored him for the hero he was. He’d saved her from monsters when she was four years old and had given her a safe home since. The world had instantly become safer the second Talen became her father.

She slid into a chair at the large table and reached for a plate. “Why are you cooking?”

“I miss your mother.” He tossed the apron to the sink, sat, and passed the syrup, his golden eyes dark. “She always makes pancakes on Sunday.”

“Today is Tuesday.”

“I don’t care. I want it to be Sunday—and I want them to come home.” A dark frown settled over his broad face.

“Mom and Garrett will be home next week.” Janie took a big bite and closed her eyes as the chocolate warmed her throat. Her dad always put in twice the amount of chips than her mother did. “These are awesome.”

“I’m a good cook—almost as good as my mate.” Talen took a bite.

Janie chuckled. “Some of the shifters think you sound possessive and archaic every time you call Mom your ‘mate.’ ”

He swallowed his food, his eyes thoughtful. “I guess I was so happy to find her, and so proud to make her my mate, I say it to make myself happy.” He grinned. “And to remind her every chance I get that she’s mine.”

Okay, that was possessive and sweet. Would Janie ever find somebody who loved her that much? Would Zane ever love her? “You’re one of a kind, Dad.”

“Thanks, sweetheart.” Then Talen frowned, studying Janie’s face. “What happened to your lip?”

She coughed and wiped her mouth on a napkin. “I bit myself when I was training yesterday.” The lie heated something in her stomach, probably guilt. But her father couldn’t know she’d just kissed a Kurjan in her dream. Talk about explosions.

Concern wrinkled his prominent brow. “You should put some ice on it after breakfast.”

“Okay.” Then Janie sat back and studied her dad. “You didn’t sleep last night again.”

He sighed, tossing his napkin on his half-eaten pancakes. “I kept seeing that video with Jase.”

Janie nodded, pain catching her heart. “I haven’t had a vision regarding him, but I’m still hopeful the video was a trick.”

Talen rubbed both hands through his hair. “I hope so, too. We usually rely on Kane for logic, but he’s definitely off his game, so I’m just not sure.”

Janie shrugged. “Kane’s confused about everything right now—give him a break.”

“What’s there to be confused about?” Talen growled. “He met his mate, the mark appeared on his hand, and now he needs to follow his path. Why does he have to think everything to death?”

“Because he’s Kane,” Janie said gently. “He blames himself for failing to find Jase, and he doesn’t trust his feelings about Amber. He’s fighting himself and his feelings.”

“I don’t see why.”

“He’s not you. Give the guy a break—you’re his older brother. Be on his side.” Janie shook her head. Uncle Kane and her dad couldn’t be more different, but they needed each other now more than ever. “I haven’t had a vision dealing with Jase in the future for some time, and Kane could be right. If Jase really wants to die, he’ll figure out a way. Kane is going to need you.” Heat filled her head as she said the words . . . if Jase truly died, her heart would break. She’d adored her uncle from day one.

Talen smiled, the dark circles under his eyes standing out. “What are you up to, Janet Isabella?”

Sometimes she forgot her father was a genius, too. “Nothing. Geez.”

He lifted an eyebrow and gave his stern look. The worry marks under his eyes detracted slightly from the menace. “Are you dating another shifter?”

For goodness’ sake. Like she had time to date between manipulating Zane and Kalin as she tried to end the war. “No. I’m not dating anybody right now, Dad. But I promise, you’ll be the first one I tell when I find someone to date. Not.” She snorted.

Talen huffed out a strong breath. “You’re too young to date.”

Three hundred years old would be too young for her to date so long as her dad was concerned. She shook her head. “Stop worrying about me and go help Kane. He needs it.”

Talen smiled. “When did you get so smart?”

“I’ve always been smart.” She forced a smile, biting back a wince as her damaged lip protested.

“Good. Smart girls get to do the dishes.”