Just to talk, Dean shrugged even though the other man couldnt see it. He pulled his feet up and rose into a crouch seeing the fight or flight light shining in the hybrids eyes.
Skye gritted his teeth not trusting the faceless voice. Is that all you want really?
Unless you want more, Deans voice was seductive as he let his gaze drift down the other mans body without shame.
How long had this boy gone without feeling the touch of another? He was almost full blooded Fallen and a Fallen felt no bond without touch it was just the way they were made. Thats why he had stopped Kriss from touching Tabatha too much why it had bothered him to see them curled up in bed together. He suddenly wondered if Kriss would become jealous if the tables were turned.
Why should I believe you? Skye growled knowing this was not a game.
You dont have to, Dean informed him realizing he was going to have to be heavy handed if he wanted to rein in the wild child. But what alternative do you really have? Either I kill you before you grow lonely and join the other demons or he smiled wickedly looking forward to the fight with anticipation.
Skyes fear shot through the roof. He rushed for an opening between the bookshelves only to feel a pair of strong arms wrap around him from behind. The force of the hold against his momentum drove the air from his lungs and actually lifted his feet off the floor. He struggled in the hold not bothering to take a moment to catch his breath.
The arms tightened around him and he gasped loudly at the hard body pressed up against him. He suddenly had flashes of the last time hed been this close to someone when he and Aurora curled around each other at night to stay warm when they held hands or gave into the hug they both needed. He could feel everything and that made him all the more frightened.
Or you could choose to join the Fallen, Dean breathed into the shell of his ear.
Fallen kill beings like me, Skye growled gripping the arm around his chest but was unable to break the hold. Or you toss us in a cave or hole somewhere and forget all about us, he raged as sorrow and anger clashed within him.
Dean sighed and shook his head. It was times like this that he really wanted to beat some of his brethren over the head with his fist for their carelessness during the demon wars.
If Id known you were down there with that monster Id have saved you! Dean hissed meaning every word. I still want to save you.
Skye stopped struggling but hardened his muscles to suppress the shiver that tried to rake his body. He slowly turned his head toward his captor but stilled when he felt the soft warm skin of the other mans cheek press against his. He couldnt stop the pain of loneliness from welling up in his eyes the touch of this Fallen reminded him of what hed lost in Aurora.
Why? Skye asked in confusion.
Dean brushed his cheek against the hybrids feeling the hot tear slide between them, Because demons dont cry you are a Fallen. Even Misery could tell cant you?
*****
Kane sighed and rolled over onto his back. Something wasnt quite right and he turned his head to look over at Tabatha that was when he heard it again. Frowning up at the ceiling, he closed his eyes and listened carefully. At first the sound was muffled, as though it were being heard through a mound of pillows. But slowly, the pounding became steady and strong.
His amethyst eyes snapped back open hearing the faint sound of a heartbeat in the distance.
He carefully tucked the covers around Tabatha and placed a whisper soft kiss on her forehead before sliding from the comfort of their bed. Pulling on a pair of black leather pants, he made his way through the darkness of the massive club to the security room, rubbing his eyes as he went.
As soon as he opened the door, blue light showered him causing him to blink. Kane gazed at the split screen security monitor showing him every angle outside the club, including the roof. His eyes narrowed when the rooftop cam flashed, indicating something had tripped the motion sensors something that wasnt supposed to be there.
Touching the screen, he brought the area by the rooftop door up to full view and tilted his head to the side. Now that was something he didnt see every day. A beautiful woman was curled up just under the overhang on the roof and appeared to be sound asleep.
That looks comfy not, Kane made a face knowing the tiny rocks in the tar had to be biting into her delicate looking skin.
Tabatha had felt Kane leave the bedroom and wondered what would pull him away from the comfort of her bed after shed spent so many hours wearing him out.
Curious, she sat up and followed his scent to the security room. Peering through the open door, she saw he was absorbed in something on the screen and tiptoed across the room in an attempt to sneak up on him. She had almost made it close enough to reach out and touch him when his voice startled her.
We have a visitor, Kane smirked hearing Tabathas quick intake of breath.
Damn it, she hissed and he heard her stomp her bare foot on the soft carpet.
Kane suddenly turned around and grabbed her, hauling her against him and gracing her with a dazzling smile. You didnt really think you could sneak up on the boogieman, did you? he teased, nuzzling the side of her face before stealing a kiss.
Tabatha let Kane kiss her and felt her toes curl at the passion behind it but she was dying to know about the girl that was moon-bathing on their roof. She ended the kiss quicker than Kane would have liked at least thats what his soft growl was telling her.
She licked his bottom lip then playfully bit it. And just think, when I was a little girl I was afraid of the boogieman.
The sound of a little girl crying out in fear above his grave came back to haunt him making Kane tightened his hold on her. That little girl had been lost in the woods for days scared and alone. The thought of what Tabatha must have gone through still had the power to make his chest hurt and knees go weak it also stirred the darkness within him.
Tabatha felt the change in him and leaned back to stare up into amethyst eyes that were growing darker by the second. She didnt know what shed said to trigger it so she tried to get his attention focused back on the roof.
I thought this place was warded against demons and humans alike unless they are invited. She nodded toward the monitor.
It is, Kane remarked then had to smile when Tabatha cocked an eyebrow at him.
Then whats that? Tabatha leaned across Kane to get closer to the screen, ignoring the way Kane was taking the opportunity to caress her rear. The girl appeared to be sleeping but at the same time her body was moving slightly as if straining away from something.
She looked lost and alone like that and Tabatha felt her heart go out to the poor girl. Whats wrong with her?
Kane let his hand drop and turned to see what had caught Tabathas interest. He recognized the symptoms of a nightmare when he saw one. Shes dreaming love.
Tabathas eyes narrowed just as the girl rolled over, Kane look youre right. Shes shivering and having a nightmare. We cant just leave her up there like that.
What Kane started and growled when Tabatha rushed out of the room. His eyes widened when he heard the front door of the club softly close. He blinked realizing she was about to scale the walls in her nightie and grinned. In a flash, he was standing below her looking up at the breathtaking sight.
So thats what heaven looks like, Kane whispered with a sexy smile.
Tabatha glared down at him but realized shed inadvertently set herself up for it. Of course, Kane wouldnt be Kane if he didnt have his moments of perverseness.
Chapter 4
In her dream, Aurora ran like her life depended on it. Shadows surrounded her on all sides and they were terrifying. It felt like she was running through a maze with no exit and dead ends at every corner. The terror that filled her was becoming overwhelming and she stumbled every few steps tired of running always running away from the powerful ones. No matter how far or how fast she ran the darkness was getting closer.
She gasped loudly and her eyes flew open in fright. The stars twinkled above her and she suddenly realized there really was something powerful getting closer to her. Fresh from the fright of the dream and her heart still racing, Aurora quickly found her feet and stared toward the edge of the roof in fear.
Exhaustion was beginning to take its toll, she was so tired was she so wicked that even this sanctuary would not let her rest? Feeling the doorknob poke into her back, she fumbled for it and quickly opened the door. Hoping to avoid the powerful energy coming at her, she shot inside only to slam into an unyielding body and felt another strange power flare around her.
Instincts kicked into high gear and Aurora did the first thing her survival instinct told her to do fight. With one swift kick, she sent the powerful being sailing down the long flight of stairs to the floor far below. She turned to confront whatever was directly behind her but paused in confusion, her face losing all expression when she saw a half-naked female blocking her exit.
Tabatha saw the girls face go blank but the look in her eyes told her everything the girl was scared to death and ready to fight her way out of here if she needed to. Tabatha swallowed and held her hands out, palms up toward the girl in a placating gesture.
Its all right, Tabatha explained. We only want to help you.
Aurora narrowed her eyes on the woman. Why would someone or something that powerful want to help her?
Tabatha took a step closer to the girl and held out one of her hands. Youre safe here, she said softly and hoped the girl believed her. However, any progress she might have just made was gone with the breeze when Kane chose that moment to come flying back up the stairs and grab the girl in a choke hold.
Her shoulders slumped and she let out a heavy sigh, Kane please, we scared her. Let her go.
Kane gave Tabatha a hurt look, Love, she just kicked my ass all the way back down to the main floor. Are you seriously telling me that youre on her side?
Your fangs are showing, Tabatha glowered at him then rolled her eyes when he had the nerve to look down and make sure his pants was zipped. She gritted her teeth to keep from smiling since she couldnt blame him for looking after all, the black leather pants was the only thing he was wearing and the button was still unfastened.
Aurora jerked her head around and stared up at the man holding her checking for fangs. Was he a vampire like the man shed made love to in the subway?
Kane noticed her looking up at him and couldnt help himself. He smiled at the girl fangs and all.
Kane, Tabatha exclaimed and took a step toward them only to stop when Kane pinned her with a warning glare accompanied by a dangerous growl. Youre so mean, Tabatha informed him in a huff and crossed her arms over her chest.
Seeing his fangs, Auroras eyes lifted to his and for a second she went shock still. She remembered seeing eyes like those before deep amethyst eyes that seemed to look into her very soul.
Now that he had the girls attention, Kane slowly let the smile die knowing this wasnt a game. If it had been Tabatha coming up those stairs instead of him, the outcome would have been the same except this girl would now be breathing through her neck.
He let his pupils enlarge, Now then, Ive introduced myself. Its only fair that you do the same.
Vampire, Aurora hissed and started struggling again.
Kane sighed feeling like he was trying to hold on to a snake. No love that would be me. The question was what you are. Youre not human that much is obvious. If you were a demon, youd have been writhing in pain long before breaching the barriers surrounding our home. Now Im going to ask you one more time who and what are you?
Auroras lips thinned as she pressed them together. Shed learned as a child to never tell what she was though the dangerous ones usually knew what she was at first sight. This man had lied to her by playing the part of vampire. She knew he wasnt his soul was plain as day to her, though she had to admit there was something wrong with it.
As well as she could see his soul, Aurora could also see the darkness around the edges of it and knew there was a chance of it overtaking him if he was pushed too far.
Her heart fell when she realized shed been right about this place it was a sanctuary. Hed said demons couldnt cross his barriers and this thought alone made her want desperately to stay. She stopped struggling and looked toward the girl that had tried to defend her. Could she trust them enough to tell them who she really was she doubted it.
I just wanted sanctuary from the demons, Aurora said honestly looking deep into the other womans eyes. I cant tell you what I am Im sorry. If he will let go of me, I will leave quietly and never return.
Kane noticed the shadow of wings slowly crawl across his arm and for a moment didnt know if he should let her go or hold on tighter. He glanced at Tabatha to make sure she hadn't noticed the warning.
Kane, shes not going to hurt me, Tabatha said very loudly in his mind then softened her inner voice to a whisper, please, for me let her go.
Loosening his grip, Kane said in a very soft voice, I believe you won't hurt anyone nor do you want to I frightened you, right? You are welcome here any time you need sanctuary you will be safe inside the barrier. But if you want to camp out on our roof, then at least let me get you some warm covers and a pillow.
Holding his breath, Kane slowly let go of the Fallen and took a step back, disappearing down the stairs. Tracing to his and Tabathas room, he quickly selected several blankets and two pillows from the closet. He made it back up the stairs before Tabatha had taken more than two steps closer to the Fallen.
Laying the blankets and pillows down next to the girls feet, he motioned for Tabatha to come with him.
Tabatha nodded keeping her expression calm, although she could have sworn shed seen Kanes hands shaking. She sent a fleeting glance toward the other woman as she passed her.
Aurora picked up the bedding and leaned against the wall beside the door before slowly pushing it closed behind them. She felt more drained now than shed been to start out with but she had her sanctuary at least for a couple more hours.
Tabatha turned on Kane ready to give him a what for, but stopped when she felt his finger touch her lips.
Shhh, Kane whispered near her ear, come.
Tabatha nodded and remained quiet as she followed Kane back down into the security office. He shut them in and they both watched the monitor seeing the woman still standing there were theyd left her. Tabatha inhaled softly when the girl lifted a hand to wipe at a tear that had made its way down her cheek.