Being a Kallan required strength, physical prowess but most of all, emotional detachment tempered with compassion and spiritual purity. A Kallan did not relish dispatching his own people. He saw his role as a guide to the Other Realm, who prepared them for crossing over. Those transitions, even if they committed crimes against their own kind, were treated with dignity and compassion.
He had never dispatched a female before. Raphael hoped hed have the strength and emotional detachment to execute the cursed Draicon.
Two of his brothers shouted a hearty hello. He was crossing the distance between them when a voice spoke in his head.
Amant? Are you there?
The whisper made him halt. It was her, the one he revered above all others. Raphael held up a hand in greeting to his brothers. He retreated to a solitary table.
Erin. Im here, he reassured her.
Her voice sounded shaky, as if she tried disguising her fear. But something deeply worried her.
I thought Id lost you. You havent spoken to me since yesterday.
Hush, little one, he soothed. Im right here, as I have been. What troubles you, chere?
I just missed you, thats all.
I missed you, too, he admitted, pulling out a chair and propping one booted foot upon it.
One month ago, he had been preparing crayfish for the family barbecue when hed heard her. His draicara seeking him out. Raphael had gone still at the sweet purity of her voice, the low melodic tones. Hed felt bathed in serenity and yet sharpened by sexual need.
It was the most erotic thing hed ever experienced, and yet shed spoken but one sentence.
Since then, theyd talked nearly each day. He wisely did not press her and allowed her to seek him out. Hed called himself the nickname bestowed on him by his brothersAmant, the French word for lover. He didnt want to frighten her or have her overcome with awe at the legendary Raphael, the most feared and respected Draicon.
Where are you now? What are you doing? Erin asked.
In a bar. Talking to you.
He leaned forward, placing both feet on the floor. Whats wrong, Erin? You sound sad. Are you alone?
A tiny sigh went through him like an arrow. Where I am, I am always alone.
Where was her pack? Her Alpha?
I must go. It isnt safe here. I have to go someplace safe.
He picked up her anxiety, like little hairs brushing against the nape of his neck. Raphael frowned, wishing he could see her. Your peopleare they near? Do you feel threatened?
Its just some males from my pack walking nearby. I cant let them see me.
His hackles rose at the suggestion of someone daring to touch his draicara. Automatically, he flexed his muscles, his protective instincts rising. If they try anything with you, they will pay.
Dont worry. They wont come near me.
Theyd better not. Youre mine and mine alone, he couldnt help rumbling.
She gave a light laugh, as sweet and airy as a songbird. I can take care of myself. Trust me. I have for a while now.
Its my job to take care of you.
Her voice deepened. Youre so good to me, even if you arent here. I cherish our times together these past weeks. When can I see you?
Raphael blocked away thoughts of the task awaiting him. Soon. I have an assignment, then I will come to you.
Promise? Despair punctuated her voice. Troubled, he sent her waves of reassurance, soothing images of forest and glen, the deep quiet of the green woods. He felt her tension ease.
How I wish you could kiss me now. Kiss me and tell me all is well.
Her admission sent waves of erotic heat through him. He would kiss her, inch by sweet inch. His body tightened with need. He wondered what she looked like and wished she would allow him to see her reflection in a mirror.
I am eager for us to meet. I cant wait to touch you, he admitted in a husky, sensual whisper.
No!
Her distress screamed in his mind. Raphael frowned and speculated. Even if she were a virgin and scared of her first time, such fear wasnt normal.
Has someone hurt you? He didnt mean to make his voice so sharp, and softened his tone. Tell me, so I may help you, chere.
I will be fine. Her wistfulness gave his heart a twist.
Let me help you. Im your dracairon. Its my duty to care for you, and see to all your needs, be they large or small.
You sound as if Im an invalid who needs assistance getting out of bed, came the tart reply.
Raphael gave a small, amused laugh. It might come to that. He blocked the thought from her of the sexy image of Erin lying languid and flushed in bed, dazed by the pleasure hed given her. Of course not. But I am your mate, and it grieves me to know you are in such distress. Tell me what you need.
You. She went silent a few heartbeats and added, Do you want me?
Her deep, sultry voice sent lust spiraling through him. Raphael gripped the chairs armrests. Want her? You have no idea how badly I want you. Mentally he sent her an image of an enormous bed, two bodies tangled together between rumbled silk sheets. All that and much more, he said softly.
Oh! Oh. I didnt realize, Ive neverum
Silent delight filled him at her charming, blushing innocence. Dont worry, chere. Its your first time, and I will be gentle. You have nothing to fear from me.
Im not afraid of you. I could never be afraid of you.
Satisfaction poured through him. He would cherish her and be mindful of her innocence at their first joining. The ecstasy hed deliver would erase any pain of taking her virginity. Raphael licked his lips, envisioning parting her soft thighs with his hands, lowering his mouth to her core and flicking his tongue
There?! Shock vibrated through her voice. Raphael laughed softly.
There, and many other places. Trust me, you will enjoy it.
I wish I could touch you.
The absolute sorrow in her voice gave him pause. His heart twisted. Soon, he promised.
Out of the corner of his eye he spotted two men strutting toward him. Both solid as linebackers. Deep frowns scored their faces. One sported a knife scar across his cheek. Trouble. At the bar, his oldest brother, Etienne, shot him a questioning look. Need help?
Raphael shook his head. Erin, pardon me for a moment, he told his draicara. He stood, stretching out to his full six feet, four inches.
Gentlemen, he offered.
Youre the ugly bastard who screwed around with my woman last month, Big and Scarred announced.
Your ex, he countered.
We was gonna make up, Scarred said. Glass shattered as he brought his beer bottle down on the table. He held the jagged edge out.
I doubt it, judging from the bruises you left. Raphael narrowed his eyes. Women should be treated with courtesy and respect. All women. You need manners. He felt power rising in him, the itch to slam this bastard into place.
And youre an ugly mongrel dog, Scarreds friend chimed in.
Violent anger rolled through him. He masked it. Never call me a mongrel, he said pleasantly.
Raphael coldcocked one with a fist and sent the other toppling to the floor with a bare shove. Beer splashed over the table as bottles toppled downward. His reflexes were so fast theyd had no time to blink.
He sat down again, placing a boot upon Scarreds unconscious body.
My apologies, Erin. I had to take out the trash. Just a little business that took me away from your delightful company. Where were we?
What business?
Two men who didnt like the looks of my face. He studied his knuckles. Not even a scratch.
Are you hurt? Sharp worry tinged her voice. Raphael felt unexpected wonderment fill him. No one ever worried about him fighting before. His family assumed that the Kallan could fight all battles. His friends knew he could.
You must be a very strong warrior.
I do what I must. He gave a little shrug, toed at the unconscious form on the floor.
Youre also quite modest. I can feel the humility radiating from you.
Again he laughed in delight. For the very first time, he wished he were not the Kallan and could speed to Erins side. His draicara had need of him, but his duties as Kallan came first.
Chere, tomorrow I must leave you. I cannot contact you. I have a duty to perform that requires absolute concentration.
For how long?
An eternity. Three weeks.
Its all right. I understand. She gave a tiny sigh, sounding suspiciously like a muffled sob. MaybeI will see you. In some other place. Someday.
Erin. He tried reaching for her, but shed vanished like mist seeping through the bayou. Raphael sat back, slightly troubled. He didnt like the sound of her goodbye.
It sounded almost like farewell.
He set aside his concerns. After, hed find Erin and give her all she needed. For now he must focus on what lay ahead.
His brothers, Etienne and Gabriel, drifted over. They studied the two prone bodies at Raphaels feet. Couldnt you have played outside? Gabe asked.
They didnt want to share my sandbox. He joined them at another table and signaled the waitress, who slapped a cold longneck on the table. Raphael tilted his head back and drank deeply.
Etienne turned a chair around, straddled it, leaning his long arms on the back. When are you leaving?
As soon as I finish the next one. He backhanded his mouth.
What is it this time? Where?
Raphael drummed his fingers on the table, overcome by a sudden chill. A female.
His brothers mouth turned down. Bad business. What happened?
His mind sifted through the details with impartiality. Im told Emily is the cursed one, doomed by Aibelle the goddess. She was cursed a year ago by Aibelle with the death touch because of her vanity. All Draicon Emily now touches she kills. The ancient prophecies foretell Emily will bring about the end to our people if she is not sacrificed by midnight of the next full moon. If she isnt, the curse shifts to the entire pack and beyond.
Etienne whistled as Gabriel shook his head. Seems unfair, Gabe said. Where is she?
They told me shes ready, elderly and will be glad to cross. Shes in eastern Tennessee. Raphael didnt add he was relieved his victim was older. Bad enough she was female. Most he dispatched saw his services as a relief. In his forty years as Kallan, hed only disposed of five very unwilling prisoners, who had killed innocents and were about to turn Morph.
Gabriel gave him a pensive look. The Draicon in that area are the Burke pack. Youre not saying theyre
At Raphaels brief nod, both Gabriel and Etiennes eyes widened. Whoa. Burke pack. Better mind yourself, Rafe. Theyre very traditional and stick strictly to custom, Etienne warned.
Like I dont know it. The invitation with its fussy handwriting had arrived on crisp parchment (no e-mail for the Burke clan). The beer in his mouth soured. He swallowed hard.
No cable for you, tfrere. No Internet, no Wii, nothing modern except the phone, basic utilities and cars. Keeper of the records of Draicon, the Burkes are direct, purebred descendants of our forefathers. Guardians of the Old Ways. Royalty. Gabriel gave Raphaels leather jacket a nod. The last Kallan even dressed in ceremonial robes to please Urien, the Burke alpha. I heard Urien was upset you became Kallan because youre not
A pureblood like them? Like all the other Kallans before me? Raphaels fingers squeezed the beer bottle, cracking it. Foam oozed out of the sides.
Silence draped the air. Etienne exchanged uneasy glances with Gabriel.
Urien can kiss my leather-clad butt. Resentment filled him. The purebreds, always with their traditions, customs and superiority complex. They didnt want a Kallan who was a renegade, a Cajun and a mongrel in their eyes. Tough. He was all they had.
Im not going there to make a fashion statement. Just to honor their request.
Respect shone on his brothers faces. Gabe shook his head. I dont know how you do it, Rafe. I certainly couldnt perform trasna on a female. I hope you find the strength.
Youd better hope, Gabe. You have a lot riding on this assignment. Raphael set down the beer, his look grim as he studied his brother. Just hope that she is older and ready to die. Because if she isnt and I have a conflict on hand, remember the code? Youre the one whose life is forfeit. And theres not a damn thing I can do to stop it.
Gabriel removed a legal-size paper, a knife and a quill from his pocket and set them on the table.
You dont have to do this, Gabe.
If I dont, then who will?
The time-honored tradition bothered him, but he could not break it. Each time his services as Kallan were requested to terminate the life of another Draicon, he signed a binding contract. A male family member was required to sign as well, putting his life on the line as collateral should Raphael back out of the agreement.
The contract ensured Raphael would proceed with the execution or those requesting his services would kill his relative. No Kallan had ever reneged, and over time the document became more a formality than a reality.
Still, Raphael felt queasy over the idea of giving the Burke pack the authority to end Gabes life should he fail to dispatch Emily.
A nagging thought chased itself around in his head. He dismissed his worry. Discipline, not emotion, was needed for his upcoming duty. But this particular transition presented other challenges. The last time hed had a brother sign a blood oath, Etienne had been unmated, and the transition was an elder longing for the peace of the Other Realm.
Never a female.
A very delicate, tough assignment.
Gabriel made perfect sense. Since Etienne had been mated, he was forbidden to sign a blood oath. Alexandre, who had lost his mate and daughter, had expressed a desire to join them and might even hinder the ritual of trasna in his eagerness to do so. Indigo and Damian, both adopted as blood brothers, were not related kin. Besides, Damian was mated now to Jamie and had a pack of his own. Indigo, well
Purebloods considered Indigo an abomination because he was a Changlinghalf-vampire, half-Draicon. The Burke pack would ban him from offering his life.
Only Gabe remained.
His brothers eyes, dark as his own, regarded him evenly. Gabe pointed to the paper. I read over everything. Shall we?
So be it. Take the knife, cut your hand and sign your name in blood.
Gabe picked up the sharp blade with a wry look. Did I ever tell you I faint at the sight of blood, especially my own?
Faint after signing, monfrere. I might even catch you.
With a slight wince, Gabe cut his hand and signed his name. Raphael stared at the crimson signature. A small dot of blood, like a tiny teardrop, stained the parchment.
Whats wrong? My signature not legible? Gabe joked.