Rebecca Zanetti - Provoked

Surprise filled those eyes as he glanced at her. “Nobody has accused me of having charm. Ever.”

What a load of baloney. “I watched a movie once where the vampires were charming and handsome because they were the ultimate predators. You know, they drew in prey and then . . . bammo.”

Kane barked out a laugh. “Bammo?”

“Yeah.” Amber shifted in her seat, heat climbing into her face. “Bammo. They sucked the poor humans dry.”

“Sunshine, I promise you, I’ve never sucked a human dry.” His voice lowered just enough to cause a fluttering in her lower belly. “Now, how about a quick chant?”

“Why?” Could she trust him? The guy had fangs, for goodness’ sake.

“Good question.”

The approval in his voice should not cause such warmth in her belly. “Thanks.”

“Most immortal species can sense other species as well as enhanced humans. You’re an enhanced human, and you’re broadcasting strong enough to bring wolf shifter scouts from miles away to check you out. That’s how we found you. I want to see if your chant shields you from detection.”

“Wolf shifters? Like people who turn into wolves?” Where had reality gone to? Maybe she was in the hospital with Grandma.

“Sure. Several of my friends can turn into animals.”

Amber shook her head, searching for calm. “What kinds of animals?”

“Most kinds. Shifters have three main classifications: feline, canine, or multis, who can turn into anything except felines or canines.”

She tilted her head to study him, her mind spinning. He couldn’t be serious. “You really are saying that shifters live among us.”

“Yes. You have my word.”

Wow. Not only was that incredible, it was awesome. Her mind ran through various possible scenarios. What would a person look like who could change into a wolf? Had she ever met a shifter and not known it? “Good God. Have you ever seen a jackalope?”

He laughed. “Of course not. Jackrabbit and antelope mixture? That’s a Pacific Northwest joke. No such thing.”

“I don’t believe you.” Her mind spun with the new knowledge. “Man, I want to see a jackalope.”

“There’s no such thing in the immortal world, sweetheart.”

She wasn’t so sure. A second ago she hadn’t thought wolf shifters existed. “So, immortal? You guys can’t die?”

“All species can die. Some of us are just harder to kill. You have to behead a vampire, otherwise, we can repair ourselves. And we only need your blood in extreme cases of battle . . . or well, sometimes sex.”

Amber swallowed hard. Okay. Taking blood during sex was gross. Definitely gross. The butterflies in her stomach were from nausea, not interest. No way. She was not interested in the sexy-as-hell vampire driving like a capable stunt driver. “So you take blood. What happens if you run out of blood?”

“We basically go brain dead. So we try to never run out of blood.” He flashed a grin.

That grin was beyond sexy. Concentrate. She needed to concentrate. “You say I’m enhanced. Some sort of demon destroyer. Am I immortal?” Now that would be cool.

“No.”

“That sucks.”

“You could always mate a vampire, shifter, witch, or demon.” Kane sped through the entrance to downtown. “Then your human chromosomal pairs would increase until you were immortal.”

“I am so far down the rabbit hole.” Much better to concentrate on the possibility of different species on earth than the word mate .

“The chant?” While he phrased it as a question, the tinge of a command echoed in the low tone.

She rolled her eyes. “Fine.” Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and centered her thoughts.

Peace lowered her shoulders.

Calm stilled her movements.

The tune rose easily to her lips, soft and sure, the melody without words.

Humming through all five verses, she opened her eyes as Kane pulled into the parking lot for the hospital. Goosebumps rose on her arms as she finished the last note, pitching her voice just high enough to hit it.

The air in the front seat heated. Pressure popped her inner ears.

Kane’s eyes widened. He grabbed her head and shoved her face toward her knees. “Get down.”

With a shattering crack, the windows exploded. Cold wind whipped inside. The world stopped moving for two seconds. Amber lifted her head, her heart pounding. “What the heck?”

“That’s some power you have.” Kane released her seatbelt, gently wiping snow off her cheek.

“No.” She hadn’t broken all the windows. “That’s never happened before. We don’t break glass with the chant.”

“Well”—Kane rubbed his chin—“maybe since you haven’t shielded yourself in a week, the power came out stronger. Or maybe it’s because your grandma isn’t here to help temper the power. Either way, that’s all you, sunshine.”

Amber blinked against the freezing wind, taking in the damaged window. Glass had flown far enough to hit the few snow-covered vehicles in the silent parking lot. “Butch is going to kill me.” The bartender loved his refurbished Suburban.

“Windows can be fixed.” Kane jumped from the vehicle and quickly crossed to open her door. “You’re shielding now. I can’t get a sense that you’re enhanced.” Intrigue and calculation filtered across his amazing face. “We’ll have to figure out how that works. For now, let’s get your granny before the demons find her.”

Amber jumped down, her boots spraying snow as she landed. Panic had her shoving away from Kane and all but running toward the door. She tripped in the snow. Strong arms caught her seconds from falling.

He held on until she regained her balance, his heat reaching through the back of her coat. “Slow down, Amber. I’m sure your grandmother has continued to shield herself.”

Maybe. But the woman was in a weakened condition, so maybe not. Amber nodded and stepped gingerly around clumps of snow to reach the door of the small, two-story building. Cedar lined the sides, creating an atmosphere of safety and coziness rather than a sterile hospital feeling.

She slid on the sparkling tiles toward the front desk, which was empty. Grabbing Kane’s sleeve, she tugged him to the left and down a long hallway, passing several empty rooms. “She’s at the end.”

Amber quickened her pace, her heart thrumming. Everything was going to be okay. They’d grab Grandma Hilde and head straight for the sheriff ’s office. It was time to involve the police. Even if Kane was telling the truth and wasn’t crazy, even if Amber wasn’t crazy, Grandma Hilde would need police protection from the demons. Or the cult that thought they were demons.

She shoved Hilde’s door open.

The bed lay empty.

The world stopped cold. The room tilted. A swirling began in Amber’s head. She stumbled toward the wrinkled covers on the bed, reaching out a hand. The blankets were still warm.

Kane rushed across the room to the slightly opened window.

Amber followed, crashing into his back. She stared out the fogged glass. A black truck careened out of the parking lot, a HANSON Farms logo on the side. “That bastard.” Pivoting, she bunched to sprint.

A strong hand held her in place. “Wait.”

“No.” Amber turned and shoved Kane in the gut. “We have to get to the police.” Who knew what Hanson would do to Hilde. It wasn’t like Hilde would remain quiet. She’d try to escape no matter how weak she felt.

“No police.” Kane’s grip firmed around Amber’s bicep.

“Tell me everything about Hanson and these northern rocks.”

“Let go of me.” Amber tried to break free with little success. “I’ll scream.”

“You scream, and I’ll gag you.” Calm and reasonable, Kane’s voice remained pleasant as he issued the threat. “No police.”