Dawn Rising

Lucien exhaled a relieved sigh and whispered a silent prayer of thanks to the Ancestors. "Can I see her? Just for a moment?" The Shaman gestured wearily to the front door in resignation. Lucien wasted no time, rushing to Alex's side. Lucien tiptoed silently to the bed, dropping to his knees as he grasped her frail hand.

Alex struggled to open her eyes. She was so tired. But, the draw of Lucien's closeness and the sensation of Lucien's touch forced her weighted lids to open. "Hey," she said, smiling weakly up at him. She took a deep breath before she spoke. "I hear the bad guys are gone."

Lucien shook his head, "Yeah, no more bad guys."

"Good." Alex lifted her hand to stroke Lucien's hair between her trembling fingers. A frown knitted between her brows. "I didn't realize how much gray was in your hair." She yawned wearily, muttering as she drifted back to sleep, "I think it's sexy."

Lucien lifted her fingers to his lips, landing a kiss before he lowered her hand down to the covers. Standing to his full height, he turned, watching the doctor as the doctor nervously watched him. "I am forever in your debt," Lucien said, humbled, bowing lowly to the man that had saved Alex's life when he could not.

Shakily, the doctor waved off the thanks. He rattled off a list of instructions for his patient's care. He used his doctor voice, the one that conveyed that he would not put up with any bullshit. He would not be happy if he'd worked this hard to save this girl's life only to find out that his instructions hadn't been followed to the word. Equipment clanked together as he packed up his bag.

Thomas and the Shaman shared many secrets and he was more than happy to lend a hand. But, the big vamp hovering over his patient made him jittery. Thomas slung his bag over his shoulder and nervously patted his pocket, feeling for the blood sample he had tucked away. He didn't know much about the vampire's illusive healing abilities. His curiosity might be the death of him. He hoped the girl's blood sample would shed some light. There were answers, cures in the blood. Exhausted, with a twelve-hour tour in the ER ahead of him, he headed out. "I'll be back to check on her later today."

Chapter 42

Alex shifted nervously in the bed. She longed for fresh air and sunshine. But, Lucien insisted in following the doctor's orders to the letter. She sighed in resignation, feigning interest in the paperback. She pretended to read the words, her eyes watching Lucien, pretending not to watch her. Annoyed with her guard, she tossed the novel at his head. Grinning as it hit its mark with a solid thud and landed on the floor with the satisfying scuffle of ruffled pages. Her elementary school librarian would be appalled by the book's abuse. She snickered at the irritated glare he shot at her from underneath long dark concealing lashes. "Aw, c'mon Lucien, play with me!"

Lucien exhaled sharply as Alex, who had climbed from under the covers, stalking across the room, lowered her body onto his lap. Gently, he lifted her in his arms and plopped her down on the bed. He was not about to take any chances on hampering her recovery. "The doctor said bed rest," he replied, stubbornly.

He hissed at the soft whisper of Alex's cotton sleep shirt being pulled over her head. He squeezed his eyes shut, tightly. Thank heavens she hadn't regained her usual floral scent yet. She smelled of the sharp, medicinal, antiseptic so common to hospitals. Otherwise, he would be totally at her mercy.

"I feel great," Alex said. She grasped Lucien's fingers and ran them along her neck, trailing them down between her breasts. Teasingly, she whispered, "See, don't I feel good?" Seductress, she was not. But, her attempts seemed to be having the desired effect on Lucien. Last night, she'd almost died...again. And she didn't want to waste on second of her life.

Lucien shuddered as he felt her warm silky skin beneath her fingertips. He felt his fangs lengthen as well as another part of his anatomy that was also lengthening. He groaned, "Yes, yes, you do feel great." He exhaled sharply at the sensation of her lips as they fluttered along his, soft as butterfly wings. "The doctor said bed rest for a few days," he weakly protested. "It has only been less than one." Apparently, his protests fell on deaf ears. Alex rubbed her naked body against his fully clothed one. Maybe, she was trying to pay him back. She was definitely doing a good job of killing him.

"Eleven hours too long," Alex whispered. She slid her tongue in between his lips in a seductive kiss. Who knew Lucien had international blood in his veins, Roman hands and Russian fingers. He stroked a trail of fire down the curve of her spine. Cupping her breasts in his warm palms while his fingers worked at the tender nubs. Gently, he lowered his mouth teasing her nipples to hard arousal. An eager moan escaped her throat, "There's only one way you're going to keep me in this bed," she purred.

Lucien eased Alex back onto the bed. She felt so right, so good. His hands roamed over her skin, searching out her tender places. He fought hard to restrain himself as he traveled the silky skin of her inner thighs with his fingertips, eagerly searching out her hidden treasures of pleasure. He relished the sensation of her trembling body beneath his touch. He reveled in the soft gentle moans that escaped her parted lips. There were so many ways he could confine her in this bed. On her back. On her knees. He claimed those lips for himself. He hesitated for the briefest moment, "Are you sure? Your parents."

Alex guided his hands along her soft curls, right where she wanted it, urging him on. "Yes, Lucien. Absolutely positive." With a fluid movement he slid a finger inside of her, tormenting her body into a frenzy with soft strokes. She watched him as his eyes traveled down her body, glowing with a heat all their own. Eagerly she fumbled with the belt of his jeans. "We'll be quiet."

Lucien gasped as Alex freed him, tracing her fingers along his length. He battled the need to take her, allowing her time to explore. He never grew weary of all the ways she discovered his body. He raised his hips. Allowing her to tug the rough cotton of his jeans down his thighs. He groaned at the moist warmth of her breath, teasing him into painful fullness. She ran her soft wetness along his shaft driving him past the point of control. Past the point of caring if her father had that shotgun loaded or not. Grasping her hips, he guided her, lowering her down onto his need, fusing their bodies as one.

They rocked in a primal rhythm as they sought to achieve release. Lucien struggled to maintain control of his basest instinct, the need to taste her blood as they made love. He had not left her side since the attack and his hunger was strong almost tangible. He ran his tongue along the pulsating artery in her breast, suckling the flesh in between his teeth.

Alex was almost to the point of spontaneous combustion as she slid down his shaft. He filled her to capacity, stretching her in the sweetest of pain. She moaned in pleasure as her muscles grasped and clutched onto him, squeezing his length. Their proximity to her parents and the thinness of the walls forgotten, she cried out in pleasure as she tumbled over the edge. Lucien moaned in a stifled gasp, joining her with a final push, the hilt of him buried so deeply in her body.

Alex played with the silken ends of Lucien's hair, staring at the ceiling lost in thought. Her skin prickled beneath the gentle brush of Lucien's fingertips across the small of her back. She snuggled in closer to his big body and sighed. She was alive and life was very, very good. A feeling of happy contentment washed over her as she draped her arm across his chest. With her link to Lucien, she couldn't discern if the emotion was his or hers, or if it belonged to the both of them. And it didn't matter.

A gnawing worry had been in the back of her mind. Alex tried to push it away and just enjoy being held in Lucien's arms. Impatiently, she made Lucien repeat the story over and over. She couldn't understand it. Why hadn't she turned? What kind of future would they have together when she would grow old and die centuries before he did? Was it really fair to either of them? She wiggled out of his embrace and scooted to the edge of the bed, riffling through the bed covers as she searched amongst them for her clothes.

Lucien regarded Alex with a furrowed brow. "What are you doing?" He'd tried to explain. But, how could he when he could not understand it himself? To him, it didn't matter. He'd love Alex no matter what. His blood would give her strength through any sickness that crossed her path. And when her time came, decades from now, he'd be by her side to ease her across the Great River. Sure, the situation wasn't optimal. He did not look forward to spending the remainder of his long, long life alone. Forever wouldn't end when she died. No matter how long it took for him to follow her into the spirit world. For him, there'd never be another.

It was not wise to worry over things one could not control. He had Alex back. What more could he hope for when he already had it all? Only if it was in his grasp for just a little while. He'd dedicate every waking minute, every second of his life to making her happy in the time they had together. If every second counted, who cared how many they added up to? Smugly, Lucien pulled the covers down to reveal the long line of his bare flesh. He knew he had it where it mattered the most and he was going to use it to his benefit. "Come back to bed."

Alex snickered and rolled her eyes. Damn, Lucien was sexy. But, the glorious, well-defined lines of his body lost some of their effect against the backdrop of the faded, pink Holly Hobby sheet and matching comforter set she'd had since grade school. She attempted to hide her worries behind the playfulness of her snicker. "Sorry, Hotshot."

Lucien tugged at her hand impatiently. "The doctor ordered bed rest." He patted the wrinkled sheets eagerly. He had little use for creature comforts. But, he did enjoy his big bed with its satin sheets the color of caramel back at the Lodge. He'd give his fangs, both of them, and happily starve to death for a chance to roll Alex up in them. She deserved the luxury of satin against her skin. Not the cotton blend sheets washed within an inch of their usefulness.

What he knew about seducing a woman would fit into a thimble. No he didn't know women for shit. But, he knew Alex. Her heart rate subtly sped up a notch when he trailed his hand down his chest and lower. Her eyes, round pools of molten decadence, followed his every move as he cupped his dick, stroking it up and down into painful hardness. "Bed."

Alex licked her lips, tempted. The sight of him, his head thrown back in pleasure at the act of readying himself for her, his lips pursed in a soft gasp of desire, and his hand stroking his penis into a fully erect state, was enough to make her reconsider the shorts crumpled in her hand. She actually took a few steps closer about to give in when a knock sounded at her door. The sound of the sharp raps against the door was the knock her dad used when he lost his patience. Her mom could be counted on to be a bit more subtle. "Alex honey...do you want me to bring you some dinner," she called out from the kitchen.

Lucien groaned in frustration at the interruption. Alexander had perfect timing. And what had Leigh done? Set the timer on the oven to coincide with his erections? Probably. He watched as Alex sashayed into the adjoining bathroom, locking the door firmly behind her. Smug, little, vixen, she knew exactly what she was doing to him. Any hopes of a Round Two abandoned, his proud, hard on wilted in his palm. That hunger put on hold, pounded in the need for a more urgent desire. He needed to hunt, and soon.

Lucien exhaled, determined to stave off both his hungers as long as possible. Alex needed him. He forced his fangs to retract. His link to Alex was weakening. But, he didn't need to be a mind reader to sense what was bothering her. His fangs involuntarily popped out as he thought of her. She wasn't yet strong enough to give him her blood and he was in desperate need. He could hold out. The thought of drinking from another turned his stomach. She was the only one he craved.

Chapter 43

Dinner was spent in fevered chatting. Lucien watched Alex, her parents, and Janine banter back and forth over who was going to get the prized piece of pizza, the one with more of the good stuff piled on to it than any other piece in the box, for over an hour. He felt the love and warmth that the family possessed for each other. There was no talk of Rogues or of danger at this table. This was just a family spending time together sharing a meal. It didn't matter that Janine wasn't Alexander's and Leigh's flesh and blood. Or that he, the very one who had failed to keep their daughter safe, was a Son. They were all family here.

Mentally, Lucien cursed himself; his hunger was beginning to get the better of him. However, he was reluctant to leave Alex's side. He would die to protect her and her family. If starving was what it took to keep her safe. He'd do it. He stared out into the fading light through the open screen door, catching a familiar shape lurking in the shadows by the barn. Patrick whispered into his mind, "Hunt." Unable to resist, Lucien excused himself and darted out into the thick cover of the pines.

Alex sighed in contentment as she plopped down on the porch swing and stared out into the dimness of twilight. Doctor Thomas Sterling would be pissed that she'd so flagrantly disobeyed his orders for bed rest. She was the patient and patient's were always right...or was that customers? Oh well. She could not stand another second trapped in that room. And she felt perfectly fine.

Alex missed the furious pace of the city. Night was never this velvety black in the city. There was never a quiet moment to be had. It was odd how quickly she'd become accustomed to the constant noise and light of the city. But, she knew that if she were to leave. She would miss Lucien more. A warm shiver of delight danced along her skin as she thought about him.

Alex was distracted by the sound of a gut-wrenching cough as her father lit and inhaled the first drag off his cigarette. She snickered at his chagrin over being caught red handed. Curled up on the swing in the dim shadows of the porch, he hadn't seen her. "I thought you gave those up a long time ago, Dad."

Muttering a curse as he flicked the smoldering butt across the lawn, he replied, "I did. But, I like to indulge once in a while. Don't tell your mother."

Alex nodded her head. "It's our secret." She unfolded her legs and scooted over on the swing to make room for her dad.

Actually, Alexander had used the excuse of sneaking a cigarette to join his daughter on the porch. Leigh and Janine were deeply engaged in girl talk around the kitchen table. He could have smoked a whole pack before they realized he was gone. Alexander glanced over at Alex, noting the peaceful expression on her face and the rosy glow of her cheeks. He sighed; he hoped to keep his daughter far from the danger of being involved with The Sons. His main wish was for her to be safe and happy, and she was. Eyeball deep in alligators, maybe. But, very happy, she was happier now than he'd seen her in a long time.

Alexander eased his aching body down on to the porch swing. Traveling had never agreed with him. Furtively, he took Alex's tiny hand, wrapping it in between his rough calloused fingers. He'd gotten out of the whole Birds and the Bees talk when at the tender age of twelve, Alex informed him that she knew all about it. This was THE talk. She had her mother to explain the facts of life to her. But, this talk was the important one. The one where he either accepted what was and bonded them together as father and daughter or made a complete ass out of himself and alienated his little girl. "You love him don't you."

Alex grinned at her dad's feeble attempt to bridge a subject he didn't want to discuss, one so near and dear to her heart. Lucien. She squeezed his hand reassuringly, "Yeah, I do." He responded with a half-hearted grunt and she didn't speak manspeak. Was that a grunt of acceptance? One of support? One of resignation? She didn't know. He wouldn't talk her out of it. She was way beyond the age where he could forbid her to do anything. She didn't need his blessing. It'd be nice if she had it. But, it wasn't a requirement.

Alexander Gray was not one for words. Perhaps that was why they got along so well. What else was there to say anyway? She loved Lucien and as soon as the hailstorm that had become her life was over. She was going to figure out a way for them to be together. Forever. She sat hand in hand with her father, enjoying the quiet of the night, listening to the soft sounds of the country around them.

It was true. She did love Lucien. But, would it be enough? She let her mind wander over the events of the past few weeks. Marveling at the direction her life had taken her. She went from mourning her lost love, to finding herself locked into his arms, to having her life threatened, to now feeling safe and content back in the tiny town she had grown up in. Odd, the one place on the planet she swore she'd never end up was the only place she wanted to be.

Alex felt the familiar tingle rush across her skin and tickle the corners of her mind. Eagerly, she jumped up off the swing. "Lucien is back." She leapt off the side of the porch and trotted across the lawn to greet him.

Lucien walked out of the tree line on silent feet after his hunt; the stag had curbed his hunger. He cursed at his weakness. He needed human blood, and soon. He smiled at the sight of Alex darting across the lawn toward him. He raised his head, inhaling deeply of her scent. He could detect the faintest change in the fragrance. But, thankfully, her aroma was returning to normal. Forcing his fangs to retract. He spread his arms wide as she leapt into them. His beautiful woman, he thought to himself, embracing her.

Alex brushed a patch of stray leaves free from his hair and regarded his masculine features. At a loss for words, she trailed her fingers down along his jaw, tracing them up to his lips, and pausing as his fangs reflexively extended. "You're still hungry."

Lucien shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant as he teased, "I'm always hungry for you." He nuzzled the nape of her neck, playfully running his tongue along the pulsating artery that ran its length. There were times when a vampire simply could not hide what he was. The fangs were a big hint to most people. Sexual arousal, hunger, and rage were all triggers for his fangs. As long as he could fool Alex into thinking he was horny instead of hungry, everything would be all right till she recovered enough to feed him.

Alex blushed as she felt her father's glaring on the center of her back. Any hint of privacy was blown beneath Alexander Gray's disapproving scowl. Firmly, she tugged on a handful of Lucien's hair. "Let's take a walk, ok." She gasped as Lucien lifted her up over his shoulders and trotted away with her off into the timberline.

Once they were concealed under the cover of pines, Lucien lowered Alex to the ground and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close. He eagerly claimed her mouth, coaxing her lips open with the tip of his tongue. Now, he really was horny instead of hungry. His brothers were thick as caterpillars on a tomato leaf, prowling the woods for any sign of the rogues. He'd always preached the value of privacy. The brothers needed to give one another breathing room. Perhaps a little lesson in exhibitionism would drive the point home. No it wouldn't. He'd kill anyone who looked at Alex.