Dawn Rising

"Hungry, pet?" A familiar female voice cooed.

Patrick sprung to his feet, hoping for an advantage. He had focused all his energies on breaking the link to his brothers fearful that he was being used as bait. He had been starved and beaten. But he still had his pride at his refusal to reach out for help. He would rather die than lead his brothers into a trap. "Leave me, Lucien please, forget me. If I fail, you know what you have to do."

Chapter 49

Lucien's mind snapped back into his body and he sat up right with a start, gasping for air. His fists trembled with the need to exact vengeance. He regretted not killing Kore when he had the chance. He quelled his rage and focused on the deep mahogany eyes that intently watched him

"Lucien?" She sensed that something was wrong, horribly wrong. His body trembled with rage. Instinctively, she knew not to touch him. "What is it?"

Lucien took a deep breath, biting back his anger. His mind reeled in thought of what he should or should not tell her. "I need to gather up a team and get to the city," he said. "We need to do some further investigation of a," he paused, "a situation that has come up."

Alex bit her bottom lip and narrowed her eyes. Why was he lying to her? She crossed her arms and glared at him as she said, "Bullshit."

Lucien clinched his fists as he glared back at Alex. "I really don't have time to explain what's going on. Only that there is an issue that demands my immediate attention."

"You can't tell me or don't want to." Alex asked, unmoving as she watched Lucien scramble into a pair of jeans.

"Both," he replied hastily, shoving his foot into a boot.

"I'll come with you. Maybe I can help," Alex said, feeling for her clothes in the dark. If Lucien was about to cancel their honeymoon to rush off into danger and leave her behind to keep the home fires burning, he had the wrong girl. She didn't relish the thought of rushing off into some unknown situation. But, she'd be damned if he was going to leave her sitting here wondering if he was going to come back in one piece or not.

"NO!" Lucien barked. "You will go to our new home where it is safe. They've already gotten their filthy hands on you. I'll not risk loosing you again." He pulled a t-shirt over his head. His hands shook with rage. He had no time for gentleness with his new mate. And he regretted that. This wasn't much of a honeymoon. He thought, hoped, there'd be more time before the world came crashing down on them once again.

Was this the same man who had held her gently and professed his love just a few hours ago? He barked at her like she was under his command, another soldier to be ordered around. Whoever this guy was he could cut the crap and bring back her husband at anytime. Her fingers trembled as she fumbled with the clasp on her bra. It hit her between the eyes; the reason why he was acting like General Ass Wipe. "They're back," she gasped.

"Yes." Lucien answered, sheathing a dagger and affixing the belt to his waist. She wanted the truth. There it was. He hated himself for being so harsh with her. But, if harshness was the only way to get her to stay home where she belonged, so be it. He'd beg on hands and knees for forgiveness later.

Gently, Alex laid her hand on Lucien's bicep. "What has happened? Please tell me." His entire body practically vibrated with tension beneath her fingertips. If the Rogues were anywhere near here he would have simply carted her over his shoulder, like a caveman, to safety. The Rogues weren't here. But, something, something bad had happened.

Lucien exhaled a long breath. He didn't want to tell her. But, he could not say no to the imploring look in her eyes. She was his wife. His helpmate. They were in whatever life threw at them together. "They've captured Patrick."

Alex squeezed her eyes tightly closed. There had to be something she could say that would ease him. Allow him to think clearly before he rushed headlong into danger and got himself and everyone else killed. If he went to the city in the state of mind he was in at this moment. That's what would happen. "He's very strong, a good man."

Lucien squeezed Alex as he fought to keep control of his emotions. "Patrick isn't from our blood. When we found him, he was young, feral. The elders were able to help, release him from the bloodlust that had hold of him." He crushed her body against his. Terrified of letting go. Her scent helped to calm him, a little. "Our biggest fear has always that the bloodlust will take him. They're starving him, Alex. He could easily turn Rogue. Any of us could, but, especially him. For him, the fight is more difficult than the rest of us."

"He won't Lucien. I know deep in my heart that Patrick wouldn't do that. He will be strong." Alex stroked Lucien's back, feeling the tightness of his muscles ripple beneath her fingers.

"If he turns and goes rogue," Lucien's voice dropped to a mere whisper of dread as he spoke. "He will suffer the same fate as the rest of them. If I can't reason with him, I'll have to kill him. I can't allow him to go free. He's too dangerous not only to us, but to himself. He knows too much to let him live."

"No, have faith in him Lucien, I do."

"I do. I only hope I can keep it." He broke away from Alex's embrace and tucked his t-shirt into the waistline of his pants. "I need to assemble a team." Lucien's mind raced with all the preparations he needed to make before he and his team went into the city. Lucien felt Patrick's absence like a hole in his chest. Normally, Patrick would be his first pick, the one he'd want watching his back.

"Ok," Alex said. The faster they got to the city, the better. Every minute that passed lessened the odds that they'd get Patrick back home in one piece. She pulled her sweatshirt over her head and slid her feet into tennis shoes.

Unlike Lucien, she had no weapons to sheathe. Her dad had taken her out shooting a couple of times. But, she'd never been comfortable handling a gun. She'd get comfortable real quick with Patrick's life on the line. When it came to somebody she cared about in danger, she was every bit as lethal as Lucien. Nobody fucked with her friends. Nobody. Hands clenched into fists at her side, she asked, "What do we do first?"

Gently, Lucien chucked Alex on the chin with his index finger. Her expression was one that meant business. Her body tense, hands clenched into fists. This was the same woman who shooed spiders out of the house instead of killing them. The Rogues had her scent and they'd tasted her blood. He couldn't let her go, not without risking her. And that was out of the question. "Get you home. Alex, I know you want to help Patrick. But, you can't come. You can help him more by staying here. He wouldn't want you putting yourself in danger for him. It'll be ok. I'll be home with Patrick before you know it." Lucien grabbed Alex around the waist and kissed her deeply on the lips, silencing her protests. "I promise."

Alex pressed her hands against Lucien's chest and dipped her chin to evade his eyes. "Don't make promises you can't keep."

Lucien eased Alex's hands from his chest with a gentle tug on her wrists. Lowering his face into her hair, he inhaled of her scent. "I promised you forever. And that's what I intend to give you. As soon as I return and things have been set right. I'll take you on a proper honeymoon. And then when we get back, we'll go house hunting like normal people. White picket fences, big picture windows, anything you want. I promise.

"I just need you to stay here." Lucien pressed his lips to Alex's forehead. He could taste her agitation, citrus and clove, on her skin. "I promised you I'd keep you safe. I can't keep that promise if you come."

Alex leaned her forehead against Lucien's lips, closing her eyes. His scent filled her nostrils. She inhaled of it deeply as if by trapping the scent she could force him to stay here, beside her. There was no choice for her, but to sit this one out. "Sandy beaches and white picket fences, huh? I'm holding you to your promises, Lucien. All of them."

"Anything you want, my love. Anywhere you want." Lucien grasped her hand and led her out of the woods. It would be faster to simply pick her up and run. But, if the goddess had taught him anything it was how precarious life was. This might be the last time he got to hold her hand, got to look at her face, and got to hear her voice. He had no intention of breaking his promises. Sometimes though, fate had other plans. If these were the last few fleeting moments of his time with Alex, he wanted to make them count.

Chapter 50

The soft sounds of whispered voices woke Alexander out of the first decent night's sleep he'd had in a week or more. Sleepily and very grumpily, he shuffled through the kitchen and opened the back door. "I was just getting to sleep," he grumbled at his daughter and his new son-in-law. His back porch was not going to be turned into a middle of the night convention center. He leaned on the doorjamb and grunted, crossing his arms over his chest. The held each other in an urgent embrace, whispering words of promises and the future. His bushy brows furrowed into a frown. Couldn't life cut his little girl a break for once? He stepped back away from the door, allowing them to enter. "More trouble?"

Alex turned to Lucien and grabbed onto him for one last desperate kiss. "Hurry," she whispered, fighting back the tears. Lucien needed her to be strong. And she was determined to put on a brave front on his behalf. "Bring Patrick back to us."

Lucien forced a smile as he kissed her, his brave woman. "I will." He paused, burying his nose deeply into her hair for a last inhalation of her essence. With the choking stink of the city, he needed something pure, something good, to hold onto. "John Mark will guard the house and watch over you. He is a strong and talented warrior. But, he's not ready for this kind of fight. He still has a lot of growing up to do. I trust him though, with my most precious possession, your heart."

He pulled the locket out of his pocket and slid the chain around Alex's neck. The strand of sliver was so fragile, so easily broken. Carefully, he fixed the clasp in place. After his revelation to her he'd gone back to the graveyard and grabbed the locket. He was saving it for a special occasion. There was no moment like the present. He scooped the locket up with his fingers and brought it to his lips. "Forever, Alex."

Alex shook her head, yielding to her father's gentle pull, guiding her away from the door. "I'll see you and Patrick soon," she whispered as the screen door snapped closed, separating her from Lucien. The metal screen was cold and rough beneath her fingers and smelled like rust and the heat of summer days yet to come. The darkness swallowed Lucien whole. Alex didn't want to cry. But, a tear escaped her lashes of its own volition. "I'm scared."

Alexander draped an arm over Alex's shoulders and guided her into the comfort of the crook of his arm. Gently, he stroked her hair, like he used to when she was a little girl and whispered, "So am I."

They were distracted by the soft sound of footfalls on the roof. Alex looked up at the cracked ceiling. When a muscle bound, two-hundred and some odd pound man walked on the roof, it was hard to miss. She mouthed to her dad, "John Mark?"

Alexander scowled up at the ceiling. Bits of plaster and dust fell in a shower with each footfall on his roof. The bulbs in the ceiling fan above the kitchen table quivered. His old roof needed a few shingles here and there. Ok, so a lot of new shingles, all new shingles. But, he was a frugal one and roofs cost money. With a careful patch job or two, he could piece the old roof together for a few more years. Maybe, since John Mark was on the roof, lurking like some god-damned ghoul, he could drive a few nails while he was up there.

From the hallway, awakened by the noise of voices and footsteps on the ancient roof. Leigh questioned sleepily, "Alexander, who is on the roof?"

Alexander stifled a snort. It sure wasn't Santa Claus, stomping around on the roof with a bag full of Christmas cheer. It was too damned early or rather, late, for explanations. Not before coffee, anyway.

He deposited Alex a chair at the kitchen table and moved to the counter. He pulled the filter, loaded with decaf for the morning, out of the basket and filled a new filter with the good stuff, fully loaded and strong as hell. His wife was in cahoots with Doctor Thomas Sterling. The good doctor in all his wisdom had banned caffeine. Gotta watch the blood pressure. Bull shit. What good was a long life if you couldn't enjoy it?

Within a few minutes, the coffee pot was happily chugging away as the heavenly aroma of coffee filled the air. Alexander learned a long time ago, always have a pot ready to go, especially when dealing with nocturnal creatures. "Gonna be a long night."

"Sorry dad," Alex frowned as she watched him pour the coffee, one cup for her, one for him, and one for her mom. Her dad forewent any frivolities such as cream and sugar and set the mugs on the table in their usual spots.

Leigh slid onto her chair and tightened her robe around her waist. She should have made the coffee, she thought with a wince at the harsh, bitter flavor. Alexander and Alex had worried expressions on their faces, staring down into their mugs with glum, strained faces. Nobody had explained what was going on to her. She could guess though, judging by their faces and the fresh pot of black coffee, it wasn't good.

Alex gasped as a pair of brown eyes peered over the windowsill into the kitchen. "John Mark!" she grumbled, more out of surprise than annoyance. Her nerves were already strung tight as guitar strings. She didn't need vampires, no matter how good their intentions, popping up out of the woodwork.

"Ah, Hi. Just wanted you to know the perimeter is secured." John Mark said sheepishly, peering over the sill of the kitchen window. He felt like the little kid left at home while the bigger kids went out to play. Lucien was not in the mood for debates when he returned to the Lodge and doled out the assignments. He and his team were probably half way to the city by now. John Mark knew he was ready for the mission, for anything. But, Lucien had left him behind in the dust.

"Thanks," Alex said. "Wanna come in?" She stifled a smile as John Mark sheepishly shuffled to the back door. Obviously embarrassed that his attempt at stealth had failed so miserably. Alex couldn't help but like this kid. He was tall and built with a warrior's frame, all muscle and bulk. But, she sensed he wasn't quite used to his body and its capabilities yet. He moved awkwardly, feet barely able to keep from stumbling over one another, his limbs gangly and hesitant, as if he wasn't quite sure what to do with them, wasn't quite confident with their use, yet.

John Mark had a shy, hesitant manner about him. As if he was embarrassed by his bulk. He looked to be about twenty-one, maybe twenty-two. His brown eyes still had the wide -eyed roundness that spoke of youth, eagerness, and inexperience. He was a good looking kid. He wore his hair long and loose, the sleek, black strands slicked back out of the way, accentuating his high cheekbones and bronzed skin so common to his heritage.

This was a small town. Maybe, Alex had seen him someplace before. Passed him in the halls at school and never given him a second thought. Now her life and the lives of her parents depended on him.

The town was rural enough. Its population was sparse enough that the elementary, junior-high, and high school were on the same grounds. If she ever got the time, if danger ever cut her a break, she'd dig out her old yearbooks and look to see if his picture was in them.

Nonchalantly, John Mark shrugged. He was ordered not to bother them, only to watch and monitor. But, he was curious. He was interested in Alex and Lucien's relationship. Since she was human and he had a human of his own on his mind. Besides, he was hoping maybe he could use a little mojo to coax Alex into spilling the beans.

As usual, the details of the mission were kept on a need to know basis, and since his assignment didn't have anything to do with the mission, he didn't need to know. The only thing he did know was that time was of the essence. And that Patrick was in deep, deep shit. Timidly, he slid out a chair and sat down, watching Alex sip at her coffee.

Chapter 51

Lucien spread out the map of downtown, highlighting the areas that the teams were to cover. His brothers were eager to slip into the night and find Patrick. Lucien couldn't blame them. He was eager to be out on the streets, covering as much ground as possible before the city awoke. He barked out orders, arranged transportation, gathered weaponry and dispatched his men. Looking up, he took stock of his own team, the best and brightest in The Sons. All battle ready, but none of them battle seasoned, not even him. He whispered a silent prayer to Kokumthena as they headed out. He prayed to be able to make good on his promises to Alex and to his brothers.

Kore ran her nails along the outside of the door. Capturing a Son, what an unexpected turn of events. She could play with him for a long, long time. All men caved to temptation. It was just a matter of discovering which temptation would lead to their undoing. The vampire in the make shift holding cell was no exception. She'd tried the usual means of persuasion. Pain. Torture. The promise of sex. So far, the man had yet to utter a single word.

No worry. She'd figure out what made him tick and use it to her advantage. Killing him wouldn't get her what she wanted. She needed him alive. She needed him to see the world from her point of view. There was one way to do that. Assuming his mind survived the process in tact. She glanced out over her minions in disdain. The last thing she needed was another feral animal on her hands. "Enjoy your supper," she chuckled lightly, tossing the girl inside.

Janine shoved the ice mask off her face and rolled over, glaring at the clock. All the commotion had jarred her awake. Didn't these people ever sleep? Didn't they understand how vital her beauty sleep was to her? Irritated and annoyed by the early hour and the fact that once she was awake, she was awake. She threw back the covers and got out of bed, shuffling into the kitchen to see what prompted an impromptu coffee clutch at one thirty-three in the morning.

Even through her sleep-blurred eyes, one look at the faces gathered around the kitchen table told her that the situation wasn't good. At this rate, she'd never get to go back home. It was one crisis after the other around here. The party never stopped.

Why vampires insisted on pretending to be human was beyond her. She snatched the steaming coffee mug from John Mark's fingers, it wasn't like he was going to drink it anyway, and took a deep gulp. And instantly regretted it. The stuff was strong enough to put hair on her chest. Grappling with cream and sugar to disguise the bitter taste, she looked at Alex. "What's going on now?"

Alex eyed Janine over the rim of her mug. How much to tell her? Janine's eyes were puffy, rimmed with hours of lost sleep. Her hair tangled by another night of tossing and turning in the bed. Patrick was more than just a casual, passing flirtation to her best friend. The interest might be one sided, but Alex had a feeling that Janine actually cared a lot more for Patrick than what she let on.

Alex recalled the years of lies that had led her to this point. Hiding the truth never accomplished anything of value. But, Janine was so emotional sometimes. This was the woman who bawled like a baby over happy endings. She was a lot more fragile of heart than what she let on. On the surface, she was all vanity, makeup, clothes, fashion, and harmless flirtation. But, underneath, where she thought no one would bother to look, waters ran deep. "It's Patrick."