Dawn's First Light

He sat at his computer screen, staring at the data Rodg sent. The lab results looked like nonsense to someone who didn't know any better. To him, they were astounding. Vampires were a product of evolution gone awry. They were a natural phenomenon. And the reasons behind their strength, endurance, extraordinary speed, advanced healing, profoundly delayed aging, and need for live blood finally made sense to him. He could not wait to get his hands on that sample Rodg promised.

On the screen flickered the data that could make the difference between life and death. His mom's life and death. He understood how and why the blood worked. Now he just needed to figure out what made it happen. He loved his mom. And he couldn't risk waiting much longer. It wasn't fair that he was healed from an accident that should have killed him while she lay upstairs condemned to die. He grabbed another chip from the crinkled bag on his impromptu workspace and stuffed it into his mouth savoring its salty goodness.

Palming the lipstick drive, he inserted into the USB port. The data had to be saved before Dane figured out what he was up to. While the data transferred from his computer to the drive, he surfed the web to track his package. He growled in frustration. His damn package hadn't been picked up yet. Cursing and swearing into the cell phone he dialed Rodg's number. What the hell? Rodg was a bit flaky. Who wouldn't be after spending the last five years working down in a creepy ass basement with nothing but corpses as your only patients? Though it wasn't like Rodg to forget something this important.

"Yeah," Rodg's answered the phone, his voice thick with sleep.

"Rodg, have you sent that package yet?" Thomas drummed his fingers on his desk impatiently as he waited for the man on the other end to wake the hell up and answer him.

"Package?" Rodg asked, "Oh yeah. Wait a minute. It's not here." Thomas heard the sound of ruffling sheets of paper and the groan of a desk chair. The poor bastard was still at work. He must have fallen asleep at his desk. Thomas didn't know why Rodg bothered to pay rent on his deluxe condo when he was never there. "It must have gone out already. One of the techs must have taken care of it. Sorry buddy, it's not here." There was the sound of more shuffling and the hiss of a cooler door opening and closing. "Huh, that's funny."

"What's that?" Thomas asked, growing suspicious. Had the brothers already been there and cleaned house?

"Bodies are gone and all the files too. Who the hell knows? Probably one of those young pups from forensics snagged my damn reports and my corpses," Rodg grumbled in irritation. Things had been really busy lately. People dying to get in and all that. Last night he must have been extra tired and fallen asleep at his desk. "Damn techs never tell me anything. I can't even find a ball point pen in this mess." He sighed and sank into his chair. Scrubbing his hand over his scruffy whiskers, he wished someone would bring him a cup of coffee and a donut.

"Well, I'll just hang tight and wait it out." Thomas bit his tongue, holding his temper. Yelling at Rodg wouldn't help his cause at all. He needed to maintain the man's friendship, in case anything else unusual showed up. "Get some sleep my man."

"Sounds good. I'll let you know if anything else interesting rolls in." Rodg chuckled. "I'll ask the techs about your package. Right now, I've gotta' find some coffee and maybe a donut or two."

"Ok bye." Thomas tossed his cell phone on the desk, returning his attention to his laptop. At least he still had the results. He grabbed the mouse to scroll through the lab results another time when an hourglass popped up on his screen. "Damn it, now what?" He jiggled the mouse and pressed keys helplessly. The computer wouldn't do a thing. "Shit," he growled through clinched teeth. With a huff he turned off his computer and turned it back on, staring into a blank screen waiting for a reboot that never came.

*****

Keene lounged back in his seat and pushed his regret at losing Angel from his mind. She'd made her choice. Although why she'd chosen Roark was still a mystery to him. He should have planned better before he made a run for it. He should have made some sort of provision for the girls. In so many ways this whole mess was his fault. And it frustrated him to realize that in the end it wouldn't have mattered if he had somehow managed to get Roark's women to safety. Which, he wouldn't have. The humans would have slowed him down and none of them would have gotten away with their lives intact. And even if they had gotten away, Roark just would have found more women. The world was filled with desperate souls looking for an escape. And Roark was a magnet for such people.

The heavily tinted widows kept the worst of the sunlight out of the SUV. Mile markers ticked away the distance maddeningly slow. Keene rested his head on his shoulder and inhaled Lori's lingering scent on his jacket and the Kevlar turtleneck he wore beneath. The scent reminded him of the sun-drenched mountains and cool, deep, shaded valleys he'd called home, over a century ago. He let his mind wander back to a simpler time a time he could scarcely remember. But, never would completely forget.

Lori's gentle smell brought a smile to his lips as it teased his senses. His body tensed in alarm. If he could smell Lori on his clothing, so could Roark.

The subtle smell of humanity wasn't limited solely to his gear or to Lori's gentle scent. He sniffed the air, amazed at how quickly he could get used to scents and not question them. Kayla's essence lingered faintly in the cab. He'd barely noticed it, until now. She too, was in danger, perhaps more so now than before. Roark would have caught her scent as they battled.

Keene growled furiously low in his throat at his stupidity. He out of all the brothers should have known better and done something to neutralize Kayla and Lori's scents. In his overconfidence he'd put both the women in danger. "Step it up. We have to get back."

Chapter 38

Anna certainly was congenial enough. Lori remembered her, having been dragged out of bed for her impromptu wedding. The food smelled terrific. But, she just wasn't hungry. She toyed with the eggs and started absently down at the plate. If Keene didn't get back soon, she'd miss him altogether. Still bleary eyed by her lack of sleep and the alarm she'd set for the crack of dawn, she'd shuffled into the kitchen to find a fresh pot of coffee and a four-course breakfast waiting on her. "It looks great, but..."

"Keene is going to think we did a terrible job of taking care of you if you don't eat something," Anna said, smiling at Lori as she rinsed out the pan and popped it into the dishwasher. Actually, she didn't mind doing the cooking. It didn't matter that she couldn't enjoy the fruits of her labor. And yes, although Chris had warned her not to, she'd tried a bite or two anyway and been deathly ill for hours as a result. She liked watching people eat the food she prepared. The looks on their faces as they ate it told her that she hadn't lost one bit of her abilities in the kitchen. She liked to pretend cooking was her talent, instead of sparking up anything in a ten-mile radius when she got pissed.

"I've got to get ready for class," Lori said dejectedly on a yawn. Guiltily, she slid the untouched plate across the counter to Anna. "Thanks anyway." It amazed her how much time a bunch of vampires that couldn't eat spent in the kitchen. Robbie sat in the chair beside her. Alex lounged on the counter by the coffee pot as if guarding it was her personal mission. And Candace puttered in the cabinets, rearranging the shelves.

"Actually," Robbie said placing her hand on Lori's shoulder. "Why don't you skip class today and hang out with us." She'd slipped into the kitchen after a brief phone call from John Mark. Her job was simple, do everything in her power short of hogtying to make sure Lori stayed put till they got back. Robbie was trying to be creative in how she handed the situation. Roark had Lori's scent and she was in danger. But, being stubborn as hell, the simple fact that her life was in danger wouldn't be enough to keep Lori at the compound. Robbie could sympathize. She was in a much similar situation, not so long ago, when the bastard, Kiros, had his sights fixed on her. "I've talked to your boss and you've got the day off. I'll cover your shift this afternoon."

"I can't skip class," Lori said, raising a brow in suspicion. Something was up. She'd been working along side Robbie every summer for the last three years. And in all that time, day after day behind the counter she'd never known the woman to actually encourage anyone to play hookie from work. She knew Robbie too well to know that if she wanted her to bail on classes and work, something had to be wrong. Lori did a mental run down of her expenses. Rent was due this payday. And her mom sure wouldn't cut her any slack on paying it on time. "Not working doesn't pay my rent."

"Did I forget to mention that you've been awarded Employee of the Month and as such, I'm giving you the day off with pay."

"Employee of the month?" Lori snickered in disbelief. "And you're giving me a day off with pay?" This was too rich. Robbie was definitely up to something. There was no such thing as an employee of the month. And until now, she'd never been offered a paid day off. "Full pay," she repeated just to make sure she'd heard her boss right.

"Yes, full pay."

"I wouldn't pass that up. I know Robbie and she's a cheap skate," Anna threw in for good measure. She didn't know why it was so important that Lori stayed confined in the compound. But, if Robbie was giving away money, it had to be a good reason.

"I am not a cheap skate," Robbie grumbled.

Lori stifled a chuckle, "Yes, you are. Now what gives? For some reason, you're willing to part with money to keep me here, why?"

"Oh, no particular reason. You've worked every summer in the shop for the last three years and you've been working so many extra hours lately." She shrugged. "Ok, truth is, you're breaking the bank in overtime. Besides, I really do appreciate all your hard work. Consider it a vacation day," Robbie answered.

"See, cheap," Alex said, rolling her eyes.

"Vacation day," Lori snickered. "I get one vacation day in three years? Shouldn't I get at least a week?"

Anna nodded. "Per year. I'd say that's a pretty standard deal."

Robbie scowled at Anna and Lori. "Don't push your luck," she huffed.

Lori sighed and stretched her arms over her head. "I don't intend to. My grades are good enough. I could miss a class or two, I guess. A vacation day. Me...on vacation." She pushed back from the breakfast bar and yawned. "I think as my first official act on vacation, I'll go take a nap."

Anna leaned against the counter, waiting till Lori was out of earshot to speak. "Lori. How much danger is she in?"

"About as much as usual," Robbie replied with a heavy sigh.

"More often than not, I regret not killing him when I had the chance," Anna said.

Robbie nodded in agreement. She too had thought the very same thing on too many occasions to count.

*****

Bryce didn't bother knocking on Kayla's door. When he got back to the compound, her room was the first place he went. For some reason, he just needed to check on her. To his surprise, the door was unlocked. Not that a lock would have kept him out, if he really wanted in. But, Chris might be really pissed at him for breaking down the door.

He stepped into the dark bedroom and spotted Kayla on the bed, beneath the soft, covers. Her consciousness teetered on the slippery ledge between wakefulness and the world of dreams. The sheets would be warm and permeated with her sweet scent. He was weak, not having the will power to withstand their sweet call. The night had been long, grueling, and he was in desperate need of someplace quiet, away from his inner turmoil to rest.

The goals of mission had been completed. The bodies were retrieved, all evidence erased, and the infant rogue, theoretically, stopped. It was a good night, in some aspects, and in others, not so much. At least, the brothers had managed to save one life tonight. He wished Angel had chosen to return to the compound with them instead of choosing Roark. Her decision made them enemies. He didn't relish the thought of killing anybody. But, it was inevitable. When Roark went down, Angel would go down with him.

He stood at the foot of the bed, watching Kayla dream. She deserved to know the truth. She hadn't mentioned anybody she'd left behind. But, Angel and she had a past. Whether that made them friends or not, he wasn't sure. He'd rather not tell her. However, ignorance was not bliss. Ignorance got you killed. And he did not want Kayla caught unaware of the danger she faced. Roark was after her and now, if only by her association with him, so was Angel.

Bryce was tired, exhausted in a way that went down deep into his very soul. He pulled his Kevlar shirt over his head and draped it over the foot of the bed. Unlacing his combat boots, he kicked them to the side. Better. His leather pants bound and rode up uncomfortably, but there was no way he was losing them too. He dropped his weapons in a heap on the floor and eased beneath the covers. Kayla might very well slap the shit out of him when she awoke. But, just to feel someone warm and soft beside him, if only for a few minutes, it was worth the risk.

Kayla stirred, hovering in that shadowy place between sleep and wake. At first she thought she was dreaming. But, the warmth seeping through her nightshirt was too real to be a dream. Bryce spooned her body tightly against his. Holding her as if she were the last solid thing on this earth. She couldn't help the smile that curved her lips or the gentle sigh of contentedness she exhaled. She hadn't been warm or held like this in so long, if ever. His body was rigid and stiff, his muscles taut and firm against her back. Her women's intuition sensed that he was in no mood to talk and that the way he cradled her in his arms was not sexual in nature. Whatever he'd encountered during the mission last night left him rattled and chilled to the center of his soul. And he needed warmth and comfort only a living, breathing human being could provide.

She had never been the nurturing type. But for him, she could make an exception. He'd been nothing but kind to her, reminding her of what she could be and the life she could have, if things were different. And she wanted to return the favor. Rolling onto her back, she slipped her arm under his head, gently guiding his cheek to rest against her collarbone. He draped an arm around her waist and pulled her closer, tucking her into his body. Coaxing him to relax, she ran her fingers through his soft, dark hair.

Bryce willed the tension out of his body. Kayla's fingers were absolute magic, blazing a trail of warmth along his scalp. Her scent enveloped him, reminding him of everything he'd lost when he chose this world. Her gentle strokes and the soft warmth of her body should have been sensual and arousing. And normally, he'd be hard as hell as an effect of the contact. But, this moment wasn't about sex or his dick. It was about two people seeking out just a few seconds worth of peace in one another. Closing his eyes, he drank in the comfort she offered him and drifted to sleep.

*****

"Don't kill her," Roark coached. Hunger blazed in Angel's eyes as she snatched the girl's wrist from his hand. The woman had a voracious appetite. He could appreciate that. But, he needed more than just a killer. Any idiot with a pair of fangs could kill. Angel needed to learn restraint and finesse. Sometimes, it was better to be subtle. "You don't have to make it hurt. Watch." Roark spellbound the terrified girl and eased her subdued body to his lap. "Just take a sip or two."

"But, I'm hungry," Angel pouted. Her eyes followed the path of Roark's fingers through the girl's long blonde hair as he stroked it with a lover's caress. He was a master at the art of deception. The girl stared up at him, glassy eyed and complacent as a limp dishrag. Who was he to lecture her about pain or restraint? He'd never shown any with her or any of the other girls. She just wanted to eat her dinner in peace. So what if she killed the girl? He had another dozen lined up in waiting. He could spare just one.

"I know," Roark said, clucking his tongue at her. "But, you have to learn to control it." He tucked his finger under Angel's chin and guided her face up to meet his eyes. "If we all drank as much as we wanted, soon there wouldn't be any humans left and we'd starve. Either that or they'd hunt us down and destroy us."

"They couldn't do that," Angel protested. "Humans are too weak."

"My dear, never underestimate your prey. Survival is a delicate dance between the hunted and the hunter."

"Good girl," Roark praised as he watched Angel daintily dip her fangs into the girl's wrist. He'd never been one to share his food and the instinct to defend what was his growled like a beast within him. He'd never had this issue with Keene. Even as an infant, the man had impeccable control. Somehow, Keene had managed to maintain enough of his human soul to conquer his basest instincts. Something, Roark had never fully been able to beat out of him. That fragile remnant of Keene's humanity was his greatest weakness and it would lead to the man's ultimate downfall.

Angel was learning. But, she had much more to learn before he could unleash her on the unwary world. He sensed her thirst for vengeance and intended to use it to his advantage. When the time was right. "Not too much," he cautioned.

Withdrawing her fangs, Angel growled, "I'm still hungry."

"I know, Pet. I know." Roark grinned at his new protégé. His smile filled with unspoken meaning. In her, he'd found everything Keene lacked. "All in good time."



Chapter 39

Keene was relieved to see Lori napping in his bed. He stood at the foot of the bed, comforted by the simple act of watching her doze so peacefully. She was safe and warm, no thanks to him. After John Mark's hastily placed call to Robbie, she must have somehow managed to talk Lori into staying. Keene cursed himself for being such a fool. He'd gotten too caught up in himself, assumed nothing could touch him or those he cared about. And he'd gotten careless. Forgotten the one thing that showed his biggest weakness to the enemy, Lori's gentle scent. And because of him and his stupidity he'd placed her life in danger. Damn him for not finishing this while he'd had the chance.

Angel had thrown him off. She wasn't a victim in this life. She'd chosen it and for what? Out of fear of Roark? Both Kayla and he had left the girl behind to suffer at his hands. Neither one of them had given her a second thought. And whatever she'd done, her shame was tenfold on them, like hot coals heaped on their heads. He should have tried harder to convince Angel to return to the compound with him. It was too late for that now. She was beyond his reach. He'd failed her in the worst way possible. It would have been better if she'd died at Roark's hand than to become what she had. An enemy, he'd someday have to kill.

Keene scrubbed his hand through his hair and tugged on the roots out of sheer frustration. Perhaps, the goddess answered the wavering prayers of the moderately faithful. He had a long laundry list of requests that would require no small amount of divine intervention. And Lori's name was at the top. He could not fail her again.

Moving through the bedroom, he entered the bathroom and closed the door behind him before turning on the lights above the vanity. He peeled off his gear and kicked the pile of leather, Kevlar, and sharp, lethal edged blades into the corner. Standing at the marble countertop he stared at the reflection of a man he wasn't sure he liked. Failure didn't suit him. The tattoo on his right upper arm reminded him of what he was. At least, although he didn't like that guy, he knew him well.