Dawn's Path: Completed Work

If it hadn't been for the humans in their company, he would have called the rogue out. Humans added a factor of danger Sebastian had no way to account for. The brotherhood took care of their own and the humans were under their protection. Guarding them was his primary task. But, the rogue, one he'd scented before, was powerful. Known by reputation more than his actual deeds, Carter served no master and held no allegiance to anyone but himself. And that in and of its self made Carter more than dangerous. It made him lethal.

Strays typically were a breed of their own. Allied with no one. Scurrying about in the shadows for survival. And there were very few that had the strength to dodge a Rogue Master and live to talk about it. Most joined whatever Rogue Master took control of the territory out of sheer self-preservation. Simply biding their time under the current master's rule until another one came along to rule the throne.

Carter was perhaps, the only stray Roark was sane enough to let be. Roark tolerated Carter's presence in what he considered his city. Roark had never tried to drive Carter out of the urban boundaries or force him to join the ranks. He'd never, that Sebastian knew of, engaged Carter at all. And if Roark was cautious enough to give Carter a wide berth, they'd better be as well. And that Carter was tracking them, watching them from the darkness, didn't bode well for anybody.

His fingers itched to grasp the hilt of the katana strapped to his back, hidden in the folds of his leather duster. But, this was a fight best left for another day. Sebastian dropped his hand to his side and feigned a casual smile. As if he were completely oblivious to the fact that Carter was out there somewhere stalking them. "We'd best move along, quickly," he said, urging the humans to step it up.

Anna caught the urgency in Sebastian's voice and pressed her palm to the small of Janine's back to hurry her along. She could practically taste the sickeningly sweet scent of a rogue on the air and the danger it represented. Tonight was Janine's special night. And Anna had no intentions of letting a stray rogue ruin their plans. Once they were on the streets and away from the mall, the rogue would lose interest in preference for easier prey. Rogues weren't particularly picky eaters. And this one wouldn't bother with the effort of following them through the city in hopes of scoring a meal with so many humans around to choose from.

Faking a glance at her watch, Anna tsked at the time. "Damn, if we don't hurry, we're not going to get a good table. I hate sitting in the back by the kitchen. Step it up ladies, dinner is waiting," Anna said. Toby walked beside her. Unlocking the doors with the key fob clutched between his fingers as he texted with his free hand. There wasn't much more anyone could do but hurry Leigh and Janine out of harm's path.

Anna could not imagine one lone rogue posing so great a threat. Only a rogue with a death wish would attack a larger group. Especially if that group was comprised of brothers, such as theirs was. She was much more confident in her gift than she had been the first time she'd unleashed the lethal power. And if that rogue meant to spoil Janine's good time, she'd spark his ass up like a match on dry kindling.

Opening herself up to the power of the Goddess, she drew the borrowed energy of the brotherhood into herself. Her hands heated. Beneath her winter gloves she knew her palms were glowing, seeking an outlet for the magic they contained. With the power heating her hands, she sensed an unfamiliar energy source she'd unwittingly called to her. Sucking in a breath, she sampled the power. It was definitely vampire magic.

The rogue hiding in the darkness tracking their movements with his eyes was strong. His power perhaps, equal to or greater than the Great Father's, and undoubtedly, more potent than Roark's. Anna released the energy she'd drawn upon, sending it back to the source from which it flowed.

Glancing over her shoulder at Sebastian, she nodded in understanding. He hadn't slid his weapon from its sheath because this wasn't a fight they wanted any part of. Discretion was the better part of valor. And it was best to just let it go. This wasn't any ordinary stray or a hungry rogue. This vampire was more powerful than any Master they'd encountered. And while they might come out relatively unscathed, at least permanently, the humans under their protection would not be so lucky.

Janine huffed as Anna yanked open the passenger side door and all but shoved her inside the SUV. Maybe, Patrick was right and her skirt was a little on the short side. Scrambling into the SUV without showing her bum to the entire mall parking lot was a trick. Maybe, if Anna wasn't in such a hurry. She could climb into the SUV with her dignity intact. What was the damn hurry anyway? They had all night. And as far as she was concerned, she had nothing but time. After tomorrow, time and a pair of fangs would be all she would have.

Sliding across the cold, stiff leather seat, Janine slapped at Anna's hands. Scowling at her friend's apparent impatience. Leigh grunted from the effort of climbing in beside her and buckled up. Toby was usually casual and laid back. Unless something was really wrong, he saw no need to rush. He wasn't dawdling now as he loaded the back with packages. If he wrinkled her new clothes, she was going to wring his vampire neck. Robbie had already slid behind the wheel and started the engine, glaring out across the vast ocean of cars in the parking lot. Sebastian and Starr had somehow managed to ditch her, slipping away into the darkness in that creepy way that vampires did.

Everyone was suddenly so on edge and a shopping trip that should have been relaxing and fun had turned intense. Pressing her nose to the cool glass of the passenger side window, Janine scanned the parking lot. She thought she saw a flicker of movement in the shadows and then dismissed it as nothing. Just her human eyes playing tricks on her. Other than a few shoppers hustling through the cold to get to their cars, there wasn't anybody out there. At least that she could see. And after so many years of living among the fanged, she knew a vampire when she saw one.

After Robbie all but punched the gas pedal through the floorboards, peeling out of the parking lot with the screech of tires. Once on the street, weaving through traffic and traveling a rather indirect route to get to Anna's old side of the city, the group breathed a collective sigh of relief. Whatever had set them off had gone just as quickly as it'd come.

Sandwiched between Anna on one side and Leigh on the other, the backseat really too small for the four of bodies piled onto it, Janine wiggled to claim more space for herself. And wasn't that strange, Alex had ridden in the very back on the way to the city. Cramming herself onto the already crowded backseat for the short trip to the restaurant. Positioned defensively between her mom and the door. And, if Janine wasn't mistaken, she heard the soft whisper of a dagger being slid back into its leather sheath. Huh. The vamps were keeping secrets from her...again. The sudden urgency and wariness made sense. They had company, and it wasn't exactly the friendly sort.

Anna babbled on and on about the food the restaurant served. Practically reciting the entire menu from memory. She heartily recommended the cheeseburger platter served up with an extra helping of home fries, heaped with chili and jalapenos. Janine would think about it. Anna claimed the chocolate shakes were to die for. Janine couldn't imagine a shake that good no matter how many cherries were served on top.

There was only one thing worth dying for and well, she'd think about that tomorrow night, when the time came. No longer as hungry as she had been twenty minutes ago, Janine nodded and pretended to hang intently on every word Anna said. Bummed and her appetite gone, she stared out at the glittering lights of the city zipping past her passenger side window. It hardly seemed fair, the humans out there living their lives in happy oblivion to the world that coexisted along beside theirs. They didn't know. They didn't have to choose to die in order to live. And they had to sacrifice nothing for true love. And sometimes, struggling to cling to every human memory so that she could savor and remember them when she no longer felt her heartbeat, no longer craved food, or the warmth of the sun, she wished she were exactly like everybody else.

Chapter 35

Marcus and Sam were on it. Moments after receiving Toby's urgent text, they began tracking the source of the sickeningly sweet scent through the streets. Now that they were familiar with the smells of the city, it was easier to distinguish the scent of a rogue and follow the trail. The rogue was moving quickly. The scent weakest in the parking lot and growing in strength as the rogue wound its way through the darkened streets.

Marcus knew the city well. He didn't think there was one corner or hidden alleyway he hadn't explored at some point in his life. Sure, the storefronts had changed and people had come and gone. But, the basic lay out was exactly the same as it'd always been. Every street extended out across the city from one central point. Like spokes on a wheel. And it didn't take long for Marcus to figure out that the vampire moved through the city with a purpose. The rogue hung back, taking a few unexpected detours to throw them off his trail. But, his destination was evident. Just as Marcus and Sam tracked the rogue, the rogue was tracking the brothers.

One rogue wouldn't be suicidal enough to take on a group of brothers. But, what they had to make sure of was that he didn't stop somewhere along the way to pick up his buddies. The rogues were disbanded, scattered from throughout the city in random packs. And from what recon Marcus had managed to accomplish, there didn't seem to be a leader in charge of them. He'd pulled the same old trick he'd pulled the last time when he wanted to blend in and changed his diet to mask his scent. His hunter purred with glee at the consumption of a diet consisting solely of human blood. But, as for his head, well...he could see why the rogues killed their prey more often than not. The chatter of voices from the blood link he'd formed with the brotherhood's volunteer donors was hell on his psyche.

There was talk amongst the rogues. Whispers filled with dread. Not that Marcus was in tight with any of them. But, rumor had it there was a new Master in the city. The Rogue Master had yet to make his move. And for the time being was hiding in the fringes, biding his time, almost as if he were waiting for something or perhaps, someone. It was this time, the lull before the storm that had Marcus on edge. Vampires had nothing but time. And they could watch and wait patiently for decades.

The city and its citizens didn't have that kind of time. For now, fear kept the rogues in line. And there was some vigilante out there, cleaning up after them, dispensing his own brand of justice. Not that the Sons didn't appreciate the help. But, eventually this lone rogue with a sense of civic duty was going to run out of luck, time, or both.

The brotherhood's protection didn't end with humanity. As far as Marcus was concerned, the Sons' duty wasn't quite so exclusive and it extended to anyone, fanged or otherwise, that adhered to their laws. This vampire, whoever he was, didn't have to carry out such grim, self-assigned duties alone. Marcus had made it his personal mission to save this vampire before the rogues ferreted the vampire out and did away with him. And as Marcus tracked the unknown vampire tracking the SUV through the city, he began to question if he'd found exactly who he'd been looking for.

Sam knew the expression on her husband's face all too well. He tracked the vampire through the city with the determination of a hound dog hot on a scent. Their wedding day had consisted of a ring and a trip to the justice of the peace. No ceremony, no muss, and no fuss, just a quick set of 'I dos' and the few hours they'd managed to sneak to themselves to consummate their vows weren't the way she'd envisioned one of the most important events of her life going down. Dressed in black leather instead of white taffeta and bows. Bejeweled with onyx handled daggers and the steel barreled handgun instead of diamonds and buttery yellow gold, did not a fairy princess bride of a little girl's daydreams make.

But, for all the insanity and the constant activity of the lives they'd chosen to lead, she'd never been happier. Who knew where Dane would send them next? Her adopted brother had pretty much accepted, although reluctantly, that Marcus was a part of her life. He kept them plenty busy though, in hopes that the strain of mission after mission would eventually wear on them and break them apart. Not happening. There was only one thing she was more devoted to than the brotherhood she'd served in one way or another her entire life and that was her husband.

Marcus thrived for the task at hand, no matter how crazy it was. He was always trying to prove himself to Dane and the brothers. Even though Dane didn't think she belonged with Marcus for eternity, he'd accepted Marcus as one of the brotherhood. Marcus just hadn't gotten it through his thick skull yet. And maybe, he never would as long as Dane clung to his ridiculous beliefs that she wasn't old enough to make her own decisions and stick to them. Marcus just hadn't realized that where Dane was concerned, she'd never be anything other than his little sister and his to protect.

Marcus slowed and held up a hand to stop her in her tracks. The rogue had retreated to the shadows somewhere up ahead of them. Hiding. Watching. Waiting. Obviously, the rogue did not want to tangle with them. And avoiding conflict in such tight and crowded confines as the busy neighborhood pub and the shops up and down the street was the right move. An engagement even with one rogue could get messy and it would draw unwanted attention. Not necessarily from the humans but from the rogues that would be drawn to the noise and the scent of blood from the fight.

Sebastian and Starr emerged from the shadows to and fell in step with them as if they were just two couples out on for a night of fun on the town. Robbie and Toby were in position at the entrance to the pub. Robbie paced back and forth as if she were simply waiting for someone to show. And Toby leaned against the pub's worn brick wall as he pretended to pay more attention to the display on his cell phone than his surroundings. Through their false casualness and play make humanity, their eyes scanned the darkness for a sign of the rogue they knew was lurking in the shadows, watching.

The pub was crowded with humans, sitting elbow to elbow in narrow booths and gathered in close circles around tables. The myriad smells of cooking food, too many bodies packed in too small a place, and the endless din of dozens of conversations going on simultaneously was overwhelming. Anna was the only one brave enough to follow Janine and Leigh inside. Everyone else had excused their selves and scattered to patrol the neighborhood.

Anna hadn't thought much about the rental house or the pub she'd frequented at least once a week while living in one of the few neighborhoods in the city limits that had not fallen into the slow urban rot thanks to a declining economy. She ducked her head and let her blonde hair cascade over her shoulders to hide her face as she followed behind a harried waitress tasked with ushering them to a booth.

Luckily, the booth was tucked away in a dim corner out of the main flow of foot traffic and prying eyes. She hadn't accounted for the fact that somebody might recognize her. The pub was a hangout for the locals and she'd been spotted. The patron, a man she didn't know but had shared dinner with many times before from across the pub nodded casually in greeting, dismissing her before returning to the rack of barbecue ribs on his plate. A woman smiled up at her in that way that familiar strangers do and averted her eyes to the menu.

Anna had not been the type of person to neighbor. She'd kept mostly to herself. In the three years she'd lived in her rental house, she'd never bothered to introduce herself to the people living next door. What was the point? People came, moved in, and moved out. Whenever she'd had the craving for the food at the pub, she ate alone or got take out. It wasn't that she didn't like people. She did, to a point. She just didn't like the awkwardness of meeting new people or the effort it took to make friends. Far too often, interests changed and friendships dwindled into casual acquaintances and diminished to the point where you were exactly where you started out, as strangers.

Chris was her best friend, her only friend, in the city. But, Chris had never joined her for dinner at the pub. They lived on opposite sides of the vast urban sprawl and Chris wouldn't have eaten here even if she'd lived next door. For the entire time Anna had known her, Chris had hated her curvy body and was constantly trying to shed imaginary extra pounds. They met for coffee every morning before work and occasionally, for lunch or an early supper at one of the trendier places downtown.

Their friendship had undergone an incredible strain when Chris met the man ultimately responsible for her death. Anna despised Chris's newest love interest from the moment Chris had introduced them. There was just something about him that didn't sit well with her. And she'd been right. Looking back on it, she couldn't entirely blame the ex. She had, and sometimes, still did, blame Chris. The guy had been out for an easy means to an end. And Chris had simply been too seeped in her self-imposed sense of duty to her ex boyfriend to realize it.

Anna had to give the ex a little credit though. Bloodlust was a bitch and he could have easily have killed Chris. What he had done to her though, was far crueler. He'd turned her and left her to fend for herself. Fate, something Anna hadn't given much thought to before her own conversion, had intervened and the brotherhood found Chris in time.

Chris was too gentle a soul to survive taking the life of another. Her hands were clean and unsoiled by the taint of blood. And that was more than Anna could say for herself. She'd killed in self-defense and duty to the brotherhood. She with her goddess given gift had helped send the windigo back to hell. And although she hadn't killed Roark, she'd played her part in his death. Without the borrowed power of the windigo, Roark was nothing. He'd attacked and the Great Father had taken him down. Roark had deserved what he'd gotten. And the only guilt she had was that she didn't feel guilty about her part in taking his life.

Seated across the table from Janine, Anna studied her friend. Janine scanned the menu intently. Her attention focused on selecting the perfect last meal. It wasn't so long ago that Anna had bumped into Chris in a coffee shop and the two of them, strangers at the time, had shared conversation over cups of vanilla latte. Back then at the start of a lifelong friendship, she could have never guessed the twists and turns her life would take or how important a part Chris would play in them.

Her best friend had tried to protect her, to keep Anna out of her world. Anna hadn't wanted to be a part of Chris's world. Friendship conquered fear and Anna had learned the true meaning of acceptance. Chris wouldn't have chosen this life for herself. But, she was forced to live it. To make the best of a very bad situation and control the outcome as well as she could. Chris had found a place to belong in a world of reality seeped in human fiction and clandestine shadow dwellers.