Dawn's Second Chance

A sweet liquid filled her mouth, pulling her back from the undertow. Blindly she reached out grasping onto the warm flesh holding it to her mouth as she drank. Sam grappled for more as the flesh was slid away and replaced by another warm wrist. A wave of sensations assaulted her body pushing it to the outermost extreme of its limits. Her limbs twitched as the searing burning cold worked its way up, numbing her. She trembled and writhed in pain her body flailed on the ground helplessly as the transformation began.

Dane exhaled a worried breath. Sam was going to be fine. She'd survived. He bowed to the Great Father and rushed to her side, scooping her up, waiting for her pain to ebb.

Marcus knelt helplessly beside Sam as she looked around with blank eyes, tears rolling down her cheeks. "It'll be over soon," he whispered wiping her tears away with his palm. "Just hold on." He shot a worried look at Dane.

John Mark guided Mack through the crowd and to Sam's side, ready to coach her through her first draughts of nourishment.

Mack took a deep breath watching as the worst of the transformation was completed. He hated to see the suffering that they underwent as their bodies succumbed to the transformation. But, it was for the greater good, how much more would human kind suffer if there were no Sons to protect them. He was a sheriff, but the law only applied to man, not to vampires. He flexed his wrist, willing to do his part.

The scent of something delicious wafted under Sam's nostrils, drawing her attention. Hesitantly she sat up, her body leaning toward the smell. Her fingers locked on warm flesh, "Oh." She gasped as her new fangs ripped through her gums, throbbing and pulsing, aching. Hunger pangs sent her stomach into spasms. Exploring, she sniffed, running her nose along the warm expanse of skin. Resting her lips along the smooth surface of Mack's arm, she bit down, releasing a hot torrent of liquid delight.

"Careful, don't hurt him," John Mark coached. Pressing his hand back against her shoulder.

Dane eased her down to the ground, leaving her to her first lesson from John Mark. He stood clapping Marcus on the shoulder. "You have something to talk to me about?"

Marcus toed the ground nervously and glanced up at Dane. "Yeah. I'm thinking it's time for me to join up."

"Sounds good." He tipped his head to the side, as if he were listening to something. "Are you ready?"

"Don't I have to take a test or something?"

"You've already passed. When you volunteered to go in to Roarke's you proved your loyalty to us."

"But I failed." Marcus jammed his hands deep into his pockets.

Dane shook his head and slapped Marcus on the back. "No, you didn't." He shouted out some words in Algonquin, calling the Sons to attention. Pulling on Marcus's sleeve, he led him into the center of the assembly.

"My brothers Marcus has petitioned for membership into The Sons. Is he worthy?"

"Judge his heart and find him so," the brothers replied in unison.

John Mark lifted Sam onto her feet, scurrying her out of the way. She was still wobbly and unsure, not completely in control of her new limbs. Things looked so different, although the only light was the orange glow of the bonfire, she could see with perfect acuity. She looked up, hearing the flapping wings of an owl that flew in the sky above. The world was a fascinating place.

Robbie approached Sam carefully, not wanting to frighten her. "Welcome my sister." She said in a soft non-threatening voice. She helped Sam slide her arms into a warm up jacket and shimmy into a pair of sweats. Taking her other arm, she and John Mark guided her into the formation.

Marcus followed Dane's lead and slid out of his jacket and shucked his shirt on the ground. The night air was cool against his skin. Self-conscious of the pairs of eyes focused on him he turned to the Great Father. Keeping his gaze low.

Marcus shuddered as The Prophet pressed his hand to Marcus's brow, invading his mind, drawing out all his secrets. "He is worthy." Marcus took a deep breath trying to relax as strong arms gripped him and fangs ripped through his skin, sending a surge of searing agony ripping through his body.

Unlike his first transformation, he didn't fade into unconsciousness as they took his blood. He stayed alert, feeling each pull sapping the strength from his being. Finally, unable to support his own weight he collapsed into their arms and was lowered to the ground.

Warm fragrant life giving nourishment flowed into his mouth, each sip rebuilding his strength. Hungrily he took what The Great Father and his brother, The Prophet offered. As their blood routed through his body, he shuddered in the grips of sheer torment, much worse than his first transformation. Refusing to cry out, he ground his molars, enduring his suffering in silence.

After a few minutes, his pain ebbed and he was able to focus again. He felt different, clean, as if the blood that flowed through his veins before had been contaminated, poison. He felt stronger, more powerful, than he ever had before. Clean. After hiding in the shadows, ashamed of his maker and his past, finally, he was clean. Redeemed.

Their voices echoed in his mind, each one adding to the other until the melded into a harmonious symphony. Marcus sat on the ground, his eyes closed listening to the rhythm of his new life. It was more amazing than anything he'd ever experienced. He took the hand that was extended down to him. "Welcome to the club," Dane said, pulling him up and guiding him to the stump. "This might hurt some."

Marcus shrugged, not caring about the pain. He belonged. He leaned over the rough wooden stump welcoming the tattoo that would symbolize his membership. He'd never be seen as an outcast again.

The ceremony drew to a close just as the first rays of dawn peeked over the horizon, shading the sky in warm hues of gold and rose, with just a touch of baby blue scattered about its wide expanse. The dawn hinted at the promise of a warm sunny day.

Marcus felt a tiny hand wrap around his, Sam. She was dirty and disheveled, from the hunt. John Mark stood protectively at her side. "Some night, huh?" Marcus joked, grinning when she nodded. She lifted her hand and shielded her eyes from the light. Although their destinies may lie along different paths, their futures were intertwined through the blood that flowed in their veins.



Chapter 44

Chance exhaled a sigh of relief. He had successfully avoided Janine for the past twenty-four hours. How much longer could his good fortune hold out? He reclined against the pillows, holding Alex close, wrapped up tightly in his arms as she slumbered. Her lashes fluttered along her cheeks as she dreamed. Her birthday was next week. He hoped her present would arrive in time. He hoped she accepted it. He stroked her long slender fingers cinching them between his.

Janine had been in the heat of furious bachelorette party planning with Anna. Being the only ones likely to be non-blood drinkers, they had exclusive rights to the menu, both liquid and edible. "Damn," she muttered as Toby stepped up to collect her human BFF and whisk her away. The sun was rising in the sky and Chance and Alex had evaded her clutches, again. She looked around and not seeing Patrick, she sauntered back to the compound, bumping into Bryce along the way. Good, she had a favor to ask of him. "Bryce," she said as she fed her arm through his, "There's something I've been meaning to talk to you about."

******

Roark drummed his fingers on the desk, lost in thought. His position was compromised. He really should pack up and move on. Even if he did turn tail and run, it was just a matter of time before he crossed paths with The Sons again. The most logical answer to his dilemma was to forge an alliance with them. Play nicely. Keep them on their side of the street while he stayed on his. The only problem with this philosophy was that he wanted the whole street to himself. He didn't like to share.

He didn't want to take all of them out, just one in particular. Ok, maybe two or three. But, with The Great Father out of the picture, the rest of brothers could be dealt with. The truth could easily be twisted, bent, and the Sons could be manipulated into serving his purpose. Roark scoffed bitterly. The joke of it was that he delivered the Bastard into the hands of his goddess. Created his own nemesis. In a way, he was responsible for giving birth to The Sons.

Roark hadn't realized until nearly a century ago that the son of a bitch was very much alive. At the time of the battle, land had been his love. Land and the rich untapped veins of minerals that lay buried beneath the soil. He'd made some inquiries about purchasing a large amount of undeveloped wilderness in this region, made promises and delivered his end of the deal. The survivors had been driven west, corralled into reservations like cattle. And the land was supposed to be his for the taking.

His carefully planned murders and jockeying for position didn't change the outcome. Settlers came and stamped their claim on the rich soil. The infant government stepped in and snatched up what was unclaimed. The owner of the land wouldn't sell, despite the vast fortune Roark had offered up. After years of investigating spending a great deal of time and money, he found out who the owner was. By the time he tracked the trail of false names, the coal was gone, the mines abandoned, and the forest thinned to a few hundred acres of worthless woods. The Great Father had made a fortune mining out the rich veins of coal that lay buried underground. Harvested the best of the trees for lumber. And that just pissed Roark off all the more.

The profits should have been his. He brought The Great Father into this world, in a round about way, and the bastard owed him. Hell, Roark hadn't even taken credit for killing him at the time. It had been too easy. There was no sportsmanship in using a gun instead of fangs or a sword. He'd just joined in the little skirmish between the Americans and the Natives to have a little fun, and to protect his holdings in the New Frontier.

How could he gain the brothers' trust? Work his way in? Should he rescue a virgin? Ha! He didn't know any. Should he change his diet and swear off the very nectar that sustained his kind? Not likely. He flipped the flyer over in his hands memorizing the date. In a few weeks, the town would be hosting its annual Spring Planting Festival. He'd have to stop by and pay his new friends a visit.

*******

Anna sank back in the seat, dreading this moment. Toby opened the passenger side door for her, offering a hand to help her climb down. The engine idled noisily, impatiently ticking away each second she delayed. He didn't plan to stay and she couldn't go back. They were at an impasse, stuck in their differences and in her stubbornness. She leaned heavily into him as he ushered her up the walk to the front door. The daffodils and tulips that lined her sidewalk were closing their petals against the purple chill of twilight. Her heart drew closed as well to protect itself from the loss of his absence. She turned the key in the lock and opened the door wide. Gesturing with silent invitation, hoping he'd change his mind and stay with her, if only for one more night.

Toby ran a finger along Anna's chin, lifting her face up to meet his. "Lance and Bryce are in position. They'll keep you safe." He frowned at the forlorn expression on her face. "You look so sad, Anna. Don't," he whispered, wishing there were a way to merge their two lives into one. His plan was to keep away from her for a few nights make her realize how much she missed him. But, this...she was breaking his heart.

He'd promised Dane he would spend the next few days at the compound, running diagnostics on the computer systems and installing more security cameras. For a man who hated technology the way Dane did, the man insisted on covering every square inch of space with hidden cameras. He couldn't go back on his word. He had a job to do. "Pack a bag and come back with me."

Anna lowered her eyes, casting her gaze onto the gray pavement beneath her feet. "I can't. My boss is really pissed at me right now and I have to get back in his good graces. I can't lose my job. If I don't work, I don't have a place to live."

"You've always got a home," Toby said.

"I can't do that." Anna smiled, her expression softening beneath the liquid gaze of his eyes. She didn't want to end their time together by getting into a nasty fight or humiliating herself by begging him to stay. Things were what they were and there was nothing either one of them could do about it. "I'll see you again in a few days."

"You know it." He smiled down at Anna and bent low to plant a soft kiss on her lips. He tapped her forehead and grinned. "I'll be right here every minute we're apart." Trailing his fingers down, he pressed them over her heart. "And here."

Anna snickered, snaking her arms around his waist hugging him tightly. The March winds were cold, nipping through her jacket and she shivered against his warmth. "No naughty dreams, please. I can think of those all on my own and I'm fresh out of batteries."

"If you came back with me, you wouldn't need batteries ever again," Toby teased, dousing her mind with a wash of erotic thoughts. "I've gotta get back." He kissed the tip of her nose and unwound her arms from around his waist, reluctantly moving toward the truck.

Anna shivered, partly from the oncoming chill of nightfall and partly from the images Toby planted in her mind. She rested her head against the doorframe, watching as he backed out of her driveway. His offer was tempting. She could just stop paying her mortgage and pack up. Maybe they'd be one of the rare couples that had a happily ever after. She sighed half-heartedly. Knowing she wasn't ready to give up her life yet, she'd better get ready for bed. She needed to get to work extra early, to keep up appearances with the boss.

*****

Chance was in the shower recovering from a torturous workout. John Mark was made it extra hard on him, paring him up with Sam. He had qualms about hitting a girl. So what? Sam was just so tiny. Who knew she had a mouth like a sailor and a punch harder than a man three times her size? She matched him almost perfectly in abilities. And damn, were her fists lightening fast. He rubbed his throbbing jaw. She was tough. He pitied any rogue unlucky enough to cross her path.

The bathroom door clicked open. Chance grinned, smelling a light teasing feminine scent. "Alex?" He squinted against the white clouds of steam from his shower, anticipating her to join him. The shower door slid back and a hand snaked in. Fingers wrapped around the hot water tap and gave it a hard twist, turning it off. Chance howled as the hot, soothing spray suddenly turned cold, freezing him to the bone. "What the...?" He wiped the water out of his eyes, blinking as Janine stared up at him, arms crossed smugly over her chest, tapping the toe of her designer shoe against the marble tiles, and raising her perfectly plucked brow at his package.

"Damn," he huffed, snatching a towel off the nearby rack and tying it securely around his waist. "What are you doing here?" he growled, glowering at her. Shivering against the cold droplets on his skin he reached for another towel and ran it over his head. "It's called shrinkage," he grumbled.

Janine batted her eyes up at him innocently and shrugged. Boys and their toys. They were so defensive, so protective of the dangly bits between their legs. "Whatever. I had to do something to get your attention."

"You couldn't drop an e-mail or send a text?"

Janine defensively rested her hands on her hips. "Well, that's what you get for avoiding me. Look, we're down to the wire here. Alex's birthday is tomorrow. And I need to know what the plan is. I'm thinking thousands of balloons and streamers." Janine splayed her arms wide in the air gesturing wildly. "Work with me here, Chance." Why did everyone fail to see her vision? Was she the only one with a little imagination and creativity in the compound?

"I was thinking something a little more intimate," Chance stammered. He didn't want to share Alex on her special day. He had no idea what bound the two women together. Alex and Janine had nothing in common. They were polar opposites. Hell, they could be from different planets.

"Oh no you don't," Janine huffed, poking a fingernail at Chance's chest. "You've been hogging her. Keeping her all to yourself." She yipped as Chance pushed past her, making his way to the closet. "By the way, this came for you," she said, clutching a mailing box in her hand.

"Give me that," Chance huffed, reaching for the box. Prying it out of Janine's bright red talons. He breathed a sigh of relief. Alex's present had arrived, just in time.

Janine wrapped her fingers around the edge of his towel. "One more step and we'll find out how much is shrinkage. What's in the box, Chance?" He clutched the box to his chest, stroking the brown wrapper like Gallum stroking his Precious.

Chance held his ground and glowered down at Janine. Damn, she was worse than a terrier with its teeth sank into a bone. She just didn't give up. He wasn't about to let this little female push him around. The woman had no interest in seeing his package, at least, the package hidden beneath his towel. The package gripped in his hand. Well, that was a different story. The boys were nice and tight against his abdomen. Shrinkage or not, they had enough sense to hide from Janine. Anymore time in the same room with her and he'd have a vagina. "I don't care."

"Alex might."

He jutted out his jaw in defiance, his eyes glowing with fury. "You wouldn't dare."

Janine shrugged. "No, I wouldn't. Sorry cowboy, not interested." She flopped on the bed and toyed with the bedspread. Hoping she wasn't sitting in a dried puddle of Chance and Alex's love juice. The comforter looked clean. "Get dressed, please." With a reluctant huff, Chance dropped the box in her lap and went to his dresser. She twisted the box in her hands, holding it to her ear and shaking it as he retreated to the bathroom to change. "Personally, I think your package is a little small. But, as long as Alex is happy with it, that's all that matters."

Chance grumbled under his breath, thanking God Janine didn't have a vampire's acute sense of hearing, as he pulled on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. He glared at the door, reluctantly twisting the handle with his fingers. Emerging from the bathroom, ready to fight the demon that was otherwise known as Janine. "The box," he demanded, holding out his hand.

"Oh, very well." Janine plopped the box in his hand. "Tell me what it is." She scooted closer to investigate the wrapping.

"No."

"Is it for Alex?" Janine pressed.

"Maybe."

"Aw come on!" Janine whined. "I won't tell her. I promise."

Chance leaned closer, looming over Janine. The woman was never going to leave. Divulging the contents of the box into her confidence was the only way to get rid of her. Good thing, the stench of the body spray, the perfume, and the layers of makeup spoiled her scent. He could think of another, more permanent way to get her out of his hair. "Can you REALLY keep a secret?"

Janine crossed her fingers over her heart. "Of course."

Chance sighed, ripping through the layers of brown paper and tape. He wanted a woman's opinion and wanted to ask his mom for help. But, Janine had known Alex for years. She would have a better guess at how Alex would react to his gift. He slid a smaller wooden box out of the cardboard and cracked it open holding the slick, sleek, rosewood between his fingers. "What do you think?"

Janine's jaw dropped as she eyed the glittering stones and circle of buttery colored gold. "OH MY GOD!" she gasped. A large round violet stone sat in the center flanked by two rows of perfectly crisp and clear diamonds. "Are you going to..." Janine stuttered and bounced on the bed, barely able to contain her enthusiasm. "Are you going to pop the question?" Janine stared down at the box, shifting her head, watching the center stone glitter as it changed colors in the light. "What kind of a stone is that?"