Dawn's Shadow

"Yes, I do. I can't regret what happened to me. Not when it brought me to him and these wonderful people." Chris watched as Anna took a drink from the can. Even though it had only been less than two months, she could barely recall what the soda tasted like. "They're good people. I hope you're starting to see that."

Anna nodded in agreement. Everyone certainly seemed to be genuine enough. Even Toby, although she had felt his eyes on her ass when she'd left the area designated for the tech room. There was nothing wrong with a little red blooded male admiration, she guessed. "I'm glad you're happy."

"I am. But, I want you to be happy too."

Anna wiped her mouth and forced a smile. "I miss you. I miss our morning chats over coffee. I miss you being a part of my world." She wondered, even with Dane's assurance of protection if she would ever truly feel safe again. The world was filled with mystical beings that were beyond her comprehension. Apprehensively, she wondered what else was out there that she didn't know about. "It's going to take some getting used to, being out there on my own again."

"I've missed you too." Chris took the empty paper plate from Anna's lap and tossed it in the trash. She sat down at the table and stared at her hands instead of meeting Anna's eyes. "I have something I need to talk to you about. We don't have to exist in separate worlds. Separate sets of circumstances, different ways of living, yes. But, not different worlds. You don't have to be on your own. I don't want you to be. You are a part of my world the same as I'm a part of yours. I only want to see you happy, Anna. Happy and safe."

Chris lifted her eyes to look at Anna and saw her brow raised in curiosity. Anna didn't want to go it alone any more than Chris wanted her to be on her own. And she was willing to grab hold of any straw she could to save their friendship. Chris resisted the urge to squeeze Anna's hand. "Anna, I dragged you into this world. And while I can't regret what's happened to me. I do regret what it has done to you. Just by knowing me. Knowing my secrets. Places you in danger. Please, promise me you'll think over what I'm about to ask you to do. Have an open mind about this, please."

Anna frowned and folded her hands in her lap. She shuddered at the trepidation in Chris's voice. Suddenly, she wished she hadn't eaten the turkey sandwich. She had a pretty good idea of what Chris wanted from her and wanted her to do. "That's ...gross."

Chris smiled at Anna's disgust. A few weeks ago, she would have thought the same thing. Luckily, Anna had figured it out without Chris having to go in to graphic details. "It's not so bad. Think about it, blood has had a part in every major religion ever practiced. As a species, humanity has always known there is power in the blood. Magic. Ancient magic older than time itself. I'm living proof of it. The Brothers are living proof of the power. It binds us together as one. I can't explain how it works or why. I only know it's the one way I have of keeping you safe." She lightly rested a hand on Anna's shoulder. "Please consider this. I would feel better knowing that you're linked with us."

"Can you do it?" Anna supposed that sharing blood with Chris would be all right since they had already gone through so much together. What was a little blood between friends?

Chris shook her head. "I'm not like them. I'm linked only to Dane. It is the bond through the blood of their Great Father that links the brothers together psychically. And I'm not bound to them through their blood. I wouldn't be of much use to you. The link the brothers share is much more powerful than the one way communication I have with Dane. If something were to happen to you. If you created a tie with one of them, all the others would know simultaneously through their bond. The brothers we have posted in the city would be able to get to you quickly."

Chris sighed. Anna would never go for this. She could sense the hesitation in Anna's posture.

Reluctantly, Anna conceded. It was a matter of practicality. She wanted time to herself to think things through and process them. But, she wanted to be as safe as she could be. The vampire in the hotel had scared her badly enough to know that she didn't have the luxury of waiting. She sensed Chris holding her breath in hope that she'd accept her offer. "Fine, I'll do it. But, not with Dane, I feel funny about that. He's your boyfriend."

Chris grabbed Anna in a big hug. Anna's agreeing to do this was the ultimate act of acceptance of her. Anna groaned beneath the strength of Chris's embrace, immediately, Chris released her. Sometimes, it was hard to remember how fragile Anna was. She'd always seemed so strong and unbreakable, made of steel. "I'll ask Dane who would be the best choice."

"If it's ok, I'll stay here." Anna needed some time alone to prepare herself for what was coming. A vampire, hungry, perhaps uncontrollable, drinking her blood, with her permission, she cringed at the idea of it. She pushed her soda to the edge of the table unable to take another swallow as she thought about what she'd have to drink as soon as Chris returned.

********

"Yeah sure Dane, I'll do it." Toby kicked back in his chair and rested his boots on the desk. Dane had been so surprised when Chris had approached him telling him about Anna's agreeing to the exchange. Maybe, this was going to turn out for the best after all. He still didn't like the woman. But, tolerating her was one of the many things he did for love.

Toby was his most logical choice of candidates. Familiar with the city, Toby often joined in the patrols, scouring the streets for signs of rogues. He was so fast with technology, even if he couldn't get to her, he could summon help with the press of a button. Single and unattached, Toby had no jealous females to worry about. And, for some reason, although he hid it behind a mask of indignation, he actually liked Anna.

Toby hid his grin behind a mask of indifference. Pretending that whatever the boss asked him to do, he would do. Not true, but Dane didn't need to know the real motives behind why he was agreeing to share his blood. And both the men knew, that when it came to forming a link, Dane couldn't force him into it. The act was intimate and sacred, done willingly or not at all. Primarily, he wanted to know more about Anna and see the woman behind the cold mask she wore. And the blood hid no secrets.





Chapter 48

"Hey sexy lady," Toby drawled, grinning at the surprised expression on Anna's face. He'd been watching her for a while. She sat at the kitchen table, staring at the soda can in her hand, lost to a world of her own. No doubt, questioning how she'd ever find the strength resist a guy as sexually enticing as him. Nah, it was going to take more than a kiss to transform this frog into any prince and to melt the ice queen's frigid little heart.

"They sent you?" Startled, Anna blinked up at Toby, trying to hide the expression of doubt on her face. She couldn't believe this crude, sexist man was the one Dane had chosen to do the honors. She knew Dane didn't like her. But really, to subject her to Toby, what was he thinking? She should refuse. Demand someone...better. Toby did have a brilliant mind. And as long as he could keep her safe, what difference would it make who bit her? She squared her shoulders and took a deep breath. Bring it on, she thought to herself.

"The one and only." Toby tried to put Anna at ease. He hid his doubt behind a mask of playful teasing. She was about to get a one-way ticket for a ride into his mind. God only knew what secrets he hid, even from himself, that she was bound to discover. He pulled her up from the kitchen chair with a gentle tug. "Since it's your first time," he said, winking suggestively, "I'll be gentle with you."

"Oh please." Anna tried to yank back her hand. But, he held it fast as he led her through the tunnels. She was ready to get this over with. There was a bit of a gentleman hidden beneath his superior intelligence and brash exterior. At least, he didn't drag her through the tunnels to his lair like some fiend of darkness. He matched his pace to one she could easily match in the stiletto heels on her feet.

"Chris, it will be ok. Toby knows what he's doing." Dane soothed, wrapping his arm around her waist. She peeked around the corner, watching Toby disappear deeper into the tunnels with Anna.

"What if she starts freaking out again?" Painful images of last night flashed through her mind. With Anna, they were still on shaky ground and her friendship hung in the balance of Toby's treatment of her. "What if he hurts her?" Chris demanded. Although she liked Toby, his joking playful teasing nature would be hard for Anna to swallow, perhaps, more difficult for her to swallow than his blood.

"He can handle it. He won't hurt her." Dane rested his head on the top of Chris's shoulder. "I've got a feeling about those two."

Nervously, Anna perched on the edge of the couch and looked around the room. "This is where you sleep?"

Toby plopped down on the couch, taking the seat next to her. "Sure is." He stretched his arm across the back of the couch and with her distracted by his apparent flare for style, he sifted through her mind, honing in on the synapses he needed to command. "Do you like it?"

Anna ran her eyes along the room, suppressing her revulsion. The colors and décor screamed early brothel. Rich shades of crimson decorated a massive wrought iron bed. Black crushed velvet draperies hid the rock walls underneath. Throw pillows of garish gold were strewn everywhere, across the bed and couch. And a shag carpet, thick and plush, in the most heinous color of red she'd ever seen cushioned her feet. "Ah, it's something," she murmured. It was probably a good idea not to piss of a vampire that was getting ready to bite you. "Did you decorate it yourself?"

"You know it. Who else could truly capture my essence and transform it into reality?" His brothers were always fucking with him. The room décor had been their idea of a practical joke. He refused to let them get to him. Otherwise, they'd plan something worse for the next time.

Anna smiled, keeping her lips tightly clamped shut. The sarcastic comment screamed for release. Luckily, no one, she thought. Tired of small talk, she turned to face him. "How do we do this?"

"Ah right down to business. I like that in a girl, decisiveness." He took her wrist and began stroking it with long soft caresses. He felt her pulse rate pick up beneath his fingers. Oh yeah, he had a feeling the ice queen had lava in her veins and the frigid exterior was nothing more than an act to keep people at a distance. Softly, he began whispering to her in words that she wouldn't understand.

No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't fight the waves of drowsiness that washed over her. "Don't fight it," he coaxed, in a calm, soothing drawl. "You're safe with me." No she wasn't. Her safety with this man had nothing to do with the fact he had fangs and everything to do with the fact that he reached out to the very core of who she was. He wanted to get so deep inside of her. Find out what frightened her. And expose her fears to the light of day. Her aloof exterior didn't fool him one bit. He knew there was more beneath the surface than the woman she showed the rest of the world.

Anna's eyes slid closed as Toby's fingers stroked the soft fragile skin of her inner wrist. Had a simple touch ever felt this good? Had a man's fingers ever created waves of pleasure and pure, sensual sensation rippling over her skin? She had never put so much trust in anyone Had never let herself go this completely. But, it seemed so absurd to try to fight his pull. She was safe and sound in his arms. She exhaled, dropping her head onto his shoulder and lost herself in the woodsy fragrance that was utterly male, utterly him.

Toby sensed the second she was out and completely under his spell. The woman fought him like a tiger. But, he'd eventually won the battle of wills. Gently, he laid her back on the sofa and took a minute to examine her. With her guard down, he could see how beautiful Anna truly was.

Her skin was creamy beige, pale and soft, without blemish to mar the perfection of her complexion. Her hair was very blonde. Not entirely her natural color, he guessed, although he could see no hint of dark roots or gray in the platinum strands. Long dark lashes fluttered over the faint blush of high cheekbones. Her full lips, light blush in color parted slightly as if sensing his eyes on them and a pink tongue slipped out to trace a path along their lush surface. Anna was a beautiful woman. When she didn't have a scowl of disapproval or a frown of irritation spread across her face. Which wasn't nearly often enough.

He gripped Anna's wrist, biting down to release a gentle trickle of blood from twin puncture sites. Her blood was sweet and rich, a burst of decadent flavor on his tongue. He felt her presence invade his mind. The saw the genuineness of her heart and the fierceness of her mind as the link formed. This woman was strong, watching over all that she perceived to be hers and guarding it fiercely. Once he had taken all he needed, he withdrew, closing the wound with a flick of his tongue. Gently, he roused her awake.

Sleepily, Anna opened her heavy eyes. She was having such a wonderful dream. Dreams of running with wild abandon through the woods not caring about anything but the chase. "Drink." The tenor of a male voice commanded with an authority she could not refuse. She felt flesh invading her mouth as a finger gently pressed down on her chin, forcing her lips to open. A hot thick liquid rolled across her tongue. It tasted sweet and intoxicating, burning its way down her throat. She had to have more. That little taste was only a tease. Eagerly, she gulped at the source filling her need.

Anna's senses reeled in wonder as Toby gently pulled his wrist away, licking the wound he'd made to feed her closed. Her body felt as if it were on fire. A need, a driving pulsating need so hungry and raw it was out of control, roared through her. Cold unlike anything she'd ever known seized her limbs and stabbed at her heart. Waves of sensation overwhelmed her. Whispers shouted. Colors exploded in the darkness. Touch tore at her skin. And scent, thousands of scents, battered her with the clarity of their aromas. And then, there was Toby, invading her in ways that were more intimate than a lover's embrace. She didn't know if she should slap him, make love to him, or completely ignore him.

"Relax, the side effects will be gone in a few minutes. Just ride them out, baby." Toby reassured Anna. He held her clutched tightly against his chest. Stroking her hair to calm her. The pressure of her body against certain parts of his anatomy was killing him. She wriggled in his lap, scrabbling for the control she'd lost in the intimacy of the exchange. She felt everything he felt. And he felt everything she felt. At no time was the link at its strongest than when it was first forged. And the strangeness of having another person in your head, the sensation of their bodies pressed together, was threatening to pull them both under.

Before he could react, Anna shifted positions in his lap, straddling his legs with her thighs. She kissed him with a passionate kiss. Tracing her tongue along the outline of his lips, coaxing him into granting her access and open for her.

His body yielded to her insistent persuasion. His mouth opened wide to accommodate her tongue. His lips wrapping around her tongue, suckling it in response to the invasion. He ran his hands under her velvet skirt, feeling the warmth and softness of her bare skin under his fingers. His groin strained, erect and hard as a baseball bat, so eager to find the wellspring of arousal beneath the silk panties he felt beneath her dress.

Instinct was a cruel bitch. And it threatened to override his common sense. Dane would have his ass if he did what his body wanted to do to Anna. Especially, with her in the state she was in currently. "Easy girl," he groaned, twisting his face away from her lips. He'd melted the ice queen and turned her into a puddle of boiling lust, riding his groin and grappling with the buttons of his shirt in wanton desire. "Anna," he moaned, her name dying on his lips as he gave in to her kiss.

"Oh! Oh!" Anna was shocked into awareness. Her lips rested on Toby's and her tongue was in his mouth. As was his tongue in hers. His lips flexed against hers in a kiss. Blinking, she withdrew and flinched at the position she found herself in. She sat, facing him, straddling him with her skirt up above, indecently above, her thighs. She would never force herself on a man. In actuality, she doubted she'd forced herself on Toby. But, she certainly hadn't done anything to discourage him either. "I'm so sorry," she mumbled, scooting off his lap and tugging desperately at the hem of her skirt. Her face burned bright with shame and embarrassment at the brazen display.

Toby grinned at Anna's discomfort. Never had she looked more human to him now than she did in this moment. Blushing, stammering, scrambling to refreeze what he'd thawed. "I didn't mind." He stretched out against the back of the couch, placing his hands under his head. "I know a body like this is hard to resist."

Anna didn't think this level of embarrassment was possible to top. But, one glance at the hard ridge in Toby's jeans had her quickly looking at the floor. He had a raging erection. Huge. And she'd been grinding on it like a street hussy. Shamed, she closed her mind and tried to block the size of his erection out of her mind altogether. Slowly, her mask of cold composure slid back into place and she felt more like herself again. "I'd like to say goodbye to Chris before I go."

Chris and Anna exchanged tearful goodbyes. "They're throwing a party Christmas night, if you want to come." Chris said, reluctantly releasing her best friend from a tight hug.

Anna stifled a giggle. "You're going to a Christmas party?" Chris's hatred for anything and everything holiday was the stuff of legends. In all the years she'd known her, Chris had never caved on this particular issue. While Anna played the socialite, visiting with family and friends, attending all the parties. Chris stayed home and hid.

Chris rolled her eyes in exasperation at Anna's amusement. "I know. I'm being forced into it."

Anna squeezed Chris's shoulders with her fingers in a gesture of support. "I can't watch you suffer through it. It's too much." Anna fished around in the backseat of her car and retrieved Chris's birthday present. Even though at the time she'd tossed the gift into the backseat she had no intention of returning to the little town. Something inside of her must have known that she would see Chris again. "I got this for you. I know you hate presents, but..." She shuffled her feet and gave Chris an awkward farewell hug. "Well, I'd better get back. I have a lot of explaining to do at work tomorrow and more than a few apologies to make."

Chris clutched the package in her hand and gave Anna a one armed hug. "Don't be a stranger."

"You know I could never do that." Anna climbed into the car and buckled up. She stared out the window at her best friend and all the new friends she'd made. Toby had come to see her off. She hadn't said a word to him since she'd come to her senses with her tongue down his throat. And Dane was there as well, with his arm draped causally over Chris's shoulders. She'd be coming back. Soon. Maybe, she would drive out for the party. She turned her eyes up to the rearview mirror for one final glance at her best friend before she pulled out onto the highway. Chris was tearing at the wrapping paper opening her gift.