章節 10: Without A Name

Nick

Fear skittered up my spine despite my bravado. And very little frightened me anymore. In my centuries, I had seen much. Done much. I was battle hardened and immortal, as long as I could keep my head on my shoulders and a stake out of my heart. But I also knew these hunters. Up close and personal. Draven was merciless and indefatigable.

Much as I hated to admit it, Leo had a point. Alone, each of us were vulnerable to Oriana's wrath. And if what he said was true about our magics searching for each other if we were apart — and I'd never known Leo to be wrong about anything to do with magics before — we had to figure out how to work together. But trusting a Fae? The idea left a bitter taste in my mouth.

I stared out the window, lost in thought as Leo left. My very being wanted to deny it but his words resonated with me. A connection between a Vampire and Fae? Completely absurd. I was old. Scratch that. I was ancient and I'd never heard of such a thing. Not even in lore. For millennium, our kinds had been enemies. The antipathy was woven into the strands of our DNA.

Yet the persistent draw and the overwhelming need to protect this small, fierce woman was like nothing I'd ever felt. Even her combative nature stirred my blood. When she was near, it was as if my long-dead heart beat once more. By the moon, what power did this Faerie wield to affect me so? Leo was right. I was fucked.

I shook myself from such pointless musings after Leo departed. Celeste had spoken nothing but truth - the only thing between us was irritation...and, of course, pure, white-hot desire. I hardened my resolve and my jaw as I decided. We would work together only as long as was necessary, then part ways forever. There wasn't any other answer.

Celeste was still on the sofa, the expression on her face inscrutable. Determination? Disgust? Defeat? I couldn't tell. None of them, however, said 'happy to be stuck with you'.

"The hunters may be gone, but it's only a matter of time before more come," she said finally. "The Druid is right about one thing—we can't stay here - this place is compromised."

I nodded grimly. She was right. The hunters had found us once; they could again. With my apartment situated above the bar, this location was far too vulnerable. My eyes took in my little sanctuary. I was loathe to leave it. Sitting in the sleek black armchair across from her, I blew out a heavy breath.

"You're right," I admitted. "We need to leave the city entirely, put distance between us and Oriana's forces." I raked a hand through my hair. The thought of leaving my home behind and going on the run held little appeal. And with a Fae I had conflicting feelings about made it even less desirable. But what choice did we have?

Celeste bit her lip, clearly having similar reluctant thoughts. "Won't traveling together make us easier to track?"

"You raise a valid concern," I conceded heavily. "But if we accept this...connection between us is as Leo says, I fear separation could weaken us both. Our magics are intertwined - you heard the Druid's warnings."

"I heard him," she grumbled under her breath. "Fine, Bloodsucker, where do we go where Draven and his band of torturers won't be able to track us?

The words 'I have no idea' were on the tip of my tongue, when suddenly I did. Locking eyes with hers, I felt my lips tip up in a wicked grin. "How do you feel about caves?"

***

Celeste chuffed as we passed a sign next to the turn of onto the dirt road. "You're kidding, right? The Cave Without A Name? That can't be a real thing."

I shot her my best 'I know exactly what I'm doing' grin. "I promise, it's a real thing. Legend has it that the first explorers that found it thought it so beautiful that no one person dared name it."

She snorted a laugh, her mouth opening to respond, when her entire body suddenly stiffened. "Have you lost your bloodsucking mind?" she hissed at me, scooting down in her seat. "There are people everywhere! I thought you said this place was remote!"

I turned in my seat to look at her as I put my truck in park near the edge of the gravel parking lot half hidden by a couple of scrubby mesquite trees. She was practically sitting in the floorboard in front of her seat. Fuck, she's cute. Like a grumpy, little chihuahua. A very sexy little…Shit. Shut up libido!

"It is remote. There's nothing else around here for miles except for the tiny town of Boerne and no one goes there unless they are coming to the caves," I assured her.

I peeked over the tops of my black sunglasses, glancing up at the sky through the windshield. Dark thunderclouds still covered the area as far as the eye could see. Good. As old as I was, I could be out in the daytime without going up in flames, but the cloud cover helped. It still wasn't comfortable.

"Climb out of there. I need you to do some Fairie woo woo shit to disguise our packs. We can't have the park rangers questioning why we're hauling around two big backpacks full of stuff for a tour."

Fire practically shot out of her eyes, and it was all I could do to stifle a grin. "'Fairie woo woo shit?'" She flicked her wrist and suddenly a gag around my mouth and my arms were tied in front of me.

Easily breaking the thin cord that surrounded my wrists, I reached up to pull the fabric from my mouth. I cleared my throat, stifling the amusement that wanted to break free. "I was thinking more along the lines of making our packs invisible, but…your way could be handy as well. Though I think tying everyone up might draw more attention than we want."

"Ha, ha, Bloodsucker. You're hilarious." She scowled fiercely at me. "But seriously, you think I'm going to break out the magic with all these tourists hanging around?"

"That's why I parked out here in the back of the beyond. We can stand behind the bed until you're done. Leo is going to pick up the truck later tonight so no one wonders where the drivers are."

Celeste's eyes widened. "How long do you think we're going to be here? You only said to bring a couple of days worth of supplies."

"This isn't the first time I've been out here. I have a cache of supplies we can use if it's necessary." I breathed out a long breath. "I planned for the day they'd find me, though I was hoping it would take longer. I was enjoying Austin."

For only a moment, I thought I saw something akin to understanding in her green orbs. Maybe she had been hoping for the same. Austin was a good place to blend in. I thought there was an off-chance the hunters would move on if they couldn't find us here and we could go back. It was only a small hope that I kept pushed down into a small space in my head, however. Hunters never gave up. Especially Oriana's. She wouldn't allow it. Her memory was prodigious and her ability to hold a grudge, legend. I knew that better than anyone.

Shouldering my pack, I reached into the truck bed and held out Celeste's for her to slip on. She stared at me like I was offering her a giant plate of steaming cow dung, her arms crossed tightly across her chest.

"What?" I snarled.

"I can do it myself. I'm not some damsel, here, Bloodsucker."

Our eyes locked for a long beat, then two, before I broke the contact. Fuck! Everything she did was sexy as hell even when she was being an obstinate idiot. When was the last time anyone had challenged me. Let alone for something so trivial. It was maddening but something about it was hot as hell too.

"Fine." I dropped the pack to the ground at her feet. "Help yourself."

She pulled the pack up her long arms and gave a little "oomph" when she shouldered it. The pack was almost as big as she was, but she managed it. My little Fae was petite, but she was obviously strong. Wait what? She was definitely not mine! I had to wipe that thought from my head.

I waggled my fingers at her. "Do your thing and let's get in there before the sun decides to make an appearance." While still hidden, I was starting to feel the slight prickling on my skin that foretold of the dreaded orb trying to make an appearance.

Celeste's eyes rolled so hard I thought they might get stuck that way before she closed them and whispered words in a language I had never heard before. Suddenly, my pack disappeared though I could still feel the weight of it on my back. Celeste's too was gone, replaced by a small, crossbody bag whose strap cut right between her breasts, making them stand out even more from her loose peasant blouse. My attention drawn to the ruins at her throat, I wondered if they extended down her sternum, or could she have some around those nipples that even now were…

Fucking hell! I shook my head to rid myself of the unwanted, and definitely unneeded, carnal thoughts. We didn't have time for distractions. I cleared my throat to avoid the husky tone I knew would be there with my thoughts. "Good job. C'mon. We need to go get tickets and get in there. We have a way to go past the touristy sections."

"Lead on, oh mighty vampire," Celeste snarked at me. "And, you're welcome."

Okay, maybe her obstinate nature wasn't that cute. "Thank you. And you may want to cut out the nicknames, fairy princess. We're about to be in the middle of a bunch of humans. We don't want to draw any attention."

"Fairy pr…" Her lips slammed together into a tight line as she glared at me again. "Wouldn't want that…Nick," she said through gritted teeth. "Lead on."