Darlings of Paranormal Romance (Anthology) (52 page)

Someone, perhaps Hortence, since the
rag tag bunch bore no possessions, produced a pot and coffee
smelled rich and soothing to his senses as he approached the
clearing. The old witch glanced his way as he stalked toward the
small fire where the men huddled quietly. No one said a word in
greeting. They’d most likely overheard the dispute between Sonja
and him. Probably fearful of his reaction.

Stewart, who by all accounts could
walk in the daylight, stepped up with a cup and handed the tin mug
to him. Glancing up, Ty gazed into the dead eyes of his general and
winced inwardly at the pang of regret for his fallen comrade. The
general didn’t give him time to wallow in the images of what
occurred on the fateful day near the Yellow Schoolhouse. Instead,
Ty took the proffered cup and reached for the pot.

“
You know arguing with a
woman is in poor taste, don’t you, Lieutenant?” Stewart’s words
held a dry wit aimed directly at defusing Ty’s temper. “Besides
being a waste of time.”

“
Yes, sir, I don’t know
what I was thinking.” He stuffed his hand deep in his front pocket.
There lay the chain of the St. Christopher’s he kept there all the
time these days. The necklace, which had hung around Sonja’s neck
until the night of her first full moon, was the one token he
carried with him of late. Figuring himself a fool for putting so
much store in an inanimate object, he blamed his Choctaw blood for
his channeling of such a superstitious notion as to depend on his
possession of the necklace in trade for Sonja’s safety. Reminded of
the gleam his medallion against her warm breast gave him a moment’s
consignation as to his mental state. When had he become so
romantically superstitious?

Never professing he was anything but
what he was, a cowboy with mixed blood, Ty found the last few weeks
a journey of mounting frustration. He’d vowed to protect her with
everything he possessed and this he would continue to do. Damn her
wayward notion she could take care of herself. “She makes it
difficult to reach for calm sometimes. I do know better. My
apologies for what you overheard.”

“
No need to apologize, son.
We’ve all been in your shoes. Women are a mystery which no man is
sure of the answer.” His crooked grin supported his belief and
worked to sooth Ty’s recent outburst. “Have you considered what
your plans will be from this point forward?”

“
Yes, sir, I have. Now that
we have the men out of that hell hole, I want to travel south and
get away from these bloodsuckers.” Realizing he’d inadvertently
stuck his foot in his mouth, Ty’s color started to rise despite his
Indian roots. “Beginn’ your pardon, sir.”

“
No need to, Lieutenant. I
understand what you mean. I agree with your opinion.” Shaking his
head, he waited until the comment eased some of his companion’s
trepidation. “I know it will be unsettling, to say the least,
however, I’d like to travel with you. Perhaps, I can be of some
help along the way.”

Ty’s expression relaxed and brightened
with the idea of sharing the trail with the man he admired more
than anyone. Riding for Stewart was something Ty would never
forget. “It would be an honor, Sir.”

Smitty approached and waited for the
two men to finish before he interjected. “We’re ready to go, sir.”
Giving Ty and Stewart a slight nod, he waited for
orders.

Stewart glanced at Ty. “I believe
you’re in command here, Lieutenant. I’m strictly coming along in an
advisory capacity. I’ll be out of pocket much of the time during
your journey as I have a need to keep watch over you
all.

A bit taken aback, but quick to
comprehend, Ty glanced from his general to Smitty before squaring
his shoulders slightly. Never one to shirk responsibility, Ty
nodded, giving Smitty the information necessary to get the men
ready.

Since the Guardian wasn’t anywhere to
be found, the small band of refugees headed out with the rays of
sunshine peeking over the horizon and a vampire riding among their
midst.

***

“
Take me. I want you too! I
want you inside me.” Sonja’s head lolled as he suckled her peak,
yet again. Her words surprised him as well as aroused him. Ty was
as hard as a rock and his skin burned with the need to bury himself
deep inside her heat. Gently, he lowered her to the ground and
shoved at the voluminous skirts until he found her. She wore no
drawers and Ty’s cock thrummed with a wild need. He almost lost
control.

Sonja reached out and took his hide
pants, unlacing the leather and tugging them from his hips. She
gasped when his erection stood from his loins. “I knew you’d be
big,” she told him as he lowered himself between her thighs.
Moaning his name, Sonja took his head and shoved it into her chest.
The need for her drove him to suckle and nip at her breast. He
pushed back and stared into her eyes. “I want to taste you. Will
you let me?” Her eyes clouded. His confidence grew with knowledge
he would have her in ways few dreamt about. Trailing hot, wet
kisses lower to the thatch of gold curls at her core, the assault
began in earnest as the she moaned with his tongue inside her. Soon
she bucked and shoved him down. Her fingers digging into his back
until the pain mingled with the pleasure sent ripples of need
surging to his manhood. Rising to rub at her mound after the flash
of an orgasm and she screamed his name, Ty breathed her in. Over
the length of her silky white skin, their eyes met m. She was lost
in a sensuous gaze as he rose up and took her mouth in a savage
kiss. His and only his, no one else’s. Branded and claimed, Ty
buried himself inside her. Pent up pressure built quickly and the
release was so sweet as he let go filling her with his
seed.

Sonja’s head fell back as she cried
out There was no one to hear. They existed in a world unto
themselves.

Sonja’s eyes tracked him as Ty lay his
body next to hers. “Le petit.” She smiled. “The small death,” she
purred. “Your gift to me.”

Ty’s finger traced the angle of her
face while basking in the aftermath of their lovemaking. The color
in her cheeks rose. So beautiful, she was. “You’ve not experienced
a culmination of your lover’s touch?” he asked tenderly.

“
No,” Sonja shook her head
gently. “Robert cared not for a woman’s needs,” she told
him.

Pulling her closer, Ty’s mouth found
hers. The kiss sealed their bond with tenderness and promise of
more to come. Married to a man who considered women there for his
own comforts, she’d not been given the opportunity to share in a
truly companionable relationship. Her husband had been much the
same as others. Their comforts were the only ones, which mattered.
The women in their lives were there for their use and convenience –
nothing more. With his head next to hers, Ty stared into her eyes
once more. She was a gift cherished. Being with her like this was
all he’d ever dreamed of.

Sometime later, when she lay in the
cradle of his arm and the time they’d spent together was nothing
more than a memory, Ty vowed he would make sure she didn’t soon
forget what they meant to each other.

***

He had no right to plague her about
her meeting with Perkins. He certainly hadn’t been of any use.
Glancing at his profile astride the doe colored mare, Sonja wasn’t
ready to forgive Ty. He paid little attention to her. Sonja
reminded herself she wanted things to remain so. No way she’d allow
him the knowledge she’d been hurt by his reaction. No
way.

“
Briann, you’ve said little
since we left town. Are you sorry you came with us?”

“
No, I’m not sorry. A
little sad to have grown up and lived in the same place for so long
and now to be driven away by Perkins and his vultures. Where are we
headed?” Laying a hand on the boys’ weary heads, she smiled when
her children yawned openly.

“
South.” Sonja peered up
ahead at the wagons they’d procured for the journey. The
Confederate soldiers now wore civilian clothing thanks to Hortence
and her spells. South sounded like a far-away place and the idea
made Sonja nervous. Her hands wanted to shake. She gripped the
reins tighter. The road up ahead wound around bends and up hills
before spilling into another valley with new growth greening more
readily the farther they went. “I’m sorry I got you into this
mess.” The words came unbidden.

Sonja didn’t give them time to linger
before she smiled for her younger sister. The woman was beautiful
with her long waves of coppery fire. The boys resembled their mom
and Sonja secretly hoped they always would. A smattering of bright
freckles dusted their noses and pert, pink lips formed perfect bows
in their cherub faces. Love swelled in her chest. Her family – in
all their innocence - what was left of them was precious to her.
She tried not to think of what she would do if anything happened to
them.

Briann quieted again. Sonja wanted to
give her sister some comfort, some support. However, the danger
they all faced remained a grave deterrent. She slapped the reins
over the horse’s rump and steered the team to follow the wagon
ahead of theirs.

The men secured several wagons to help
with the refugees who couldn’t walk properly. Sonja drove one,
while Smitty and Connors drove the other two.

“
Sonja, if anything should
happen to me, will you see to the boys?”

The pain of her sister’s statement
weighed heavy on her chest. “Don’t talk like that, please. We’ll be
fine. I won’t let anything happen to you or the boys, I
promise.”

Her sister’s beautiful green eyes
gleamed with unshed tears. “Don’t promise things you can’t deliver,
sis.”

“
You don’t think I can
protect you?”

“
It’s not that. I know
you’d do everything you could to see us safely out of harm’s way.
Fate may have other ideas. That’s all.”

They rode side by side for a long time
without saying anything.

Truth sometimes had a way of crippling
one’s notions of their abilities. Sonja would speak to Hortence and
the Guardian about Briann’s visions. Surely, her sister was
mistaken about her abilities. She was her sister whom she loved
more than life itself. If she had to give up her gift to save her
sister, she’d gladly do it.

“
How are you ladies doing?”
The voice was deep and laced with real concern.

Sonja recognized General Stewart
without seeing who rode the magnificent black stallion coming up
behind them. Admiring the silken mane as the animal came along
side, she considered the horse may be as undead as the
rider.

With her head tilted back, Briann
shared a warm smile with the general. “We’re fine,” she
said.

The youngest boy groaned before
glancing at the horse. “Ride, momma, ride.” His small finger
pointing up toward the general on his horse.

Briann didn’t pause and Sonja found
herself beaming with pride for her sibling. She allowed the general
to grip the boy under his arms after she hoisted him high, allowing
Stewart to settle him in place in front of him in the
saddle.

“
You’ve made a new friend,”
Sonja observed.

The youngster found the reins the best
thing to play with and Stewart smiled quietly. “He reminds me of my
own.”

A sharp
realization hit her square in the chest. The general had a family.
Well –
had
a
family. How would he ever go back to them now? “I’m sorry.” Her
lips thinned over the image in her mind’s eye. No wonder he wanted
to help them. The bastards had stolen so much more from him than
just his life. She stared straight ahead, unable to meet his eyes
as he rode beside the wagon.

“
Please, Mrs. Brooks. Don’t
concern yourself over the past. As a career officer, I’ve long ago
resolved myself that someday I would face what so many have faced
before me.”

Candor of such a degree pained her in
several waves. Releasing a breath, Sonja rubbed at her arms. A cool
wisp of air suddenly enveloped her. “Yours is not uncommon, still,
I regret your plight.” Her own plight seemed paltry in the face of
such loss. “You’re in my prayers, General.”

His stony eyes held no emotion as he
spoke. “I’m beyond prayers, ma’am, but I would appreciate those
prayers for my wife and children. They will need all the prayers
now.” Tipping his cavalry hat to them both, his tone warmed as he
assured Briann, “Don’t worry. I’ll take good care of him.” He
spurred the great steed, galloping toward the front of the line of
slow moving men.

As he rode off, the dust cloud
erupting behind his mount. Tiny squeals of excited laughter floated
back to them on the gentle breeze.

“
Poor man.” Briann’s voice
laced with sympathy.

The Guardian spoke from behind them.
“He grieves for his life. Were it in my power, I would set him free
from the hell the monsters sentenced him to endure.” Tapping his
horse lightly with his quip, the Guardian stared straight ahead at
the general’s shrinking image. His gentleman’s face wreathed in
concern bore a true measure of the group’s plight. Each member of
the small band of refugees was dealing with the upheaval of their
world. Some for obvious reasons and others for something imagined
only in horror stories.

Sonja glanced askance at the Guardian.
The only sounds between them, the light squeak of the wagon wheels
as the gentle sway of the rolling boxes lurched forward with the
mule teams’ efforts.