VampireMine (19 page)

Shifters were here, moving all around the house.

Sadie inspected each thought, trying to lock on to the minds
of the pack. It wasn’t easy. She’d been instructed to remain inside. Diskant
wanted to speak to everyone first, addressing the issue of Nathan’s departure
and Zach’s new position as Beta of the pack.

Zach. Now that one was a pisser.

She’d sensed the male’s arrival an hour earlier. When she’d
eavesdropped on his conversation with Diskant she’d been shocked to discover he
didn’t really give a shit that Trey had mated a vampire. The poor man had
actually felt jealous of his Alpha. He longed for the mate he’d lost—Katie.
Sadie’s heart belonged to him in that moment. Trey had told her how Zach’s
female had died but she’d felt Zach’s pain when he pictured Katie’s face,
seeing the brightness of the fallen woman’s smile.

The visual brought her a strange amount of strength.

That woman had died because her pack hadn’t seen the
Shepherds coming. With Sadie around they could detect the intentions of
strangers. True she might not have been able to prevent what had happened but
there was a chance she might’ve changed things. If they accepted her, she’d do
everything she could to keep them safe. Innocent people wouldn’t die.

Hopefully they’ll listen. If I bust my ass I might be
able to convince them.

She found herself reaching out with her mind, searching for
Trey. He’d accompanied Diskant outside. The men knew the pack would sense their
tension and thought it best to offer a united front. She found that Trey, in
turn, was thinking about her. He tried to keep his attention on the pack and
they hadn’t noticed—to his knowledge—his lapses. But he ached for her. Knowing
she was just inside but out of sight drove him crazy.

The memory of him in the shower—about to tell her he loved
her—felt like coming home. She almost let him do it but she wanted the
declaration to be sincere. She hadn’t said the words herself and she wouldn’t
until it was time. The same applied to him. Besides, the words didn’t change
anything. Technically it was nothing more than a verbal acknowledgment. She
wanted to hear him say it but not before he was ready. Maybe it would happen
after they made love, or before he left on some silly errand.

Wasn’t that how reality worked?

Loosen up. You’re not doing yourself any favors.

Swinging her arms, she tried to steel her nerves and stretch
her muscles.

She was grateful she’d stashed a sleeveless shirt at her
apartment. The garment gave everyone a bird’s-eye view of her neck and let her
move freely. There was a good chance she was going to have to fight for her
place in the pack. The females didn’t intimidate her but she’d have to face
anyone who stepped up. It could be more than one fight. She had to be cautious,
using her resources only when necessary.

“They’re a tough crowd.”

Sadie stopped flinging her arms across her chest and looked
up. Mary had joined her. She’d thought everyone had gone outside but she’d
obviously been wrong. Alone, Sadie finally got a good look at the young woman.
And she truly was young. No more than twenty-three or twenty-four years old.
Her blonde hair was a shade darker than Ava’s and long, reaching past her
shoulders.

“Is that why you’re not out there?” she asked. Maybe it
wasn’t a fair question but since Mary had been glued to Emory’s side it seemed
the most likely cause.

“That’s exactly why I’m not out there.” Mary sighed and
crossed her arms, rubbing her hands over her biceps. “They don’t need a
reminder that I exist. Believe me.”

“But they accepted you.”

“In a way.” Mary shrugged. “But I’m not like you. I can’t
earn their respect.”

She didn’t like how conquered the girl seemed. “And that’s
important, isn’t it?”

“It is for you,” she said sharply, as though she caught the
glimmer of empathy. “I’m the enemy but they can kill me. You, on the other
hand, are a threat. You’d better tread softly and grow eyes in the back of your
head.”

Then—sliding into Mary’s head—Sadie recognized the source of
her apathy. It was harsh, bitter and resentful. Mary didn’t like Sadie being at
the house. She’d been willing to give things a chance but had quickly changed
her mind. In Mary’s mind the sooner Sadie got the hell away from her home the better.

A vampire was too dangerous.

Especially around pregnant women.

“You think I’m a danger to Ava?” she snapped. The notion
really pissed Sadie off. “You think I’d harm a pregnant woman and her fucking
child?”

“I don’t know who you are or what you’d do. I’m just warning
you,” Mary said, taking a step closer. “Diskant won’t let you slide if you fuck
up and neither will anyone else. You haven’t shown anyone but Trey that we
might gain more than we’ll lose by keeping you around.”

It was official. Between Ava and Mary the bitch quota in the
house had been filled.

“Well since you put it that way,” with a practiced motion,
Sadie drew her sword from the sheath at her back, “I guess I’ll make sure to
leave an impression.”

“You don’t frighten me.” Mary didn’t flinch when she met
Sadie’s level stare. “I’ve seen things you can’t possibly imagine. The threat
of hell loses its charm if you’ve actually lived there.”

Sadie didn’t bother reading Mary—if she wanted to she could
see what the woman had experienced—taking her statement as a slice of advice.
She didn’t really care to see any more horrific things today, not if she had a
choice. Watching Leigh being driven away had pretty much put a
do-not-fuck-with-me-anymore damper on Sadie’s evening. Mary’s sudden appearance
and harsh warning were sufficient. The woman only wanted to say her piece.

Mary had made her point. She didn’t have to say anything
else.

Voices rose outside and Mary no longer seemed important.

Sadie spun around, gazing at the doors that led to the back
of the property. The pack had met at the barn. There was a decent amount of
distance placed between her and them. Yet—from the sounds of it—they weren’t
very happy.

“I think you’re about to make your curtain call.” When Sadie
looked at Mary she found the woman no longer seemed angry. There was a sliver
of remorse in the words. “Good luck.”

It’s no different than battle
, Sadie told herself.
Prepare
for what you can’t see. Anticipate your enemy’s movements and attack before
they happen.

If only it were that simple.

Everything rested on her shoulders. If she messed up
everyone would suffer.

Footsteps approached and she froze, anxious to see who’d
come to the house. The door opened and Trey’s head peered around the edge. His
dark hair scattered around his shoulders, the black leather coat he’d put on
stretching over the bulk of his muscles. When his eyes settled on her they
changed colors, going from gold to amber. The lines around his mouth smoothed,
making him appear years younger.

“It’s time.”

Exhaling through her nose, she returned the sword to its
proper place.

This might be the hardest challenge she’d ever faced but
she’d never backed down from anyone or anything. There was no way in hell she
was starting now when Trey needed her. Sometimes people had to bite and claw
their way to the top. She wasn’t above fighting dirty if that’s what it took to
win.

She shook her shoulders loose one last time, clearing her
head.

Walking to the man she’d risk everything for, she said, “I’m
ready.”

Trey couldn’t believe his eyes. This was the woman he knew,
an Amazon fucking warrior like no other. There was hum surrounding her, the air
almost electrified. If she had any concerns about what was about to happen it
didn’t show. On the surface she looked totally confident and alert. He hoped
she didn’t play poker because he had a feeling she’d kick his ass.

There was no way to read her.

“Sadie?” He stopped her before she could step outside. He
had to make sure she was okay. “Talk to me.”

She kissed him quickly, her mouth rough against his. Just as
fast she yanked away and looked at him. Again, he couldn’t tell what she was
thinking.

“This is the way I have to be,” she informed him, not cold
but brusque as she continued, “If you want me to do this properly you’re going
to have to accept this is how I am. Until this is done this is the woman you’ll
see.”

“Diskant told them about Nathan. They took that well.” He
started filling her in on the details, holding the door open so she could step
into the dark night. “They took my news well too but we told them to hold their
applause until they met you.”

“You’re not going to tell them about Aldon?” she asked,
falling in beside him as he led the way.

“No,” he answered, reaching for her hand.

She wrapped her fingers in his but she didn’t relax. He felt
the tension radiating from her. God help anyone who tried to play a prank on
her when she was like this. She’d probably chop their head off and leave them
for dead. He tried to consider it a good thing. Like this, no one would get the
drop on her. At least she was ready to show the pack who she was, declaring her
position in his life.

He punched in the code for the lock and opened the gate that
led them toward the barn. Once they were on their way he took her hand again.
“Is there anything you need to know before we do this?”

“Do you expect any fights to break out?” She still hadn’t
lost her edge. If anything she seemed even more focused. “Did you sense any
potential opponents?”

“No, but I didn’t give them the good news.”

Trey knew the moment the pack picked up her scent. They
turned one by one, nostrils flaring. His night vision allowed him to see
everything clearly. Sadie didn’t falter, soldiering forward. It would take a
few seconds for them to detect something was off. Once they did…

Growls carried on the wind, merging together in a dangerous
chorus.

“I told you to hear me out,” Diskant snarled, trying to
attract their attention. “Don’t react without thinking. There’s too much at
stake.”

“What is she?” a female standing next to the barn demanded.

“She’s not a human,” a male bellowed.

Trey studied the pack, his gaze darting over their faces.

Some of them knew what Sadie was but they hadn’t spoken up.
Others had never seen a vampire. Usually shifters and leeches didn’t run in the
same circles. Aldon had been the only one many of them had ever encountered.
Their sense of smell detected something different but their eyes couldn’t gauge
the threat. Without seeing a vampire’s barely noticeable fangs a shifter could
never be sure. They might have an idea but not an absolute certainty. He
wondered if maybe he could have tried to hide what Sadie was. The pack might
have been fooled.

He pushed the notion aside.

Eventually they’d have figured it out and he had nothing to
hide.

If this was going to happen, it had to be clear from the
start.

“I’m your Alpha’s mate,” Sadie answered unexpectedly,
stopping him several feet from the pack. “I’ve accepted his mark and the
responsibilities that come along with it. I know what’s expected of me and I’m
equal to the task. If any of you want to challenge me for the position feel
free.”

“I want to know what she is, not who she is.” Another female
stepped forward, addressing Trey. “We have a right to know.”

“If you’d be so kind as to look at me,” Diskant’s low growl
silenced the crowd, “I’ll be happy to answer any questions.”

The pack didn’t like it. Distrust and edginess was written
all over them.

They did as they were instructed, facing the Omega. Trey
studied Diskant, noting how angry the male had become. As the leader of the shifters
of New York, Diskant wasn’t accustomed to people questioning his authority.
Usually if any of the pack reacted this way—especially since Diskant was a born
werewolf and had been raised with many of them—he’d stomp serious ass and ask
important questions later.

“I’d like to remind you that I have as much to lose as any
of you. My mate is expecting. I’d never risk her or the life of our child. This
issue isn’t the most pressing danger we have to face. In case you’ve forgotten
the Shepherds haven’t fled. They’ve only slithered away to lick their wounds.
They’ll come back and when they do we have to be ready. We don’t have time to
fight amongst ourselves.”

“If we don’t have time to fight,” a familiar voice spat,
“tell us what she is.”

Sadie’s fingers tightened around Trey’s. He wondered what
had broken through what appeared to be an impenetrable shield around his
female. His mate’s gaze was riveted on the member of his pack who’d spoken, a
woman who’d tried to weasel her way into Trey’s bed on more than one occasion.
Brandi was backed by her closest friends, her bestie Andrea glued to her side.

That fucking bitch.

Trey was certain Sadie hadn’t meant for him to hear the
thought. Her mental shields had to be slipping and he was growing attuned to
what she was thinking. Or perhaps their connection was growing stronger. Either
way he was able to feel her outrage and his wolf rose in response. It felt
Sadie’s distress and wanted to alleviate it.

No, damn it.

They’d think she’d made him her familiar if he didn’t get a
grip. Nothing in this world would convince them to accept her into the pack.
The wolves would turn on them and kill them or run them off the property. If
things got out of hand now a scuffle would ensue for sure.

“She’s the woman who’s going to help us protect the pack,”
Ava called out.

Before she could keep going Andrea added her two cents.
“She’s not a woman. She’s something else. She’s definitely not human. She reeks
of something.”

“It’s called death.” Sadie let Trey go and walked toward the
group. “I’ve been called a harbinger before.”