"There's my friendly Caly." He closed the door and crossed the room. He set the bag on the bed and sat next to it, waiting patiently.
Unsatisfied with the selection, Caly slammed the drawer. "What?" Exasperated at the hide and seek, she turned to face him. He wanted something from her, and she'd be damned if she'd let him beat around the bush about it.
"You were unconscious for days. We were preparing ourselves for another funeral."
"Days?" Her throat croaked. What the hell happened? Ears ringing, Caly whispered, "How long was I here?"
"Two days. The poor guy was frantic when he called, saying he couldn't wake you. He had to travel with your body to Spain, then to France before he finally managed to charter a plane willing to take the medical risk to transport you back to the US."
Skepticism trickled through her. That wasn't the Ruman she knew. Her life meant his salvation, that's all. He barely tolerated her. He almost appeared to hate being near her the way he avoided her. But then there were the times when she would catch him staring at her in complete bafflement. Not to mention their kiss.
Her heart dipped then jumped up in her throat. Despite knowing about her past, could he care for her? She pushed aside that thought and how desperately she wished it were so.
"You've been out for four days. He hasn't left your side." Jarred opened his bag. "And none of the tests I ran on you showed any sign of disease or sickness." He held up a vial of blood. "The only anomaly is this."
Like a pendulum on a clock, he rocked the vial back and forth. "Your blood has changed."
Disbelief froze the denial that climbed in her throat. She would've called him a liar, but Jarred never lied. Caly licked her suddenly dry lips, unsure if she wanted to hear the answer. "Changed how?"
He placed the vial back into his pack with precious care as if it were the elixir from the Fountain of Youth. "I'm not sure. The blood type's the same, but the chemical make-up is skewed. If I didn't know you, I'd say you weren't the same person who'd left here."
"What the hell do you mean? You know who I am." She refused to allow her hurt to show. After everything she'd been through, all the sacrifices, how could they doubt her? The implications of his statement ate away the last of her frayed nerves. They must have found out about the demon infection. It was the only answer.
Jarred took her triad, studying her like he was trying to see inside her head. "You're the leader of our merry band of demon hunters. Always will be." His half smile faded, and he nodded to her hand. "But since you came into contact with that thing, you've changed, adapted to it. I want to make sure that thing isn't killing you despite what might seem like a blessing."
So they didn't know yet. That didn't make her feel any better lying to them, even if it was for their own good. Caly crossed her arms protectively over the blade. "How?"
The door opened with a bang. Ruman stood there, his body rigid. "He wants to run some tests."
Caly stepped away from them. She wouldn't let them take Carnwennan from her.
"What kind of tests?" Gaze glued to Ruman, Caly couldn't repress a shiver. She'd never seen him so furious. He masked his emotions so well, she'd often wondered if he felt anything.
Jarred stepped between them. "An unknown agent, a metal, has been found in your blood. Every time I try to extract it," he shrugged, "it breaks down and is absorbed back into the blood without a trace. If I can narrow it down, I can determine if it's killing you or if it's something that can be duplicated." He raised the syringe, silently asking for permission.
Caly forced herself to relax and submit.
"Done." Jarred packed his bag.
"Let me know what you find."
He looked at her over his shoulders. "Of course." He shook his head and cracked the first genuine smile she'd seen since he entered the room. "I'm glad you're back."
Caly watched him grab his bag to leave. Her life was complicated enough. She didn't know if she could handle more.
Jarred paused at the door. "Not only do you come back from the dead, you're healthier than you have ever been in your life. Since you have never been sick, that's impressive. Even your scars have disappeared."
Caly glanced down at her arms to see that the white scars she'd received as a result of the car accident were gone. So were the ones Oscar had inflicted. She hesitantly touched the skin, marveling at the smoothness, uncertain how to feel to have something that had been so much a part of her identity erased.
The door snicked shut. She slowly lifted her head to find Ruman's gaze fastened on her. All of the sudden, the room felt too small. He leaned against the wall, looking anything but casual. She forced her muscles to loosen, waiting for him to move first.
"Put down the knife."
At the gravelly tone of his voice, she unconsciously tightened her hold. "Why?"
He straightened, stalking toward her with a predatory look that heated her body and called to something visceral in her.
"Do it." The growl splashed through her system like two-hundred proof vodka.
Caly reluctantly did as told and set the weapon on the dresser. With her hands free, she feared she'd yank him toward her and take what she wanted.
Before she could so much as twitch, Ruman had her by her shoulders, his lips mashed to hers with more exuberance than finesse.
His mouth all but attacked hers, sucking, nibbling, tempting her to reciprocate. Unable to resist the onslaught, she grabbed his shoulders and hung on tight as the world dropped away. Then there was only him. The hunger to taste all of him consumed her, and she tangled her tongue with his.
As soon as she returned his caress, the kiss gentled.
He wound a fistful of her hair around his hand and drew her head back, startling her into gasping his name. Neck strained, chest heaving, she stared up at him.
Naked hunger and pain filled his eyes. His ferocious expression had a frightening aspect to it. "Don't you ever scare me like that again."
As much as she could, Caly nodded. His hold eased, his touch fell away as his hands slipped down her hair. Then he closed down. Though he didn't release her completely, he put a distance between them she couldn't bridge.
If she didn't do something now, Ruman would never allow her close again. Taking advantage of his distraction, Caly looped her arms around his neck and hooked her legs around his waist. While he staggered under her extra weight, she tugged at the tie holding his hair prisoner.
"I believe this is mine." Without giving him time to speak, she wove her fingers through his dark hair, luxuriating in the right to touch him.
Copying him, she yanked back his head and slanted her mouth over his. But instead of a hurried, rushed kiss, she took her time exploring him, the taste of him drawing her further under his spell. Sweet black licorice filled her senses. She didn't think she could ever get enough.
She released his mouth and worked her way to his jaw, nibbling on his ear before sliding her lips down his neck. One of his hands supported her, while the other slipped under her shirt. His fingers brushed lightly against her skin, heat searing her at the barely there touch.
She tightened her legs to get closer, then sucked in a startled breath to feel his thick arousal.
Ruman's hands moved to her hips and clamped down hard to prevent her from moving. Caly bit back a whimper of denied lust.
She looked up, and her breathing hitched at the wonder etched on his face. Slowly, watching his every reaction, she arched, pressing her lower body into his. The friction was painfully delicious, shutting down her brain. Instinct took over.
His fingers bit into her hips, his head tipped back, leaving her all that chest to explore. She slid a hand over the contours of him, marveling at the sleek muscles, enjoying the way he watched her under hooded eyes. Her palms tingled at the touch, and she resisted the urge to reach lower. He had a body that deserved to be savored slowly.
"Ever since I saw you as a statue, I wanted to touch you." She traced his chest lightly with her fingernail, enjoying the way he tensed.
She lowered her head and kissed the skin exposed at the collar of his shirt. Giving into temptation, she rocked into him, biting back a groan of exquisite pleasure. His growl of approval sent another wave of near desperate need roaring through her.
She stilled, savoring the sensations bombarding her. Using her distraction, he ducked his head, his lips whispering across her neck. Caly tilted her head to allow him better access. A sharp sting followed when his teeth nipped at her, turning her insides to mush.
All her plans of going slow evaporated.
Her body craved him now.
He nuzzled her neck, sending a ripple of lust down her spine to pool between her thighs. She tightened her legs, her fingers clawing at him for more. Then he moved, ratcheting up her need to feel him skin to skin. The room spun, and she found herself on the bed, spread out beneath him.