The Warrior Vampire(118)

“Gag!” Luz’s voice carried from the ground floor. “Hurry up and get your asses up here, guys. You’re creeping me out with the way you’re just hanging out in that cage!”

“Again, I’m going to agree with my new best friend,” Chelle said. “I need to get the hell out of here.”

Naya couldn’t have agreed more. “As soon as Manny gets here, we’ll load up the chest and take it back to my house until we can rent a U-Haul tomorrow. I don’t want anyone else in the pod getting any ideas about what Paul had stashed out here.”

“Good idea,” Ronan said. “Until then, I’m taking you to bed and we’re not leaving your house until the sun sets tomorrow night.”

Naya could think of no better way to spend an entire day.





CHAPTER

36

What should have been a twelve-hour drive Ronan managed to accomplish in just under eleven. It was a damned good thing, too, because the sun nudged at the horizon by the time they made it to his penthouse apartment in the center of downtown. The sheer size of the city overwhelmed Naya, and it was so far from the places and people that were familiar to her she couldn’t help the anxiety that twisted her stomach into a series of tight knots.

A hulking, broody vampire named Jenner met them at Ronan’s building to take possession of the U-Haul and Chelle. “I’ll meet you at sundown,” Jenner said as he took the keys from Ronan. “And don’t worry, I’ll make sure she’s taken care of.”

“I have a feeling we have a lot to talk about,” Ronan replied as he eyed the other male with concern.

Ronan was answered with a cranky grunt as Jenner hoisted himself up into the driver’s seat and pulled onto the street with an angry squeal of tires.

“So, that was Jenner,” Ronan said with a shrug.

“He seems … nice.”

“Not at all,” Ronan said with a laugh. “But he’s as loyal as they come.”

“Do you think Chelle is going to be okay?” Naya could only imagine what Ronan’s sister had been through. According to him, her unique transformation kept her apart from the vampire collective memory and the interconnected energy that they shared. She was a creature created from magic and utterly alone. Naya’s heart broke for Chelle, and she was going to do everything she could to help her. Naya had even offered her vein to Ronan’s sister, but he’d refused to let Naya act as a donor while Chelle’s thirst was still so volatile.

“She will be in time,” Ronan said. “We’ll all help her.”

It would be a good while before their lives settled down. Naya agreed to return to Crescent City, as she was needed. With Paul in a secure facility managed by the Bororo tribe and the elders in the process of not only selecting a new chieftain but also dealing with a new—and very snarky—bruja in Luz, the transition was bound to be rocky. Ronan had his own issues to deal with. Since Chelle had fed, he no longer felt the effects of the dark magic, but it was going to take practice and a hell of a lot of research on Naya’s part to help him master it. Ronan planned to bring Mikhail up to speed as soon as possible, and there was still the matter of Siobhan to deal with.

“Come on, love. Let’s go inside.”

Naya looked out over the vast cityscape, taking in the lights and distant sounds. The sun would be up soon and they’d be shut inside for the day. Until then, she let the warm autumn breeze waft over her. The air was thick here. It lacked the clean forest smell that she was used to. The city below her was so busy. Too alive. Would there ever be moments of stillness? Of quiet? There was too much concrete and not enough nature.

“We’ll find a place outside of the city.” Ronan came up behind her on the terrace and wrapped his arms around her waist. Naya relaxed into his embrace, allowing his wide chest to support her. “On the beach, maybe. Whatever makes you happy, Naya. Wherever you can be content.”

“I’m happy,” she assured him. “As long as I’m with you, I can deal with anything else.”

“You shouldn’t have to deal with anything,” Ronan replied. His mouth found the sensitive skin below her ear and Naya shuddered. “I want you content. Happy. Every minute of every day.”

She turned in his embrace. His mouth found hers, igniting not only her desire but also her magic. With every passing day, Naya was learning better to control it, to give it purpose, and it slid over Ronan’s skin, permeating his veins to form a protective barrier from the troth he’d given to Siobhan. Perhaps, after tomorrow night, Naya wouldn’t have to protect him anymore.