21 comments/ 30721 views/ 48 favorites Firestorm Ch. 01 By: Fatality Authors Note: Firestorm is the sequel to Bad Weather but can be read as a stand alone. There are many people I have to thank for their brilliant in put. Jazcullen, a brilliant writer but better friend. Mokkelke, Lostchicken and Don for their feedback and lastly my editor for this story Jillieb, her talent is the reason this story is worth reading. Black Manor, Westwood Territory Centuries ago Blood dripped from his talons, the viscous red liquid coating his fingers. The scent of iron in the air was a seductive song to his senses. His ice-blue gaze met the eyes of the Black family's dying patriarch. He felt... nothing. * * * * Micah sat on her large black suitcase as she waited impatiently for someone to open the gates; she had been waiting for nearly an hour. She wasn't a patient woman, was even less so when she had to wait for a vampire whose demands had ripped her away from her family. She curbed her impatience as she thought of her pack, her family whose promise she was here to fulfill. No one else is better suited for this assignment, Micah reminded herself. That knowledge was the only thing that kept her from getting up and leaving. Muttering in exasperation, she pulled out her cell phone and opened the mobile web browser. In times of utter boredom she searched the 'net, finding it intriguing that there were so many interesting facts she could look up. She smirked and typed in the word 'vampire' and waited for the information to load. Humans were in love with mystery and fantasy and had such vivid imaginations, and their ramblings often made for entertaining reading. There was enough accurate information out there, though, to make her suspect that human encounters with the objects of their fantasy were not entirely uncommon. Reading through the web pages, she bubbled with loud, uncensored laughter; some of the information was completely off-base. Then again, she wasn't the expert on vampires. Skimming through the search results, she noted a new forum post that speculated vampires might be able to shape shift. She filed that tidbit away as something she would have to research. The gate unexpectedly made a metallic clunking sound before swinging open on automated hinges. Micah looked around but could not see who had finally opened the gate for her. Granted, it was 6pm and the sun had not fully set, but it wasn't at its peak either. Vampires could be greatly weakened by UV light, but Caspian Black was no fledgling. He can withstand prolonged exposure to the sun without becoming incapacitated, she reminded herself. Eyes narrowed in thought, she wondered if pure-bloods had a higher tolerance to UV light. Micah stood and lifted her heavy bag; the weight didn't bother her but the size of the suitcase made it difficult to lug. The house beyond the now-open gate was a mansion that could probably house over fifty vampires. Micah shook her head and wondered at the foolishness she was about to embark on. She was about to enter a mansion full of vampires knowing that they hated werewolves with an unmatched passion. She knew all too well the destruction vampires were capable of, had lived through the horror of watching blood pool on the ground as the screams of victims faded to nothing more than an echo in her mind. Micah took a deep breath and walked down the mansion's long driveway before finally coming to stop in front of a large oak door. She set her bag down and was about to knock when she hesitated, a sudden unease staying her hand. She stood there, staring at the door for what seemed like an eternity. She sighed deeply and took another deep breath, inhaling the sweet air. The slight but detectable scent of blood didn't surprise her, but it did make her nervous enough that her raised hand trembled. The door was suddenly flung open, catching Micah off guard – a rare occurrence. As a sentinel wolf, Micah could pick up subtle changes in her surroundings with her enhanced senses of smell, hearing, and touch. She should have heard someone approaching the door, even from the other side. The vampire that stood at the open doorway looked annoyed. He also looked like perfection personified. His short, dark hair contrasted sharply with his pale skin, and his piercing blue gaze seemed to be locked on her. Micah's breath caught as words evaded her. The undercurrent of energy that permeated from his pores hinted at amazing power. Whoever he was, this vampire was a force to be reckoned with. "Are you okay or have you lost all ability to speak or move?" Micah frowned at the condescending tone the vampire used. "Sorry, but let's just say I wasn't exactly looking forward to entering a house full of vampires. Not that vampires scare me; I just don't like your kind." Okay, maybe this one scared her a little, but hell would freeze over before she made that admission. "Oh believe me, my dear, the feeling is mutual." His tone was crisp. Despite his words, he gave away no emotion. The vampire moved aside and Micah stepped through the doorway, accidentally grazing him with her arm. Electricity shot through her every nerve ending and she jumped in response. It wasn't the slight touch that had enraptured her, though. It was his scent. He smelled of the rich earth, exuding a wild, intoxicating aroma that should have belonged to a were. "What?" he hissed as he stepped back, showing that he wasn't as unaffected as he seemed. His piercing ice-blue eyes narrowed on Micah, and she defiantly lifted her chin. She was screaming inside. She forced herself to concentrate on the mission instead of this new unavoidable complication, even though she knew she wouldn't be able to deny it for long. Of all places to find her mate... a freaking vampire coven! "I'm Caspian Black and you must be Micah." He looked her over, inspecting her petite form. Micah stood 5 feet 2 inches tall, with a body that was small but toned to perfection. Her blood-red hair was pin-straight, falling over her slender shoulders and settling halfway down her back. Her pale green eyes looked like stained glass. The combination of features made her a stunning woman. Judging from the hunger now reflected so vividly in Caspian's eyes, he too appreciated her beauty. Micah looked away from his unnerving gaze and noticed that people stole quick glances at her from the long, spiral staircase that connected the three floors of the mansion. She didn't like the attention and returned her focus to Caspian. "Where am I staying while I'm here? And when can I meet your security team?" Micah asked as she retrieved her bag. "Follow me," Caspian muttered before turning away abruptly. To Micah, he almost seemed agitated. She narrowed her eyes but followed silently as Caspian led her through the ground floor, past the curious gazes of his coven. Micah could see how much respect his people had for him, giving him low bows before backing off so Caspian could lead her through the corridors until they reached a door that he pushed open. "This will be your room." The room wasn't large; in fact it was small and cramped. Micah smiled though. She hadn't come from luxury and didn't mind the room at all. She would have to change the colour scheme at some point during her stay though; the purple and blue wallpaper was tacky and the matching blue furniture made her want to laugh. "This room is reserved for guests such as yourself. I don't think it's a laughing matter," Caspian hissed when she failed to conceal her amusement. If this room was reserved for werewolves, it had probably been designed to irritate the visiting wolf so they would leave as quickly as possible. "No, I feel honored that you've given me such a blue... I mean, lovely room." The mocking smile that curved her lips reached her eyes and they sparkled, showing off flecks of amber against her pale green eyes. Caspian stared at her for a moment too long before his ice-blue eyes hardened. "Settle in. I'll meet you later to discuss our arrangement." Micah nodded and walked inside what was going to be her home for... well, an undefined time. The bed in the room was a single, but it looked comfortable. She pressed her hand onto the mattress and smiled at the softness. At least she would get a decent night's sleep. Lying down and closing her eyes, Micah used her senses of hearing and smell to trace each member of Caspian's coven. It took her but a few minutes to find them all. There were only 20 vampires in total. She had expected far more. She sat up and pulled her bag onto the bed to rummage through her things before triumphantly pulling out a pack of sweets. "Thank you, Kiki," she said, before she unwrapped a chocolate bar. Kiki a.k.a. Kiara was Micah's Alpha. The bag of goodies Micah held was compliments of Kiara, although her Alpha didn't know it. Micah had helped herself to a few tasty treats from Kiara's personal stash. She had not wanted to leave her Alpha, especially when Kiara was more than three months into her four-month pregnancy. She had tried to delay her departure from the pack as long as possible, but Caspian had demanded that Micah show up at his Northlin home no later than today. "Don't get too comfortable." Micah turned at the sound of the voice and watched as a male vampire walked into her room. She growled instinctively, not liking anyone entering what she now considered her personal territory. The room was hers for as long as she was required to stay here and she had laid claim to it. The vampire that entered her room had the same ice-blue eyes as Caspian. His midnight-black hair was cut extremely short, perhaps an inch in length. "I don't plan on making this," she indicated the room, "my permanent home. And by the way, are you the welcoming committee? I hate to break it to you, but you're not very welcoming." The vampire tried to look intimidating, which only made Micah stifle a laugh. She had seen the big bad wolf routine plenty of times before; this was the big bad vampire version. "Wanna bite?" Micah teased as she held out her chocolate bar. The vampire didn't expect the strange wit that the little wolf possessed. He was intrigued. "Leigh." Caspian's voice was unmistakable. He walked into Micah's blue room, which was now getting far too crowded for comfort. "You know, people usually ask permission before entering someone else's room," Micah said as she promptly stood up and pointed at the door. She wanted them gone. "This is my home," Caspian's voice held a hint of annoyance. It was a reprimand, meant to remind Micah that she was in his territory. "Someone will be by later to take you to my office." Micah sighed in relief when the two men left just as quickly as they appeared, closing the door behind them. She lay back down on the bed, her thoughts in turmoil as she stared up at the ceiling. She was destined to be the mate of the vampire she was supposed to protect. There was no way in hell she was going to accept that destiny. She would play babysitter, then go home and get back to her life. Vampires had already robbed her of too much. Only one vampire was worthy of her trust and love, and he was not Caspian Black. * * * * "I still fail to see how this is helping to solve our problem!" Leigh argued, hitting the table with his fist. Caspian sighed but remained calm. He sat behind his desk as he toyed with a crystal paperweight. "I know what I'm doing," he said while he continued to stare at the way the light in his office was reflected by the crystal. They'd been going back and forth debating this issue since they'd left Micah's room twenty minutes ago. Caspian knew that only time would convince Leigh that the events he'd set in motion were their best course of action. "Yeah, keep telling yourself that," Leigh said sarcastically. The sharp knock on the door startled both vampires; they were not used to being snuck up on. Whoever it was had been quiet and stealthy. Their scent had been masked so well that neither vampire had picked it up. Micah walked in holding a small diary and pen. Caspian looked curiously at the pink pen that had a fluffy tail and the bright pink diary with butterflies all over its cover. Both items looked like they'd been designed for a child. "Sorry, but I took the time to do a walk about," she opened the diary where she had scribbled her observations. "The grounds of your mansion –" Caspian stood up, interrupting her. "Couldn't you have waited until I summoned you?" He walked to the front of his desk and leaned back against the edge. He knew exactly where she'd been. The grounds were well monitored and both Leigh and Caspian had been apprised the second Micah left her room to begin her exploration. "Patience is a virtue I don't possess," Micah replied with a hint of guilt. Caspian shook his head but battled the urge to smile. Something about the wolf's irreverent attitude amused him. "You've met Leigh, my cousin and our Head of Security. He will show you around and brief you on what exactly your job entails." Micah glared at Leigh before flashing him a sweet smile. Leigh hissed but turned and walked to the door where he paused with his back to them. "Coming?" he asked just before he stepped into the hall, obviously expecting her to follow. Micah turned to Caspian with a disgruntled look on her face. "Is he always an asshole or is that attitude solely reserved for me?" Caspian's inscrutable gaze pierced right through her. "I believe that attitude is reserved for you." "Oh wow, I feel so special," Micah grumbled before turning to follow Leigh. * * * * Leigh was waiting outside on the porch when Micah finally joined him. "Firstly, what specialist wolf are you?" "I'm a sentinel," Micah said, a hint of pride in her voice as she tied her hair back. Leigh nodded and walked down off the raised porch. Micah followed silently beside him as they walked through the grounds. She had to admit, she didn't expect vampires to tend to their gardens so well. The large trees that surrounded the manor stood proud and tall and the stunning flowers growing near the edges of the building were a beautiful burst of colour. Sniffing the air, she felt the urge to shift, to feel the grass beneath her paws. "Your primary duty will be to roam the grounds and alert us if any problem arises during the day." "So, I'll bark when there's trouble." Leigh smirked. "Pretty much. There are laser sensors all over and the closed circuit TV system is extensive enough to cover every inch of the grounds. If we didn't have difficulty waking or weren't severely weakened by daylight, we wouldn't even need you." Micah scribbled down the information about the security system. "I'll be the first line of defense kinda, give you time to wake," Micah added. Leigh nodded in agreement. He walked her through the grounds then through the halls of the mansion to the security room, which was located on the ground floor. The security room was larger than Micah's blue room. She couldn't help rolling her eyes. Micah followed Leigh's example and sat on a rotating chair in front of various monitors. The CCTV system was indeed extensive, and there wasn't a single blind spot that she could detect. The security team had developed a very thorough system; it was obviously well thought out. They had everything they could possibly need to secure the safety of the manor. Leigh was an ass but he was efficient and he knew the manor like the back of his hand. He explained the vulnerabilities of each access point, and how an attacker might focus on each weak point and exploit it. He also described the countermeasures he had in place to protect against any such attacks. A competent human and vampire security team monitored the grounds 24/7. Micah caught glimpses of people watching monitors and bustling about, though she did not speak to any of them. As she sat there listening to Leigh, she couldn't figure out why Caspian even wanted her here in the first place. They certainly didn't need her to play watchdog. Leigh shoved a set of blueprints in front of her and waited for her to unroll them. Micah looked confused as she ran her fingers over the blueprints, tracing the lines. She'd never looked at one; this was first time she was expected to use them. "Uhm...," she started to say when Leigh leaned forward and flipped the blueprints around. "You were looking at it upside-down," he said, amusement colouring his tone. "Yeah, that's the thing. How do you... you know, read this thing?" Leigh sighed in annoyance but he showed her how to read the blueprints, and explained which areas were indicated where on the papers. Micah was a quick study, earning herself reluctant praise. "Not bad," he said grudgingly. Her tummy grumbled just then and Micah couldn't quite concentrate any longer. "I need to eat," she said as she rolled the blueprints back up and handed them to Leigh. "Retire to your room and your food would be sent to you." It didn't take Micah long to return to her room, now that she had a pretty good idea of the manor's layout. The room looker even more blue, if that were possible. "Blue was my favourite colour," she sighed, as she went to open the bathroom door. She walked in and made sure to leave the door open. Werewolves didn't like very cramped rooms. They were the children of Luna with a love of the outdoors and wide, open spaces. Although Micah could handle the tiny rooms for short periods, there were limits even to her tolerance. She was pleasantly surprised to find the small bathroom cleaned to perfection. The white tile was so shiny she could actually see her face reflected on the surface. There was a toilet on the far end with a tub that had curtains that were, not surprisingly, blue in colour. There was a knock at her door and Micah's tummy grumbled in response. She opened the door to find Caspian standing in the hall with a styrofoam container. He had gotten her take out. It smelled delicious, so at least it was good take out. It seemed the vampires had forgotten until the last minute that blood wasn't on her menu. "Thanks," Micah said, reaching for the container. "How trained are you?" Caspian asked as she retreated further into the room to sit on the bed. Micah opened the container and gave him a baffled look. "What do you mean?" "Fighting techniques, weaponry..." Caspian began when Micah interrupted. "I'm good with hand-to-hand combat and have some skill with swords and daggers," Micah said, eyeing Caspian curiously. Werewolves were talented warriors and as a beta, Micah was formidable. She had fought her way through the ranks to earn her place. She wasn't just beta to the females, she was beta to the entire pack. "You will complete your first watch tomorrow and protect the mansion while we sleep. When I wake, I will test your skill in our arena." "Fine," Micah agreed. She shut the door as Caspian left, then hopped back onto her bed. She had eaten but a morsel of the delicious food before a sudden thought made her push the container aside to open her suitcase. She shuffled through her things until she found what she was looking for: a pouch made of sleek, black velvet edged with exquisite gold embroidery. She sat back on her heels, reassured by the knowledge that it was still there. The pouch had been in her family for centuries, passed down from mother to daughter. Micah emptied the contents into her palm, carefully inspecting the crystals, gems, pearls, and flawless stones that had survived the ages. Each piece fairly glowed with power. These precious pieces were all that was left of her unique heritage. Micah wasn't just a wolf, she was also a descendent of a race pushed to near extinction. Firestorm Ch. 01 * * * * The next day began slowly. Micah roamed through the manor and the grounds and soon realized that her room was the only area that was cramped; the rest of the mansion was pure luxury. She loved the simple porcelain tile that covered the floors and the elegant carpet that was laid over the tile. She padded about barefoot, wearing demi shorts and a tank top. She wasn't about to ruin anything expensive if she had to shift in a hurry. With the vampires asleep, the manor was very quiet. The human security team kept to themselves and stayed mostly inside the security room, which meant she was pretty much alone most of the day. Wolves were instinctively social creatures, and the silence bothered her. She was used to noise and chatter. When the silence became unbearable, she plugged her earphones into her mobile phone and played some of her favourite music. She loved rock since she found so much meaning in the lyrics. By the time the sun began to set, Micah was utterly bored. She stifled a yawn as she sensed the vampires beginning to stir at last. Who would have thought doing almost nothing all day would be so tiring. She was heading toward her room when she encountered a group of vampires in the hallway. They blocked her path. The unwelcome hisses didn't faze her. She simply ignored them and was about to walk past when she spotted Caspian. He looked as sexy as hell, even wearing a simple red shirt and formal pants. His moved so gracefully, it reminded her of a predator stalking its prey. Micah noted with some satisfaction that the hissing vampires dispersed quickly as Caspian approached. He didn't look that much bigger or more threatening than most of the vampires she'd seen, but they obviously deferred to him. It made her wonder just what it was he'd done to earn such respect. "Uneventful day?" he asked, frowning as he looked Micah over. "I know werewolves usually hate wearing clothes but could you wear something less revealing?" Micah shrugged. "If I shifted, I'd rip my clothes to shreds. I can't really afford to do that while I'm here instead of holding down a proper job." She had come to the manor to fulfill a debt owed by Seth, her Alpha's mate. Caspian had helped Seth bring down a vicious council member that had wanted Kiara's DNA to create an army of mutated humans. To repay his debt of gratitude, Seth had acquiesced when Caspian had asked for a wolf to supplement his security team. Since her new assignment was a long-term arrangement, she'd had no choice but to leave her job. Caspian had agreed to provide for her needs while she was at the manor, but Micah had too much pride to ask for anything, especially money. When Caspian dug into his pocket and pulled out his wallet to hand her a credit card, Micah felt a mixture of emotions. While Caspian may not know he was her mate, it was a fact that erased any hesitation she might have had about spending his money, especially when she had not asked for it. Caspian had given her the card freely. "Thanks," she said sincerely as she tucked the card away. "The arena is this way." Caspian walked past the spiral staircase to a door that Micah knew led to an office, that is, if she had remembered the blueprints correctly. She felt a little surge of satisfaction when Caspian opened the door and it was indeed an office. Micah was about to ask why they were there when Caspian walked across the office to yet another door. The room that lay beyond wasn't anywhere on the blueprints. Micah rolled her eyes and followed him. The arena was massive, with everything a student of self-defense could ever need or want. In the center was a large, white mat. From the smell, Micah surmised that the red tinge was blood that had been repeatedly, but never completely, washed off. Caspian walked over to a set of wooden swords and threw one to her. She hefted the sword, testing its weight and balance. It was solid wood and although it was safer than steel, it could still inflict quite a bit of damage. "Masters in this art consider themselves to be humble students, constantly striving for perfection because they know they can always execute a cut more cleanly, faster, and with more precision," Caspian said. She had a feeling he'd delivered this particular lecture many times before. Micah positioned herself in a defensive stance as she watched Caspian's movements, judging his expertise in comparison to her own. He held the sword like it was an extension of his body. She waited for him to strike first. He moved fast, casting his sword out, aiming for her shoulder. She moved back and blocked the attack, strengthening her stance so she wouldn't stumble. His attacks continued. His moves were quick, calculated, and powerful. Micah's greatest assets were her speed and agility. She reacted to each attack with quick counter-attacks of her own. Caspian effortlessly batted away her strikes and kept coming at her, his movements becoming perceptibly faster and more skillful each time. He was steadily escalating his attacks in an obvious attempt to test her limits. Micah felt anger spark as her counter-attacks missed her target again and again. As her frustration mounted, she began to make mistakes, allowing Caspian to land blows against her hip and shoulder. She ignored the stinging pain and continued to battle him with fierce determination. "I think that's enough," he finally said some minutes later, not sounding the least affected by the exertion of their battle as he straightened and stopped advancing on her. It irritated her that she'd been struggling to keep up and that Caspian didn't seemed at all impressed. She hadn't realized until then just how much she had wanted him to appreciate her capability. Vexed, she ignored Caspian's order and lunged forward, her sword tip aimed squarely at his shoulder. He looked amused as he swung his own sword toward Micah's. Her sword flew from her hand when Caspian landed a perfect strike against her knuckles. She followed the sword with her eyes to see where it would land and was unprepared for the sudden, almost violent tug that pulled her up against Caspian's sculpted chest. "Fighting with your emotions riding so high will only serve to get you killed," Caspian said quietly. He had bent down as he spoke, his lips close to her ear. Micah couldn't help her body's immediate reaction. Her wolf began to howl, eager to claim what was hers. She shivered, overwhelmed by the addictive sensation of having her mate so close. It felt like she was losing control, and that thought sent fear racing through her. Caspian sensed the mixed emotions that stirred in Micah and was about to release her when he picked up the tantalizing scent of her blood. He inhaled deeply and found his grip tightening as he took in her scent. She was living, breathing temptation. The soft sigh that escaped her lips had him hungry for more than just her blood. His lips grazed the sensitive flesh of her neck. She jerked back in surprise but he gripped her tightly to keep her close. He relished the throb of the strong, pounding pulse just beneath her soft skin. Caspian would have given anything to taste her at that very moment. "Ahem!" Leigh's voice was sharp with disapproval. The sudden noise in the silent room snapped both Caspian and Micah out of their haze. Caspian pushed her from him like she had burnt him. Micah stumbled back a step. She was hurt by his abrupt actions, and it made her voice stiff when she spoke. "If that's all, Lord Caspian, I'll get back to my room." Caspian's ice-blue eyes softened at the obvious hurt in her tone, but the coldness returned all too soon. "That will be all for today. Tomorrow, we will resume training until your skills improve to a satisfactory level." "Yeah," Micah muttered and walked off. Leigh growled at Caspian, his eyes rimmed with red. He waited impatiently until Micah was out of hearing range before turning to Caspian. "What the fuck was that?!" He didn't bother hiding any of his rage. "I need to train her; she wouldn't stand a chance if I don't at least prepare her," Caspian wondered why he felt a need to defend his actions. "She is a means to an end, Caspian. Don't get attached to the wolf. Remember, you are honour-bound." "I have not forgotten." Irritation edged his voice. "And if I didn't for a moment remember, cousin, I have you to constantly remind me!" "Glad to be of service," Leigh joked, more relaxed now that his point had been made. A sudden thought, however, made his face serious again. "When this is all said and done, she is going to hate you." "I know," Caspian said solemnly. Firestorm Ch. 02 Author's Note: Thanks for all the fantastic feedback, I really do appreciate it. A BIG thank you goes to my editor JillieB for her exception work. * Micah, age 10 She hid in the shadow of the table, hoping no one would notice her as she crouched low and remained motionless. The stranger approached, the faint scent of blood still clinging to him. Micah didn't know him, but she knew enough to be afraid. He smelled too much like the ones who had slaughtered her family. She wanted to close her eyes but couldn't tear her wide-eyed gaze from the man who kept coming closer. Was he here to kill her too? She let out a small squeak and scrambled back in fear when the stranger knelt down beside the table. He gave her a comforting smile, and his warm brown eyes only reflected kindness. "I won't hurt you, little one. I swear by my honour," he said softly. He stretched out his hand to her, his palm up. She stared back at him in panic, but he remained motionless, crouched beside the table, looking as though he was prepared to wait as long as it took for her to decide to trust him. It was more than an hour later when she placed her trembling hand in his. * * * * Micah woke to the infernal beeping of her mobile phone. After leaving Caspian and Leigh at the arena last night, she had retreated to her blue room even though it had only been early evening. She'd needed to be alone to think. Thankfully, neither of the cousins had followed her. Insomnia had plagued her most of the night. She'd barely touched the dinner that had been delivered to her room, and had tossed and turned in the small, comfortable bed, angry with herself for the way she'd behaved in the arena, and angry with Caspian because he'd returned to his icy demeanor so easily, as if he'd felt nothing. As if she meant nothing. The insistent beeping of the alarm pulled her back to the present. Still groggy, she sat up to switch off the sound and squint at the screen. The sun hadn't risen yet, but Micah had set the alarm because she wanted to get an early start. She shoved her blanket aside and the cold air made goose bumps erupt over her smooth skin. Yawning tiredly, she got out of bed and caught sight of her reflection in the mirror that was hoisted on the wall directly opposite the room's door. She groaned; she looked as tired as she felt. Her hair was a right mess, and her nightshirt was twisted and wrinkled. A warm shower beckoned. She collected some clothes from her still-unpacked suitcase and was on her way to the bathroom when she heard the unmistakable sound of a key turning in the lock of her bedroom door. A quick knock came before the door swung open. The shock of such an intrusion sent adrenaline racing through her system, and she dropped the clothes she'd been holding to adopt a defensive stance. She growled when she recognized the scent of her unwelcome visitor. "What is it, Caspian?" she hissed through clenched teeth. She had never been a morning person, and she was feeling even more grumpy than usual from the lack of sleep. Their awkward parting at the arena the night before did not help her mood either. He stepped into the doorway but came no further into the room. "I heard movement and I assumed you were awake." "You're only half-right, 'cause I'm only half-awake. Give me another hour," she said plaintively before shooting him a sharp look. "And why the hell did you just use a key to let yourself into my room?" Caspian's cocky smile only increased her irritation. "You seem to keep forgetting that you are in my home," he said unrepentantly. She was so tempted to stalk to the door and slam it on his undeniably handsome face. How dare he look so delicious when I look like crap, she thought, self-consciously combing her hand through her messy hair. Caspian's gaze travelled down her body and lingered on her bare thighs. Her skin heated when she remembered that her sleep shirt didn't cover much. "Why are you here?" Micah asked as she resisted the urge to tug the hem of her nightshirt lower, not wanting to acknowledge his attention or her reaction to it. She should have been angry and embarrassed after last night, but something about Caspian's gaze was melting away her grumpiness. The sudden heat in his eyes was scorching. She just couldn't allow it to burn her. "I came to invite you to escort me to a club tonight." Caspian's voice was sexy as sin. The deep rumbling tone sent a shiver down her body, triggering a wave of sensation... until his words registered. "You've got to be joking," she argued. "My duties do not include being your escort when you don't have someone to accompany you." Caspian's expression turned cold so quickly it was as if a switch had been turned off. "You will go as my bodyguard then." She opened her mouth to argue but he had already turned and was walking away. Micah growled as she stalked to the door and slammed it shut, her irritation back in full force. She closed her eyes and leaned back, drawing in a deep breath in an effort to calm down. It only made her more aware of the scent Caspian had left behind. She opened her eyes and cursed loudly when saw nothing but blue all over the damned room. Grumbling under her breath, she stalked to the bathroom. Maybe a hot shower would calm her down. She stayed under the hot spray until the bathroom was full of steam and her skin had wrinkled at the fingertips and toes. She returned to her room wearing nothing but a fluffy white towel, then tossed her clothes onto her bed and moved the wet tendrils of darkened blood-red hair away from her face. One more glance at the blue wallpaper and her temper finally snapped. She found herself rushing toward the nearest wall after picking up the sharpest object she could find. It turned out to be her pink pen with the fluffy tail. She ripped into the wallpaper, growling as her eyes glowed amber. The paper wouldn't come off fast enough, so she dropped the pen and raked her claws across the walls, ripping the paper off more efficiently. Half an hour later, the floor was covered in blue piles of ragged strips of paper. Micah grinned in satisfaction as she dropped her towel and changed into black jeans and a tight white shirt. * * * * The day was nothing short of boring and the silence was deafening. Micah craved the sounds of her pack. She missed Avery's stern voice scolding the younger wolves for sparring without supervision. She yearned to hear Caleb's soothing words as he offered advice and counsel. Heck, she'd even be happy to hear Cole's annoying teasing. She especially missed Kiki. Micah's Alpha held a very special place in her heart; like so many others in the original Saint pack, Micah owed her Alpha her life. It was nearly sunset when Micah returned to her room to change so she could train at the arena. The scraps of ripped wallpaper had been cleared and some attempt had been made to scrape off the remnants, leaving the pale walls bare and tired-looking. It was still an improvement over the blue, though, and she couldn't help but smile at the sight. She headed to the arena, checking the security monitor she wore on her wrist along the way. The device was designed to notify her if the motion detectors were triggered by intruders on the grounds. The thought of the grounds outside the manor with their beautiful gardens made her want to shift and go for a run. She couldn't though. Caspian's coven was beginning to stir and she didn't know how they'd react to a wolf playing in their gardens. Her feral side was growing restless. She'd released some of her tension this morning on her room's blue wallpaper, but it wasn't enough. She wasn't accustomed to suppressing her feral nature and her wolf rebelled against the tight leash. Her wolf wanted to run, to be with their mate. Micah knew she couldn't continue suppressing her were nature for long, or there would be consequences later. The arena was empty. Relieved to have the place to herself, Micah dropped the gym towel she'd brought with her before walking to the centre of the mat to practice her kata and sword technique. She repeated the movements over and over, getting better with each repetition. Fighting had to be instinctive, the movements imprinted so deeply into one's mind and muscles that they became second nature. It was almost an hour later when Micah finally dropped down on the mat. She lay on her back exhausted, though she enjoyed the ache in her muscles. It gave her a sense of accomplishment. It was the competitive nature of her wolf to constantly strive for perfection; she would never be satisfied with simply being good. She wanted to be exceptional. The door to the arena swung open, and Caspian's scent wafted through the air. Micah groaned as she remembered she was supposed to be his bodyguard at a club tonight. She opened her eyes and turned her head to watch him approach. "Can't I..." "No," Caspian interrupted her, as if he'd known she'd continue their unfinished argument the first chance she had. "I want you dressed and ready to leave in an hour." He looked down at her and made an effort to hide his reaction. She was a tempting sight with her hair fanned out over the mat, her skin glistening from her workout. He could see that she was tired, and he had to resist the temptation to let her rest. She had to accompany him to the club tonight; there was no point waiting any longer. The unfamiliar ache in his chest had him frowning. "What is it?" Micah asked when he scowled. She pulled herself up off the mat. "Nothing," he said coldly. "You have one hour," he said again before turning and walking away. Micah couldn't help feeling bereft as she watched him go. She knew she shouldn't care that their interactions always turned cold just before he walked away from her, but she couldn't help it. He was her mate even if he didn't know it. And he will never know unless he tastes my blood, she reminded herself. Vampires didn't feel the pull as strongly as weres did. Perhaps it was just as well that Caspian didn't acknowledge any attraction to her beyond a few lust-filled looks. She had no plans to ever reveal herself as his true mate. She couldn't help the subtle ache in her heart. * * * * The club was Diablo. Micah should have known they'd end up here. The vampire club was infamous among the paranormal community. Micah had become uneasy when Caspian's convoy first crossed the border from Northlin into Westwood territory. She knew the Westwood Prime Alpha by reputation; Fallon Valerian was not a wolf one crossed, and clubs like Diablo were allowed in a Prime Alpha's personal territory only because the Alpha usually enjoyed a share of the profits. "Does Fallon know I'm here?" she had asked while they were still en route. "Yes," Caspian had answered, his tone brusque. Micah didn't believe him. One had to go through a lot of red tape to pass through a Prime's personal territory. As a sentinel wolf from the ruling pack in Northlin, Micah's presence would be unwelcome unless she had presented herself personally to Fallon. She was still debating how best to handle this new complication when their vehicles pulled up in front of Diablo. Its slightly grungy exterior was designed to make outsiders think it was nothing special. The bouncers that closely guarded the entrance were massive in build, easily the size of hunter wolves, but they did nothing to hinder Caspian and his party when they walked past the entrance. Micah was relieved to be outside the confines of the car. Caspian had smelled yummy, as usual. And he looked sinful in the simple dark denim and plain t-shirt he wore. Perhaps, she admitted to herself, it wasn't the clothes but the person who wore them that made the clothes look good. He had four guards, including Leigh and herself. She tried to stay in the shadow of his guards. The last thing Micah wanted was attention. This was a vampire club; it was uncharted territory for a werewolf and for good reason. The interior of the club was surprisingly not grungy in the slightest. It was a blend of gothic and contemporary styles and the place was packed. The dimly-lit dance floor was crowded with people gyrating to the rhythmic beat of the music. Micah's pace slowed as she looked around. She was unaccustomed to clubs, and the music in this one was far too loud for her taste, and had her ears ringing. They'd been inside only a few minutes and already she could feel a headache start to pound at her temples. "Stay close," Caspian called out to her over his shoulder. She was hurrying to catch up when a vampire stepped forward to block her path. He grabbed her arm so hard that the grip was bruising. "You shouldn't be here," he hissed, staring at Micah with red-rimmed eyes. "I've heard that before," Micah answered, tugging against his hold to no avail as the vampire's grip tightened. Immediately, her wolf surfaced and her eyes glowed amber in warning before she flipped the vampire onto his back, her action quick and fluid. The dazed vampire that now lay on the floor had been taken by surprise. "Stay out of trouble!" Leigh growled from behind her. She turned to find both men waiting with impatient looks on their faces. Micah gave the security head a guilty look. "Sorry." Caspian seemed to hesitate before speaking. "Survey the area," he finally said to her. She watched as he nodded at a nearby bouncer before gliding up a staircase with intricately designed railings. The rest of his vampire entourage followed closely behind. The bouncer at the base of the staircase eyed her suspiciously. She looked him over and flashed him a sweet smile. She was not surprised when he smiled back and nodded. "Hi," she greeted. "You certainly have guts, little wolf," the bouncer replied. He showed no signs of hostility. "What can I say? I love danger," Micah said flippantly. She had an instant liking for the bouncer. He had a big build and stood about 6 feet tall. His friendly brown eyes were comforting in a club where she felt so out of place. He combed his hand through his thick brown hair. "If danger is what you're looking for, then you're in the right place. My name's Ray." "Nice to meet you, Ray," she replied. "I'm Micah. And I don't really have a choice; I'm required to be here," she said as her eyes glanced up to where Caspian had gone. He was now out of sight, but she knew he was somewhere upstairs. "The upper level is reserved for the VIPs. Word of warning: it's not a place for someone as young or innocent as you, little wolf." Micah took a moment to absorb Ray's statement. She didn't doubt that he spoke truthfully. "Thanks," she said, before walking away to begin her sweep of the room. It was not common knowledge, but Micah had many talents that were inherited from a nearly extinct species. She was of mixed heritage, with both wolf and seraphim blood flowing through her veins. Her seraphim nature could sense evil as a taint within a person or place. She had been instantly comfortable with Ray because he had carried no taint in him at all. Ray was the exception, though. She had known as soon as she set foot in this club that the place itself was tainted with evil, that the very foundations rippled with the sins of people who had committed unforgivable acts within its walls. Determined to do a quick survey of the area, she headed for the bar that ran alongside the dance floor, ignoring the occasional hissing she received from the vampires she passed. None of the vampires tried to stop her this time; most of the club's patrons were packed on the dance floor, dancing to the trance music that was almost as hypnotic as Caspian's voice. She finally reached the bar, wrinkling her nose at the sharp scent of blood that came from the slightly pink drink that the vampire woman next to her sipped. She inspected the drink curiously and wasn't surprised to realize that it contained trace amounts of blood. The bar provided a good view of the floor layout, though she couldn't see much of the far side of the room. Micah would have preferred the vantage point from the upper level, but she knew she would be unwelcome in the VIP area. She frowned as prolonged exposure to the taint in the club began to affect her. Sweat broke out over her brow and she felt her lungs burn for air. She fought the urge to pant as each breath left her feeling more uneasy. It didn't take more than a few minutes before the slight throbbing at her temple evolved into a full-blown migraine. Overwhelmed by the taint and the noise, she searched for the rear exit and moved quickly through the crowd. She bumped into Ray as she rushed to escape the suffocating effect of the taint, missing the look of concern on his face. She emerged through the side door of the club, hoping to recover more quickly in the privacy of a quiet alley. She had never had her mind and body in such turmoil before. It felt so unnatural. "Bitch!" She whirled around to find a vampire reaching for her. She had been so distracted that she had blindly walked into danger. She flinched away from the vampire, just barely escaping his grasp. His eyes were a deep red; he was clearly out of his mind with blood lust. "My blood can kill you," Micah warned him as she tamed her harsh breathing. "I'm half Seraphim; I'm bound by the law of my people to warn you that my blood is as deadly to you as a stake through your heart." Micah cursed when the vampire just scoffed, not believing a word she had spoken. She shouldn't have been surprised. Vampires had tried to wipe out all the seraphims some years ago, and many thought they'd actually succeeded. As Micah took another step backward, she automatically scanned the vampire and was confused when she only found the overwhelming need to feed. There wasn't any taint in him. "I don't want to hurt an innocent," Micah held up a hand in warning and tried to think of a way to diffuse the situation. It was hard to concentrate when her head was still throbbing painfully. The vampire lunged for her and she barely managed to dodge the attack. "Please, I don't want to hurt you," Micah tried to reason with him as she took another step backward. A vampire caught up in bloodlust was gripped by an all-consuming need. She knew nothing would convince the vampire he would lose his life if he tasted a drop of her blood, but she had to try to reason with him. Her blood carried toxins that were fatal to any being that wasn't her mate. It was one of the ways fate had tried to protect her mother's race. But even that protection had not been enough to stop the massacre that nearly wiped out the species. The vampire paused to study Micah. It made her hope that she had gotten through to him. The calm didn't last long, though. Micah felt her pulse race as an overwhelming fear gripped her, almost paralyzing her in its intensity. She couldn't understand why she was suddenly afraid. She had faced much greater threats before and had never felt like this. Sensing the sudden weakness in his prey, the vampire attacked. He swiped his talons and stared at the vacant spot where Micah had been moments ago. She had moved out of the way but hadn't been fast enough to avoid injury. He had slashed her upper arm. The wound was shallow but she knew the scent of her blood would send the vampire hurtling over the edge of sanity. He was now beyond all reason. He moved mindlessly, trying to cause as much injury to Micah without thinking through his attacks. Micah dodged his attacks, but the fear that raced through her was intensifying and becoming harder to suppress. She reacted too slowly to avoid one more strike against her sensitive stomach. Pain blossomed but Micah only reacted with a sharp gasp for air. She'd been trained never to acknowledge pain until the battle was done, and this encounter was far from over. Firestorm Ch. 02 The two adversaries danced around each other, the vampire on the offence and Micah simply defending, reluctant to hurt an innocent. They were so absorbed circling each other that when the club's exit door cracked open, it startled them both. The woman that walked into the alley was human, and Micah cursed her luck. The vampire, seeing a new, weaker prey, shifted his focus, forcing Micah to place herself in front of the human so the vampire couldn't reach her. The human was slight of build, with deep chocolate skin and braided hair. Her brown eyes widened in fear as she let out an ear-piercing scream. Micah shoved the woman behind her when she tried to run. That momentary shift in focus cost her; the vampire sank four long, lethal talons into her stomach. Micah bit her bottom lip as she stifled a scream. Trying her best to ignore the pain, she slammed her fist into the vampire's face. He stumbled back. Micah pushed away the strange fear that continued to plague her and turned to the woman who cowered nearby. "Damn it, lady, would you stop trying to run! The safest place for you is behind me right now." The cunning vampire was quick to exploit the other woman's arrival. Micah blocked his swipes but she couldn't move out of harm's way without leaving the human vulnerable to attack. She suffered a blow to the chest that knocked the air out of her lungs. Hissing in pain, she wrapped an arm around the wounds on her belly. She had lost her focus for only a millisecond, but it was enough. The human behind Micah screamed loudly when the vampire reached her. Enraged, Micah growled, her claws extending as she rushed the vampire whose fangs were now embedded in the human woman's throat. She swiped the back of the vampire's knee with all the power she could muster. He lost his balance and was forced to retract his fangs from the woman. Micah swiftly turned and grabbed the vampire in a headlock. She broke his neck to incapacitate him, knowing the damage would be temporary. She shoved hard and watched as he slammed into the wall behind him, dazed. It gave her enough time to grab the woman and escape back into the club. The human was beginning to weaken from blood loss and had to lean against Micah. She half-dragged, half-carried the woman toward the base of the staircase where she had last seen Caspian, hoping the nearby vampires were too busy partying to be attracted by the scent of their blood. Micah could hear the woman's pulse start to slow down. She needed help to get the woman to safety and heal her. She reached the staircase and was surprised but relieved to see Caspian gliding down toward her. He pulled the now unconscious woman from Micah's grip and she gratefully released her hold on the human. "What happened?" Caspian asked as he easily lifted the woman into his arms. "Vampire plagued by blood lust," Micah uttered the words through pain-clenched teeth. Caspian just nodded in answer as he walked rapidly toward the front exit with Micah and the rest of his entourage following closely behind. No one said another word as they returned to the waiting cars. The ride back in Caspian's limo was a silent one. Micah tried not to move to avoid aggravating the sting of the wounds in her belly. Though she was certain Caspian and Leigh could smell the blood that seeped from her wounds, their masks of indifference never wavered. They seemed unaffected by the scent of blood that filled the car. Micah had never witnessed such restraint in vampires, except for Dante. It was Dante who had raised her, trained her, and showed her that life didn't have to be painted in blood. "How bad are your injuries?" Caspian finally spoke, his voice ice-cold and detached. Micah wanted to scream; when he spoke in that tone, she doubted he truly gave a damn about her answer. "I'm fine. Shallow wounds," she lied. "How's the human?" Micah looked at the dark-skinned beauty cradled almost gently by Caspian and suppressed the pang of jealousy she felt. "Her heart rate is steadily decreasing. As soon as we are at the manor we need to assess whether she can be saved." By the time they arrived at the manor, Micah was feeling incredibly weakened. She had lost a lot of blood but she was determined to help heal the human. Micah may be a warrior, but she also was a healer; she was hard-wired to help the innocent. Caspian alighted and carried the human woman into the manor. The other vampires alighted but quickly went their own way, leaving Micah behind as if they couldn't bear to be near her for much longer. She stepped gingerly out of the car and felt her world spin, forcing her to place a hand against the limo to stabilize herself. She focused on the feel of the cold metal against her palm until the wave of pain subsided. She drew in a harsh breath then entered the manor just in time to see Caspian moving gracefully up the spiral staircase. It was a struggle but she climbed the stairs, knowing she was falling farther behind but unwilling to ask for help. Each breath she took was becoming more labored than the last. She didn't know how much longer she could ignore the pain and dizziness that were a result of her injuries, but she pressed on. She reached the landing and saw him enter a doorway down the hall. From the blueprints, she knew it was one of the infirmaries in the manor. Another vampire, a petite female, followed him into the room almost immediately. With painful effort, Micah forced herself to follow them. She reached the doorway just as another wave of pain crashed through her. It proved to be too much. All the color in her field of vision faded slowly to black, and a sudden heaviness pulled at her limbs. Too drained to fight any longer, she succumbed to the pull, her eyes rolling to the back of her head before she even hit the ground. Firestorm Ch. 03 Authors Note: Hope this chapter doesn't disappoint. Thanks to my editor Jillieb for her incredible input and editing. Micah, age 19 Micah clutched the wallet to her chest as she ran like the wind. Adrenaline pumped through her system. The dull ache in her muscles was a subtle reminder that she was being chased by wolves – wolves in human skin, yes, but wolves nonetheless. They had more stamina than humans, and the chase pushed her limits until the dull ache intensified. How she loved every damned second of it! A wicked smiled graced her lips when she stole a quick glance backward and saw that the wolf following her had slowed down and was close to giving up on catching her. Stealing was not a necessity, but she craved the thrill of the chase – even if she was the one being hunted. No other experience was this exhilarating. She didn't have much time to bask in her victory though; something crashed into her with the force of a torpedo, knocking her off her feet. "What the—!" When Micah finally got her bearings back, she saw that her torpedo was actually a female with caramel-coloured skin and steel-grey eyes. She'd not seen this female wolf before, but Micah immediately recognized the power that radiated from her. Her dominance leaked from her pores without effort; she was clearly an Alpha. The female wolf gazed at her with open disapproval. "My pack aren't the richest of people, but we have our pride. We do not steal. What pack are you from?" "I don't have a pack," Micah replied in a tone that also said she didn't need a pack. She swiped the stolen wallet from the pavement as she rose to her feet. Those steel-grey eyes studied Micah's face intently. "If you want, you could join my pack." Stubborn pride reared its head. "I'm a lousy cook, I can't clean for jack, and I don't take orders very well." A short burst of laughter met her words and the Alpha's steel-gray eyes flashed with unexpected warmth. "I'm looking for a packmate, not a maid," she said. Micah had yet to meet an Alpha who could tolerate her bluntness, much less find it amusing. It made her wonder what it would be like to be in this female's pack. "What's your name then, Alpha?" "Kiara. And your name?" "Name's Micah. So can I call you Kiki?" "No." A blunt response. * * * * Caspian glided effortlessly up the manor's staircase, still carrying the unconscious human in his arms. He frowned when he saw that Micah had not kept up with him. It made him wonder again if the wolf's injuries were not as shallow or minor as she had claimed. He'd suspected as much during the uncomfortable ride in the car, where the scent of her blood had been almost overpowering. Strangely, he'd had no trouble ignoring the human female's scent, despite the fact that she'd literally been in his arms. His senses had honed in almost exclusively on the scent of Micah's blood. It was layered with the same sweet, tantalizing aroma as her skin, only richer, darker, more tempting. It had taken concerted effort and concentration on his part to stop his fangs from elongating right then, when the scent of her blood was wrapped around him like a silken cocoon. It had made him want to sit beside her, slice open her shirt to check her wounds, and maybe close them with a lick... "I still can't believe she's half-Seraphim!" Leigh's incredulous voice had suddenly sounded in his head, their mental communication made possible by their familial blood-bond. It was a timely reminder, one that snapped him from the sensory haze that had fogged his mind. There could be no tasting, no biting, no licking... not unless he had a death wish. Painfully aware that he needed to regain control, Caspian had systematically begun to suppress his emotions, a capability that all empathic members of the Black family possessed to some degree. A quick mental check through the blood-bond had shown that Leigh too was going cold to suppress the bloodlust, though they were both careful to avoid switching off completely. Half-Seraphim, he finally replied mentally to Leigh, his tone now icy and emotionless, and therefore deadly to all of us. Inform the coven, and make sure only humans are assigned to clean up the limo later. I don't want any accidents. It had been a relief to get out of the car. And he'd noted with approval that his vampire bodyguards had quickly left the vehicles and avoided Micah upon their arrival at the estate. Caspian had entered the manor with the human and released the cold as soon as he was inside. The bloodlust had returned immediately, but it had been tempered to manageable levels. He was already halfway up the staircase when Micah finally came through the front door. He was quick to note her bloodied shirt. He could also smell the blood that seeped from her even though he was across the foyer; it made him realize she must have lost more blood than he'd originally suspected. He could tell she was fading fast, though not in any mortal danger. He also knew wolfen pride wouldn't allow her to acknowledge her wounds, so he feigned ignorance of the severity of her injuries to avoid wounding her precious pride. He pretended to not notice her weakening pulse or her labored breathing even though he monitored her vital signs closely. At the infirmary, he laid the human down on one of the beds in the middle of the room. The primary infirmary was on the ground floor but his sharp senses had alerted him to the fact that the room was occupied. He knew it would be foolish to bring the injured women there. Bloodlust was intensified by injury; he couldn't risk one of the coven being tempted beyond endurance. The secondary infirmary was immaculate; the scent of ammonia was thick in the air, overwhelming Caspian's senses. He usually disliked the smell of the chemicals that were an integral part of the place, but tonight he welcomed the way they cleared his head of the wolf's scent. Nikka, the coven's healer, walked into the room just then. Leigh had called ahead while they were en route in the limo to give her ample time to prepare for the arrival of her new patients. Caspian heard Micah's unsteady footsteps approaching and fought the urge to step out into the hall to help her. He forced himself to stay in the infirmary and watched as Nikka assessed the wounds on the young woman's throat. The human's arrival at the scene had been unforeseen, an unwelcome complication to the events he had set in motion at the club. The plan had been simple enough. He had staged the altercation in the alley, had sent the vampire there to attack Micah when he'd seen her leave the bar and head for the exit. Caspian was a master of mood control, an inherited ability he shared only with his now-deceased mother. The gift has its drawbacks but it was powerful. His subjects never managed to detect his presence in their subconscious. It had taken very little effort on his part to heighten the vampire's already existing bloodlust. Then he'd used his ability to manipulate the emotions of his little wolf bodyguard. She should have been completely overwhelmed by fear, fear so devastating that it would have broken many weaker beings easily. But Micah wasn't weak; she had battled Caspian's influence, refusing to accept the crippling emotion he had transmitted to her. He should have been upset, but he found himself strangely pleased, almost smiling as he thought of how she had strengthened her mental shields and fought the fear that he had seeded in her mind. She was proving to be every bit as gutsy as he'd been told. "My Lord." He turned his attention back to the healer, a stunning, petite vampire whose ebony-haired head barely reached his chest. Her pretty hazel eyes and creamy skin usually left males around her panting for her attention. "How is she, Nikka?" "There is venom in her system. Do we terminate or monitor her turning?" Caspian did not answer immediately. He heard a soft crash just outside the door and knew Micah had finally succumbed to her injuries. He hurried over to find her crumpled awkwardly on the floor. Although her pulse was still weaker than normal, it was steady enough to reassure him. He reached for her, lifted her up into his arms, and found himself wrapped in her scent again. The soft warmth of her body left an imprint of heat on his skin, and a pulse of need pierced through him. He was achingly aware of how much he craved her. He had carried the human woman without reacting to her flesh or her blood, but Micah was different. She was temptation itself, her soft flesh beckoning to be caressed; the scent of her blood intoxicating. He thought of embracing the cold again, but he'd been doing that too often since her arrival. So he denied himself that escape, hissing out a harsh breath as he placed Micah on the infirmary bed that was situated against the far wall. He stepped back to place some distance between them as soon as she was settled on the bed, but his body still remembered the feel of her in his arms, and her blood now smeared the front of his shirt. "Assess the wolf," he said to Nikka, his tone harsher than he'd intended. He wasn't surprised when she complied without hesitation. She was a healer without any prejudice against wolves or humans. She didn't follow his order because he was her Lord but rather because it was a compulsion within her to help the injured. Nikka slit Micah's top open with a scalpel and pulled the material aside. Given her blood loss, Caspian was not surprised to see that her injuries were worse than she'd claimed. There were multiple stab wounds on her stomach, no doubt from talons sinking into her flesh. Remarkably, the wounds were showing signs of healing at a rapid rate. Nikka's hands stilled. She watched with fascination as the wounds on Micah's stomach continued to heal without her assistance. "She's more than wolf." "Yes, she's half-Seraphim. You'll need to be careful when you handle her blood." Caspian was still surprised by this new revelation. He and Leigh had been monitoring the attack in the alley, and they'd both heard Micah when she'd admitted her heritage to the other vampire. Given her seraphim bloodline, they'd expected her to dispatch of her attacker quickly. Caspian had been preparing to exert his mood control on both combatants to keep the fight from turning deadly. They'd been surprised to realize Micah lacked the killing instinct. It was an instinct he'd hoped she would have because she would need it to survive what was to come unscathed. Still, he thought with a frown, though Micah had failed to kill when she had the opportunity, her seraphim heritage made her even more valuable. Thanks to the massacre that had almost wiped out the race, seraphims were now extremely rare. Their power and ability were not fully understood, and their origins remained shrouded in mystery. "I believe she doesn't need much help," Nikka said as she cleaned the area around the wounds and gently applied antiseptic. "Fine," Caspian said. "The human looks strong enough to withstand the turning. Watch her closely." Not for the first time, he regretted his decision not to intervene when the woman had walked into that alley. He'd thought it would be worth the risk to see how well Micah would handle the situation. Now the human would suffer for his mistake. If she survived the turning, he would accept her into the Black coven and help her adapt to her new life; he owed her that much. Nikka nodded in agreement and moved back to the bed where the human lay. She worked quickly and efficiently, binding the human's wrists and ankles. The turning process was excruciatingly painful and the restraints were a necessary precaution. He spared one last look at Micah, relieved to see that she continued to heal rapidly. "Contact me if there is any significant change in either woman." He left the infirmary and tore off his bloodstained shirt as soon as he was out in the corridor. There was no point torturing himself with the scent of what he couldn't have. * * * * Ice-blue eyes that reflected only cold, dead nothingness stared at the drying blood on the arena floor. Metallic cages hung over the three arenas in the large, underground room that was built directly beneath Diablo. It was a room cloaked by magic so powerful that the room's existence remained hidden from even the oldest and most skilled of beings. "Daemon?" A hypnotic voice called out, pulling Daemon from his fascination with the drying red liquid. "What is it, Christian?" Daemon asked, his cold gaze turning to the man who had been his leash for several centuries. "You need to stop and rest." Christian watched as Daemon frowned and turned back to face the blood-stained arena. "Brother, you can't go on like this." "What do you suggest, Christian? Should I accept death and allow them to wipe me out like I'd never walked this damned planet?" "You have left footprints of blood, brother." For centuries, Christian had tried to sway Daemon from the bloody path he'd chosen. Guilt twisted in his heart when he thought of how his efforts to save his brother had so far failed. Daemon would one day die a vicious death; no one with that much innocent blood on their hands escaped the judgment of the gods. "I wonder how much the Death Angel will bleed before she dies." Daemon's voice held a trace of excitement that left Christian feeling cold. Time was running out for all of them; every day, Daemon walked closer to the edge of sanity. All Christian could do was try to delay the beast that lay in wait, ready to strike out. Perhaps this Death Angel could pass judgment over his brother, Christian thought, and finally give Daemon some peace. * * * * Green eyes the color of stained glass fluttered open to stare at the white ceiling. The scent of antiseptic was overpowering. Micah groaned and rubbed the heels of her palms over her temples to ease her pounding headache. Mercifully, the pain eventually receded. Micah's senses sharpened enough to pick up the raspy breathing of a woman close by. Even as she turned her head to look at the room's other occupant, she ran her fingers gingerly over the wounds on her stomach. She was glad she healed at an extraordinary rate, even for a wolf. The wounds were still sensitive to touch, but they were now sealed, leaving behind new, pink flesh. The silence of the room was suddenly broken by a short scream of pain; the woman lying in the nearby bed moaned as she thrashed against her restraints. Micah forced herself to get up and hurry to the human's side. She laid her hand on the woman's arm and found her skin burning hotly. She was turning. "Help me," the woman pleaded with a tortured whimper. Micah could see the eyes of a fledgling staring up at her. Her blood-red eyes should have scared Micah, but she felt nothing but compassion. She placed both hands over the woman and began to chant in a language that was older than time. Her palms heated and glowed with a power that flowed so easily from her. Micah was breathing heavily and was leaning on the edge of the bed by the time she completed the chant, but she was satisfied knowing that she'd done her job well. The fledgling was now resting comfortably, her face no longer lined with pain. Those blood-red eyes had fluttered shut and she was breathing more easily. Micah dragged herself back to her own bed, feeling so much weaker after the chant. She lay back down and closed her eyes as fatigue swept through her body. The act of healing another always drained her, and her recent injuries made the weakness worse. But it was a minor and temporary side-effect, and the gift of healing was one she treasured and would never, ever regret. "Hi." Micah pried her eyes open to find a vampire with hazel eyes and long, black hair standing next to her bed, looking down at her with a slight smile. It was a testament to how tired she was that someone had managed to enter the room without her sensing it. The newcomer carried a light within her that Micah rarely glimpsed. Healer. "She's turning," Micah said as she gestured toward the woman who was still held down by restraints. "She doesn't need the binding anymore." The healer smiled and moved to free the fledgling. "What are you?" "Wolf... and seraphim." "You're a healer, though, aren't you? And not a Death Angel?" The healer's voice held so much fascination and excitement that Micah smiled despite her weariness. "Yeah, I'm a healer, like you." The vampire's smiled broadened. " My name is Nikka." "I'm Micah, but I bet you already knew that." Nikka laughed, the sound rich and pleasant. "You're the only wolf in a vampire coven. It's impossible to keep little details like your name hidden. I swear some of the coven gossip worse than humans." Micah snorted in amusement as she sat up and leaned her back against the wall next to her bed. "Sounds exactly like a wolf pack. Never could keep a secret for too long. I find the males to be the biggest mouths in the pack." Nikka giggled before she turned to look at the woman that would be the coven's newest member. "Leigh says her name is Lisa. He found some ID on her, so at least we won't have to call her 'the fledgling' when she awakens." She turned back to Micah, her eyes curious. "How did you help her?" Micah shrugged. "It's just a simple healing chant, though the words of the chant mean nothing. It's just the right word said with the right tone that allows me to heal." "So the words are used as a trigger for your ability?" "Pretty much." Micah smiled at the amazement in Nikka's hazel eyes. "You must be treasured by your pack." Nikka frowned in sudden thought. "Why did they allow you to come here?" Her tone was full of concern. "'Cause I'm the only one who knows how a coven works. And probably the only fool who was willing to step foot in enemy territory." Nikka wanted to ask more questions, but she could tell the wolf was still tired. She curbed her curiosity and urged her patient to lie back down on her bed. Micah sighed deeply, grateful for the opportunity to rest. She was exhausted. * * * * Caspian stared at the blank screen of his cell phone before carefully putting it down on his desk. After assuring himself that both injured females were in stable condition, he had changed into a new shirt, then retreated to his study. A cocktail of anticipation and rage clawed at him viciously as he thought of the phone call that had just ended. Relationships relied on give and take, and he'd just been reminded that he was expected to make a sacrifice, to surrender something precious if he wanted to rebuild the foundation of trust that had been shattered so long ago. He held his head in his hands, despair coiling in his chest as the long silken strands of his hair fell over his forehead. Heavy footsteps sounded in the hallway just before the scent of sweet spice reached his nose. He looked up just as his cousin stepped into the doorway. "What is it, Leigh?" "The limo is ready," Leigh said. "Also, I'm following a hunch, now that we know the wolf is half-seraphim." When Caspian looked at him expectantly, Leigh continued. "Do you remember the vampire who mated into the Valkery Clan?" Caspian did. He nodded as he rose to his feet, his mind already sifting through the possibilities. Leigh's hunches were rarely wrong; it was one of the reasons he excelled as the coven's Head of Security. The sky was a stunning blend of orange and red, and the scent of damp earth would have soothed even the wildest beast. It was a calming feast for the senses, but Caspian was not in the right frame of mind to admire the beautiful wildness as he sat next to Leigh in the limo. Firestorm Ch. 03 Dawn was just breaking and there was a very narrow window of time when vampires could roam outside unprotected without feeling the ill effects of the sun. As a pureblood, Caspian was barely affected by the UV light, but he still had too much to do and time was running out. A thousand and one thoughts raced through his head. He considered one option after another, trying in vain to find an acceptable solution. In times like this, when he couldn't silence his mind, he treasured the quiet car rides. "What a fucking night, huh, Caz?" "Yeah," Caspian replied shortly, not wanting to encourage any conversation. Leigh only rolled his eyes. Caspian was never much for words but this morning he was eerily silent. They alighted from the limo in front of a small café situated at the border of Caspian's territory. It was a small establishment with wooden tables and chairs that were not entirely comfortable, but which gave the place a very homey feel. Leigh followed Caspian in. Caspian glanced back and saw the mischief in his cousin's eyes fade as his senses alerted him to the identity of the other vampire. Caspian likewise sensed the other vampire before he caught sight of him in a booth at the back of the cafe. He narrowed his eyes at the male who sat unconcerned, sipping a drink that looked like coffee but smelled of blood. "Caspian," the vampire said in greeting. Leigh snarled at being snubbed but otherwise remained motionless. "Oh, all right. It's good to see you, brother," the other vampire said to Leigh with amusement. "Fuck's sake, Christian," Leigh grumbled. "That's no way to greet your brother. It's been too long." Caspian took the seat opposite Christian and waited for Leigh to settle down beside him before speaking. "You can both catch up later. Right now, I need to know what Daemon thinks of my new... pet." Christian looked up from his cup to stare into his cousin's ice-blue eyes – eyes that were so similar to Daemon's. It was disturbing. "He is intrigued by her, especially her seraphim heritage. It makes her rare, special. She's the perfect key into Daemon's world." Christian's deep-blue eyes gazed intently at his cousin. "But he still doesn't trust you, Caspian. And with his twisted sense of reality, he keeps saying you have to hand him a sacrifice that means something to you before he will ever trust you again." Caspian thought of the unsuspecting wolf that lay recovering in his infirmary. He admired her toughness, could admit to himself that she was an attractive woman who stirred his blood and caused hunger to coil in his gut. If circumstances had been different, he would have given in to the temptation to dally with her and see where it would lead. But he had brought her to Diablo last night for a reason; she was a commodity to achieve his goals, nothing more. He knew Daemon would delight in torturing the little wolf, would enjoy driving her to death's door. He might even end her life, just for the fun of it. As he gazed impassively at Christian, Caspian spared a brief thought for the promise he'd made to the Prime Alpha of Northlin – a promise that he could no longer keep. "Consider Micah expendable." Even as he uttered the words with a show of confidence, Caspian felt something shift deep inside him. For the first time, he questioned the wisdom of what he was about to do. He shook off the feeling ruthlessly. He couldn't start acting soft now.