A Touch Too Much by Chris Lange Read Free Book Online Page B

predators expecting the call of battle.
    “How did you find us?”
    “The council sent a tracker to her place this morning shortly after you left. He picked up your scent, and traced you here. By then it was almost dawn so he had to get back, but I knew where to find you two.”
    “Looks like you used your brains for once!”
    Eyebrows tight together, Khord raised a huge fist.
    “Shut the fuck up! You’re nothing but an outlaw now. The tracker reported to the council. He told them he was unable to pick up the woman’s scent so they want her for analysing.”
    “I think you’re lying. You know as well as I do that no human is allowed in the Overworld.”
    “They’ll make an exception for her. From what I’ve heard, Zontag wants her real bad. Who’s gonna know anyway?”
    Khord might well be close to the truth on this one. Liv’s disappearance would be noticed, of course, but not for a while. Plenty of time to get probed, analysed and eaten by vampires. Unless Rogan protected her. Concealed behind boxes, Liv watched his fighting stance.
    “She isn’t going anywhere.”
    “You don’t have a say in the matter. I’m taking her back.”
    “Sure, it’s not like I’ve already beaten the crap out of you. Twice, if memory serves.”
    As Khord sneered instead of blowing a gasket, Liv reckoned he hadn’t laid down all his cards. Holding her breath, she shuddered when she heard his triumphant tone.
    “Who said I came alone?”
    Liv suddenly spotted the second warrior coming out from the shadows of the motel. Although she didn’t think he had seen her, she kept completely still, her heart pounding hard.
    They might not kill Rogan on the spot, but they would take him back to their world. Chances were they’d hand him over to the council, question him, lock him up, maybe torture him or sentence him to death. She’d never see him again, and she didn’t want that. God, no, she didn’t want that.
    But who was she kidding? Yes, she feared what might happen to her, yet that wasn’t the main reason, was it? Too late to deny the truth, now she had to open her eyes. She had feelings for him, feelings for a vampire. And the icing on the cake came down to a simple fact—they couldn’t even make love. No way would they ever be man and woman. Wasn’t that ironic? Wasn’t that every woman’s dream?
    Realistic and hurtful as the thought was, she didn’t have the leisure to dwell on it. She and Rogan were in a deadlock all right, but she had always relied on her instincts. She’d find a way to right their situation.
    Khord and the warrior encircled Rogan. A blur of movement, a shift of dark colours the eye couldn’t quite catch. Sighing, Liv wished they wouldn’t do that, wouldn’t use their terrifying speed to confuse her. To prevent her from ensuring Rogan was still unhurt.
    She heard the mighty blows, but not being able to see was terribly frustrating—until the sounds ceased and the image stabilised.
    Although on his legs, Khord appeared to be totally disjointed but already focused on the task of snapping his bones into place. In the process of getting up his partner didn’t look in better shape, yet seemed still determined to get his quarry. Rogan lay flat on the ground.
    “No!”
    Liv’s shout tore through the stillness of the night. Rogan was dead. He had to be or he’d get up and start fighting again. Fight for both their lives. Disturbed by her cry, a cloud of bats flew away. Swinging his head round at the sound of her voice, Khord yelled to the other warrior.
    “Get the girl! She’s in the warehouse.”
    “What about him?”
    “He’s out. I’ll deal with him. You get the girl, and take her home. The council is waiting for her.”
    “Okay.”
    With a last, loud crack, the warrior locked a bone back in his shoulder. Without hurry, he started walking to the disused building, obviously confident no speed was necessary. His prey was only human, and a woman at that. Meanwhile, Khord grinned at Rogan’s