Chapter Three
“What was that all about with the Twin Kindred?” Sophia asked as they made their way to the refreshment pavilion which had been set up on the far side of the sacred grove. They’d spent the last hour watching the cake cutting ceremony and then Liv had thrown her bouquet. Kat had been reaching for it but it was Lock, Sylvan’s light haired step brother—or second brother, whichever—who had caught it. He had handed it to Kat with a courtly bow which made Deep, his twin scowl. Kat had blushingly accepted the lovely bunch of lavender roses and then she and Sophie had beat a hasty retreat.
“I could ask you the same thing. What was going on during that Luck Kiss? At first you looked like you were going to die of fright and then you got really into it—right before you jerked away, anyway. What happened?” Kat asked, squeezing her arm.
“I…I don’t exactly know. I was scared to death at first,” Sophia admitted. “I didn’t even know I was supposed to kiss him until we got into the bride’s tent and started helping Liv get ready.”
“I can’t believe she did that to you.” Kat frowned. “She knows what a shrinking violet you are. Well, sorry hon but you are, ” she added when Sophie made a face at her. “I mean it’s not like I’m burning up the sheets either, but if you look up ‘shy’ in a dictionary you’d find your picture there.”
“I’m not that bad,” Sophie protested. “Okay, well maybe I am. But it wasn’t all Liv’s fault—Jillian talked her into adding it. Apparently the Luck Kiss is some kind of Twin Moons Kindred thing. She had it in her ceremony and she thought it was so romantic she wanted Liv to have it too.”
“It looked more awkward than romantic, I’m afraid.”
“Did it really?” Sophie felt sick. “Oh please tell me I didn’t ruin the ceremony! I wanted so much to do things right for Liv—it would kill me to think I hurt her special day.”
“No, no—it was fine.” Kat rubbed her arm soothingly. “Here, have some punch.” They had reached the pavilion at last and she handed Sophie a tall fluted glass filled with some kind of dark blue liquid.
“What’s this?” Sophie eyed it uncertainly. It looked like dishwashing soap but the fumes coming off it were definitely alcoholic.
Kat shrugged. “Dunno. Some delicacy from Rageron. Liv wanted me to get something called ‘fireflower juice’ but the supplier I talked to said they were all out. This is the next best thing apparently—and with twice the alcohol content. Bottoms up!” With a grin she downed half the contents of her glass. “Wow, that really packs a punch,” she gasped, her eyes watering.
Sophie sniffed the thick blue liquid, which smelled strangely of almonds and some kind of spice, and took a careful sip. The flavor exploded across her tongue and burned her wounded lip like fire. “Ow!” She nearly dropped her glass. “That stings! Like drinking freaking Tabasco sauce.”
“I’m sorry—I should have warned you it was hot.” Kat gave her a worried look. “Hey, are you all right?”
“I’m okay—it just burned my lip where Sylvan bit me.” Sophie licked the lip in question, sucking it to get the last traces of the alien alcohol off.
“Wait a minute, he what? He bit you? Is that why you jerked away so fast at the end of the kiss?”
Sophie shrugged uneasily. “I’m sure he didn’t mean to—he said it was an accident.”
“Accident or not, he should have apologized.” Kat was still angry on her behalf.
“He did . Seriously, Kat, it’s all right. But I was afraid something like that was going to happen. I mean, what with his fangs and all. Even though Jillian said they wouldn’t get sharp enough to hurt anyone unless…”
“Unless what?” Kat frowned.
“Never mind.” Sophie twirled her glass by the stem, watching the thick blue liquid slosh gently from side to side. “It’s nothing. It just proves that Jillian isn’t the expert on all things Kindred she thinks she is.”
“She always was a know-it-all,” Kat agreed, much to Sophie’s relief. “I was really surprised when Liv asked her to be a bridesmaid. She’s so—oh look, they’re starting a dance. I better go over and make sure the DJ has the right mix of music.” Patting Sophie’s arm a final time she put down her glass and rushed over to the far side of the pavilion to where a tall Beast Kindred was standing behind a wall of sound-conducting glass manipulating some kind of audio equipment.
Glad to be alone, Sophie went and took a seat in the shade of one of the green and purple trees. One of the nice things about having the wedding “outside” in the wide park-like area which was the center of the Kindred ship, was that there were no biting ants or stinging bees to worry about. She could wiggle her bare toes in the grass without fear of something creepy-crawly coming after her.
Gingerly, she touched the hurt place on her bottom lip where Sylvan’s fang had cut her. It wasn’t really a bite—not really. He just cut me by accident when his fangs got so sharp and long. I could feel them growing while we kissed. But why had they grown in the first place? And why had she felt so strange when he was kissing her? Did the growth of his fangs have anything to do with the other “growth” she’d felt lower down? He was hard and pressing against me. Sophie felt hot all over at the thought. And his body felt so big and warm…
The press of his large, male body had been both scary and exciting. Sophie had to admit she’d almost been enjoying herself until the bite. Sylvan really was very handsome except for those fangs. They’d been so long and sharp—like double bladed daggers in his mouth. They transformed him from a large, very attractive man to something completely different. Something alien and frightening…
She shivered and wrapped her arms around herself though it was warm in the artificial sunlight. She had an intense phobia of needles and she’d always hated horror movies—especially anything to do with vampires. And what were Blood Kindred if not modern day vampires who just happened to come from a different galaxy?
“You look troubled, daughter of another star.”
“Huh?” Sophie looked up, shading her eyes against the pale green sunlight to see who was talking.
The priestess who had presided over the ceremony was standing there, staring down at her with a thoughtful look in her green-on-green eyes. The irises were a dark olive, Sophie couldn’t help noticing, while the whites of the priestess’s eyes were a pale shade that was almost lime. It should have been a strange combination but somehow it looked right in the Kindred woman’s face.
“Do you need counsel?” the priestess asked, still staring at Sophie patiently.
“Uh, counsel about what? Ma’am?” Sophie added at the last minute, uncertain how to address the priestess. God, she’ so tall! Kindred women were very rare as she understood it, but if this one was any indication of the rest, they were certainly able to stand up to their men.
“About whatever is troubling you.” The priestess settled across from her on the grass and took Sophie’s hands without asking. “I saw the Luck Kiss you performed with the Tranq male—it bothered you greatly, did it not?”
“Oh no, not a bit,” Sophie said quickly. She was intensely uncomfortable and wished she could pull her hands away from the other woman but she was afraid of being rude. Also, the Kindred priestess had a pretty strong grip and Sophie wasn’t sure she could pull away even if she tried. “I’m fine, honestly,” she said, hoping to get rid of the woman. “And I really need to go see my sister so—”
“You lie.” The green-on-green eyes narrowed and the priestess frowned. “That is forbidden in the sacred grove but I will forgive it this once since you are not of our people.”
“Please,” Sophie begged, tugging at the unbreakable grip on her hands. God but the woman was strong. “I don’t want any trouble.”
“But trouble will find you whether you wish for it or not. Indeed, it is stalking you as we speak.” The priestess leaned forward staring into her eyes. “In order to help you I must look into you.”
Sophie had no idea what that might entail but it didn’t sound at all enjoyable. “Look,” she babbled, still trying to pull away. “I appreciate your concern but I’m really not ready to perform any kind of uh, religious ritual or whatever it is you’re talking about. I mean, I’m Methodist and we don’t really believe in—”
“I will look into you now.”
“I—” Before Sophie could protest further the strange green eyes seemed to grow until they filled her entire field of vision. And then she felt a sensation like cool, delicate fingers prying into her mind and suddenly all she could see was the past.
Memories of her childhood swept over her: the closeness she shared with Olivia, the love she’d felt for her wonderful parents. Days, months and years blurred together until Sophie felt dizzy. She was just beginning to hope that the priestess was almost done when the blur suddenly stopped and one particular memory was brought to the forefront of her mind.
Oh no, not that! Cringing mentally, Sophie tried to push the memory away. It was awful—so awful she tried not to think about it. She had buried it deep but somehow the Kindred priestess dug it up and brought it into the light.
“ No!” Sophie gasped. “Please, please not that. Not—”
“What’s going on here?”
The loud masculine voice seemed to break the connection between the priestess and herself. Sophie’s eyes, which had been shut tight while she fought the awful memory, flew open and she looked up.
Sylvan was standing over her with an angry look on his face. No, not angry— enraged , Sophia realized. His ice blue eyes were blazing and his fangs were out again, razor sharp and ready. The expression on his chiseled features made him look like an avenging angel towering over her.
“Oh,” she gasped, unable to stop looking at his fangs. “I don’t know. I—”
“What are you subjecting her to?” Sylvan demanded of the priestess who still looked completely calm.
“I am simply looking into her. There is a shadow around her heart—it is my duty to see into it.”
“Not if your seeing causes her pain.” Sylvan’s voice was a low, menacing growl. “Release her.”
The calm expression on the Kindred woman’s face turned to anger and her grip on Sophie’s hands tightened until she squeaked in pain. “You overstep yourself, Warrior.”
“That may be, but I will not see you hurt her.” Leaning down Sylvan put himself on the priestess’s level and looked into her eyes. “Release her now.”
The grip on Sophie’s hands loosened and she pulled them away gratefully. The priestess still glared at Sylvan, her green-on-green eyes narrowed. “You have a shadow on your heart as well. A secret pain that taints your very existence—I see it in your eyes.”
“My pain is not your concern.” Gripping Sophie’s hand, he pulled her to her feet and pushed her behind him protectively. “Now what do you have to say?”
“Only this—have a care, Warrior.” The priestess rose smoothly to her feet and frowned up at him. “Danger dogs your steps—the shadow on your heart draws it to you. Even the shielding of your Kindred mind is no protection if you allow the darkness to overcome you. Ignore my warning at your own peril.” Then she turned and walked away, her head held regally high and her bare feet whispering over the green and purple grass.
When she was gone Sylvan relaxed his protective stance and turned to Sophie. To her intense relief, she saw that his fangs had gone back to their normal length. “Are you all right?” he asked anxiously. “You sounded upset.”
“I…she…she was making me remember—” She realized what she was saying and stopped abruptly.
“Remember what?” Sylvan was still staring at her but she shook her head.
“Nothing. I’m fine, really. Uh, thank you for rescuing me,” she added, hoping to change the subject.
One corner of his thin but sensual mouth quirked up. It was the closest Sophie had ever seen him come to smiling. “Well, you looked like you needed rescuing.”
“Unfortunately.” She was shaking her hands which had gone numb in the priestess’s punishing grip. “Wow, she was really strong .”
“All of my people are but most of us are taught to temper our strength with compassion. Here.” He took her hands in his and began rubbing her fingers.
“Th-thank you.” Sophie’s heart felt like it was trying to knock its way through her ribs and her fingers started tingling for a whole different reason. He doesn’t even like me. He’s just being nice, she reminded herself sternly. “What…what was she talking about?” she asked, looking up to meet his eyes.
Sylvan sighed. “The Mother alone knows. Kindred females have uncharted psychic abilities but they tend to speak in riddles.”
“But…she said you had pain…a shadow on your heart,” Sophie said.
A look of anguish flitted across his face and was gone so fast she thought she must have imagined it. “The priestess said you had a shadowed heart as well.” His deep voice was harsh. “Do you really want to speculate about what she meant?”
Sophie felt cold all over. “No.” She yanked her hands out of his and crossed her arms over her chest. “No, I don’t.”
Sylvan ran a hand through his hair in a very human gesture of frustration. “Forgive me, Sophia. I didn’t mean to offend you. I was just coming over to apologize for hurting you during the, er, ceremony.”
“It’s all right.” She looked down at the ground, feeling awkward all over again when she remembered the strange sensations that had flooded her body during the Luck Kiss.
“No, it’s not. I drew your blood and for that I must beg your forgiveness.” He sounded formal again, just as he had when he was talking to the priestess. “The gift of blood must be freely given—never taken or forced.”
“The…the gift of blood?” She looked up at him uncertainly. “Is that some kind of Kindred ceremony?”
He looked uncomfortable. “It is part of the mating ritual of the Blood Kindred. And since you have made it abundantly clear you have no wish to be called as a bride, I shouldn’t have taken your blood.”
“So if you did call a bride that would be part of it—of your relationship, I mean? You’d always be…biting her?” She couldn’t help looking at his fangs again and feeling glad they were still small.
“Only when we made love,” Sylvan assured her as though that made it all right.
Sophie felt her stomach do a slow forward flip but she tried not to show her dismay. “That’s…uh interesting.”
“And off the point.” Sylvan frowned, as though irritated with himself. “What I’m trying to say is, please accept my apologies and my best wishes for your health and happiness. I truly did not mean to bite you.”
“It’s…I know it was an accident but…” She wanted to ask him more. Wanted to know why his fangs had grown when he kissed her. It wasn’t just his fangs that grew, whispered a little voice in her head and a wave of embarrassment swept over her.
“Yes?” Sylvan looked at her earnestly but she shook her head.
“It’s okay,” she mumbled, not meeting his eyes. “Seriously, I’m fine. Let’s just…leave it at that.”
“I appreciate your willingness to put the incident behind us but I need to examine the wound.”
“Why?” Sophie asked. “I know you’re a doctor…er medic but—”
“I need to know how serious the injury I inflicted was.” He looked so stern that she tilted her chin up to allow the examination.
“It’s not bad at all. See?” she pointed at her bottom lip which, to tell the truth, was still pretty sore.
Sylvan cupped her cheek in one hand and leaned forward, studying her hurt lip. For some reason Sophie’s face got hot at the gentle touch and she had to close her eyes. What is he looking for? What’s taking so long? She wished he would hurry up and finish the examination. His hand was so warm and the feel of his skin on hers made her nervous. “Is…is everything all right?” she asked at last.
“It appears to be.” He sounded cautiously relieved. “I nicked you pretty badly but I don’t think you got any of my essence.”
“Your what?” She opened her eyes to see him looking at her intently. Blushing, she looked quickly away.
“My essence. It’s…never mind. You should recover normally.” His voice dropped. “I would offer to heal it for you but I don’t think you’d care for my method of healing.”
“What do you mean?” She looked up at him again but suddenly Olivia was standing beside her with a radiant smile on her face.
“Hey you guys, looks like you survived the Luck Kiss after all.” She arched an eyebrow, clearly taking in the way Sylvan was touching Sophie. “Going for round two?”
“No!” Sophie exclaimed, jumping away from the large warm hand cupping her cheek. “I mean…Sylvan was just, uh, examining me.”
“So I saw,” Olivia said dryly. Then she grinned. “Well, I’m a married woman now. Do I look any different?”
“You look more beautiful than ever,” Sylvan said, but he was looking at Sophie when he said it.
“Thank you, Sylvan. That’s sweet of you.” Olivia smiled at him and glanced at Sophie inquiringly. What’s going on? the look said.
Sophie shrugged her shoulders. I don’t know. She felt hot and uncomfortable, as though her twin had caught her and Sylvan doing something forbidden or wrong. Wanting to change the subject she gave her sister a hug. “Are you happy? Did you think…everything went all right?” She wanted to ask if Olivia thought she’d screwed up the Luck Kiss but she couldn’t exactly come right out and say it with Sylvan still standing there looking at her.
Liv, as always, knew what she meant. “It was beautiful ,” she said reassuringly, giving Sophie a squeeze. “And I’ve never been happier.”
“ I’ll be happy when this damn after-party is over with.” Baird came sauntering up behind her and placed a proprietary hand on his bride’s shoulder. The bright green sunlight made the gold buttons on his uniform shirt sparkle. “How long did you say we have to stay, Lilenta?”
Olivia turned and gave him a reproving look. “You know, on Earth the reception sometimes goes on for hours . People dance and drink and celebrate all night.”
“Let ‘em.” Baird drew her close and looked down into her eyes. “They can celebrate until the damn sun falls outta the sky for all I care. As long as I get to take you back to our suite while they do it.”
“ Baird.” Olivia threw an apologetic look over her shoulder. “I’m sorry you guys—he’s incorrigible.”
“Don’t apologize,” Sylvan said smoothly. “This is your bonding day. You should, ah, celebrate in whatever way you choose.”
“I would but I hate leaving everyone alone.” Olivia bit her lip. “Especially you, Sophie. It’s been so long since we had any good sister time.”
“That’s okay.” Sophie tried to smile even though she missed her sister more than she could bear. She wanted to catch up with Liv but it was clear her twin needed time alone with her new husband more than she needed a gab fest. “We’ll get other chances,” she told Olivia. “But right now I need to get home—I have to work tomorrow.”
“Oh, has school started again already?” Olivia put a hand to her head where her blonde hair was swept into an elegant up-do. “I can’t believe it.”
“First day tomorrow,” Sophie said. “And you know what a mess that always is.”
“I must have lost all track of time up here planning the wedding.”
“That’s what being in love will do to you,” Baird rumbled. Nodding at Sophie he said, “I’ll find a pilot for you, kin of my mate. I’d take you back to Earth myself but…” He grinned and nuzzled Olivia’s neck, his amber eyes glowing.
“Baird!” she protested, laughing. “You are so bad . Leave me alone for a minute and go find someone to take Sophie home.”
“I’ll take her,” Sylvan said unexpectedly.
Sophie’s stomach did a flip. “Oh no, really,” she protested. “I couldn’t ask you to leave the party.”
“I don’t mind.” He gave her a penetrating look. “I’d be pleased to take you back to Earth.”
There was no way she could say “no” without offending him. “Uh, thank you,” she mumbled, trying not to think about being cooped up with the huge blond warrior in one of the tiny Kindred transport shuttles. “That would be nice…if you really don’t mind.”
“Not at all,” Sylvan assured her.
Baird raised an eyebrow and looked at his half-brother speculatively. “Very well then, Brother. I charge you with the safety of the kin of my mate.”
Sylvan nodded gravely. “I accept your charge. I will see her safely home.”
Olivia smiled. “Sounds like it’s all settled then.”
“I guess so.” Sophie smiled weakly. The whole “I charge you with her safety” thing seemed weirdly formal but maybe it was just a Kindred expression.
“Give me one more hug before you go.” Liv disentangled herself from Baird and held out her arms. “Are you sure you’re all right?” she whispered in Sophie’s ear. “You look really upset.”
“Do I?” Sophie made an effort to smooth out her features. “I’m fine really—don’t worry about me. Just go…have fun with your new hubby.”
“If you’re sure .” Olivia drew back and looked at her eyes one more time.
“I’m sure.” Sophie gave her twin what she hoped was a bright, sunny smile. “Just thinking about work tomorrow. The first day of school is always such a disaster. You know.”
“Only from what you’ve told me.” Liv made a face. “I’d rather work in the ER or the med station any day than deal with a bunch of five year olds finger painting.”
Sophie shivered. “Better finger paint than blood . I don’t know how you stand it.”
Liv grinned. “Funny, that’s exactly what I was going to say to you .” She laughed and gave Sophie one more squeeze before letting her go. “Have a safe flight back and I’ll bespeak you on the Think-me later.” She glanced up at Baird who was staring down at her possessively. “Uh, much later.”
“No problem, womb-mate.” Sophia smiled and turned back to Sylvan who was watching her with an unreadable look on his face. “Are we ready?” she asked, trying to keep the nervousness out of her voice.
“Certainly.” Sylvan made an ‘after you’ gesture with one hand.
Sophie started for the edge of the sacred grove but he stopped her with a light touch on the shoulder. “Don’t you think we should get our footwear before we go?”
“Oh, uh, right. Shoes, of course.” Feeling flustered, Sophie followed him to the area around the side of the grove where everyone participating in the ceremony had left their shoes. She slipped on the kitten heels she’d gotten to match her dress before learning that no shoes were allowed, and waited while Sylvan put on the tall black boots all the Kindred warriors seemed to favor. “You know, I thought of something I forgot to tell Liv,” she said as he was putting on his second boot. “Do you mind?”
“Of course not.” He gestured for her to go on ahead.
Sophie ran back to the sacred grove but her sister’s name died on her lips. Baird’s broad back was already receding in the distance as he carried Olivia away. “Uh, looks like Baird took matters into his own hands,” she said, laughing nervously as Sylvan came up behind her.
“Apparently.”
“Okay, so…” Sophie wasn’t sure what to say. “Uh, I guess we should go get some Take-mes, huh?”
She’d ridden on one of the two headed animals—which looked rather like the push-me/pull-you from Dr. Dolittle—for the first time on the way to the wedding and wasn’t exactly looking forward to repeating the experience. It was a bumpy ride made worse by the fact that the front head of her Take-me kept flirting with the back-facing head of Jillian’s.
Sophie had no idea how to tell which Take-me was male and which was female or how in the world they mated since they didn’t appear to have any reproductive equipment. But the attraction between the two animals had made getting to the sacred grove a slow and uncomfortable process. They kept stopping to twist their necks together and staring lovingly into each other’s purple eyes until Sophie had wanted to scream. In the end the problem had gotten so bad they were almost late to the wedding.
Well hopefully Sylvan and I can find some that aren’t in heat or whatever it was that made them such a pain, she told herself. But I swear to God if they make me late getting home… All she wanted to do after the stressful day was relax with a glass of wine and take a long hot bubble bath. And no stupid alien horse in the mood for love was going to get in her way—at least she hoped not.
They went to the area where the Take-mes were kept—a long row of small box-like structures that looked more like dog kennels than stables. The animals, which were native to Twin Moons, were able to expand and contract their mass at will, which meant they could be kept in small areas. But to Sophie’s dismay, there was only one shaggy green animal standing outside the row of Take-me stalls, munching grass with both heads.
“Where did they all go?” She looked around, hoping to see more. Maybe they had made themselves small and were hiding in one of the kennels? But when she bent down to peer into the small dark box-like structures they were all empty.
“Probably in use by the other guests. It doesn’t matter—one Take-me can carry us both.” Sylvan was standing right behind her and his deep voice in her ear made Sophie jump.
“Oh!” She put a hand on her heart. “You scared me. I…they can take that much weight?”
“Easily.” He frowned. “If you don’t mind riding with me, of course.”
“Oh, uh…” Sophie had a sudden mental image of riding on the shaggy green animal with Sylvan behind her. The way the Take-me’s backward bending legs moved meant that it swayed a great deal. There would be no way she could keep from touching him—in fact she would be practically surrounded by his muscular bulk as they jostled together on the animal’s broad back. I’ll be pressed up against him, what if he puts his arms around me? For some reason the thought made her hot and cold all over.
“Well?” Sylvan asked and Sophie realized she’d been taking way too long to answer.
“No, no—of course I don’t mind,” she said hastily. “I’m sorry I was just…just thinking. But of course it’s not like I mind touching you or being close to you or having you close to me or—” Realizing she was babbling, she stopped abruptly.
He raised an eyebrow and looked at her for a long moment. “Of course, if you’re really in a hurry we could just take a transport tube straight to the docking bay.”
“We can?” Sophie felt a rush of relief. “There’s some other mode of transportation around here? Why don’t you use it all the time?”
“Well, it’s actually used more for transporting small equipment around the ship than people.” Sylvan was heading away from the Take-me stables as he spoke and Sophie hurried to keep up with him. “And it’s not very comfortable. But it only takes about five minutes whereas riding a Take-me will take us close to an hour to get to the edge of the ship and the docking bay.”
“Oh, well let’s ride the transport-tube. Absolutely.” Sophie smiled brightly. This was perfect—not only would she get home and into a warm bubble bath sooner but she wouldn’t have to be pressed up against Sylvan in a way that was sure to be horribly embarrassing for them both.
“Here we are.” Sylvan came to a stop in front of a large tree.
“We are?” Sophie looked around in confusion. “Where’s the transport thingy?”
He gave her his one-sided smile and pressed part of the tree’s bark. “Right here.”
To Sophie’s surprise the entire trunk of the tree faded and became as transparent as glass. Sylvan pushed something else and there was a whooshing sound. Suddenly a cylindrical compartment rushed up and lodged itself in the trunk of the tree. It reminded Sophie of the old fashioned telephone booth she’d seen in a museum once, only it was smaller… much smaller.
Sylvan pushed a third thing—she couldn’t tell what since the entire trunk was transparent and nearly invisible—and a side panel slid open, allowing them access to the tiny tube compartment.
Maneuvering carefully, Sylvan ducked his head and somehow managed to fit his tall frame inside the small space. His broad shoulders were pressed against the walls and when he stood Sophie could see there was less than an inch of clearance between his spiky blond hair and the ceiling of the compartment.
“I’m afraid it’s a bit of a tight fit.” He shrugged apologetically—or tried to—there was no room even for such a small movement in the confining space. “Well?” He gestured as well as he was able. “Getting in?”
“Uh…” Sophie stood staring for a moment. Sylvan was so big there was barely any space left inside. She was going to be pressed up against the length of his hard body, in a much more intimate way than if she’d agreed to share the Take-me.
“Are you all right?” Sylvan frowned.
“Fine.” She hesitated. How do I get myself into these things? “I’m just…uh, wondering what’s the best way to get in.”
“Just come in.” Sylvan gestured a touch impatiently. “Unless you’d rather ride the Take-me after all?”
“No, I guess not.” It’s only for five minutes, she lectured herself. You can stand anything for five minutes, no matter how embarrassing it is. Maybe if I squeeze up against the wall…
Hesitantly, she stepped into the tiny cramped space. With a sinking heart, she found that there really was no way to stand without touching the big warrior. In fact, though they both maneuvered politely and exchanged embarrassed apologies, she wound up plastered against his chest with her arms around his waist. “I’m sorry,” she said, trying to look up at him. But they were so close the top of her head bumped his chin. “Ouch!”
“Are you all right?” She could feel the rumble of his deep voice in her entire body—it seemed to vibrate through her in a way that was strangely pleasant and incredibly awkward at the same time.
“I…I’m fine.” Sophie was doing her best to stay calm but she had never liked confined spaces. A fact she remembered only after the door slid shut, trapping them both in the slender cylinder. “I’m just…a little claustrophobic is all.”
“We’ll be there soon,” Sylvan said comfortingly. “Hold on—this can be a little bumpy.” He pressed something on the wall and the transport tube started with a jerk. Then it rushed straight up at an enormous speed, making Sophie feel like her stomach had been left behind in the sacred grove. She squeaked in surprise.
“Are you all right?” he asked again.
“I’m fi—” The car jerked sideways with a suddenness that made her gasp. The transport tube was like one of those scary rides that traveling carnivals brought with them—the kind that Olivia loved and Sophie hated. They always had names like “the double wheels of doom” or “the falling star” and they jerked you all around and used centrifugal force to plaster you against the wall. Only in this case she was plastered against Sylvan and hanging on for dear life.
Previously she’d been trying to keep at least some room between them—pushing her pelvis out as far as she was able to avoid making intimate contact. But now mortification had gone out the window in favor of self-preservation. Sylvan was the only thing to hold on to as the tube jerked and lunged through the bowels of the Kindred Mother ship and Sophie wasn’t about to let go.
Please just let me get through this, she prayed, her eyes squeezed shut. Please, please, please and I swear I’ll always ride a Take-me from now on. Or maybe I’ll just walk. Yes, walking is good…walking is great. I’ll never go anywhere again except on my own two feet. I—
“Sophia? Sophia?”
Gradually she became aware that Sylvan was calling her name and he sounded worried. Arms like warm steel cables were wrapped around her shoulders and a large, warm hand was stroking her hair.
“Uh, Sylvan?” She dared to look up and this time their heads didn’t collide.
“It’s all right,” he murmured, looking relieved that she’d answered him. “The tube has stopped. We’re there.”
“We are?” She wanted to let go of him but her hands were fisted in the heavy, satin-like material of his pale blue uniform shirt and she couldn’t make her fingers unclench. “I…I’m sorry,” she muttered, pressing her cheek to his chest again. “Just give me a minute. That was kind of rough.”
Sylvan, for his part, seemed contented to hold her for as long as she needed to be held. “It’s all right,” he rumbled, still stroking her hair. “I should have warned you better. I didn’t know tube travel would upset you so much.”
“I…I’m not upset,” she protested but her voice sounded high and squeaky even in her own ears. “I was just surprised,” she added, trying to sound more normal.
“We’re at the docking bay now.” His deep voice was gentle and soothing, like his hand in her hair. Sophie felt herself relaxing in stages but still she didn’t let go.
“Oh yes, the docking bay.” Slowly she became aware that the tiny compartment was filled with a sharp, spicy scent. It was like nothing she had ever smelled before—wild and somehow completely masculine. Mmm, nice. Her nose twitched—it seemed to be coming from Sylvan. But when did he have time to put on cologne? “Are you wearing aftershave?” she asked dreamily.
“Aftershave?” He sounded confused.
“You know—cologne. Perfume. A scent you put on your skin to make you smell good. Don’t the Kindred have anything like that?”
“No, we have a very enhanced sense of smell. We don’t like anything that covers up our natural scent.”
“Then what smells so good?” She was rubbing her cheek against the warm, hard wall of his chest in a way that would have seemed terminally wrong and uncomfortable just a few minutes ago. Yet now it seemed perfectly natural and right. Why was that? And why didn’t she want to let him go? She could feel the hard ridge of his cock branding her belly, just as it had during the Luck Kiss but even that didn’t alarm her. Instead, she felt herself responding.
Her nipples were suddenly tight and achy and the small pair of bikini underwear she had on under her green bridesmaid’s dress felt too tight. Their lace crotch seemed to rub against her in a way that was both irritating and pleasurable. She took another deep breath. “Mmm…smells like…I don’t know what, but incredible,” she murmured, still rubbing against him like a cat.
Sylvan stiffened against her. “Sophia, you’re not acting like yourself. This scent…you say it smells extremely good?”
“Yes, can’t you smell it? I—” She looked up as she spoke and saw that he was looking down at her again. There was a troubled look in his pale blue eyes, but it wasn’t his eyes that bothered her—it was his mouth.
His fangs were out.
Long and sharp and prominent, they gleamed in the dim light of the tube like daggers ready to pierce flesh. My flesh! she realized in a flash.
“Oh!” She jumped away from him and would have fallen backwards out of the transport tube if he hadn’t caught her by the arm. “Let me go!” She pulled away from his hand and took another step back. Her kitten heels made clattering echoes in the vast open space of the docking bay.
“What? What’s wrong?” Sylvan frowned at her as he unfolded himself from the small space and stepped out of the tube.
“Y-your fangs.” Sophie pointed with a trembling finger.
With a muffled curse he clapped a hand over his mouth. A look of painful concentration crossed his face and then he took his palm away from his lips and she saw that his fangs were back to their normal length. “Forgive me.” He spoke as though it hurt to get the words out. “I didn’t…didn’t realize…”
“It’s okay.” She shifted uncomfortably, not sure what to do or say. It was clear she’d offended him by pointing out his fangs. Was it something like telling a human guy his fly was unzipped? Well what was I supposed to say? And anyway, it just slipped out—he looks so damn scary when they grow like that!
Sylvan didn’t seem to know what to say either. Finally he turned on his heel. “Come on. We need to get to the shuttle.”