CHAPTER 7
“This must be overwhelming for you. I’ve been there. It gets better. Trust me.” Sheri’s welcoming smile did little to tone down the swarm of butterflies in Nikki’s stomach.
“Overwhelmed is an understatement.” Still seated on the medical bed, nervous energy nagged at her, and Nikki kicked her feet.
Sheri held out her hand. “C’mon. I’ll take you to your room and explain what I can.”
Impatience had Nikki gnawing on the inside of her cheek. “You said we’re both Dren. What does that mean? What am I?”
“I’ll explain along the way. There’s a shower waiting for you, I promise.” Sheri winked and crooked her finger, encouraging Nikki.
Nikki laughed despite herself, but the tension in her shoulders didn’t ease. She sighed and peered at her tattered and ragged clothes. Getting out of this outfit would be a good thing. “A shower sounds great.” With more courage than she felt, she slid from the bed and gripped the other woman’s hand.
Sheri tugged her toward the exit. Nikki glanced around the infirmary one last time. The beds lined up in rows spoke of much illness or…war. Goosebumps formed along her arms.
They passed through the open doorway into a long corridor. Yellow gemstones lined the walls in an intricate pattern. One flared to life. She stopped and touched the stone. Warmth emanated from the gem. “What are these?”
“Sunstones. They provide heat and light in the underground Keep.”
“They’re beautiful.” Nikki couldn’t help but smile at the small wonder.
“They are also used for communication. The Stiyaha use the stones to send messages throughout the Keep.”
“Sti-ya-ha?” The word sounded foreign on her tongue.
“Stiyaha are the shape-shifting warriors that live here. They fight for their goddess, Alora, in a war over Earth’s water, but…I get ahead of myself. Let’s—”
“Is Gaetan a Stiyaha?” The question slipped from her lips before she could stop herself. Her cheeks heated.
Sheri peered at Nikki, a knowing glimmer in her eyes. “Yes, he’s a Stiyaha. As you now know, he’s also our healer, and the Keep’s oldest resident.”
“How old is he?” As much as she wanted to know about herself and what she’d become, she wanted to understand Gaetan, the man who’d saved her.
“Over seven hundred years old.”
Nikki gasped. “Wow, that’s a far cry from my twenty-five years. How long do they live?”
“Well over two thousand years. C’mon, let’s keep moving.” Sheri headed down the long corridor.
Nikki caught up to and walked next to Sheri, her mind reeling from what little she’d heard so far. “I have so many questions.”
“Let’s start with the Dren. That’s what you will become soon, once Gaetan’s saliva works its way through your blood.” Sheri glanced at her. “You will receive a special power, one unique to you.”
“A special power? Like what?” Maybe being Dren wasn’t such a bad thing after all.
“Well, let me show you mine.” Sheri stopped and held out her hands. “Step back.”
Nikki took a step backward and focused on Sheri’s hands.
Sparks of electricity crackled from her fingertips, lighting up the corridor in a brilliant, blinding light. Nikki gasped, excitement tingling along her nerves. “Wow! That’s impressive.”
“I look forward to seeing your new talent, once you discover it.” Sheri smiled and motioned for them to continue along their path.
“How long will it take for my power to show?” It was all so unreal, Nikki had a hard time accepting her new reality.
“That depends. It could show up anytime, but will increase in force and intensity once you feed.”
“Feed? Do you mean ‘eat’?”
Sheri’s lips drew into a thin line. “No, I mean ‘feed’.”
A coil of dread curled inside Nikki. She stopped and gripped Sheri’s hand. “Please, explain.”
“You’ll have to feed from a male, drink his blood, in order to survive.”
Dizziness crested over Nikki, and she placed her hand along the stone wall to steady herself. “How? Why?”
“You’ll receive fangs, and—”
Nikki’s pulse spiked, and her breaths rushed in and out of her lungs. “I…I’m a vampire?”
Sheri gripped her shoulders. “It’s not what you think. We’re Dren, not vampires, and we don’t kill.”
“What if I elect not to ‘feed,’ as you put it?”
Sheri sighed and released her grip. She pinched the bridge of her nose. “If you don’t feed, you’ll go insane. The timeframe is different for everyone, but it can occur in as little as a week. Drinking blood is actually very erotic and pleasurable for both parties.”
An image of Gaetan flashed through Nikki’s mind. He held her in his embrace, his tongue licking her wound, his lips pressing against her skin in gentle caresses. Warmth spread over her skin. Was that what it would be like to ‘feed’? If so, she could get on board with that.
“One other thing, you’ll never have to worry about diseases as we are immune to human ailments. The one bummer though is that it’s unlikely you’ll ever conceive.”
“Well, that’s good to know.” After being raised by her alcoholic father, Nikki had never wanted to have kids.
Footsteps echoed from down the corridor, approaching at a fast clip. Two figures came into view—one male, one female. Both had an air of grace around them, almost feline in nature. With an authoritative stride and determined features, the male’s cold, hard stare sent a chill over Nikki’s shoulders. Next to him, the female’s fast-clipped walk made her chin-length hair bob, and the red barrette at her temple caught the light.
Sheri stepped forward to greet them. “Demir, Aramie, so good to see you. I want you to meet Nikki. Gaetan—”
“Saved her from the Gossum.” A quirk formed along the corner of Demir’s mouth. “News travels fast within the Keep, especially if Rin’s involved.”
“Welcome, Nikki. So pleased to meet you.” The dark-haired female smiled, and the man next to her, Demir, wrapped his arm around her waist.
“Thank you. It’s nice to meet you.” Warning bells rang in the back of Nikki’s mind. This was all so strange. Was she already insane? The idea zipped through her mind, but after everything that had happened between her, Gaetan, and the scary Gossum, she didn’t doubt her sanity.
Sheri glanced from Aramie to Demir. “I’m taking our new resident to her quarters, but if you have the time, I’m sure she’d love to hear some details about the Panthera.”
“Perhaps we’ll see you in the Grand Hall for the evening repast. We’re on our way to Noeh’s…to the throne room.” Demir placed his hand out in a gesture for Aramie to proceed. He gave a quick nod. “Until then.”
As they disappeared down the hallway, Nikki turned toward Sheri. “Just a couple of the Keep’s residents?”
Sheri stifled a laugh. “Demir is the Panthera Pride leader and Aramie is his mate. They are shape-shifting panthers and great warriors. C’mon, we’re almost to my room. I’ve got some clothes that I think will fit you, and there’s someone I want you to meet.”
They walked in silence for a few minutes. Nikki’s mind swirled with everything she’d heard, seen, and experienced since the mudslide on the hill. My, how her life had changed.
Several doors lined the wall in this portion of the corridor. Sheri stopped in front of one and gripped the handle. With a quick twist, she pushed open the door. Loud barking emerged from the room.
“Hey, Coop! Good boy.” A large German Shepherd jumped up and placed its front paws on Sheri’s thighs. His tail wagged with an energy that spoke of his happiness to see his mistress. “Coop’s an ex-police dog, but he won’t hurt you. Will you, boy?”
Nikki strode into the room, and Coop focused on her. He chuffed and glanced at Sheri. “She’s a friend, boy.”
As if he’d understood, Coop sat on his haunches. His tail thumped against the floor in rhythmic beats.
“Can I pet him?” Nikki’s chest swelled. She loved animals. They didn’t judge and were always there for comfort.
“Of course. He loves the attention.” Sheri stepped away from Coop and further into the room.
Nikki held out her hand. Coop’s wet nose tickled her fingers as he sniffed her. Satisfied she was a friend, he nuzzled up to her. She petted his soft fur, enjoying the simple, familiar action. Nikki peered around the room.
A bed stood to one side, the covers ruffled as if someone hadn’t bothered to straighten the sheets. Two dressers rested against the wall. An assortment of bottles, make-up, and brushes scattered across the tops. A pile of clothes lay in a heap close by. Sheri stood next to a small table, a bowl of fruit placed in the center. The bright red strawberry on top caught Nikki’s attention. Her mouth watered. Food…
Sheri snapped her fingers. “Coop, sit.”
Coop whined then trotted to a pet bed situated near one of the dressers, a bowl of water nearby. He circled for a moment then settled into place. His sad eyes indicated he wasn’t happy with being dismissed.
Sheri cleared her throat. “Are you hungry?”
She eyed the strawberry. “Yes, a little.”
“Please, have something. The evening repast isn’t for a few hours.” Sheri sat down at the table and nudged the bowl, encouraging her.
Nikki couldn’t resist. She pulled out the other chair, the feet scraping against the stone floor, and sat down. The bright red berry called to her, so she plucked it from the bowl and popped the small fruit into her mouth. The sweet juice lit up her senses. She had another and another. The gum line over her front teeth ached, and some of the juice dribbled from the corner of her mouth.
Sheri tapped the edge of the bowl. “Do your teeth hurt?”
Nikki stilled and met her gaze. “How did you know?”
Sheri smiled. “Don’t forget, I’m Dren, too. I went through the change and know the signs.” She pointed to the strawberries. “As much as you like the food and think you’re hungry, what you really want is a male’s blood.”
Nikki wiped the wetness from her mouth. The juice reminded her of blood. A sickening twinge tugged at her insides. “You’re telling me I really need to bite someone?”
“Yes.” Sheri’s voice was low, controlled, full of compassion. “…and not just someone. A male.”
“You mean a man.” A strange giggle rose in Nikki. Macabre, that’s what this was.
“Men are human. They are called ‘males’ among our kind.” Sheri’s features were drawn, serious. This wasn’t a game, not to her. “Let me see your palm.” She held out her hand, her fingers curling, encouraging.
Nikki placed her hand in Sheri’s, palm up. Sheri tightened her grip. “Look. What do you see?”
Nikki glanced at her palm. “Nothing.”
Sheri held up her other hand. “Do you see the faint ‘M’?”
Nikki studied her new friend’s palm. Indeed, there was a faint outline of the letter ‘M’ etched there. She blinked.
“You see it. Good. Now, look at your palm. You have one, too.”
The faint outline, not quite as clear as Sheri’s, marred her skin. She jerked her hand away then rubbed at the mark. The skin burned, hot and fevered. “What is that?”
“I wish I knew, but I have one, you have one, and Melissa…” Sheri choked on her words. She stood up and placed her fist against her mouth.
Nikki rose from her seat, walked around the table and wrapped her arms around Sheri’s shoulders, drawing her in for a hug. “I didn’t mean to upset you. I—”
“It’s not you. Here,” Sheri pulled back and grasped Nikki’s hand, “let’s finish our earlier conversation. Although you can still eat normal food, you will need to feed from a male, soon. Would you like me to introduce you to some of our warriors? I’m sure there are several that would love to oblige you.”
The thought of drinking a strange males, blood made Nikki’s skin crawl. “You said this was an intimate, personal act between a male and a female.”
“Yes, and you never know, you may even find a mate among them. At the very least you’ll have a bond, a connection that will allow you to track each other—”
“Gaetan. I want Gaetan.” Nikki blurted the words before she’d had time to think. Heat rushed up her neck and into her cheeks.
Sheri’s assessing gaze burrowed into her.
Nikki glanced at the floor. “I mean, if he’s willing.”
“Well, I could certainly ask him for you.”
“Yes, thank you.” Nikki’s chest swelled at the memory of Gaetan’s lips at her throat, his tender kisses as he’d sealed her wounds. The thought of kissing him, tasting him, sinking her teeth into his soft flesh— She stilled. Her gums ached, and she ran her tongue over the sensitive tissue. No fangs. Thank God.
Sheri touched one of the sunstones embedded along the cave’s walls and furrowed her brow. After several long moments, she turned her attention to Nikki. “Gaetan agreed. He said he’d meet you in your room before the evening repast. We should get moving, so you have time for a bath and maybe a nap beforehand.”
Nikki smiled. “A bath sounds wonderful.”
“Oh!” Sheri’s mouth quirked at the corner. “I can’t forget why we stopped here in the first place. Let me get you some clothes.”
She tracked to the shorter of the two dressers and yanked on one of the drawers. It screeched open, in need of some oil. Sheri rummaged around then held up a pair of dark slacks and a beautiful blue sweater. “These should do the trick.”
Nikki strode to the other female. “Thank you, Sheri. You’ve been nothing but kind.”
“You’re very welcome.”
An overwhelming sense of gratitude washed over Nikki, and the skin on her arms tingled.
Coop barked and cocked his head.
The water in his bowl rippled. A few drops slipped over the rim dampening the stone floor.
Sheri inhaled. “Did you just have a strong emotion?”
Nikki’s pulse picked up speed, and the water rippled faster. “Y…yes. I was grateful for your kindness and…”
Sheri wrapped her arms around Nikki’s shoulders and drew her in for a quick hug. She pulled back. Happiness reflected in her eyes. “I think we just discovered your power. It looks like you have the ability to control water.”
“Really?” Nikki’s mouth went dry.
Sheri nodded. “Practice, see what you can do. We need to go, though. There’s so much more I need to tell you, and we must get you dolled up for your meeting with Gaetan.” Mirth danced in her eyes.
Gaetan…
Nikki’s desire to see him again went against her independent nature. She didn’t need a male, didn’t want one in her life, yet she couldn’t deny how she craved his touch, his voice, his gentle caress. She fisted her hand. This needed to be about nourishment, nothing more.