A Midsummer Night's Demon(17)

Lyn brought her hand to her kiss-swollen lips, and looked up at him from under her hooded eyes, the expression on her face a mix of confusion and lust. “I-I guess you are right.”

He scooped her in his arms. “You just remember that tomorrow night when I’m bossing you around,” he teased heading for the house.

“Not that I’m complaining, boss, but I could walk you know,” she quipped as she wrapped one arm around his neck.

“You’re barefoot,” he pointed out. “I wouldn’t want you to get hurt.”

“You just remember that tomorrow night while you’re bossing me around.” She threw his words back at him, with a mischievous smile that reached her eyes.

“Woman, you better watch it or I’ll throw you in the river.”

Her eyes widened. “You wouldn’t dare!”

He switched directions, heading back toward the shore. She kicked her legs wildly, but his strides never faltered.

“Put me down, Ky…Ky something Robinson.” She stopped struggling and affected an inquisitive look. “Just what is your full name? You never did tell me.”

Ky smiled a lopsided grin, his feet stopping their march. “You really want to know?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll make a deal with you,” he said, turning back around, once again heading for his home. “If you follow my directions tomorrow night to the letter, I’ll tell you my full name.”

Lyn rolled her eyes and pursed her lips, mulling his offer over. “Okay,” she said when they reached the house. “It’s a deal.”

Lyn snuggled against him, resting her head on his shoulder. “And just so you know, I would have listened to you anyway.”





Chapter Five

Ky’s hands clamped down hard on the steering wheel, his knuckles bleaching of color. Concern for her safety weighed heavy upon his shoulders while he drove them to the park to face Lyn’s attacker. They rode in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Though Lyn seemed tense, she had refused to back out of the meeting.

To keep her from having to do this, he’d traced both the email and text from last night in a desperate final attempt to identify the vampire, but his efforts, like before, had been fruitless.

At least he would be there to protect her, and this time his opponent would not have the opportunity to dematerialize. He’d brought special handcuffs made from the one metal harmful to vampires. Once around his wrists the titanium cuffs would prevent the vampire from dematerializing. His plan included surprising the rogue, cuffing his wrists, and taking his head to ensure final death.

He pulled into the dirt parking lot, shut off the engine, then watched Lyn wind her long hair up on the back of her head and secure it with a clip. Her pink tongue darted out to lick her lips in a nervous flick.

She looked beautiful, dressed in a yellow sundress and matching sandals. He’d requested she wear her hair up, knowing that the exposure of her graceful neck would provide a distraction to the vampire. If she was going to have to lure the vampire, then her mate was determined to make sure they only had to do this once. She needed to distract the monster long enough for Ky to snap the cuffs around his wrists.

Ky exited the car, making his way around the hood to open the passenger door. Lyn took his proffered hand, allowing him to help her from the car. He noticed her legs trembled and heard the pace of her heartbeat increase, as she took in the thick night air. He tucked her under the safety of his arm, his lips brushing her temple with a kiss.

“It’s going to be all right, honey,” Ky breathed beside her ear. “I’ll be right here. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

He needed to believe that. He had never been so sincere in all the centuries of his life. If he failed to take one thing into consideration, it could cost her life and that price for his failure would be far too high.

****

Lyn wrapped an arm around Ky’s waist and pressed against his side, trying to find comfort in his words. She could not doubt the genuineness of his tone and knew, without a doubt, he would keep her safe. If she didn’t believe it she wouldn’t be here, but things could go amiss. Best laid plans, as the saying went. She swallowed the lump in her throat, but it did nothing to help her twisting stomach.

“I know.” Her voice sounded shaky, even to her. She met his eyes. “I have faith in you…”

“But,” he prompted.

“But things can go wrong, Ky.”