Awake at Dawn (Shadow Falls #2)(103)

"I told you to wait," the old man scolded.

"But, Gramps, I'm just eager to see my new bride." The rogue moved closer.

Bride? Kylie yanked at the chains, repulsed by the idea of being his bride.

"Leave now!" the old man roared. His voice might be rusty and worn, but his tone demanded obedience. Frightening obedience.

The rogue stopped two feet from her. His auburn hair wasn't soaked in blood this time, but she could still see it in her mind. She knew the minute she looked into his cold, gray eyes, he was the same vampire who'd slipped into her dressing room-and the one who'd crashed through her windshield. "She's so pretty. Don't keep her from me too long."

He shot off. The sound of the iron door slamming shut echoed throughout the room.

Kylie glared at the old man. "He murdered two young girls."

"Yes." He hung his head as if ashamed. "My grandson made many mistakes. But he will grow wiser."

"The Vampire Council was supposed to..." Kylie remembered something Della had said about the Council, namely that they were all old, and just like that, she knew. "You are part of the Council. You lied to them."

He looked up. "I did not lie. I said I would deal with this. You are part of my plan."

"He kidnapped me." Could she shame the old man into letting her go? "On my orders."

So much for that hope.

He moved closer. A sense of power moved with him. "In my day, when our young men acted out, only one thing could tame them. A woman strong enough, pretty enough, to give them a reason to settle down."

"He can't be saved." Her pulse raced as the old man inched closer. "He's wild now, but you fascinate him. Do you have any idea how many hours he spent in those woods by your camp, risking being caught, and for nothing more than a chance to see you?"

She shivered with disgust, knowing it had been him all those times. "I was curious about who had stolen my grandson's heart and I followed him. Once I saw you, I could understand what drove him. You are very fascinating." He leaned down, his face inches from hers. His breath came against her cheek and she felt sick that they shared the same airspace. "What are you, Kylie Galen? Do you even know? Is there vampire in your blood?"

"He's a murderer. I would rather die than let him lay a finger on me."

His right eyebrow arched. "Death is always an option. Not one I recommend, though."

The panic started to claw anew in her chest.

"I saw you drink the blood." His cold touch on her arm made her skin crawl. "But you are still warm. I saw the strange wolf befriend you, but you did not turn on the day of the moon. Normally, I would seek a vampire as his mate, but you ... my grandson is right. You are special."

She pulled again at her chains. "Let me go."

"You seek a family, Kylie Galen. We shall be that to you. You will bear me great-grandchildren, and with my genes and yours, they will be even more powerful. And you will teach my grandson to be a man."

"Not happening," Kylie sneered.

"We will convince you."

"I'm not easily convinced. And if your grandson isn't a man, maybe it's because he's lacked a role model."

The old man's eyes tightened. "I will tolerate much, but I demand your respect."

"You have to earn respect." It was her mom's favorite saying, and it never rang so true as it did now.

He shook his head. "In our world, respect is won by the person who has more power. Right now, my dear child, I hold all the power."

He disappeared. Vanished. Kylie didn't even see him turn into a blur.

What was he? She remembered Tabitha, the witch who Miranda caught snooping around the cabin, saying he was more than vampire, and Kylie feared the girl was right.

He might have power, Kylie thought, but she still didn't respect him.

And by God, she wouldn't bear his great-grandchildren either.

She yanked at her chains again, sought the strength within herself to get free. The strength didn't come. She considered screaming but something inside her said it would be a waste of energy. She needed to think. She needed to use her brain to get out of this.

She called out for Daniel. He was a no-show. Would the death angels or whatever it was at the falls come to her aid?

She closed her eyes and asked for help. Begged, actually. The thought of being touched by the rogue meant she wasn't above begging.

In the deep corners of her mind, a voice whispered, "You have the power within you."

"Please, that sounds like an old Star Wars movie!" When only silence answered, she continued, "This isn't any time for self-discovery." She yanked again at the chains, thinking the power she had was to break loose. She struggled until she felt her wrists and ankles bruise. "He wants me to bear his great-grandchildren. I could use some help here!"

Trying to remember to breathe, she considered what power the death angels meant. She was a ghost whisperer, she could run fast, and occasionally found unknown strength to toss werewolves long distances. And she had special hearing that came and went. There was also a possibility that she could heal-she hoped so for Sara's sake-and she could dreamscape.

I can dreamscape! Wasn't that as good as a cell phone? If she could get Lucas, Lucas could get Burnett. Burnett would get her out of this. He would. He'd bring the whole FRU down on this old dude's ass. She counted sheep. One hundred, then two. Every noise and sometimes the lack of noise kept her awake. Her eyes grew tired. She eventually grew tired. Finally, the floating sensation pulled at her subconscious. Then she flew, whooshed through the clouds. She saw him.