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whisper one sentence before
her world went dark, “You should have let me die.”

Chapter Nine
     
     
    The cat had beaten her face almost
beyond recognition. Honey checked her over closely and discovered
her damaged ankle and possibly a broken arm. He didn’t even
consider not calling his liege.
    “ I need you,
Dmitri.”
    The vampire appeared at his side,
quickly taking in the bloody corpses. He then turned his attention
to Mandy. After a low whistle he said, “Her sister and
brother-in-law will kill you.”
    “ And you think I haven’t
considered that? They can get in line—my father will most likely
kill me first.” He tried to tamp down on his anger. Dmitri had a
hair trigger and Mandy needed his help.
    Dmitri, deathly still, as only a
vampire could be, ground out, “No matter the proof, I didn’t
believe you kidnapped her. How could you be so stupid?”
    “ Well thank you, my liege.
Unfortunately, your trust was well deserved because this vexatious
she-wolf kidnapped me.”
    Silence met this pronouncement and
Honey looked up at the vampire standing above him with the first
rays of sunlight coming over the horizon. “Well then… maybe for a
change… you’ve met your match.” The corners of Dmitri’s lips tipped
up.
    If Mandy hadn’t been in his arms, he’d
have decked the vamp. Well, he’d have tried and then died, but the
thought of doing it was momentarily satisfactory.
    “ Are you bringing her
home?” Dmitri asked.
    “ We have a few things to
work out and then I’ll decide what to do.”
    “ Fair enough. I’ve barely
managed to keep Brandt and Emily from searching our property. I
think Cheri keeps them away so they don’t start another war. It’s
been decent entertainment to see how far I can push them. I’ll hold
them back for at least another week.”
    Honey looked around. “I hate to ask,
but where the hell are we?” He knew he’d be the butt of jokes for
years.
    “ You’re on Nicolas’
property, but a long way from the destroyed remains of the main
house. Your she-wolf must have visited here before. The sun is
coming up, so if you don’t mind, I think I’ll help her now.” Dmitri
lifted her arm and struck quickly, taking blood and replacing it
with enzymes that would begin healing her injuries. The vampire let
go of her arm and licked his lips. “So much sweeter than bear. I’ve
had a few wolves before.”
    A growl left Honey’s throat and Dmitri
disappeared with a laugh.
    The walk back to the cabin took hours.
Mandy never stirred. The vampire’s bite would let her sleep through
much of the healing, so Honey used the time to think. Mandy left
him with few choices, but he was calling the shots now, and they
would be on his terms.
    He pushed open the cabin door and
walked to the bed, laying his exasperating burden on the old quilt.
He then went into the kitchen and made enough food to satisfy his
bear-sized hunger. Several hours later, he heard her stir and
walked over to the bed. Her eyes opened then closed. Bruises marred
her face, but the swelling was almost gone.
    He waited, but she didn’t open her eyes
again.
    “ I know you’re
awake.”
    Her voice was raspy from sleep. “And I
care, why?”
    He sat down next to her hip, and
couldn’t help but smooth strands of hair from her face. “How do you
feel?”
    Her body moved slightly as she took
inventory of her injuries and found none. Her eyes snapped open.
“Who helped me?”
    “ Dmitri.”
    Panic flared in her eyes. “Is he
here?”
    “ No.” He placed his hand
on her shoulder.
    She flinched. “Please don’t touch
me.”
    He was finished taking orders from her
and tightened his hold. “Why the contradiction? For several days
that’s all you’ve wanted.”
    She trembled beneath him. “No, I wanted
much more than that.”
    He ran his other hand through his hair,
giving himself time to think. “Maybe you won’t be so moody if you
take a shower. You’re covered in dried blood and dirt and the
smell’s