Buch lesen: «Phantom Wolf»

“Chief Petty Officer Sam Shay-more, US Navy SEALS,” he whispered into her ear.

Warm breath feathered over Kelly’s cheek. The delicious masculine scent of leather and sage became stronger and enveloped her like a lover’s arms. She knew this scent. Knew this body…had felt it atop hers years ago.

When he’d laid her down on his bed, kissed her and then had taken her virginity.

The muscled SEAL’s heavy weight shifted, allowing her to roll over. He straddled her, sitting on her hips, his hands easily pinning her down.

Indifferent, almost cruel concentration on his face turned to shock. Those penetrating hazel eyes widened and then darkened.

“Kelly,” he said softly.

About the Author

BONNIE VANAK fell in love with romance novels during childhood. After years of newspaper reporting, Bonnie became a writer for a major international charity, which has taken her to destitute countries to write about issues affecting the poor. When the emotional strain of her job demanded a diversion, she turned to writing romance novels. Bonnie lives in Florida with her husband and two dogs, and happily writes books amid an ever-growing population of dust bunnies. She loves to hear from readers. Visit her website, www.bonnievanak.com, or email her at bonnievanak@aol.com.

Phantom Wolf
Bonnie Vanak

www.millsandboon.co.uk

For my dear sister-in-law, Sissy Fischer. Love yah!

This one’s for you, you amazing Southern spitfire!

Prologue

Kelly Denning was in love. She barely felt the cold of a Tennessee winter as she raced across the meadow and headed for the barn where Sam always waited for her.

He knew she’d never enter the secret passageway in the barn alone. If Colton Shaymore caught her, he’d be furious. Sam’s father had forbidden his Arcane Enchanter Mage servants from using the underground tunnels.

Arcane Enchanter Mages were forced to carry identification cards and worked as servants or in low-wage positions. Elemental Mages, especially blue bloods like Sam’s family, held the power and the wealth. The discrimination had happened because three hundred years ago an Arcane Enchanter had embraced evil and transformed into the most powerful Mage of all—a Dark Lord. The Dark Lord had slaughtered hundreds of Elementals and stolen their powers before being killed. Now the more powerful Elementals had burned all but their most rudimentary spell books to prevent another Dark Lord uprising.

A low growl rumbled from the corner as she entered the barn.

Kelly froze, fear curdling her blood. Opening all her Arcane senses, she inhaled the air. Smelled fresh sage, sharp leather and crisp autumn leaves.

Sam.

The black-and-white timber wolf stepped out from the corner. Kelly’s fear evaporated as she crouched down. The wolf playfully bumped into her as it rested its head upon her leg and rubbed against it.

Marking her with his scent, she thought with a secret rush of pleasure. Sam had already marked her two months ago by becoming her first lover.

The wolf sniffed the crisp night air. Baring its massive teeth in a growl, he loped over to the doorway to make sure no one had followed Kelly and then trotted over to her.

Fast as the beat of a hummingbird’s wing, the wolf shifted and became a human male—his naked body slick with sweat, his sleek, muscled flanks tensed. His sandy-brown hair was boyishly ruffled, and an impish mix of sexual promise and mischief gleamed in his hazel eyes. Samuel Jackson Shaymore was a privileged Elemental Phantom Mage who could shift into any life-form he chose to duplicate.

Kelly didn’t care if he shifted into a sea slug, as long as he turned back into her beloved Sam.

She extended her finger for him to touch. The ancient greeting among Mages was now used by Elementals to single out her people. Arcane auras sparked more crimson than the pure gold of an Elemental aura.

Sam flashed the infectious grin that had first stolen her heart, and they touched index fingers. A brilliant flare of crimson and gold colors leaped between their hands.

Breaking contact, she pointed to his muscled, bare chest. “Aren’t you going to conjure some clothing?”

“Why? You always liked the view before.”

The teasing remark made her cheeks heat. Sam laughed and waved his hands, clothing his body by using magick.

“Why did you shift into a wolf?”

“Couldn’t take any chances that my father watched me leave. It’s a good disguise.” Sam tilted his head back and gave a low, mock howl. “Besides, I love hunting through the woods as a wolf. Fires my blood.”

A shiver of anticipation snaked down her spine at the heated promise in his eyes. Sam stroked a single finger down her right cheek, just as he’d done the first time they’d kissed. Every time they met, he repeated the gesture. Once she’d asked what it meant.

“I’m reassuring myself that you’re really here,” he finally told her.

She stepped into his embrace, loving how his arms gathered her close, how he was just tall enough to make her feel sheltered but not overwhelmed. Heat smoldered in his hazel eyes as Sam looked down at her.

Taking her hand, Sam opened the trapdoor leading to the underground passageway and guided her down the stairs to his secret bunker. An enormous bed stood in the room’s middle, touched by the golden light of the lamp Sam switched on.

Kelly hesitated. “Your father is so strict about Christmas tradition. If he finds out you slipped away from the caroling to be with me…”

“The hell with him. I’d rather be with you,” he murmured, drawing her into his arms.

Sam kissed her hard and long, as if he’d die if he couldn’t have her. Kelly wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him back.

“What I want to give you for Christmas can’t be wrapped in a box,” he murmured, twirling a strand of her hair around his finger. Sam pulled, drawing her close. “And you can thank me with those sweet little screams I love to hear in bed.”

Kelly placed her palms on his chest. She wanted this so badly. She knew their affair was all wrong, and lately the tension had gotten worse. Sam’s father kept scowling at her, as if he suspected. And sweet, innocent Petie, Sam’s little brother, almost caught them in the barn last week.

Even her own father, a widower since her birth eighteen years ago, wouldn’t approve. Cedric Denning wanted his only child to join his secret fight for equality for Arcanes.

She and Sam were on opposite sides of a great chasm. But chasms could be breeched, and love conquered all. She didn’t want Sam’s money, or his position. Just him.

“Your father would get his shotgun if he knew. He’d rather see you with a damn Yankee than an Arcane.” Kelly rested her head against Sam’s broad shoulder.

“I’d protect you. He can’t tell me what to do.” Sam nuzzled her neck, his warm breath tickling her ear.

“Sam, he suspects something. He’s trying to set you up with Lisa. That date…”

“It was just a date, Kel. Make the old man happy and get him off my back. Nothing happened. If you want, I’ll take you next time.” He dropped tiny, hot kisses on the juncture of her shoulder blade.

Jealousy coiled in her stomach. Last week Sam’s mother had held a tea party and invited Lisa Smith, daughter of a wealthy Elemental blue-blooded family. In childhood, Kelly and Lisa were inseparable, until the day Lisa discovered her best friend was only an Arcane servant. Lisa made new friends, and they all ridiculed her each time Kelly came into town.

It had stung her pride to serve her former friend tea, but it stung even more hearing Lisa brag about dancing with Sam at a society ball.

Sam escorted privileged Elementals like Lisa to black-tie galas.

Sam escorted lowly Arcanes like Kelly to his hidden bedroom.

She pulled out of his embrace. “Your father wants you to marry a blue-blooded Elemental like Lisa. Nothing would make him happier.”

A low snort of derision. “Father can pressure all he wants. I’m crazy about you, Kel. I don’t care what anyone says.”

Feeling years older, and wiser, she sighed. “You’d care if we were out and I got caught without my ID. They’d toss me into prison.”

“I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”

Emotion clogged her throat. “You can’t guarantee it, Sam. My people have little rights. Yours have all the power.”

His expression lost its tender, teasing look and turned determined and ruthless. The swift change was startling, as if Colton Shaymore’s twenty-one-year-old son had shown exactly what kind of man he’d become.

“No one’s going to touch you, or I’ll show them the business side of my fists. You’re mine and what I claim, I protect. Now close your eyes.”

Something delicate and cool slipped around her neck. She opened her eyes and lifted the silver pendant with its three intertwined and intricate spirals.

“It’s not just a Christmas gift, Kel. The triskele is sacred among my people.”

“It’s lovely.”

His velvet tone turned rough. “It won’t make you invincible, but if you wear it around your neck, it’ll act like a shield and prevent all but the darkest magick from hurting you. Plus, it will amplify your own powers. Never lose it. If I’m not around…”

Putting a finger to his mouth, she shook her head. The consequences were too terrible to bear. Life without Sam?

Kelly kissed him. His mouth was warm and he tasted like brandy and mints. His scent wrapped around her like a blanket, the promise of pleasure lingering as he licked the inside of her mouth and palmed her breasts.

Tearing off their clothing, they fell into the bed.

His lovemaking was tender and slow. After, Sam held her close for a long while, as if afraid of letting her go.

The mood was too somber for the holidays. Kelly sprang out of bed, tugged at his hand. “Let’s go for a walk in the moonlight, and then you can shift into a wolf and sneak back into the house.”

Sam sat up, the sheet spilling to his lean waist. Candlelight glistened on the sweat-slicked muscles of his abdomen.

“No more sneaking out. Get dressed. I’m taking you with me to the house.”

The declaration shocked her, as if he’d decided to walk into the mansion stark naked.

“You can’t! What about your father?”

“The hell with him. He’ll adjust. I’m tired of being under his thumb. If he doesn’t like it, I can make it on my own.” Sam swung his long legs over the bed and pulled on his trousers.

They dressed quickly. Cold air slapped them as they ran out of the barn, laughing and talking. Kelly’s pulse quickened. Despite the practical worries niggling her, she couldn’t help dreaming. A home of their own, maybe the cabin he owned where they’d first made love. Far away from their families, they could make their own little world, where the Arcane and Elemental classes didn’t matter.

And only their feelings did.

The dream burst apart into a shower of sparks. Kelly halted, staring in horror at the stately Shaymore mansion with its columned portico, black shutters and marbled hallways.

Orange flames licked the windows, smoke pouring out of the house in thick, black ribbons.

Now they were running across the field. Not fast enough. Every step they took, the fire grew. Oh, gods, she thought in terror, Sam’s family was inside.

Her father, as well. He’d been charged with setting out the antique oil lamps and lighting them. A centuries-old tradition insisted upon by Annabelle Shaymore, who banned electricity for this special night.

Then a tall man burst out of the house by the front door. Laughing crazily, he rubbed his hands together like Lady Macbeth. White bolts of energy shot from his fingertips, crackling in the air. He turned, his face showing clearly in the moonlight.

Cedric Denning. Her father.

“You goddamn bastard, what did you do?” Sam screamed at him.

Her father ran down the driveway. Numb, she watched her lover race toward the smoke and flames pouring out into the night.

With shaking hands, Kelly tried channeling her own powers to help put out the flames, knowing it was too late. Knowing the fire consumed the mansion, Sam’s family dying inside.

Knowing her world would never be the same again.

Chapter 1

“Please, don’t let him take me.”

Kelly Denning’s heart twisted as his large blue eyes beseeched her. “I won’t, Billy. I’ll do my best to keep you safe.”

“Promise?”

Kelly made a large X over her rapidly beating heart. Nothing was going to happen to Billy. “Cross my heart and hope to…”

Die. Not today. Not on my agenda this week.

She forced a bright smile, hoping the terrified child could see it in the dimness. “Cross my heart and hope to never lie.”

“But you’re an Arcane. My mommy says Arcanes lie all the time because your magick is weaker, not like us Elementals. Is she right?” His voice shook. “I don’t know what to believe anymore. I just want to go home.”

Not wanting his mother’s prejudice to shake his faith, Kelly chose her words with care. “I promise you, I’ll do everything I can to get you back to your parents.”

“They won’t want me anymore after this,” Billy said in a small voice. “I won’t be an Elemental if they drain my powers like they keep saying they will.”

Emotion clogged her throat. Billy wouldn’t be alive, either. But she had no intention of scaring him further.

“Your powers are still inside you. No one can take away who you are, honey.”

“Not even a Dark Lord?”

Kelly sucked in a breath. Dark Lords were rare, but they were the most powerful Mages of all, created from pure evil. Only Arcanes were known to achieve this transformation through an ancient spell, which gave Elementals a natural fear of their weaker brethren.

“Especially not a Dark Lord.”

“Will anyone save us? My dad knows some navy SEALs. They rescue people.” Billy’s voice trembled.

The two fangers upstairs would drain a navy SEAL dry. Ordinary navy SEALs couldn’t save them. They needed someone higher on the food chain.

Her thoughts drifted to Sam Shaymore. He was a powerful Elemental Phantom Mage and, her sources said, a navy SEAL. Sam would rescue Billy, but Kelly doubted he’d take her along. Because, like other Elementals, Sam Shaymore blamed her father for killing his entire family.

I’m not like my father, Sam.

“Maybe,” Kelly ventured. “But if they don’t, we have to save ourselves. Just stick close to me, and do as I say.”

No matter what happened to her, Billy must live.

Kelly hugged her knees, winced. Not a good idea. Still hadn’t healed yet. Scanning the inside of the cramped, dark room, she assessed their prison’s weak points as Billy huddled close.

He was the privileged son of a powerful Elemental Phantom Mage. Someone had stolen Billy out of his bed and brought him to this island to siphon away all his ripening magick. The process would kill him.

Not as long as I’m here, Kelly thought grimly.

Kelly’s organization, Sight Finders, rescued Mage children. She’d discovered the missing Billy’s whereabouts through an anonymous email tip. But the words that chilled her the most had been these: Arcanes are conspiring to create a Dark Lord. They plan to execute all Elemental Mages.

The email warned Billy was in Florida, where he’d be transported to this tiny island in the Caribbean. She’d stolen aboard the boat in Miami and nearly succeeded in freeing him. But the fangers had caught her and imprisoned her, as well.

Kelly stood, wincing at her protesting leg muscles. She peered out the slats of a narrow window. A thin ray of sunlight speared the darkness. They’d have to make a break for it now, before the vampires awakened. She could create a diversion and…

“Someone’s coming,” Billy whispered.

Heavy footsteps. Her palms grew clammy. Kelly rubbed them against her dirty jeans. Oh, gods, she knew what was coming next. She slipped the silver pendant off her neck and put it around Billy’s neck.

“This will keep you safe. The triskele has much power.”

Billy’s eyes grew huge. “No, Kelly, what about you? You need magick protection, too!”

“I’ll be fine. Stay in the corner. They can’t hurt you if you wear the necklace.”

“Kelly.” The little boy’s voice came as a whisper. “You’re an Arcane. My mother says Arcanes are bad people. They’re different from us and can’t be trusted to be anything more than servants.”

Grief twisted her heart. She knelt by the little boy and gathered his hands into hers.

“Listen to me, Billy. Whatever you’ve been told is wrong. My people are gentle and would rather practice their craft of chanting spells. Yes, they’ve been subservient for generations to Elementals. But they would sooner die themselves than turn to darkness and kill another to gain more power.”

Billy’s eyes were solemn. “But someone among your people has.”

She squeezed his hands, unable to argue that point.

The door opened, showing a shaft of sunlight. Kelly winced as someone seized her wrist. The Arcane Mage grinned, showing a row of yellowed teeth. Her stomach roiled at the thought of a fellow Arcane hurting an innocent child. She laughed, hoping to calm Billy’s fears. “Time to play the game again, right boys? It’s a fun game.”

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw another Arcane slap a heavy stick against his fat thigh. Her knees felt weak.

“Right,” said the voice thick with menace. “Time to play the game.”

As he swam through the clear Caribbean water, U.S. Navy SEAL Sam “Shay” Shaymore fought the instincts of his Mage shifter magick to change into an ocean-dwelling animal. With the three other SEALs using the nav boards equipped with compasses, they moved silently in swim pairs, their Dräger rebreathers showing no telltale bubbles.

He kept his breathing even, slowed his banging heart rate. Dangerous as hell executing an op in broad daylight. But their orders were clear. Attack in the daylight, soon as possible. Ensign Grant “Sully” Sullivan had done recon on the target’s mansion. Billy was being held in a first-floor room, guarded in daylight by two Arcane Mages armed with M16s and two nasty vamps at night. The heat sig from the night-vision binocs showed that he was still alive as of last night. A female, probably the nanny who’d kidnapped Billy, remained with him.

The top brass ordering this op knew nine-year-old Billy Rogers, the only son of a powerful U.S. senator, was being held captive. Keegan Byrne, the four-star admiral and Primary Elemental Mage who commanded the SEALs, knew a little more. Like the fact that Billy’s dad was also a Phantom Elemental and an Elder on the stately Council of Mages.

It was an op loaded with policy-maker land mines. The worst kind for a SEAL on the elite Phoenix Force, a secret group of navy SEALs who were all paranorms. A human media explosion would ensue afterward, followed by the paranormal uproar created by the powerful Council of Mages.

Shay didn’t care. The hell with afterward. Billy was all that mattered.

He and his teammates surfaced near the seawall. Blending in with the craggy rocks, they removed and stashed their gear.

Shay slicked back his hair with a hand, scanning the lush grounds for movement. Their point man, Lieutenant Matthew “Dakota” Parker, gave the signal for all clear. No one around. Time to move in, boys.

With a flick of his wrist, Shay cut the alarm by sending an electromagnetic current rippling into the system. The four SEALs crept up near a stand of palms, HK416 assault rifles at the ready. Silent as wraiths, they slipped away.

Shay hunkered down behind a group of palm trees, watching the other SEALs. Dakota shifted into a wolf and ran up the outside stairs. The Mages on the balcony would catch his scent and investigate, leaving the way clear for Sully and Petty Officer Third Class Ryder “Renegade” Thompson to capture the nanny and dipatch the vamps and Mages and grab Billy.

He clicked his radio twice. Answering clicks signaled as they all moved into position.

And then a woman stepped out of the house onto the patio and sank into a chaise longue by the pool.

Damn! Shay lifted his binoculars. The female daylight hugger must be the nanny. He bit back a curse and spoke into his throat mic, breaking radio silence.

“Alpha One, this is Bravo Two. I have a visual on Tango Five. Oscar Mike.”

Double clicks on the radio acknowledged the transmission.

It took seconds for him to analyze the new threat. He could take her out, but brass wanted her for questioning. Instead of stealth, he opted for shifting. His magick was powerful, but the form was nonthreatening.

Inside he smiled.

Little Miss Sunshine, you’re all mine.

Every bone in her body hurt. As part of the game, they’d beat her while she tried to stifle her screams to keep from terrifying Billy. Kelly refused to talk as they tried to get information on how she’d discovered their operation. As punishment, the Mages would dump her in the cell for a few minutes to assure Billy she was still alive and then put her into the sunshine.

Unlike other Arcanes, Kelly healed from exposure to direct sunlight. Probably a result of wearing the powerful triskele for so many years.

They’d bring her back into the darkness when she recovered. Just to hurt her all over again. Only this time, they’d beaten her a little harder. Billy had given her back the triskele to wear.

“Please, Kelly. It has good magick and will help you,” he’d whispered.

She closed her eyes, and the ache in her muscles eased as the triskele amplified the sun’s gentle strength. She heard a small, hopeful meow.

House cat. She gave a vague smile.

“Where did you come from, kitty? I thought the vamps didn’t let anything smaller than a tank hunt on their turf?” Too hurt to wonder what it was, she closed her eyes. And then she heard a scream upstairs.

Billy! She started off the chaise.

Bam! Next thing she knew she was lying flat on her stomach, a heavy male weight pressed into her back.

“Chief Petty Officer Sam Shaymore, U.S. Navy SEALs,” he whispered into her ear.

Warm breath feathered over her cheek. The delicious masculine scent of leather and sage became stronger and enveloped her like a lover’s arms. She knew this scent. Knew this body…had felt it atop hers years ago.

When he’d laid her down on his bed, kissed her and then had taken her virginity.

The muscled SEAL’s heavy weight shifted, allowing her to roll over. He straddled her, sitting on her hips, his hands easily pinning her down.

Indifferent, almost cruel concentration on his face turned to shock. Those penetrating hazel eyes widened and then darkened.

“Kelly,” he said softly.

A gleam of recognition and pure sexual awareness. She felt the jolt as if Sam had branded her with a white-hot iron. Sheer desire whipsawed through her, making her tremble as he held her down. The last time they’d been in this position, Sam had been thrusting deep inside her, as she’d clung to him and moaned.

The erotic current between them fizzled as anger flushed his handsome face. “What the hell are you doing here?”

Power hummed in the air, radiating off him in waves. Sam could generate electromagnetic current strong enough to turn a building into dust. A navy SEAL and a Phantom Mage? Forget the vampire guards. They had baby teeth compared with Sam’s T. rex magick.

Fear coated her mouth. Kelly wriggled, but he held her down easily. Disgusted with her weakness, she scowled into his face.

“Mind getting off me, Sam? We’re not lovers anymore, and this brick is awfully hard.”

Those chiseled features narrowed. He wore a black headband around his forehead, keeping his shoulder-length brown hair in place. A nasty-looking weapon hung from one broad shoulder. He was clad in some kind of green camouflage. Kelly felt a shiver snake down her spine.

“Let me go. I have to get to Billy…”

He touched an earpiece and glanced upstairs. “Billy is safe.”

“But the Mages…”

“Dead.” His gaze flattened. “Why did you take him, Kelly? This your new hobby, stealing innocents?”

“I didn’t kidnap Billy. I was trying to free him when I got caught. My organization is Sight Finders.”

Those dreamy hazel eyes widened. “Those nutjobs? The ones who steal Mage children in domestic disputes?”

“My organization rescues Mage children in trouble.”

“My organization is the U.S. Navy. You’re my prisoner.” Sam eased back and snapped plastic ties around her wrists.

Her jaw dropped. “You can’t do this!”

“Just did.”

“But I’m on your side.”

“Can’t trust that, until the situation is secured.” Then for a sheer moment, the indifferent mask dropped. Torment shadowed his face as he stroked a light finger down her cheek. His touch made her shiver, and remember.

“Sam,” she began, but he slid off and pulled her upright. Even with his incandescent rage, his touch was considerate and gentle.

Always the Southern gentleman. Even when taking prisoners, she thought dully.

She struggled against the ties but failed to break them. Sam gave her an amused look. “Don’t waste your energy. I laced them with magick. I’m an Elemental.”

“You were,” she whispered. “Now you’re just a bastard. When did you become one, Sam?”

Regret flashed in his eyes, and then the hardness returned. “The day your father escaped after killing my whole family.”

He walked her to a sturdy coconut palm. Before he secured her to it, he cupped her cheek with his palm. Despite the wet, thick gloves, she felt the warmth of his touch like a brand. He studied her solemnly. “Kel,” he murmured.

So close he seemed ready to kiss her. She closed her eyes, remembering those firm, warm lips nestled against hers.

When she opened her eyes, he’d vanished.

Kelly struggled against her bonds. Gunfire erupted amid loud explosions upstairs. A SEAL emerged from the house, carrying a terrified Billy. He was sobbing.

“Give him to me,” she cried out.

Sheer strength and her own secret store of magick shattered her bonds. Kelly rushed forward, only to feel the cold pressure of a gun barrel pressed to her temple. “Don’t move,” came Sam’s deep voice.

“I’m here to save Billy. I’m not his enemy!”

“Maybe not his,” he said in a soft, drawling voice that rubbed against her skin like warm velvet. “But, sweetheart, you are most definitely mine.”