“How about you just do the right thing for an old friend?” she asked soberly.
He winced. “I don’t work that way, Janet. I want something else.”
She took a deep breath. “What do you want?”
Now that was a loaded question. “How old are you now?”
“Almost twenty-one.” She tilted her head to the side. “Why?”
Just how far would she go for her precious uncle? Kalin moved before she could react, grabbing her by the waist to stand on the bench. For once, they stood eye-to-eye.
She stopped breathing, her gaze on his.
For once, he was glad his green eyes were nearly human. “I want a kiss.”
Surprise opened her mouth in a small O. “You can’t be serious.”
He was deadly serious. Sure, they were enemies. Someday she’d hate him. But she was also right that she was the only friend he’d ever had. He wanted one kiss given willingly before all hell broke loose. “Just one.”
While he usually saw fear in a woman’s eyes, he could swear curiosity filled Janie’s. She truly wasn’t afraid of him. Yet.
Her gaze dropped to his lips. “Let me get this straight. I kiss you, and you contact the demons to find out if Jase is really dead or not.”
“That’s the deal.” Now he held his breath.
“Okay,” she whispered. Sliding her hands up to his shoulders, she leaned in and pressed her soft lips against his.
Electricity shot down his spine.
Her mouth was tentative and much warmer than his. She tilted her head to the side, opening slightly.
He reacted instantly, grabbing her hips and yanking her closer. Plunging his tongue in her mouth, he took. She tasted like honey and heaven, a mixture he’d never even imagined.
She began to struggle, and his fangs dropped low. One nicked her.
The first drop of her blood ignited a hunger beyond belief.
She sank her teeth into his bottom lip, drawing his blood.
Shock made him step back. They both breathed heavily, staring at each other. She wiped blood off her lips.
He licked his.
A low growl rumbled up from his chest. Her blood was the sweetest thing he’d ever tasted—probably tasted like pure sunshine.
She took a deep breath. “Happy now?” Her eyes were wide, her hair mussed, her cheeks pink.
“Not even close,” he said honestly. “I’ve always known someday I’d have you, but I’d never realized how very much I’d truly want you.” The woman had bitten him. Really bitten him. Mating her would make her immortal—his for eternity. “Prepare yourself because I’m coming for you soon.”
Sadness and wisdom filtered through her amazing eyes. “I’d give myself to you in a heartbeat if you’d choose the right path.”
He shook his head, his long black hair flying. The woman didn’t know what she was saying. “Your path isn’t the right one, Janet Isabella. Only one species can rule the earth, and it’s my time.”
“You’ll rule with death and fear.” She shook her head, her shoulders straightening.
“Of course.” Something told him deep down he’d never kill her. Not like those other women.
She jumped from the bench, her tiny shoes not even sending up dust as she landed. “I’ll expect the information from you shortly.” Turning on her heel, she walked leisurely down the path toward the edge of the park, her perfect ass swaying in the tight jeans.
He smiled. The woman had guts. What an excellent battle it would be.
“My Janet.”
Janie sat up in the bed and swallowed several times to keep from throwing up. She had Kalin’s blood. While she didn’t know how it worked yet, she knew getting his blood would give her a power over him. One she’d need someday.
Of course, she hadn’t planned on his taking her blood.
Damn it.
Now both Zane and Kalin had her blood. While they could all work together to end the war, neither man seemed interested. They both had their stubborn plans, and her destiny was to thwart those.
Life truly wasn’t fair.
Not for a second did she trust Kalin would discover the truth about Jase. She’d just needed the Kurjan’s blood.
It had been so much easier to get that blood than she’d thought it would be.
Her stomach ached when she thought about her Uncle Jase. She’d heard about the video from her father, and his face had been shadowed with pain as he’d prepared her for the worst. Uncle Jase might be gone for good.
For now, she needed to clear her head.
Swinging her legs over the bed, she yanked on sweats. Hustling into the bathroom, she brushed her teeth and washed her face.
Energy still sizzled through her veins from trying to trick Kalin. She definitely needed to go for a run.
The smell of pancakes tempted her as she headed for the door. Poking her head in the kitchen, she found a slice of peace at the sight of her father flipping chocolate chip pancakes. He wore black combat clothes and flak boots with a pink apron tied around his waist.
“Sit and eat,” he said, turning around.
He was still the biggest man she’d ever seen. Broad across the shoulders, he had fierce features and hands bigger than dinner plates. She adored him for the hero he was. He’d saved her from monsters when she was four years old and had given her a safe home since. The world had instantly become safer the second Talen became her father.
She slid into a chair at the large table and reached for a plate. “Why are you cooking?”
“I miss your mother.” He tossed the apron to the sink, sat, and passed the syrup, his golden eyes dark. “She always makes pancakes on Sunday.”
“Today is Tuesday.”
“I don’t care. I want it to be Sunday—and I want them to come home.” A dark frown settled over his broad face.
“Mom and Garrett will be home next week.” Janie took a big bite and closed her eyes as the chocolate warmed her throat. Her dad always put in twice the amount of chips than her mother did. “These are awesome.”
“I’m a good cook—almost as good as my mate.” Talen took a bite.
Janie chuckled. “Some of the shifters think you sound possessive and archaic every time you call Mom your ‘mate.’ ”
He swallowed his food, his eyes thoughtful. “I guess I was so happy to find her, and so proud to make her my mate, I say it to make myself happy.” He grinned. “And to remind her every chance I get that she’s mine.”
Okay, that was possessive and sweet. Would Janie ever find somebody who loved her that much? Would Zane ever love her? “You’re one of a kind, Dad.”
“Thanks, sweetheart.” Then Talen frowned, studying Janie’s face. “What happened to your lip?”
She coughed and wiped her mouth on a napkin. “I bit myself when I was training yesterday.” The lie heated something in her stomach, probably guilt. But her father couldn’t know she’d just kissed a Kurjan in her dream. Talk about explosions.
Concern wrinkled his prominent brow. “You should put some ice on it after breakfast.”
“Okay.” Then Janie sat back and studied her dad. “You didn’t sleep last night again.”
He sighed, tossing his napkin on his half-eaten pancakes. “I kept seeing that video with Jase.”