Mia wanted to take a sample of his blood to make sure of that, but the last time they'd taken Nolan's blood, the doctors and nurses who'd handled the specimens had had to be put down like animals.

Pretty soon, though, if Nolan maintained his current health, Mia was going to cave and do it. Dallas knew it. They needed to know if the parasite was dead. They needed to know if Bride's blood was the cure.

Dallas almost hoped it wasn't. Mia would use the vampire until her veins were bone dry, and Devyn wouldn't like it. Might even leave AIR and Earth for good. That's the kind of guy he was. If he wanted something, he considered it his. Whether he planned to keep that something or not. And he didn't like when other people messed with his stuff.

More than that, Mia might even go on a hunt for other vampires, thinking to use them as well. Anything to protect her agents. Understandable, but dangerous. Already she was asking questions. Where are the others? How have they been able to hide for so long? Devyn had refused to answer.

"You want to prove your new allegiance to us," Hector said, drawing Dallas from his musings, "you'll tell us where your queen is gonna be and when, so that we can kill her."

Those silver eyes narrowed on them. "The death blow isn't yours to deliver. It's mine. I'd think the two of you would understand that."

He did. And he even thought Nolan meant to aid them this time. Unlike last time, when the otherworlder had promised to help them destroy his queen and the men she'd infected but had betrayed AIR instead, leading them straight into an ambush. Now, his eyes were alert, no longer glazed as if he were hypnotized, or a puppet, and they glowed with genuine hate. Didn't matter, though. They couldn't chance it.

Suddenly Hector straightened. His ears practically twitched. "Do you hear that?"

Dallas straightened, too, concentrating on the noises around him. There, at the door, he could make out a soft scratching. Like metal gliding and twisting against metal.

Someone was trying to disable the ID lock.

"B and E in progress," he said. "Stay here and guard Nolan. Nolan, keep your mouth shut." He was on his feet before Hector could protest, silently trekking to the door. Along the way, he withdrew his pyre-gun. "Let's try to keep everyone alive today, boys and girls."

Should he let the perp destroy the lock completely and enter so that he could immobilize him-or her-here? Or should he jerk open the door and just start firing?

Here, he could keep the damage contained. But that placed Nolan in danger and would also give any stragglers time to run away.

"-possible break-in," Hector was whispering into his cell. The agent had moved to the cage, in front of Nolan, with his profile to the window and the door. He sheathed his phone, palmed his weapons. One of his guns, the semi, was aimed at the door and the other, the pyre, at the window. Just in case.

Backup was on its way.

Let 'em in, Dallas thought then. Hector could keep Nolan safe, and this way Dallas could protect any innocents lingering in the hallway.

He pressed against the wall and angled toward the door. A minute passed, then another. Had the perp failed? Given up? And who the hell wanted Bride? Her family? Had they found her? Were the McKell warriors here? Was this the beginning of his vision? Dallas fought a wave of dread.

Finally, the metal creaked open and a man Dallas didn't recognize pushed inside as if he owned the place, his own pyre-gun extended. Dallas blasted him, a blue beam seeping past his clothes. It didn't immobilize him, proving him to be human.

As another male pounded inside, then another, Dallas and the first male launched at each other.

"Shit," Hector cursed, drawing the newcomers' attention. He was immediately blasted with stun rays himself. None affected him, either. He squeezed off a round of bullets, nailing both men in the shoulders. They grunted, jerked, but didn't fall.

Dallas kicked his opponent in the stomach, propelling him into the wall. At the same time, he elbowed one of the bleeding men in the throat. Then he spun and head butted the other in the forehead. All three hit the ground in quick succession, their guns skidding out of reach.

"And that," he said, dusting his hands together, "is how it's done."

Except, the one he'd kicked gained his bearings, and grabbed Dallas by the ankles. With a tug, Dallas crashed to the concrete floor. Maybe his skull had cracked, maybe his brain was just rattling back and forth. Either way, a sharp pain tore through his head. He battled through it, said, "Don't shoot him," to Hector, and pulled himself to a crouch.

"Where's the vampire?" the guy snarled, kicking him in the stomach.

That these humans wanted Bride enough to break into her apartment could mean only one thing. They were the slavers Devyn hoped to kill. "She's not here," he said, forcing himself to his feet. "How 'bout you dance with me instead?"

Dallas swiped out his arm, a small dagger sliding from the cuff in his shirt. His fingers curled around the hilt a split second before his hand reached the human. Contact. The tip sliced just enough to send the guy into a panic.

There was a gasp, a gurgle as blood leaked from him at the same rate as his swift heartbeat, and the man dropped to his knees, clutching at the groove. "You'll be fine," Dallas told him. "Weak but fine. Now you're going to answer some questions."

"No, he won't."

The other two must have found a reservoir of strength, because they launched themselves at Dallas, roaring, pissed as hell, and determined to end him. Their fists hammered at his head, his stomach, and his groin. Their knees slammed into his lungs, jetting the air from his lips. Hurt like a son of a bitch, but again, he pushed through.

Dallas grabbed one by the arm, twisted, and snapped the bone in two. Amid howls of agony, he ducked, ramming his head into the stomach of the only one left standing, and running. Running until the human slammed into the wall, all the while those meaty fists slugging at him. Pictures fell from the wall and crashed onto the floor.

Dallas pulled back both arms and let them fly. Teeth scraped his knuckles. Then bone gave way.

Then cartilage snapped and blood gushed. The man slumped to the floor.

"Well done," Hector said, stowing his weapons and stalking over. When he reached the first guy, Cut Throat, he planted his boot directly on top of the wound and pressed. "What are you doing here, ass wipe? And don't even think about playing games with me, because there are three of you, and I only need one to get my answers."

Cut Throat struggled to breathe.

"No need for violence," Dallas said. He didn't want Hector slapped with a fine for unnecessarily hurting a human. An otherworlder wouldn't have mattered.

Dallas hated the double standard. Once, he hadn't minded it. Had thought it was for the best. Earth belonged to humans, after all. Since he'd acquired his own powers and realized the full sting of prejudice, though, his views had changed completely. Just because someone was different, that didn't mean they needed to be feared. Or put down.

"What are you going to do?" Hector asked.

Letting Hector see his powers, know beyond any doubt that he was different and no longer just speculate about it, didn't sit well. Hector was one of the few people who didn't complain about working with him. Would that change?

"You'll see." Now that he'd accepted his abilities, was letting them do what they wanted, when they wanted to do it, using them shouldn't be a problem.

As he peered down at the men, he reached inside himself to the box containing his powers, no longer locked and shoved into the shadows. He clasped onto the mind control, which was twinkling like a star. The moment he touched it, its energy exploded through him and he cried out. Almost fell to his knees. It was so strong, weighing down his shoulders, shooting through his body like a boomerang, vibrating in his bones.

"Dallas?" Hector said.

Dallas held up a hand to ward him off, and they stood like that, in silence, for several minutes. Finally, things settled, and he was able to refocus. Hector was watching him with concern, though the agent didn't voice that concern. He wouldn't, either. He wouldn't want the humans to think Dallas was about to crumble.

Dallas crouched in front of the guy he'd cut, the only one still conscious. "Tell me why you're here."

The moment he spoke, the guy's eyes glazed over and he started talking, unable to stop himself. "The vampire. We want to sell her. We already have a buyer. A man. He was looking for a female vampire with a tattoo on her wrist. We were to capture her, stun her if at all possible, and take her in uninjured. But she killed Tom, my brother, and we decided to rough her up a bit before delivering her to her new master."

So. They were slavers, just as he'd suspected. What he liked least about all he'd heard was that they had a buyer ready to go. "Tell me who wants her."

"I don't know his name."

"Who does?"

"My boss."

Dallas learned what he could about the boss and then said, "Sleep." Once again the guy couldn't help but obey.

He looked over at Hector, who was eyeing him with confusion and wariness, and opened his mouth to explain what had just happened, but pressed his lips together before a single word escaped. Hector would freak if Dallas forced him to do something. Accident or not.

He closed his eyes. Focused. Tried to push the power back into its box, but it refused. It was free, now swirling through him in a frenzy and tickling his vocal cords.

Not knowing what else to do, he whipped out his cell and typed Hector a text.

Can't speak. Power. No automatic off switch.

Hector's phone beeped, and the agent pulled it out with a frown. Read the text. Paused. Nodded stiffly.

Lost another friend, Dallas thought, turning back to the couch. He would have gone to Nolan's cage and commanded Nolan to tell him everything he wanted to know, but the otherworlder had immunity to that power, as well. It seemed to Dallas that he-or anyone-only had to use their abilities against Nolan once for Nolan to learn how to combat them. First the voice, then Devyn's energy thing.

"It's okay, man," Hector said, suddenly beside him and patting his shoulder. "Your secret is safe with me." He held out his hands, spreading his fingers. A white glow started at both sets of fingertips and spread up to his tattooed wrists. Brighter and brighter the glow became, until Dallas was squinting. Then the glow seemed to break apart, de-atomizing Hector's hands.

Dallas swung wide eyes to Hector.

Hector lowered his arms, and the glow faded. "I'm human. Stun doesn't affect me, never has, but even as a kid I could do this. I can reach into someone's body and pull out their organs, one by one. For a long time, I couldn't control it, and people died. I don't know why I'm like this, but maybe more humans than we know or want to admit have strange abilities they can't explain. I mean, it's not like they'd advertise them, you know. Not after the way everyone reacted to the otherworlders." He paused, giving Dallas time to absorb his confession. "I'm telling you because I don't want you to think I'll run and tattle. I know your secret, and now you know mine."

Never had Dallas been more stunned. Psychic that he was, even he couldn't have predicted what had just happened.

"Backup has arrived," he heard Mishka say a split second before she and Eden Black pushed their way inside the apartment. He and Hector jumped apart guiltily. Both agents had their guns raised and ready for action. But they stopped and peered at the sleeping humans.

"Wow," Mishka said, looking to Dallas. "You started without us."

Behind them, the bars of Nolan's cage rattled. Dallas didn't have to turn to know Nolan had rushed to the front to get a closer view of Mishka and to listen to what was being said.

"Slavers tried to take the vampire," Hector said. "Dallas was nailed in the throat and can't talk. Ask me your questions."

He didn't have the heart to tell Hector that Mishka and Eden already knew about him. At least a little. But grateful as he was, he nodded in thanks and crossed his arms over his chest as Hector explained what happened.

"Human slavers, huh?" Eden ran a hand through the length of her golden hair. Gold from head to toe, the woman was mouthwateringly gorgeous. "We have no jurisdiction over them."

Mishka bent down and slammed her fist into the closest guy's cheek. Because her arm was comprised of solid metal, his bone instantly shattered. She dusted her hands together, job well done. "I don't care if we have jurisdiction or not. We're not giving them to the local PD."

Everyone had taken up the Devyn, king of the Targons, way of fighting dirty, Dallas supposed.

"Oh, oh. I just had an idea. The way I hear it is the vampire is aiding AIR," Eden said. "The fact that they were trying to kidnap her means they were trying to shut down an AIR investigation. That gives us all the jurisdiction we need."

"I love the way your mind works and could kiss you for it. Actually, I will kiss you for it." Mishka pressed her lips to Eden's. It was brief, without tongue, but damn, it was sexy. Dallas moaned. It was the only way to stop himself from begging for more.

"Kyrin was right behind us," Mishka said. "We'll let him take out the trash."

"Devyn know about this?" Eden asked. "I heard about what he did to the last slaver that tried to get Bride." She shuddered, but she was grinning. "I've got to meet this woman. She'd kept the little slut from harassing me, and I owe her, well, a kiss."

Please let me be there for that, Dallas thought. "I haven't told him," Hector replied. "Haven't had a chance."

"Hey, speaking of Devyn." Mishka stepped on the chest of each human as she walked inside the apartment. "You hear the latest news about him?"

Dallas shook his head, dread suddenly rushing through him. Had the vampires found Devyn? Hurt him already? Damn it. Dallas had tried to examine the vision he'd had with an impartial eye, searching for all the clues before acting and making things worse or causing things to happen because of his own actions.

"Brace yourself," Eden said with a delighted laugh. "Devyn told Mia he wanted Bride released from AIR custody. For good. No one was to touch her again. No more tests, even. And in return he would bring in as many vampires as he could get his hands on."

Okay, that wasn't so bad, Dallas thought, relaxing. He didn't know how his friend was going to find the vampires, but whatever. They'd do what needed to be done.

Behind them, Nolan laughed. "I guess this means Bride isn't ready for me to soothe her broken heart. Yet. Anyone wanna bet how long before she is?"

CHAPTER 16.

Married?

No way in hell.

Bride had tried to question Devyn immediately after his silly announcement, but he'd glowered at her and snapped, "Not another word from you," before dragging her out of the cell. He'd left her in the hallway as he spoke to his pretty boss in hushed, urgent, angry tones, received a curt nod, and then had grabbed Bride up again and ushered her to his car.

Silence had reigned the entire moonlit drive to ... his home? Had to be. It was a sprawling estate on the outskirts of town, smelled of delicious pine, and boasted gold and marble fixtures, a crystal chandelier that glistened like a thousand raindrops, and a winding staircase that probably reached heaven.

The furniture gleamed as though freshly polished. The onyx floor sparkled as though newly waxed. The walls were the perfect shade of pink, almost as if they were flushed, excited to see Devyn again.

"Kyrin en Arr, an Arcadian king, sold this place to me so he could move into the city with his girlfriend," he said, finally breaking the silence. They were in the living room, alone, surrounded by the very wealth she'd dreamed of as a child. As he spoke, his cell phone rang; he ignored it. "Do you like it?"

He wanted to engage in small talk? Now? "Yes. But it's girly, not the kind of place I would have pictured you living."

He stopped at the bar and poured himself a Scotch. He downed it like liquid candy. "What can I say? It's the best."

And he only owned the best? Not surprising, superior as he was. She plopped on the edge of a velvet chair, the material soft against her pants. What would it feel like against her skin? Don't go there. "Okay, I can't stand it anymore. You were joking, right? We can't possibly be married. We didn't say vows or anything."

He didn't face her, but poured himself another drink. His phone rang again, and once again he ignored it. "Afraid we are, sweetheart," he said bitterly. "Good news is, you married a very wealthy man. Isn't that what you always wanted?"

"Yeah, but I also wanted to, I don't know, like my husband." Her stomach knotted. "You can't be right about this. You just can't be."

He kept his back to her.

He was lucky she didn't stalk over there and club him in the head. "How do you know about vampire mating customs, anyway? Have you married one before?"

There was a boom as he slammed his glass into the counter. "First thing the king asked me when I returned two of his cousins to their underground home was whether I'd given them my blood. I said yes. Second thing he asked me was whether or not I had drunk from them. When I informed him that I hadn't, he slapped me on the back and told me it was a good thing, else I would have been living the rest of my life down there with my wife."

Or wives, since he'd had two. Or would he only have been mated to the first woman he drank from? God, this was confusing. "Well, I wasn't raised there, so I'm not going to live according to their customs. Same with you. You're from another planet, for God's sake. You don't have to abide by vampire customs. Right?"

"Actually, I do." Yet another call came in, its shrill ring making her jump. "We do. If you want to stay alive, that is."

"First, aren't you going to answer that?"

Without looking at her, he jerked out the phone and pressed it to his ear. "What?" She could hear Macy's frantic voice on the other end.

"She's fine. She'll call you in a few hours." Click. He pressed a button and slid the device across the counter, away from him.