Arizona Lightning: Vyro Creek, #1

By Natasza Waters

If you love paranormals, westerns, and steamy romance, then saddle-up and take a ride into Saguaro Gulch.

 

Three women fed up with the hustle of Los Angeles take a leap of faith and land in a world of immortals.

 

Ariana, Lynn, and Tess can't turn down the steal of a deal on a dilapidated ranch in Saguaro Gulch, Arizona. The moving boxes are barely unpacked when visitors drop by. Three immigrant brothers from Ireland own the neighboring ranch named Vyro Creek. While Tess and Lynn are infatuated by the bachelors, Ari isn't as overwhelmed by the rugged cowboys with cut jaws and piercing blue eyes. There's something distinctly unsettling about the oldest brother, Quinn Connelly.

 

After nightfall, a ruckus in the decrepit barn sends Ariana to investigate. When the threat is gone, so are her memories of the predator.

The desert is a rough and parched landscape. But Ari and her friends learn it's not just the wildlife that's hot and thirsty.

 

Warning: The Vyro Creek world will submerge readers in an adventure throughout four books. Arizona Lightning acts as a prequel and ends in a soft cliffhanger. If you're not fond of those, you'll have to ride on by this exciting paranormal romance.

 

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Natasza Waters
• Release date: Jul 16, 2020
• ISBN: 9780995259881

Natasza Waters

Natasza Waters debuted her first romance novel in 2011 for readers who enjoy a cup of romance with a twist of steam. After majoring in English, Natasza's life altered course. After thirty-four years of service in the Coast Guard, a few crow's feet, and deeper laugh lines, she now spends her days crafting stories. Readers can look forward to romance, action, and suspense in her award-winning novels.

Book preview

Chapter One

––––––––

You think we can burn these moving boxes? Tess asked, plopping an armful of cardboard in the back of Ari’s one-ton, then swiped the droplets of sweat from her brow.

Lynn, her sandy blonde hair pulled into a high ponytail, trotted down the weathered and somewhat bowed front steps of the ranch house with another armful of collapsed boxes.

Who’s gonna complain? Ariana asked, looking around the open desert surrounding them on all sides.

Their deed to the newly purchased ranch in Arizona had three names on it. Ariana Holland, Tess Hawkins and Lynn Trapner. Three women who had obviously lost their minds when they bought five thousand acres of semi-arid land in addition to the five-thousand-acre grazing lease, a couple thousand cattle, six horses, and a ranch house. The mangy cat with knotted black fur and a white patch under his chin came with the house. And none of them were letting the furball with attitude inside until they gave it a good flea bath. They did name him, though. Festus seemed fitting.

Ari looked at the broken boards on the front corral and added, Lots of backbreaking work to get this place in order.

Lynn slid the cardboard into the bed of Ari’s pickup, then hopped onto the tailgate and put her weight on the pile to flatten the load. Satisfied her job as human compactor was complete, she sat on the edge of the truck and swung her legs over the side above the wheel well.

Burning that stuff isn’t good for the environment, Lynn said, staring at the horizon. Maybe they have a recycling place in town.

Ari leaned against the one-ton. Town is less than a quarter of a football field in length and consists of one main road, called Main Road, and two adjacent streets. I sure didn’t see a recycling center when we passed through. Think they do things a little differently here.

This is the country, girls, Tess piped up, bundling her blonde curls on the top of her head and blowing at her bangs. Why don’t we store the rest of the moving boxes in the barn until we know what is legal and what isn’t. There are a few free stalls, right Ari?

Yup. Along with the cattle, horses, and ranch house, they’d bought a lot of broken-down farm machinery and a barn that needed a facelift. The two-story home was old, but it had sturdy bones and had been remodeled over the years. Unfortunately, the barn needed thousands of dollars and some energetic TLC.

Still think this insane idea is sane? Lynn asked, surveying the tufts of grass growing in the shade of a barrel cactus to the left of the worn front steps.

Lynn had always been the goodwill ambassador and peacekeeper in their three-way friendship. Ari was the newcomer, joining their circle five years ago. Lynn and Tess had been friends since childhood.

Enjoying the early evening wind, the broad strokes of air graced Ari’s cheeks with a balmy caress. She loved Arizona for many reasons, but she loved the warmth the most. Lunacy with a sliver’s chance of success, she offered.

Tess rolled her eyes. Must you always look at the dingy side of things?

Ari rocked her head toward Lynn for back-up. I do not. I’m just practical.

Practical and pessimistic, Tess added.

Girls, it’s been a long three days, but we’re moved in and halfway organized. I think we deserve a barbequed steak and some cold beers. Lynn’s suggestion meant to ease the tension building between Ari and Tess.

Ari had met Lynn through a women’s shelter when she’d written a series of articles on domestic struggles in the twenty-first century. During her research, she’d interviewed the docile lady she came to know as Lynn, with a story of her own, who worked at the bare bones home of refuge. Before she knew it, Ari was helping out in her spare time. By process of adoption, Tess came with the deal, being Lynn’s best friend.

Is that a vehicle coming down our drive? Lynn squinted as dusk fell across the ten acres of scrub and cacti that fronted their acreage.

Tess turned with a perky twirl, then nodded. I think so. Visitors. I love it.

Plenty of people only saw Tess’s bubbly side. Ari knew the woman had a core of steel and a bite like a rattlesnake. If you burned Tess, or anyone she considered a friend, she’d go Rottweiler on you in a second.

They waited and watched as the red truck drove up their driveway. What a laugh. More like a quarter mile pothole-ridden spur from the main road. Ari sure wasn’t going to pave that thing unless they won the lottery.

Their gazes followed the puff of dust the tires kicked into the air as the truck roared past the never-ending white fence line. The broken boards were at the top of things to fix on Ari’s list. Cracked and sandblasted by Mother Nature, the raw wood needed a new coat of paint.

The entire place needed a facelift. Slowly, she’d do it all. She wanted a decent grazing pasture. A field irrigation system came with the ranch, but needed fixing too. The pipes were worn and more than a couple segments lay on the ground. The property came with water rights to a small lake they shared with a neighboring ranch.

The new Dodge one-ton stopped with a dusty halt thirty feet from Ari’s ten-year-old truck she’d traded for her Mustang when they finalized the sale on the property.

Tess’s eyes doubled in size, seeing what they all saw inside the cab. Three men stepped out. Three very handsome guys decked out in Wranglers, cowboy hats and blistering auras of are they for real, or am I dehydrated and seeing things?

All three men tilted their cowboy hats. Evening, one of them greeted. We wanted to drop by and welcome you to the county. I’m Donnor Connelly and this,—he pointed to a man as musclebound and whip-ass gorgeous on his right—is my brother, Connell.

Ariana wasn’t overly friendly. Maybe Tess was right, but a little pessimism went a long way in being careful. Her eyes fell on the third man, who remained near the pickup.

Over my shoulder is our oldest brother, Quinn. We own the Vyro Creek Ranch.

Lynn jumped off the pickup bed to the ground and offered her hand. Lynn Trapner, one-third owner of this ranch. She smiled brightly at Connell, and he responded with a slow, appraising look when he shook her hand.

Connell reminded Ari of a big-ass military guy rather than a cowboy. His hair was cut short and his biceps and pecs proved he could toss hay bales or pick up a small car with one arm.

Tess rocked her shoulders. Tess Hawkins, she greeted, and drew on her pearly grin. Partner in crime with my dearest friends.

Ariana watched Tess turn up the voltage on her flirty stance when Donnor’s mouth lifted with a smile.

Calling Tess a hopeless temptress wasn’t a stretch. In the city, jumping from partner to partner didn’t matter, but Ariana knew country people. If Tess started bedding the locals, word would get around, and it wouldn’t be in a positive light. Especially with handsome men like these, who had to have county beauties as their wives.

Instead of lingering on Tess, three sets of eyes switched to Ariana, which probably ticked Tess off. Ari lifted her hand. Hey.

The mute is Ariana Holland, Tess explained, giving her a bit of a glare to be nice.

While Donnor and Connell gave a hey back, Quinn remained leaning against the truck. The way he gazed at her from beneath the brim of his leather hat unnerved her. The more agitated she got, the more the crease of a smile curled the edge of his full lips, enough to make his strong, stubbled jaw taut.

Connell removed his hat and swatted his thigh. The brothers looked similar—tanned skin, sharp, attractive male jawlines with high cheekbones. Connell and Donnor’s eyes were a crystalline blue. She had to assume the oldest brother had the same.

If there’s anything you ladies need, we’re a mile down the road. Your neighbors on the west side of this ranch, Connell offered.

Well, maybe you can tell us what we can do with this cardboard. Is there a recycling center in town? Lynn asked. We’ve got at least three truckloads of boxes to get rid of.

Burn ‘em, Donnor said.

Told ya, Ari drawled.

But—

This is the country, Lynn. Tess glued her toothy, white smile on her face. Right, gentlemen?

Donnor and Connell shared a look. Donnor chuckled. Yes, ma’am, it is.

We were just going to put on some steaks and pull the cold beer from the fridge. Interested? Lynn asked. Course, we’re going to pick your brains, if you don’t mind.

Ari waited for Connell to gently let Lynn down by saying, The wives are expecting us home for dinner, but if you need a hand, just ask.

Not at all, Connell said. In fact, I’m damn hungry, and Quinn knows how to cook one helluva mean steak, if you don’t mind handing over the apron.

Donnor had a slightly slimmer physique than his brothers, but none the less appealing. Strong shoulders rolled into torqued arms of steel. His tanned face and arms gave away how much time he spent under the Arizona sun.

Ari’d bet Tess was licking her lips right about now, and it wasn’t for the porterhouse sitting in the fridge.

They didn’t know these men, and she wasn’t as open and accepting of three strangers showing up out of the blue. They seemed amiable enough, but...whatever. Never hurts to know your neighbors, even if they lived far enough away that they wouldn’t see them again for months.

Two of the Connelly brothers led the way across the compact gravel, passing under the elm tree toward the house. Donnor and Connell’s boots landed with a heavy thump on the old wood steps leading to the wraparound deck. Both men stopped at the front door.

Well, go on in, Lynn prodded.

Connell tipped his hat and glanced at his brother. Still get a kick outta doing that.

Donnor grinned. Get the hell inside.

Ari found the exchange of words between the brothers a little odd. Standing beside the porch column, she gripped the wood post with the white paint peeled off in large patches. When she turned, Quinn remained by the truck.

Finally, he uncrossed one leg from the other, pushed away from the blood-red Dodge RAM 3500 and walked toward her. Lynn and Tess had disappeared inside with the other brothers.

As Quinn took the first riser, he tilted his chin up, and her heart did a three-sixty in her chest and landed on its ass when his Alaska ice-colored eyes seized her attention and tripled her pulse. Reaching the top step, he stopped, but looked forward instead of at her.

Sure we’re not interrupting?

His deep, sultry voice left a calming echo in her mind. No. Not at all.

Aren’t you coming? he asked, his head bowed and slightly tilted.

Have to feed the animals. I’ll eat later.

She needed to muck out six stalls, add fresh hay for a snack, and give Buttons a brush down. She could sweep out the barn too, if it meant wasting time and not going back to the house until the brothers were gone.

Quinn faced her instead of reaching for the screen door. I can give you a hand.

That’s very neighborly, but no thanks.

Should you be working alone in the barn if you don’t know what you’re doing?

Her spine straightened. Why? Did he think they were three stupid city women, pretending to run a ranch? I’m quite capable of shoveling shit.

He cleared his throat. Sorry, didn’t mean to insult you, but money doesn’t buy experience.

Thanks for your concern. She swiftly walked toward the barn, crunching his lack of faith in her abilities like the crushed terra cotta gravel under her boot heels.

Ari didn’t look back until she reached the entrance. The barn doors sat open, latched to the old weathered boards. The red paint, bleached by harsh sunlight, needed a few brush strokes to bring it back to life. She turned and her heart, which had found a normal rhythm again, reared and took off at a gallop. Quinn had watched her the whole time.

She heard the distant call from the girls saying, Come in.

Only then did he turn and enter the house.

Two hours later, sweat covered Ari’s forehead. With a satisfied sigh, she tossed in a few flakes of sweet-smelling hay into Buttons’ stall for her to nibble on later as a midnight snack. She straightened when the air filled with friction. The hair on her neck rose for no reason. After closing the stall door, she hooked the pitchfork handle on the wall-nail where she kept it. Rubbing her palms on her jeans, she turned toward the entry.

The sun, nearly swallowed by the horizon, threw its strongest rays bidding farewell, which cast the man standing at the opening into shadow.

Sorry to disturb you, Ariana.

Just finishing up, she said.

We’re heading out. Wanted to extend my apologies for our earlier conversation.

Wanted to make sure I wasn’t trampled under a horse’s hoof, you mean?

Quinn’s hand slid down the planked outer boards of the closest stall. He removed his hat and placed it over his male attributes. Tall with immense shoulders, she would well remember his regal stance.

She’d admired many men in her life. Whether it was due to their intelligence, or how they reacted in the face of adversity. Some were humble in their achievements. Others, firm in their values. One or two appealed to her because of their masculinity and handsomeness. Yet, none of them held all those qualities plus an unimaginable raw ruggedness. Her instincts told her Quinn was the man who did. Although she barely knew this stranger standing in front of her, just his gaze made her uneasy.

Quinn’s expression became reflective, and he slowly strode toward her. Not at all.

Do I hear an Irish accent?

Thought I’d lost the accent years ago.

She got the distinct feeling he was hanging around just to watch her squirm. Men built like him knew the effect they had on women. When did you immigrate?

It’s been a while.

She nodded. Well, thank you for dropping by. I’m sure my friends drained you of everything you know.

He chuckled. Lynn and Tess might have mentioned they’re not really ranchers and may need a hand. If you do, please call one of us. Although the county spans hundreds of miles, we’re a tight community.

Ari plucked the brush hung between two pegs on the tack board. Appreciate the offer. Good night.

She left him standing near the entrance while she slid back into Buttons’ stall and began to brush her down. The horse’s flanks shivered, enjoying the long sweeping tracks Ari pulled through her coat.

She’s a beautiful horse.

Ari jumped, not expecting him to venture closer, relieved for some reason that the stall door stood between them when she looked across her shoulder. Locked in his gaze, she knew her lips parted for a little more air. She came with the ranch. As did most of what you see. Did you know the previous owners?

I did. They weren’t very good at ranching. They couldn’t make it work and moved back to Mesa.

That’s too bad. They seemed in a hurry to sell this place and took our bargain-basement offer. Made me wonder if there was something wrong. She shrugged. More than what’s obvious, I mean.

Not that I’m aware of. Sounds like you got the ranch for a steal. Bad for them. Good for you.

Ari wondered why he lingered. I suppose.

Your friends told me you’re a journalist.

She put her attention back to her brushing. Used to be a journalist. Now I freelance. Article writing mostly.

You look like you’re comfortable around horses.

She changed tools and began to gently tug her way through Buttons’ mane. It had been a long time since someone had cared properly for the horse. That’s because I am.

Quinn, you in here? Connell called out. The other two Connelly brothers walked into the barn. We’re heading out.

Over the stall’s half-wall, Connell eyed her. Quinn’s head swiftly turned toward him, as if he didn’t appreciate his presence.

Nice to meet you, Ari. Connell said and abruptly departed.

Quinn settled the leather hat back on his head, his blond hair framing high cheekbones and hiding his eyes in shadow. With an angular jaw, he was the epitome of masculine.

Goodnight, Ariana.

Night. Thanks for dropping by.

As soon as the men had left, she exited the stall and locked it down tight. Appaloosas were smart horses. If any horse was going to do a Houdini and make a run for it, an Appy would always lead the pack.

She gave Buttons a rub on her nose.

Goodnight, girls and boys, she said to the rest of her horses.

Ari picked up the pail she’d placed outside the stall earlier. Strolling to the area where she kept the rest of the feed buckets in the alcove near the entrance, she settled it on the cracked cement floor.

She turned all the lights off but one and headed toward the house. Inhaling deeply, she smiled. The evening air balmy. Spring was her favorite time of year. The cluster of stars above and the history of the old home they now owned gave her several reasons to feel excited about life again.

A pack of coyotes yipped while on the hunt, and their calls struck her as a familiar sound. Many years had passed since Ari had grown up on a farm. Three days at the ranch and she already felt like this was where she belonged, even though it was in the middle of nowhere. She hoped Tess and Lynn felt the same.

They had agreed to give ranching a year. If it didn’t work for them, or if they drove each other crazy, then they’d sell. Either to each other, or all at once. Ari had country music and cow manure in her blood, and she already knew she’d stay, no matter what the future held.

As she mounted the steps to the front porch, her eyes turned toward the dark horizon, the lights of the Connelly truck visible as it headed west on the dirt road in front of her property.

She chuckled, remembering a joke about a farmer’s dog running away. Don’t matter, the old farmer said. It’s been three days, and I can still see him.

The desert lay flat as a pancake and she could see for miles.

Out of nowhere, the haunting timbre of a new but familiar voice filled her mind, and the hairs on her arms rose straight up.

Sleep well, Ariana.

She whipped around. No one stood there, but she’d sworn she’d heard his voice.

Quinn’s voice.

Her skin prickled with unease. She turned around one more time to make sure.

What the hell are you doing? Tess asked, looking at her through the screen door, the warm glow of lights from the living room a comforting sight.

She shook her head and reached for the handle. Chasing my tail, what does it look like? she threw back.

Tess rolled her eyes and stepped away to let her inside.

Lynn’s voice called out. Kept a plate warm for you, Ari. Come and get it.

Yes, Mom, she drawled.

Tess and Lynn joined her at the old kitchen table.

Looks like you fed the men well. Ari sat where Lynn had placed a plate that boasted a small steak, salad and garlic bread.

Tess gripped her favorite rose-patterned teacup. Those men are unreal. She smiled from ear to ear. And they’re our neighbors.

Neighbors, not to be taken advantage of, Ari warned.

Tess leaned forward. Men love helping women. It’s not like we’re going to call them every thirty minutes.

I’m not going to call them at all. Ari chewed her steak slowly, enjoying the tender meat. After swallowing, she pointed out, Country men and city men are different creatures, Tess. City men can get lost in the crowd once you’ve poured gasoline over their hearts and light them on fire. Country men don’t move from the country and word gets around.

Donnor looks my age, Tess said, dreamily pulling on a curl of her blonde hair, totally ignoring Ari’s warning.

Ariana forked the remains of the salad onto her plate. Your real age, or the lie you convinced the guy at the DMV to put on your driver’s license after you took him to bed?

Tess’s eyes narrowed. What does it matter? They are three very handsome, strapping men who’ve offered to lend us a hand. She crossed her arms on the table. You’d know that if you wouldn’t have run off like a skittish cat. Besides, it was rude to do that.

"Not rude, and young men don’t interest me," Ariana stated. Brothers who couldn’t be more than thirty-five, tops. Quinn looked the oldest, with Donnor and Connell not far behind.

Lynn sat listening with her arms crossed over her chest, her pretty grey-blue eyes bouncing between them. A cheerleader in high school, she’d fallen in love with the quarterback. An undergraduate fairy tale full of promise. Lynn held a degree as a veterinary technologist from Cal Poly. Her quarterback boyfriend wanted to be a doctor to keep the practice of medicine in the family.

Everything had gone sideways when she married him. A man who thought it was permissible to blacken her eye if he didn’t like what she’d served for dinner. A dirty secret handed down from the previous generation in his upscale family. Lynn remained in the abusive relationship for ten years before she’d finally found enough nerve to land a two-by-four over his ass and leave.

Ariana was truly impressed. The spark in her friend had never died. Once Lynn demanded her freedom, she didn’t dwell on the past, picking up the pieces as she went, until she was whole again.

Tess’s story had been a little different, being a groupie in her early twenties. She loved music. Dancing on the stages of New York glimmered in her dreams. Her only weak spot was falling in love with any guy who played an instrument, sang, or wore his shirt open to his belly button. Riding in a bus from city to city checked the box beside seeing the world. Overdosing on wild after-parties, Tess lived the life until she thought she’d found her forever guy with Gary Hawkins, lead guitarist for an up-and-coming band out of L.A.

They got married passing through Vegas. Tess had put up with the life for far longer than she wanted. Gary kept promising a picket fence when he hit it big, but he couldn’t afford to buy a home with the cocaine he kept shoving up his nose.

The straw that broke Tess’s back wasn’t the rolled, hundred dollar bill piping narcotics into her husband’s system. It had been when she walked in on an orgy. Her husband, the sole male in a five-woman free-for-all fuck-fest after a concert in Oregon.

Fed up, she took the first bus out of Portland and moved back in with her folks. Went to college. Got her teaching degree and became a music teacher. From the moment she’d stepped on that bus homeward bound, Tess became a free agent, and never let a man draw her into lies about white picket fences ever again.

When one-night stands and teaching weren’t enough, Tess had bought a small boutique in Orange County. Named it Bath n Baubles, which made her a nice little nest egg and enough to pitch in and buy one third of the ranch.

There was no doubt they were sisters with experience in unfaithful or rat-bastard husbands.

Ari pushed the garlic bread aside on her plate. She wanted it, but her ass wasn’t exactly what it had been at nineteen.

I like them, Lynn finally spoke up. Think it’s nice they dropped by.

Ari stared at her friend and then shrugged. You like everybody.

Lynn tsked. Not true.

Yes, it’s true. Name one person you don’t like, Ari taunted.

Lynn’s foot tapped the floor. Hope my ex’s penis gets gangrene and falls off.

Ariana spit the water back into her glass before she choked on it and gave her friend a high-five.

Why don’t we head into town later this week? Check it out, Tess suggested. Think we could use a break from opening boxes. If I hear the crackle of packing paper one more time, I’ll scream.

Couldn’t hurt. Ari collected her plate and washed it in the sink. Although they were going to keep the kitchen as is, she wouldn’t mind adding a dishwasher. There was roughing it—and then there was roughing it. She put her plate and cutlery in the rack to drip dry. We need to find a couple handymen to help us out around here. Paid handymen, she emphasized. If we’re in a pinch, we can always go get one of the Connelly brothers, but I don’t think we should take advantage—

The horses neighing and a massive ruckus from the barn made her blood go cold.

What the heck? Tess squeaked as she bolted to her feet. I’ll call Donnor.

No! Ari shouted.

Lynn’s eyes rounded, and she ran to the kitchen window, cupping her hand on the glass to see better.

Ari aimed for the front door and rushed onto the porch. The barn door was closed. No sign of any disturbance. The horses were screeching and kicking their stalls. Why the hell hadn’t she thought of buying a gun?

She raced back inside and cracked open a moving box she’d left by the stairs. Where the hell was it? She tossed out crumpled paper balls and then gripped the baseball bat.

Tess and Lynn ran into the living room.

What are you going to do with that? Lynn asked.

Ari gripped the handle, her nerves in high gear. It’s probably just a coyote.

It won’t be interested in running the bases, Tess said, fear shoving her voice up three octaves.

Stay here.

I’ll go with you, Lynn offered, following her to the door.

Ariana yanked on her cowboy boots and opened the screen door. Stay...here.

With a quick look around, Ari ran toward the barn, slowing as she approached the entrance. The horses continued to make a huge fuss, agitated as hell. Something had to be in there with them, and they didn’t like it.

With her heart in her throat, she wrapped her fingers around the latch and pried the old door open.

Stepping inside, Ari stopped and listened. Banter was a thoroughbred whose stall sat at the other end of the barn. She wasn’t making any noise and Ari couldn’t see her head. The light she’d left on earlier had extinguished. There must have been a short or the bulb burned out. She let the moonlight lead her way through a glassless window high up in the rafters.

Raising the bat into swinging position, she walked with silent steps in the dimly lit barn, looking everywhere as she made her way past the stalls. Buttons’ eyes were wide and terrified, and she banged the stall door, wanting out. Each of Ari’s breaths seemed too loud. Her pulse drummed in her ears.

She reached the end of the barn and crossed to Banter’s stall and stretched her neck to look.

Sucking sounds?

Ari squinted. Banter lay on her side and a black lump hovered over her neck. A scream vaulted from her throat, causing the black lump to whip around.

A man.

The whites of his eyes glared at her, but...but...

Fear streaked through her veins. Luminescent green irises turned her blood to ice. Her mouth opened, not able to get enough air. She backed up until her butt struck the opposite stall, the beat of her heart at a frightening staccato.

The man leaped to the top of the stall door and perched there in an inhuman crouch. As he tilted his head to one side, his long black hair brushed his shoulders.

Fangs. Fuck. Two long, white fangs hung over his bottom lip.

Chapter Two

A harsh, unexpected gust of wind swept past Ari, blowing grit into her face. Her eyes teared and she blinked to clear them.

The man howled, knocked from his perch on the stall and went rolling across the cement floor. Someone or something had attacked the intruder. A narrow stream of moonlight cascaded through the broken window high above her head, revealing two figures in battle.

Grunts.

Hissing.

Ari clutched the baseball bat with both hands, ready to swing.

Snarls like a wicked dog fight scared the hell out of her, and she stumbled away from the brawl and toward the back of the barn.

A shriek of pain pierced the air, then a brilliant bluish light sparked around the broad-shouldered male figure hunched on the floor, followed by a spray of dust. One man was left. Her heart hammered triple time as the shadowy figure rose to its full height. At least six-feet-four. Definitely a male.

Slowly, he turned and extended his hand as he walked toward her, his gait confident and unhindered by the fight. Relax, Ariana. You’re safe.

The horses settled down, but fear drummed in her ears. He stepped into the single streak of moonlight.

Quinn? What the hell? Stay where you are. She gripped the handle of the bat, ready to knock his head off.

I’m not going to hurt you.

Where was the other man? Where...where did he go?

Quinn didn’t heed her warning and stopped only inches from her. His eyes shone with a luminescence. A trick of the moonlight. He gripped the top of the baseball bat and lowered her weapon. Hard to do with the rigor mortis the fright caused in her arm, and she winced. When his hand came to rest on her shoulder, her trembling ceased.

Caught in his magnetic gaze, the draw to remain still, polarized her. All she could do was stare.

It was a drifter. You’re safe, he said.

Her lips moved, but nothing came out. Shifting her gaze to the concrete floor where the man should have been, she shut her eyes and then opened them again. Drifter?

Quinn nodded. They come around sometimes.

Where is he?

Quinn bit his top lip and the dimple in his chin deepened. He’s gone.

Where? I didn’t... Her stomach picked a fine time to revolt, and she clutched her belly. The reflex warned her dinner was about to reappear. Shit, no! She shook her head, but retched anyway.

His hand squeezed her shoulder. When she turned, pretty sure she wouldn’t hurl on her neighbor’s boots, he cupped her cheek and gently raised her chin.

Look at me, Ari, he ordered gently.

Banter! She ripped herself from his hold and ran to the stall, opening the door enough to slip inside. Banter?

Her knees sank into the sawdust beside the mare. Slowly, she stroked her hand along the horse’s silky neck until she felt moisture. Lifting her shaking fingers to her face, fresh blood stained her hand. Oh, no.

Quinn crouched on the other side of the horse. She stroked Banter’s neck gently, and the horse nickered.

You’re going to be okay, she whispered as tears welled. I think you’re going to be okay.

Quinn’s hand came to rest on the animal’s sleek neck, and Ari looked into his face. Her terror had receded, but just about anything could make her nerves jump at this point.

Ari. Connell is a veterinarian. Call him.

She nodded her head quickly and raised her hand to swipe away the tears, but Quinn beat her to it.

With a soft brush, he removed the drops. Please, look at me. I can calm your fears.

How do you plan to do that when my heart is going a hundred miles an hour?

When she looked into his eyes, she felt a tug in her chest. She recognized the purely female response to his masculine features. He was probably thinking, poor old girl had a fright.

You’re not old, Ari.

What? she spouted. Had she said that out loud?

Quinn tilted his head and a genuine smile lifted his lips. As stern as his features made him appear, the smile softened his rough edges.

You’re a brave woman coming into this barn alone.

She ignored his comment. Where’s your truck? How did you get here?

Rolling her hips, she plopped her bottom in a pile of hay and curled her legs beside her. What she really wanted was to curl up in the corner of Banter’s stall and forget what she’d just seen.

I came because... His brow wrinkled. I knew you were in trouble.

What the hell are you talking about?

Quinn’s head rose. His eyes shifted, listening to something. I don’t have a lot of time. I’m sorry, Ari, but I don’t have a choice.

****

Quinn gazed into Ariana’s soulful, frightened eyes. With very little effort, his mind reached into hers, setting reassurances into her thoughts.

A disturbance. A mountain lion entered the barn, he said, envisioning what he wanted her to remember. Better a wild animal than the thought of a crazed lunatic who got away and could be lurking close by. You chased it away.

She stared at him. Blinked. Then blinked again.

With his acute hearing, the sound of two pairs of feet on gravel coming their way probably belonged to Tess and Lynn. Ari’s beautiful brown eyes gazed at him, lulled by his trickery. The thought of resisting only lasted a second, then he gave in to the craving and brushed her cheek with his thumb.

Soft. Warm.

Hesitantly, he retracted his hand. Only pulverized dust remained of the rogue. The danger to the women gone, he needed to leave.

For a week, he’d been agitated. Short tempered, sharp with the ranch hands and his brothers, but had no good reasons. The closer he and his brothers had gotten to the ranch this evening, the unrest grew. When they’d arrived and he saw her, Ari’s essence hit him like a building toppling over. The unease had come from her, and now that he was close, it became one with him.

Quinn didn’t understand how he could feel this woman’s emotions, but he had no time to ponder.

Call Connell. Ask him to look at Banter. He leaned closer and her heart fluttered as if she subconsciously knew he was only a few inches from her pretty lips. To hear her heart was normal, but to feel the beat as if it were his own, was odd.

Shocked, his gaze fell to her enticing mouth. Women were a source of nourishment and pleasure to his kind. He certainly didn’t have a beating heart.

Ari? Tess’s voice quivered as she called out from the other end of the barn.

He stood, then flew through the broken upper window, into the darkness. They’d only see a blur or nothing at all.

His feet touched down on hard-packed earth, and the front door of the Vyro Creek ranch house opened. Connell and Donnor stepped out onto the aggregate landing.

Who was it? Donnor demanded.

Quinn’s boots crunched on the hard-packed ground until he stopped at the base of the steps. A rogue. Another one.

Are the women safe? Donnor asked, staring down at him from the top stair.

He nodded. They are. He went after one of their horses.

Where the fuck are these things coming from? Connell asked, looking out into the night.

Darkness for him, Donnor and Connell was more like an overcast day with their vision. Don’t know, but we need to find out, he said harshly.

That’s the third one this week. We’re just damn lucky they didn’t go after one of the women, Connell said, his voice tinged with anger.

Did they see anything? Donnor asked.

Quinn nodded. Ariana. She saw me dispatch the creature.

Donnor’s brows rose. And?

He met his brother’s gaze. I did what I had to do.

Connell stepped down the arced stairs. Why’re you wearing that pinched expression? And what was that bullshit earlier, when I thought Ari was a good-looking woman. If I didn’t know you, I’d think you wanted to stake me.

He had no answer, so he didn’t.

The phone rang inside the house and Connell disappeared in a blink of a human’s eye. Quinn and Donnor heard both sides of the conversation as Lynn asked if he could check on Banter in the morning. His brother offered to come right away. Lynn hesitated, then explained she had experience as a vet tech and could probably hold the fort until morning. He asked about the horse’s condition and it sounded like the mare might live.

Ari had interrupted the rogue, and Quinn killed it before it had time to suck the horse dry. Connell asked what happened and Lynn explained it had been a mountain lion.

Quinn expelled a deep breath of relief. Far better that the women thought it was a four-legged predator.

What’s bothering you, brother? Donnor asked.

Nothing, he lied.

"So, it was ‘nothing’ that vaulted you to your feet and had you flying out of here at warp speed during the attack? I know you didn’t hear it, but you felt something. Enough for you to head in the right direction and to the right person."

Quinn jerked his head to the affirmative.

Ariana?

He chewed on his inner cheek, then tossed a stern glance at Donnor not to ask more questions. He couldn’t answer if he wanted to.

Some Vrykolakas, or what humans called vampires, although an incorrect term they, themselves, often used nowadays, possessed special abilities, but most could read the thoughts of humans. This was different. Ariana’s fear came like a Mayday call, crashing into his thoughts with screeching clarity. His heart raced because her heart raced. Yet, his heart didn’t beat. The cold hand of her fear had clutched his spine. He rarely felt fear, but nearly tasted hers. It had chilled him to the core because she was in danger, and his core had no heat to begin with.

The sound of dangling keys attracted his attention. Where are you going? he asked Connell, who sauntered toward his truck.

Going to head over there anyway. Want to take a look around.

Quinn considered going with his brother, but he’d have to see Ari again. Problem was, in his mind, he saw her now. She was bending over Banter, holding a light, while Lynn inspected the wounds on the horse’s neck. Worse, with little effort, he could see through Ari’s eyes and it unsettled him. This wasn’t normal, even for his species.

He’d never had a connection like this, especially since he hadn’t fed from her. Nor did he intend to.

You’re not coming? Connell asked, rounding the front of the Dodge pickup.

No.

Quinn headed inside, kicking his boots off at the door and taking the stairs to his room. He’d stay in the family ranch house tonight instead of his own accommodations, a two-story adobe situated behind the pecan grove and a fifteen minute walk. He rarely spent time there. He and his brothers used this house as the ranch headquarters. The workmen who lived in the bunkhouse a few hundred yards behind them gathered each morning to get their orders, along with the hired hands who lived in town.

Quinn and his brothers ran the second largest ranch in Arizona. A million acres of land bordering Mexico. It