Chapter One:
Taya crouched low in the body of a large black wolf with a silver muzzle. She sniffed the air, tracking any passing prey. The sun had just set completely, Taya had just risen, and she needed to feed. The wolf's jet black eyes glittered like obsidian in the full moon's light. A rustle in the brush to Taya's left caused her to go deathly still in the body of the wolf. Her ears flicked forward, then backward, assessing her target's exact location. A stag was pawing at the earth and snorting. Taya poised herself, ready to leap and make her kill. She recoiled onto her rear haunches and sprang. Her strong jaws clamped down around the stag's throat and she growled in triumph when its powerful neck snapped. A split second before the stag began to bleed out, Taya shifted into her human form. Fangs, sharp and venomous, replaced her canines and she sank them deep into the stag's throat. She drained the large animal in minutes and dropped the carcass carelessly to the earth and shifted back into wolf form. She put her nose to the night sky, sniffing out the nearest river or watering hole. She smelled a small lake in a clearing about three and a half miles due east of her current position.
Taya let out a half-bark of excitement and delight, then took off running with preternatural speed. She was staring at the lake in what seemed to her like seconds. She sat at the edge of the clearing and scanned her surroundings, her senses flaring out in every which direction, ensuring her isolation. She neither needed nor wanted any visitors while she washed the smell of her latest kill and the scent of the wolf from her skin. Satisfied that she was alone, Taya shifted back to human form. She dragged her fingertips over the surface of the clear water, testing its temperature. Elated that the water was so cool and fresh-smelling, Taya dove into the crystal clear lake and broke surface shortly after. She waded there for a bit, then washed the smell of soil and blood from her skin and hair; she hated smelling like she had just risen and fed.
When she was finished, she floated out of the water and laid on her back in the cool grass. A few minutes passed and she closed her eyes. Slowly, she felt a foreign stirring in her mind and she immediately clothed herself. She snapped into a defensive crouch, senses flaring out to check her surroundings. Taya's lips drew back in a deadly snarl when she heard the voice of the intruder in her mind.
Little woman, a male voice brushed at the walls of her mind. There was no malevolence in his voice, and there was certainly no intent to do her any harm. There was only curiosity... then surprise; she stayed on her guard, nevertheless. You are not human.Taya pointed out stoically.
And clearly, neither are you.
You are a vampire, yet you do not feed from humans. It wasn't a question.
That would make you a human-feeder, then, wouldn't it? Taya stated rudely. He laughed softly, melodically.
It would certainly seem so, he marvelled. I am Falcon Schuyler.Still quite wary of him and his sudden appearence, Taya did not reciprocate his actions. Good to know. Just out of curiosity, Falcon, are you watching me?he trailed off. Taya couldn't help but giggle. May I have your name?Taya drawled sardonically.
I was. Watching such a beautiful woman bathe and dry...
What, are you infatuated with me because you're a pervert and you watch helpless women bathe?
Helpless. Quite, he laughed at her choice of words.
So, you don't think you're a pervert? Taya taunted. He let out a howl of laughter.
Hardly. Perverts are sexually depraved, honey. I am, let's say, sexually... creative. he remarked. And I was watchinh you because I find you startlingly beautiful.Taya felt the dark blush steal up her neck and into her cheeks.
Thank you. She said honestly. He showed her how he had seen her. He had been flying overhead in the body of a large red-tailed hawk when movement in the water below had caught his eye. He realized what he was seeing and had been forced to land in a nearby tree. Shining ebony hair floated around Taya's body while she treaded water in the lake. Shockingly green, almond-shaped eyes glinted in the silvery moonlight. Her fair skin even seemed to shimmer when the full moon's light refracted off of the water drops covering her body. When she rose out of the water and reclined on the grass, he had completely forgotten that he was in the body of a bird and he almost shifted back into his human form. Taya swallowed and blushed a brighter red. He laughed softly.
Are you going to answer me? Falcon asked gently.
What? She had honestly forgotten what he'd asked her.
What is your name, darling? Falcon asked.
Taya. Taya Del Rossi. she answered.
Miss Del Rossi... he began.
Please... Taya. she corrected.
Taya. You must allow me to come to you. Falcon said. There was a small hint of a plea in his words. She shook her head no.
For all I know, when you get here, you'll drain me on sight. Taya said.
I will most certainly not harm you, Taya. Falcon's voice was heavy with promise. I am on this planet to keep you safe.Taya asked before she could stop herself.
How can you possibly know that?
For one, we communicate freely on our own telepathic channel and neither of us has tasted the other's blood. Falcon pointed out.
You are crazy. Taya broke the contact and threw up mental shields so strong that the elders couldn't have penetrated them. She needed a game plan for if he came looking for her, regardless that she had denied him permission to do so... and she needed that plan like, right this second. Immediately, the small town that she was staying in flashed into her mind and she snapped her fingers. Hastily, Taya launched herself skyward and shape-shifted into a large red-tailed hawk. Taya let out a profound cry, reveling in the crisp night air.
She flew until she spotted a dark, secluded alleyway and landed, shifting into human form a mere heartbeat before her feet touched the ground. She quickly dressed herself in a pair of black denim jeans, a black ribbed tank top with red roses embroidered along the hem and up the entire right side, and a pair of white running shoes. She braided her long, thick, ebony hair and tossed it over her shoulder. She smiled grimly. Falcon wouldn't dare attack her here.
I am not looking to attack you. Falcon's musical voice caressed her mind. Taya ground her teeth and jogged out of the alley. She couldn't even think about him without him barging in all... all... manly and seductive? That discomforted Taya quite immensely and she shook her head to clear it. It was still early, not yet a half hour after nine, so Taya decided to stop by the town's tavern for a spell. Lots of humans there. He was a human-feeder, grazing on the earth's mortal populous. She made a disgusted sound in her throat and slowed to a saunter.
Even now, she could feel him, a shadow in her mind, quiet and still. The connection had been recognized and made, no doubt, but how had he pulled that one off when they'd never even seen one another face to face? Maybe he'd thought she was human, but when he pushed deeper into her mind, he found something else entirely.
Very astute, honey. Falcon's words glittered in her very jumbled mind. Damn it.
So you were observing potential prey? Taya sounded more hurt than disgusted, even to herself.
No, he crooned. I was enthralled by a woman who looks human at first glance, love. And then I saw a woman who was too beautiful to be real, much less human. I had to see.Taya blushed fiercely. Thank you, Falcon. You are quite welcome, I don't think so, Falcon.
Paranoia can make you insane. He was teasing her. That struck her as a little amazing, but highly amusing. A slow smiled flirted with her lips. Am I making you laugh, Taya?Deliberatley, Taya let a small giggle slip from her lips. Instantly, she felt his complete male satisfaction swell in her mind.
Your laugh is quite enchanting. Falcon said. Please. Do not make me beg you, Taya.Taya's smile faded. He was completely serious. His voice was thick and heavy and it almost hurt her to deny him anything. Almost. Oh, Falcon, she sighed mentally. She almost regretted throwing up her mental shields again. Taya meandered down the town's main street until she saw the tavern's wooden slat walls and old western saloon-style doors. Quietly pleased, Taya hopped up the three short steps, held her hand out to push the swinging doors open, and she did something she hadn't done in two centuries: she hesitated.
Are you alright? Falcon was there again, spiking her curiosity all over again.
I wasn't even thinking about you that time. she pouted.
Oh, Taya. Falcon sighed. I am far stronger than you give me credit for. It is easy for my mind to find yours.Taya cursed aloud and threw the tavern doors open in a fury. She stalked across the musty room to the bar and perched herself on a black stool. She buried her face in her hands and let out a sound that was somewhere between a sigh and a groan.
"That was unladylike." a strong male voice whispered into her ear. Immediately, Taya sat up, her back ramrod stiff. Eyes wide, she turned to face the source of the voice. Seated on the stool to her immediate left was a rather handsome, tall, dark-haired man. She put her face back in her hands.
"Why don't you get lost?" Taya muttered, sounding mildly defeated.
"Why don't you let me buy you a drink?" he asked delicately. His voice caressed her skin and clung to her softly like baby powder. Taya thought for a minute and then sighed.
"Why?" She'd decided to humor him.
"Because I finally caught up with you." he said deviously. Taya went dangerously still, not even daring to take a breath. Carefully and slowly, Taya probed his mind. Disgusted that he had either tricked her or picked something out of her head that he'd had no right to, Taya shreiked, fully enraged. Falcon recoiled and the entire tavern fell as silent as the grave. Taya was on Falcon in seconds, hands crushing his windpipe, her fangs fully bared and dripping with venom.
Force me to slaughter you and everyone else in this... dive. Taya spat mentally. Carefully, Falcon moved to weaken her rage.
Taya, I don't want to hurt you. he chose his words very carefully. I have no intention of harming you. Please. Let me up.Before Falcon could blink, Taya had bolted from the bar and everyone was staring at the six foot eight inch tall man that was just brutalized by a little slip of a woman. Quickly, Falcon wiped their memories and gave chase to Taya. She would not escape him.