The Konig Cursebreakers Page 22

  * * * *

  April 25, 2029

  After the beating Erin gave Bryant, Curt should have been steering clear of her as he had been for the five days since her arrival, but some indefinable part of him needed to talk to her. He waited until she curled into the porch swing for a little evening down time before approaching her. She stiffened before he was halfway across the porch to her.

  Curt leaned against the railing where he was. “I just want to talk to you, Erin. I’m not coming on to you. Honest.”

  “Why?”

  “I’m curious. I haven’t seen you in over four years. Talk to me for a few minutes, and I’ll walk away. I’ve given you complete privacy so far. I’ll continue that practice after we talk, if that’s what you want. My word and honor as a Warrior. Unlike some members of my family, I have always been honorable toward you.”

  She considered that uncertainly. “What could you possibly want to know? It’s not like my every move hasn’t been watched intently by every Warrior in perdition, Curt. I don’t have any secrets.”

  “You’re talking places you’ve been and Warriors you’ve smacked down. That’s legendary.”

  Erin blushed and looked away. “It’s not like I’m not provoked. You know why I do it. I always strive for an amicable resolution first. I don’t like beating them to a pulp, but dishonorable treatment needs stopped any way it takes.”

  “That’s what I’m talking about. That is the type of information I want. Not where and who but why. I want to know the person you are now.”

  “Why?” she repeated simply.

  “You left with hopes and dreams. I just want to know if you still have them. I want to know how they’ve worked out for you. Whether you still want to cash in on it or not, I see you as a friend.” Curt paused as a pained look crossed her face for just an instant and was gone, replaced by skepticism. “I just want to know what happened to my friend. After that, if you don’t want to be my friend, I’ll walk away.”

  “I have your word of honor?”

  “You do.”

  “All right, then.”

  “Do you still intend never to do the stone’s will?” he asked.

  Erin smiled tightly. “No mate, no husband, no children. I think my father is getting desperate. It’s funny to watch, but it’s annoying when he spies on me. If I could find some way of detecting his ghosting without Sarah, I’d teach him another lesson and leave scars this time.” She grinned at the thought, and Curt decided it must be some private joke between her and her father. “At least I have a month free of it.”

  “Why’s that?”

  “One of our patented deals. I agree not to cause trouble for a month in Maher and he agrees to act like I’m an adult with autonomy. A whole month of no speeches, no spying, no nagging, and no interference. Heaven!” Her smile widened, and she leaned her head back to the cushion behind her while her foot rocked the swing lightly.

  Gods, she was tempting! “What type of trouble does he think you’ll cause?”

  “I’ve threatened to take off for Cross when I get annoyed enough. I figure, if I don’t really have autonomy, he shouldn’t really be able to order me to stay with him. If he’s going to break the rules of sanction, why shouldn’t I?”

  “Is it that simple?”

  Erin laughed lightly. “Don’t I wish. You know it’s not, but every once in awhile, he realizes that I have a point, and it’s a whole new ballgame for a little while.”

  “Like this deal you made?”

  “Yeah, like that,” she agreed.

  “Will he last the month?”

  “I hope so. I could use the break.”

  “So,” he began slowly, “how’s the rest of the plan? It working out all right?”

  She looked at him in confusion. “What are you talking about?”

  “Release,” Curt said simply.

  His heart was pounding, and he had no idea why. It wasn’t any of his business, and even if she was taking simple release with humans, it wasn’t like he wasn’t doing the same. It wasn’t like every unprinted Warrior over the age of fifteen wasn’t doing the same. But, he knew it made some indefinable difference to him.

  Erin darkened, and her jaw tightened in warning. “Why do you want to know that?” she challenged quietly.

  “Academic interest,” he lied. “So tell me. Is self-release enough when you have no comparison?”

  She bit her lower lip and looked away miserably. “Not exactly. No, it’s not,” she decided.

  His heart sank. If it wasn’t enough, she had undertaken her alternate plan. Curt dug his fingers into the upright until they ached. “I’m sorry it’s not working out the way you planned,” he managed in a voice that he wanted to sound compassionate but that was strangely wooden.

  “Well, I guess there has to be a price for balking the stone.”

  Erin stared at the red semi-circle of the sun intently. If she was at least happy about what she was doing, Curt didn’t think it would hurt so much to see. He found himself wondering how often she found it necessary to seek out a man. Erin hadn’t done it since she’d arrived, but many male Warriors could exist on self-release for weeks at a time before requiring a woman. How did she do it? Did Erin go to bars and pick someone up? Curt wasn’t sure what his reaction would be if she left this miserably to accomplish it.

  “I guess so,” he agreed evenly. “But, I guess if it’s working for you—”

  “Well enough,” she supplied quickly. “Nothing’s perfect.”

  “Yeah.” Curt couldn’t respond reasonably to that statement. “I have to go into town now. Do me a favor and go in before I go. I just want to know you’re safe first.”

  She headed for the door, her gaze still locked on the setting sun. “Sure.” Erin stopped and met his eyes with a shy smile. “Still friends?” she asked.

  Curt managed to paste on a smile that felt halfway believable. “Always. We’ll always be friends, Erin.” Saying it hurt, but it was all she would give him. He had to live with that somehow.

  Erin nodded, but something indefinable flashed in her eyes. “Thanks, Curt.”

  “My pleasure.” He watched Erin until the door closed behind her then stormed to the garage, a converted barn on the property, and pulled his car out.

  It was too much! He still wanted her, and Erin still saw him as a friend. She was taking other men, safe human men who couldn’t print on her. All Curt wanted was the chance to love her, thoroughly and completely just once. He wanted to see if release was enough and convince her if it wasn’t. He wanted Erin to want him in her bed, and Curt was the last man on Earth she’d allow in her bed. A world full of convenient one-night stands, and he was unacceptable material.

  Curt screamed in frustration as he drove. Erin had her autonomy, and she wasn’t of his household. Even if she was as desperately unhappy as she seemed, there wasn’t a damned thing he could do about it. His hands were tied as far as solving her problem or his own.

  He went hunting with a vengeance. Some irrational part of his brain argued that no beasts meant no curse and no elder killers and no Blutjagdfrau. No beasts meant the freedom to pursue Erin, because there would be no need to do the stone’s bidding for her to be running from.

  The pod of two low-levels and their high-level master that Curt found never stood a chance. He rationalized that they were only sniffing around after Erin anyway. They were simply too cowardly to bring the fight to him, so he took it to them. The battle was over far too soon, and the hive mind went into action. There were suddenly no beasts close who were foolish enough to tangle with a Warrior.

  Curt returned to the house exhausted and found Kord waiting for him in the garage.

  “What was that all about?” the Lord Maher demanded.

  “I just needed to blow off some Blutjagd. It’s been a while since I’ve killed,” he explained.

  “It’s been a week, and you train every day. What is it?”

  “I need to be hunting. I’m a Night Warrior. This in
action is maddening.” Okay, lack of action was maddening, but it wasn’t the lack of battle that he meant. Still, Curt wasn’t lying. “Maybe I should go out on trail for awhile,” he suggested. Going out would remove him from the temptation of Erin and give him a way to blow off tension.

  “No. Our duty to König is to provide our best Warriors for their protection. As long as they’re in Maher range, you will be with them — just as the beasts will eventually congregate. Hunt when you feel the need, but let me know first next time.”

  He nodded stiffly. “Of course.”

  “Three tonight, huh?”

  Curt grinned. “I got lucky and caught them together.”

  “No injuries, I trust.”

  “None.”

  “Good. We should get back to the house, then.”

  * * * *

  April 27, 2029

  Erin smiled across the table at Kord. “Still not coming down?” she asked in a gleeful tone. “I beat my personal best on this one. Four days now.”

  He raised an eyebrow and scowled at her. “I think you take far too much pleasure in this, young lady.”

  “I apologize, Lord Maher. I’ve left you one Warrior short. I would gladly offer my services in Bryant’s stead.”

  “As what?” he scoffed.

  “I don’t suppose any of you would allow me to hunt like a normal Warrior,” she teased.

  “Erin,” Talon warned.

  “Didn’t think so. Ah, well. Name your price. What will it be? Reordering the library? Washing the vehicles? Laying in firewood? I’m dangerous with the axe, but I can carry logs. Your choice. I am at your disposal.”

  “You mean that?” Kord asked honestly.

  Erin raised her right hand. “On my honor,” she promised. “I’ve left you short-handed, and I am not afraid of a little hard work.”

  “All right, then. Lewis is in Houston for the day, and your father and I have business to attend to. I need you to attend to Curtis’ daily workout since his brother is incapacitated. After that, we’ll see what else you can do.”

  She looked at Curt suspiciously, but he seemed as surprised as she was. Erin met Kord’s eyes and smiled. “I said I was at your service, and so I am. I promise not to leave you another Warrior short.”

  “You’ll find Curtis much more a challenge than Bryant,” he informed her.

  “Good. I could use a challenge,” she decided.

  “Are you saying I’m not a challenge,” Talon asked archly.

  “No, and I don’t need a trial to prove it. Besides, I promised my services to Kord. If I’m going to give Curt a proper workout, I can’t be winded from you.” Erin hid her amusement as well as her father hid his. He had ceased to be a challenge to her years ago, and they both knew it.

  Curt smiled. “An hour?” he asked.

  “Sure. That will give me time to suit up and finish breakfast.”

  An hour was actually about forty minutes longer than she needed — and more than her nerves needed. Erin spent most of the extra time pacing her room, debating the situation.

  She surveyed her appearance in the full-length mirror. It was her typical workout/Warrior wear: a tight black T-shirt, relaxed-fit jeans, and steel-toed Timberland Pro Hikers. Other than the boots, it was what the men wore, less the overshirt she saved for cold nights. Erin never could get comfortable in the high shin-armored boots the men preferred.

  Typical. Then, why was she so damned critical of it today? Curt saw her go out to work out every day. Was facing him rather than one of her parents really so different?

  “Of course it is, you dolt,” she snapped at her reflection. Erin didn’t have to practice in Warrior wear. She could wear a shirt that was bright colors or low-cut— She growled in frustration. “Sure. Why not invite him to bed openly and be done with it?”

  Erin sobered. Kissing and petting. That’s okay. No sex! She practically hummed in anticipation. She’d get a kiss from Curt today if it killed her. And it might, she realized, but Erin had a plan and the balls to carry it out — she hoped. This request of Kord’s had played right into her hands, so why did she feel so out of control?

  She went down to the porch fifteen minutes early and was surprised to see Curt waiting for her. “Ready?” Erin asked, hoping she was ready.

  “Sure.” He started leading the way to the training area.

  No. That was the first thing she had to change about the normal plan. The training area was too close and too easily happened upon. “I’d rather get some close quarters training in, if you don’t mind.”

  “Okay, we’ll go into the training room.”

  “No, I hate indoor practice,” she reminded him.

  “Well, what do you want?” he asked patiently.

  “Remember the little clearing on the other side of the lake?”

  Curt’s eyes narrowed. “Where we used to rest after a swim?”

  Erin felt her cheeks heat. “Yeah, I guess it was. If it’s a problem...” Okay, so she had crashed and burned there last time, but it was secluded and flat enough for training.

  “No, that sounds fine to me.” Curt turned and headed away.

  Erin kicked herself mentally as she followed him. She was tempting fate, but she wanted to know what kissing him felt like. She wanted to know what his body would feel like pressed to hers, and she couldn’t think of anywhere that she’d rather do it.

  Chapter Twelve

  Curt smiled as Erin sidestepped his blow and regrouped next to a tree. She may not realize it, but he was about to bait her into a figuratively fatal mistake. If she falls for it, he reminded himself. If she doesn’t unleash that legendary Blutjagd on me. It was unlikely, but it could work. If it didn’t, Curt could always claim it was a ploy to slip her up. He couldn’t be any worse off than he was now, he theorized.

  “What are you smiling about?” Erin asked suspiciously.

  “You’re very beautiful.”

  She scowled at him. Her eyes panned over Curt, her seeming confusion belying her irritation with that comment. Then an edge of Blutjagd lit in her skin. “Great,” she growled, “another Warrior looking to bait me into printing.”

  Good. She was angry at that.

  “Not me. I know better,” he informed her.

  “Meaning what?” Erin demanded. Her eyes glittered dangerously.

  Curt hadn’t realized how easy it would be to get past her calm and goad her into attacking in anger. “Only that I’ve heard you’ve chosen not to mate from your own lips. I can respect that.” He scanned her body boldly, unsurprised that she evoked an immediate response in him.

  Her eyes flicked to the half-erect bulge in his jeans then away. She shifted foot to foot, her hands fisting on the hilts of her weapons, her brow furrowed, meeting his eyes as if questioning that move. Had no man ever looked at her before? He knew Bryant had.

  “That is truly a shame,” he managed smoothly, adding a predatory leer that was not for show. Curt was playing with fire, and he knew it. Wanting Erin was a mistake. Telling her he wanted her might be an even bigger mistake.

  Her face turned an angry red. He shifted as she lunged at him, grabbing Erin’s left wrist in his empty left hand. Curt used her forward motion against her, swinging Erin around and locking her left arm behind her. Erin cried out as he swept her feet back from under her, falling with her with his knees around her legs and pitching his weapon away to wrap his right hand around the hilt of her right weapon, over her hand. Curt wrenched her right blade up to her throat, feeling Erin sink her head back into his shoulder in an attempt to escape the blade. In the end, she was immobilized in his grasp.

  “Yield,” he breathed next to her ear.

  Erin didn’t answer. She tested his hold, trying to yank her left arm back and causing him to tighten his grip slightly to compensate. She cursed him solidly in three separate languages. “Let me go, Curt.”

  Feeling the thrill of his victory, Curt nestled his face into her hair. “I don’t think so. Am I the first man to best you, Er
in?” he asked pointedly.

  “Of course not,” she snapped at him.

  “Besides your father, your brother, and Corwyn?”

  Erin hesitated. “Yes, you’re the first,” she admitted. “I guess that makes you feel pretty important,” she ground out.

  “No. It makes me worry. You shouldn’t let someone goad you into attacking in anger. It’s not hard to learn how to spin you, and it takes very little effort to make it believable. If it was a beast you made that mistake with—” He realized the thought was painful.

  “I don’t make mistakes with beasts,” she grumbled.

  “Only with me,” he mused. “Why is that, Erin?” Curt nuzzled his face into her hair, hardening further at the scent of her, something herbal with a hint of mint and sweat.

  “I don’t know. Let me go, Curt,” she pleaded with him, testing his grip again.

  Curt closed his eyes. “In a minute. I want you to remember this mistake and never repeat it.” And, he wanted to feel her body pressed to his for just another minute before she walked away from him again or tried to take his head.

  “I will. Let me go,” she demanded.

  “You better,” he growled. Was touching him that horrible for her? He pushed the thought away. Curt had no right to be angry about that.

  She stilled, her breathing harsh, no doubt noting the change in him. “Why?”

  Good. Erin realized the position she was in. She wouldn’t repeat the mistake, now. “Because, I’ll let you go — eventually. If a beast captures you like this…” He bucked his hips against her, knowing she could feel his erection but needing to touch her.

  Erin gasped, and her arms relaxed in his grip. “Is that what you want, Curt?”

  “What? To bait you into printing? I don’t believe in baiting. It’s despicable.”

  “Release, Curt. Do you want to take release with me?”

  His erection was suddenly pulsing and pinched in his jeans, spread tight with his legs around hers as they were. His blood boiled for release. Gods, how he wanted to! “I thought—” he stammered. No printing. No husband. No babies.