A Vampire To Watch Over Me [Vampire Coven Book II] by C.L. Scholey

and his eyes glow,” Tavish said. “Galf is still getting used to what he can do. So are we. I have commanded he harm no one and he listens, but he’s curious. He’s only eight months old, after all, and he sensed you are a new addition.”
    Honor realized she had a death grip on Laken’s arm. She was trying to let go, but her saner half demanded she stay pressed tight to him. When a massive polar bear ambled inside and raised a paw towards her, Honor thought she would die. She gasped in huge amounts of air. Polar bears killed people—they ripped them to shreds. Honor couldn’t help but whimper Laken’s name; he pulled her tighter, but she couldn’t calm down.
    “It’s all right, Honor,” Tavish said in a soothing way. “Ursus is my bear. She follows Galf everywhere. She won’t hurt you; she’s very protective towards women and children.”
    Honor tried to speak, but her words came out a babbling mess. Polar bears were death to ice dwellers, especially trapped females who were forbidden outside. She had seen the large hides of polar bears; this one surpassed all the others. The hunters in her ice dwelling had ‘saved’ a man from a polar bear. He hadn’t lasted long with half his face ripped off and an arm and leg missing—presumed eaten.
    Honor pressed a hand to her chest and begged for death; she felt she couldn’t take any more surprises. A horrible roaring sounded in her ears, it felt like an element was inside of her. Was she a storm? What an odd sensation. It was then Caine stood before her, he had a shiny sharp looking object in his hand. He took her arm and held her tight. Caine slipped the shiny thing into her vein. Honor felt limp. She could feel her heart still pounding, but she was growing calmer.
    Tavish said something to the bear and she lumbered out again. The baby was distracted by Tavish waving his fingers in front of his face. The babies’ features were so tiny. Little hands and feet kicked in delight. He looked harmless. Honor’s entire body was shaking in disbelief.
    “What else is out there?” she whispered. Again she felt strangely as though she couldn’t cope. She was lost.
    Laken turned her within his arms. “There are many new sights for you to see. Some will be very frightening, but you must believe me when I say I will protect you and nothing will hurt you.”
    Honor realized she hadn’t been hurt by the encounter, but she was scared shitless. A baby with fangs? A polar bear? What was next? Was there really the abominable snowman? There were vampires so why not other monsters? What was that white streak in the sky? Did the sky catch fire? Would she burn? Honor pulled from Laken’s arms. Her world had fallen apart because she wanted freedom. She had exchanged her known hell for an unknown hell. Honor sat on the bed.
    “Damn,” she whispered in a forlorn tone.
    “Laken, I think it would be best if you took Honor to your room. For the next week, you’re free of all duties,” Tavish said.
    “I think that’s a good idea,” Laken replied.
    Honor felt the blanket she was wrapped in tighten; her face was covered and she was lifted into Laken’s arms. She should have protested; she wanted to, but for some strange reason she felt numb—as though she wasn’t in charge of her body. What had Caine done to her? The liquid in the vial was water; at least it looked like water. Honor gave her head a small shake.
    She could tell she and Laken were moving at a fast rate. Laken had her in a grip too tight to even wiggle. Honor couldn’t see anything but thought it might be for the best—no more surprises. Before long Laken settled her onto a soft surface. He gingerly took the blanket from around her face. Honor blinked. They were in a beautiful room.
    The soft surface she sat on was a massive bed. Honor fingered the material Laken called a quilt. It was different than the doctor’s place—homier. Laken said this was his room, Honor was amazed, ice dwellers didn’t have their