Blood Mate: A Paranormal Romance by Natalie Kristen Page A

civilians of the city.”
    “ Me,” Nana piped
up. “I'm an innocent civilian. I was just in my kitchen,
minding my own business. And they came charging into my home and
attacked me! Lousy brutes!”
    Bryn smiled. “Yes.
That's what they do. They hurt the innocent. And they do it because
they can. They just take what they want, and do what they want. And
they hurt people.”
    “ So...they dragged you
here and beat you up because you're an Enforcer? Are they going to
kill you?”
    Bryn straightened up. “You
know, Nana. I didn't tell you about the murders before because I
didn't want you to worry.” She blew out a breath and said
quickly, “Just this month, three Enforcers were found murdered.
Two were killed while they were on patrol, and one was murdered in
his own home. Their bodies were eaten. Only their heads were left.”
She paused, but Nana gestured for her to go on. Get to the
point. “I think if they wanted to kill me, they would have
done it already. They would have eaten me and left my head on my
pillow, in my bed. As a message to the other Enforcers.”
    “ But they didn't,”
Nana said shrewdly.
    “ I think...”
    “ ...that we're being
used as bait,” they said together.
    “ These rogues are
setting a trap for your friends,” Nana said, pounding her fist.
“Gotta warn them.”
    “ Yeah. They...I think
they're after Jett. I heard some of them laughing and hissing his
name while that vampire was beating me to a bloody pulp.”
    “ Jett? Jett Riley?
Your boss.”
    Bryn nodded.
    Nana was quiet for a moment.
“These rogues took me, to scare you. They can hurt me, to hurt
you. And they hurt you...to hurt Jett. You...are important to
Jett,” Nana said slowly.
    Bryn gulped. “No. I'm
nothing to him. He doesn't...want me,” she whispered into the
dark.
    Bryn felt Nana's hand over her
heart. “Is that what you feel?” Nana asked softly.
    Bryn closed her eyes. That
wasn't what she felt at all. When he kissed her and held her, she
had felt his raw, burning want and hunger. He wanted her, craved
her, desired her, so intensely, so fiercely, so painfully.
    I can only dream, and
crave, and hunger...but I can never have. I can never have you,
Bryn.
    Bryn turned to stare into her
grandmother's knowing, understanding eyes.
    Nana touched her cheek lightly
and leaned back against the wall. “You said the rogues do what
they want, take what they want and destroy precious, innocent lives,
simply because they can. There is no restraint, no discipline, no
respect, no love.”
    “ But if you love and
cherish someone, if you value her life more than you value your own,
you will do anything and everything to keep her safe. You will not
take what you want, when you want. If keeping her at a distance will
keep her safe, then that's what you'll do.”
    “ Nana...”
    “ Your boss has many
enemies, Bryn,” Nana went on, gesturing in the dark. “All
those rogues outside want his head. It's a dangerous job, leading
the Enforcers, spearheading the hunt against these big bad rogues.”
    Bryn screwed up her face.
“Well, I...”
    “ You're doing a fine job
too,” Nana said, peering at her. “You have a very
dangerous job, a very important job. You serve and protect the city.
I'm proud of you, Bryn.”
    “ I'm proud of you too,
Nana. For slapping and kicking those rogues!” Bryn jerked her
thumb at the door. “Once we're sprung, you go out there and
slap them around again! Strike fast, strike hard.” That was
what Jett always told them. “Aim for their eyes,” she
advised. “And their nuts.”
    Nana laughed and cracked her
knuckles. “Ooh, I can hardly wait. I'm relishing the chance
to fight alongside my grandson-in-law!”
    “ What?” Bryn
spluttered. “He's not...”
    “ Oh, I think I hear him
already.” Nana cupped her hand to her ear. “Jett has
come for you. About time too!” Nana stretched and sniffed
loudly. “He's late!”

CHAPTER
FIFTEEN

    Jett stood in front of the
rambling,