Being Proactive

Nadia kind of watched Xyle from the corner of her eye. He was quiet and was rather dark looking in her opinion. She watched how he twirled the blade he had, it was a good sized throwing blade. He twirled it back and forth clearly lost in his thoughts. It looked pretty damn sharp but he didn't even nick himself as he rotated it through his fingers.

So this was the quiet pensive side written in the books. The side that Laural described as cold and calculating. A sharp mind that weighed a great deal of pros and cons to come up with a plan. Honestly Nadia didn't think he looked cold and calculating, he looked serious and thoughtful. His eyes were still watching as they drove, but he hadn't said one word. Hadn't even pushed at her. So she knew whatever was on his mind was a serious thing. Not that pure bloods weren't serious or anything.

"You care to share what's on your mind?" She finally asked. It was really strange to be so quiet with him. She was used to having to be on guard. He was clearly in a far different head space. She could see why so many were drawn to his character in the stories. He was a fighter, a damn good one and he'd not stop until he won. In the stories it made him sound kind of merciless sometimes in the fights.

The untouchable male figure that was strong and sure, with a mysterious edge. Though loyal and would defend all those in his pack, fight for what he considered right or prudent. Kind of a draw for her actually. Obviously he wasn't going to break when a hardship showed. Nor rush in head first. She liked that.

"I'm thinking a lot of things." Xyle finally said. He shifted slightly in the seat and she saw him tuck the blade away. They were really well concealed, she couldn't tell it was there. She hadn't felt them earlier either. She felt a little twist thinking about how close they had been. Plus she hadn't really been concentrating on weapon searching him.

"Such as?" Nadia prompted looked at him. He glanced at her, his light green gaze looked unhappy.

"What would be on your mind Nadia if your killer showed up? What would you think your odds were in your next confrontation with them when the last time was supposed to end with you dead?" Xyle was a mix of things. He was also trying to decide just how proactive he wanted to be. He had concerns for Nadia, he had no idea if they were aware of her or not. She was his mate. Even if they had not finished the bond it was there. What would happen to her if he didn't come back? He didn't share this, didn't feel she needed that thought in her mind.

"This is a different story." Nadia said confidently. "Laural isn't writing it. Maybe we are lucky and this one likes happier endings." Nadia suggested. "Maybe that's just a computer designed to push us certain ways and no one is even on the other end." She stated. Nadia realized just how crazy you could make yourself thinking about these things.

"All things that have passed through my mind." He stated as they pulled into the parking lot of the hotel. Nadia put it in park, and it was kind of bothering her. This strange quiet, and nearly depressive feeling coming from Xyle. It made her feel the need to correct it. To change and offer support. She didn't think to closely why other than just being a decent human being.

"Well, we don't really know. Right now I'm back on the, we control our own fate, group. The computer doesn't want to talk to us. Like it said though, if we believe we are words on a page then we are right? There's two of them and four of us right?" Nadia supplied and he raised an eyebrow at her. This was a bit odd, was she giving him a pep talk? Cute, it nearly made him laugh. If she only knew how real this was. How deadly fighting vampires truly was. He guessed she was right though. Prior to now this had been words on a page for her and not him. So guess he just had to do what he always did. Fight, stand up and hold your ground or die. Just hope it ended in his favor.

"Four? You're going to fight vampires?" He asked her with a near smile. She was crazy if she thought he'd let her for one. Two, her fierce look a second later said that she did not appreciate his tone and that she would not back down. Moon goddess she was appealing, and so very, very tempting.

"Maybe I will Xyle. If one comes at me, guess I better know how. Weak human or not." She shot back and shoved her door open. He felt the corner of his mouth turn up. Such a little firecracker. So quick to be defensive, he was very aware she was the fight first kind of gal.

"You don't have to snap at me, I just asked a question." He said grabbing the two bags he had and she got hers. Nadia shut the door to move across the parking lot. Xyle was glancing around keeping his senses open. Nothing yet, so that was good. She was right next to him and let out a rush of air.

"Your tone said it all Xyle. Like I'm not capable of fighting, or trying." He raised an eyebrow at her and grabbed the door as she swiped the card to open it for her to go in.

"First off Nadia, have you ever faced a vampire?" He said trying to keep the humor out of his tone.

"Obviously not." She grumbled.

"My tone was for the fact you so casually said it. Not that you can't fight, I've had enough slaps from you already to know you'll try. Plus one chair." Nadia felt a slight embarrassment. She went up the stairs and he was right behind her. She felt rather aware of him again, him and his gaze. She was glad she didn't have a skirt, she'd be checking that it was down.

"Do I want to fight vampires? No. Will I if push to comes to shove? Yes." She told him and he just felt a smile again. His gaze swept over her with a bit more heat in it again.

"A warrior at heart are we?" He teased and she looked at him pulling open the door for the floor that they needed. He gripped the edge of the door to hold it for them as she stepped into the hall.

"You have a problem with that?" She asked meeting his gaze firmly. That dark fire there just like the first night he met her. He remembered just how fast she'd shoved that table and swung that chair. Obviously a fighter. Xlye looked down at her and felt a lot of things rush up. All of them good in his opinion. He leaned down a bit as she was looking up. He noted a slight shift in her gaze at him coming closer. Almost like she would bolt away, funny how she stood her ground so fiercely, but seemed ready to run from him in her personal space.

"Absolutely not. I find it appealing, exciting even." He reached up with the hand that was not holding bags and touched the edge of her chin. His thumb brushed across her lower lip. It was just a quick action before he lowered his hand. Xyle felt a satisfaction seeing a tint to her cheeks when he touched her.

"Exciting? Xyle what is wrong with you?" Nadia asked narrowing her eyes at him. He laughed and looked at her like that was a dumb question.

"Wrong with me? You should be happy your mate likes bold and feisty. You've no idea how tempting the sweet taste of your fire is to me, Nadia." He turned to move forward or he might reach for her. Nadia out of reflex touched her neck. He had already moved forward and didn't see her do it. She caught herself and lowered her hand. Was there really a taste for that? She was weirded out and yet felt an odd heat. Just a bit of throb in that spot.

"Incorrigible." So very incorrigible. Really what was she going to do with this man? A man that now called her mate. Nadia was slightly lost in her thoughts on what she was accepting or not as they came up to Zyer and Lillian's room.

"Have you done that mental thing?" Xyle shook his head. He figured she was talking about telepathy.

"No, not yet. I really don't know how close the purebloods are. Either they have moved far enough to not be felt, or they are refraining from telepathy too." Nadia glanced at him as he knocked hard on the door. They weren't just going to use the key, it was their room after all. They just used the key to get into the hotel door.

"You can feel telepathy?" She asked frowning. He shrugged.

"I can sense it, like a pressure and buzz. So can they. Zyer is the one capable of holding long distance telepathy. It's easy with him for me, not others. So my signature is louder than Zyer's as he can focus. If you hadn't noticed, this world is very lacking in psychic ability and magic. You can't hide it very well. So best to not alert them." In a sense there was no other magic or buzz in the air to help mask your own. He sure thought this out didn't he? Nadia was happy for that.

"Well I'm glad you are thinking ahead." He gave her a bright boyish smile.

"Aim to please." She rolled her eyes.

"Whatever." Xyle chuckled as the door slide came to them and the door was pulled open. Zyer was standing there. He looked slightly dark and suspicious at first before seeing who was there. Nadia's gaze went wide looking at him as he stood before them door open.

"Holy shit." Nadia shoved her bag hard forward into Zyer. He was caught off guard and winced as her duffle bag slammed into his hips and low stomach.

"What the fuck Nadia?" He growled and Xyle nearly lost his composure at her reaction. Didn't bother Xyle at all.

"Wear some damn clothes when you answer a door Zyer!" Zyer's eyes narrowed at Nadia. Clearly he'd been sleeping. He was not amused at her antics. It was pretty damn late now. Normally they kept late hours. They might not burn in the sun, but they were still more creatures of the night. Xyle had a feeling that his brother had really just wanted the sleep. First time in his life he could do it without one eye open. At least for a few hours. So yeah, getting dressed first wasn't probably on his mind. They were werwolves, tended to be undressed half the time anyways.

"I was clearly sleeping." He shoved the bag back at Nadia who had to be steadied by Xyle. Xyle still was trying to not full on laugh. It felt good this light humor. No one did that to his brother. Well maybe Lillian. He was also surprised at Zyer only having a dark annoyance and nothing more.

"Here we get dressed." Nadia snapped. She got a full frontal of him, she would bet good money Xyle was similarly built. Not that that was her first thought or anything. Her face felt like it was burning.

"Don't tell me what to do Nadia. Not like you haven't read full description of my anatomy. Or when I've had sex with Lillian. Reading our most intimate moments. I'll walk around naked if I damn well please. Don't give me fake modesty." Zyer told her. It had been damn nice to have private time with his mate this evening.

"Zyer!" Came Lillian's warning tone. Clearly she didn't want to be reminded that others had been privy to it all.

"Classy." Xyle said to his brother as the door was pulled open more. Nadia didn't look at him, red in the face. Anger was there too, she just marched past him. Lillian had turned on one low light in the room. Zyer watched Nadia annoyed but then noted the side of her neck and turned his head back to Xyle.

Zyer met Xyle's gaze as he stepped into the entrance area. Zyer tapped his own neck and Xyle just had a crooked smile. That was exciting, he was happy for his brother. To gain something they both thought impossible was a serious matter.

"All I can think about is doing it again." Zyer shared the darker smile with his brother.

"That want is never going to go away." He shared with him. They were both talking quietly. Xyle figured as much, Zyer craved Lillian there was no doubting that. Xyle had talked a great deal with his brother about it. Zyer had trusted no one else as he struggled to understand this mate bond and how to court one that was not of his race.

Xyle ducked slightly seeing something come flying rather fast. It hit Zyer in the side of the head. Part of the material hit Xyle too. Zyer looked up at the ceiling clearly asking for patience and caught the clothing item as it slipped down his front in his hand. He turned his head and looked at Lillian who had thrown it.

"Be decent Zyer, we have company. Stop being such an uncivilized wolf." Lillian had a robe around her. Xyle chuckled looking at his brother. Lillian sure had him wrapped around her finger.

"So is this one of those times it seems like it's not worth it?" Xyle questioned to his brothers statement earlier about being mated. Zyer just gave him a near humorless smile.

"I just save them up, these little annoying demands. I bend now, she will later." Xyle really gave a slight laugh. Yeah he got his brother's double meaning and moved more into the room as Zyer slipped on the pants. Though Xyle's humor didn't reach too deep, they had a serious issue at hand.

"Why are the two of you here so late? Why didn't you reach out?" Zyer more demanded. His tone very much the alpha he was. Xyle set his bags on the bed. Nadia was sitting in the one chair. Lillian sat on the messed up bed looking at them. Xyle faced his brother.

"We have a serious problem, the computer brought a couple more characters through from our story." Zyer just stared at him. He already had a feeling about the names his brother was about to say.

"Who?" Lillian asked with concern on her face.

"Kane and Adrellie. They were gone when we arrived back at Nadia's home." Zyer's eyes went black but he just stood there. His jaw clenched and muscles tense.

"Then I suppose we need to go on a hunt." Xyle just gave him a slight nod. Like it or not they were going to have to search for the two vampires. They couldn't let them amass power, they were very dangerous creatures.

"Do you think they are close?" Zyer asked him and Xyle shook his head.

"My sense is that they are not." Xyle was very rarely wrong, his intuition was borderline foresight. He just didn't get visions, still he always treated it like he might be wrong. Which was smart at times. It kept your guard up. Zyer nodded. He looked at the two women. Right now he doubted that the vampires would come looking for them. Especially if they did not know the sun cycle.

"Then we go now and look. You will both stay here, Lilian you will mark the doors and windows?" He asked but still sounded demanding. She nodded.

"I will show Nadia how to do it as well." Lillian gave Nadia a smile. Thought it didn't reach her eyes. Zyer gave a nod and turned to go toward the door. Xyle turned his head and looked at Nadia. Their eyes locked for the moment.

"Don't worry, I'm not that big of an idiot. You won't have to hunt me down." Nadia half grumbled. Xyle gave a crooked smile.

"Good, not that I'm not willing to chase you Nadia. Just won't end the way you want so you know." He left with Zyer, Nadia glaring at the door.

"They sure think a lot of themselves." Nadia commented and Lillian laughed a bit. She had a few items in her hand.

"Yeah, but if you were in their world you'd see that being weak was a death sentence. Self assurance and confidence kept them alive. Having to hide what makes you weak." Lillian sighed. "Sure would be nice if Zyer would check his attitude sometimes." That made Nadia smile.

"How about you show me how to mark. If I remember this is a way to seal and deny invitation for a vampire right?" Lillian gave a nod. Nadia had a feeling she was going to get a rather severe crash course in how to fend off vampires.