Jeez that girl can cook, Luke thought as he took another huge bite from the sandwiches Kira had provided. Some much needed sustenance after trying to teach her how to surf. Not that she was bad really, just stubborn, as always.
Where was she anyway? Luke thought, scanning the water. He swore they had left her right in front of the towels.
“Hey guys, do you see Kira?” He grumbled between bites. Dave shook his head. Luke sat up straighter, fighting the knots in his stomach. He was supposed to be watching her… But then Emma laughed, pointing out towards the pier.
“She went out to the bigger waves,” she said, giggling.
Luke just shook his head. Of course…
He scanned the beach, following Emma’s finger until he finally saw Kira in the distance, sitting on her board, looking back over her shoulder at the oncoming set.
Luke nudged Dave with his shoulder. This was something his friend would definitely want to see.
Kira paddled, shoving her hands deep into the water.
Luke’s chest filled, tight with anticipation.
She shifted her knee, gliding easily into a standing position.
“She’s going to do it,” Dave said, awed.
Then boom.
Nosedive.
“Oo,” Emma said, wincing.
But Luke’s mind immediately started spinning with taunts—such good comedic material. No way was he letting her off the hook.
How’s the sand taste? No, Luke thought, it lacked finesse.
Nice day for a swim? Eh, not quite right.
He looked up, hoping the expression on her face would inspire something great. But he didn’t see her. He scanned the beach, but her hair would be easy to spot. He looked back at the water. But there was nothing—nothing that looked human.
There was a board though.
He stood.
A board floating aimlessly, drifting closer and closer to the pier.
Luke took off at a run.
Something was wrong. Kira was hurt.
“Come on,” Luke muttered. This couldn’t be happening. He was supposed to be there for her, supposed to protect her. “Come on,” he urged again, pushing faster against the sand.
And then he spotted someone emerging from the water…someone male. Someone…
Luke clenched his fists, cursing.
It was Tristan. That bastard was touching her. That thing was holding her, was settling her down on his lap, was cradling her.
Kira’s body jerked, threw up the entire ocean and stilled again. She stirred, turning into Tristan’s embrace. Into his bare chest. In her bikini. And Tristan pulled her closer, arched her head, inspected her scalp.
Blood. There had to be blood.
Fury bubbled in Luke’s stomach, latching onto his insides. That monster was smelling her, was…
Luke couldn’t even think about it. His fists clenched, holding the sun tightly under his palms. He couldn’t lose control. He couldn’t let Kira see.
But…
An unfamiliar feeling snaked up his limbs, strangling his breath as Tristan’s arm held Kira tighter, hugged her closer.
Luke’s vision shrank, focusing only on Tristan, on that chauvinistic grin.
“Get away from her,” Luke yelled.
Tristan stood.
“Chill out, Luke. I didn’t do anything.”
Luke’s entire body was shaking. He was on the verge of losing it.
“I don’t care. Leave.” Luke forced the words out through gritted teeth.
“And if I don’t want to?” Tristan asked, raising a brow. That stupid grin returned. Arrogance flew off of him in waves.
He was prodding Luke. He knew he wouldn’t do it—not in front of Kira.
“Then,” Luke paused. He shouldn’t. He really shouldn’t.
He looked to the left.
To the right.
They had an audience. But they were in the sun, and he just really wanted to wipe that smarmy grin off of Tristan’s face.
So Luke punched him—hard, letting the sun leak from his palm and sink deep into Tristan’s skin, burning the vampire.
Tristan flew backwards, shock written all over his face.
Luke breathed heavily, holding his body back, fighting to keep his powers locked in.
“Luke!” Kira screamed, “Stop it. He just saved my life.”
No I did, Luke thought and shook his head. He looked at Kira sadly—she had no idea what she was wrapped up in. No idea.
But still, there was blood trickling down her forehead and that was one thing Luke could fix.
“Come on, Kira.” He took her hand, letting her touch cool the anger in his belly, “We have to take you to the hospital.”