by LJ Swallow
I hold my head still, refusing to be drawn into my pulse-racing need to connect our mouths. If Xander's lips touch mine, the building sexual energy between us will unleash and change everything.
No.
After what happened with Heath the other night, this is a bad idea.
There's something in the air here; people dance and touch; mingled scents trigger the primal human needs. Amongst that atmosphere, I stand with Xander, predestined to react to each other in this way without even touching. But he is touching. I close my eyes and hold my breath against the sensory overload. I've never had the time of day for guys as arrogantly self-assured as Xander, and bond or no bond, I won’t change my attitude.
"I'm not going to do anything here, Xander, so you may as well step back." My lips don't touch his as we talk, but the buzz between them builds an ache I don't want. “Take your uninvited hands off me."
"You sure? I won't offer again."
"I'll try to deal with the disappointment," I say sarcastically.
Xander pushes himself from the wall and runs a hand across his short hair. "Cool. I'll find someone else tonight. That's never difficult."
"If that's your intention, then why try this with me? Looking for a challenge?"
He snorts. "I'm not really interested in you—I just want to piss my brother off."
My mouth parts in disgust at his amused look, but he doesn’t fool me. "Is that true, Xander? There's no other reason you're this close to me right now?"
Again we stand off, eyes fixed on each other, hidden but open.
"I don't have to answer your questions, Vee."
Stepping forward, I tiptoe and place my lips close to his ear. "I think you just did, Xander."
6
EWAN
I let the world stream by as I weave along the country roads, speeding around the bends and enjoying the power this gives me. A drier day makes a long ride possible after rainy days and shit road conditions. I’m not heading after Xander just yet.
I don't have a lot of freedom, from the guys or my role, but when I ride my bike, I'm on the verge between control and the bike controlling me. My life wavers between safety and danger, but this time the split second between triumph and disaster is in my hands.
And I need more.
I skirt around the town Xander and Vee head to and back into the countryside. They'll be fine for another hour; there's no evidence trouble will join us tonight. This is just a fishing mission.
My head clears too, blowing away the stress. My loud mouth ruined the relationship with Vee. I have no clue what to say to her about the way she discovered her truth was lies. Joss told me she's okay, doesn't blame me, but he doesn’t get it. I spend life hurting those who deserve pain; killing them painfully from the inside. Vee doesn't deserve her life to be eaten away the way theirs is.
She doesn’t deserve pain.
I stay in the house more than the other guys, away from the constant conflict between us. I'm happy alone with my laptop and research, and this fulfills me as much as when I use my other powers to stop evil. Danger follows the Horsemen everywhere, and I like space away from that shit.
But things have stepped up; this new shit with Vee and with Portia, the demon interference, all worry me. These reminders why I'm out tonight encroach, and I turn back to the town, slowing as I reach the centre. My bike draws attention from the kids hanging around the statue in the main square as I pass, and I can't resist a rev or two for them, as I increase my speed again.
Man, I fucking love my bike.
I locate Xander's car, tucked at the industrial estate's rear, between shipping containers, and park mine beside. Isn't this too far from the club? What if we need to move fast? We can run, but Vee's not exactly dressed for an Olympic-style sprint.
Nobody stops me as I walk inside. The fae doorman informs me Xander and his chick are inside with Declan, and irritation prickles. His chick? Has something happened between them?
I adjust my eyes to the light, and the familiar Warehouse dry ice and sweat smell assaults me. Of the Four, I love this place the most. I'm at home and draw little attention from humans. The tall scruffy guy with tattoos and bulk nobody wants to mess with? Yep. Perfect.
The regulars recognise me though. I've spent "intimate moments" with some girls here. This place is somewhere we come back to regularly between hunts, and because I'm away "working" for weeks on end, no girl expects more than a night. The other guys indulge too, but down time becomes less and less as we’re away more.
This isn't down time, although Xander will likely use the opportunity. He's wound tight after his time away, and his getting laid will do us all a favour.
I stride towards Declan’s office and halt. Looks like Xander's already started the process. He's close to the office, even closer to the person he's looking down on. His hands aren't on the girl he obscures from my view, but this man doesn't need to use his hands, silver-tongued bastard.
I blow air into my cheeks. Jesus, man, we have a job to do.
Xander moves to one side and my chest tightens, shooting unwarranted anger into my blood.
Vee.
Five minutes alone with her, and Xander's already persuaded Vee to get up close and personal?
Fucking hypocrite.
I stride over until I'm close enough to gauge their faces for hints of what happened between them. Xander looks at me impassively, and Vee's clothes look untouched.
"You're late," says Xander.
"Looks like I am late to the party." I raise a brow. Still no reaction.
"Declan has nothing to report, but Arlo is here tonight. I want to catch up with him before he leaves."
"Arlo? Where?" I ask.
"Down there, apparently." Xander points over the balcony.
I crane my head but locating anybody in there is impossible—one writhing mass, faces occasionally caught in the strobe lights. Yeah, getting up close and personal's never a problem in this place, for anybody.
Vee walks between us as we negotiate the winding steel stairs to the main floor. She stumbles as her heel’s caught between the steps and I steady her. Xander moves too quickly once we reach the ground floor, and she's exposed to the crowds around her. My protective side takes hold as a guy, face covered in piercings, spiked red hair steps in front, dancing and beckoning her into the crowd.
How will Vee react to this type of treatment? I know how I will. I stride forward and step between them. Vee bumps into my back as I stare down the metal-covered dude.
"Sorry, man!" he calls and turns to a girl beside him, who has no issue with letting him wind his arms around her waist.
I step to one side and Vee resumes her path through the crowd, in the direction of Xander and the bar. I resist my instinct to put a hand on Vee, to broadcast a signal she's with me to anybody tempted to touch her. But I have no right myself. Besides, her appearance already sets fire to a need that should remain at a smoulder, and touching Vee wouldn't be a good idea.
Xander rests against the bar and clicks his fingers at the bored-looking barman. Two beer bottles appear in front of him and he leans in to ask Vee something. A few moments later, the barman places a coke beside the beers.
I rest against the bar, elbows behind, and watch the people around. Vee sips her coke, wide-eyed, but Xander appears oblivious to her discomfort.
"Have you seen Arlo?" I shout at Xander.
He shakes his head and drinks.
"What does he look like?" asks Vee.
"Very tall, skinny, white hair streaked with purple. Can't miss him."
"What? Even amongst this crowd?" she asks and her laughter sounds over the music. Then she straightens and points behind me.
I look over and see Arlo moving through the crowd. Dancers part as he passes, most not registering him. The guy's weird looking to them, but he's normal looking for a fae. I wrinkle my nose at his usual outlandish outfit. Tonight he wears tight, white trousers and a silver vest exposing his wiry muscles and tattoos. Neon
eye make-up and lipstick accentuate his unorthodox look, and hide his fae side further.
Arlo's eyes fix on us as he approaches, and the light bouncing from his pale face highlights that he's unamused.
He stops short and tips his head upwards, looking down his narrow nose at us. We're the same height so he has trouble with this. To humans, this guy appears to be in his twenties. In reality, Arlo's well over a hundred. As one of the original "migrants" to the human world as a child, he's unhappy with fae politics and long since immersed himself away from their society’s traditional side. He's loyal to his kind, but he won't yield his life to control by royalty.
Arlo’s magic’s strong so he's left to his own devices for fear he'll attempt to interfere. Involvement in the Portia plot crossed my mind, but the guy's too comfortable in this life to tip the balance and threaten his existence.
We had issues early on with Arlo allowing supernatural clientele into the club. They paid him well and, at first, Arlo denied to us that they attended. We caught him out the day we found a vamp and non-donor hidden away in a side room. Since then, we visit regularly, as much to keep tabs on whether demons moved into the area and need clearing up. Occasionally stray, younger vamps wander in unaware we'll report them to their Houses for being here.
Shifters are fine to come if they’re with pack members, when grouped they never touch humans in a way that could damage or kill them. Other fae can be problematic. The younger kids enjoy living side by side with humans, whereas the elders worry they’ll attract attention and prefer they don’t. Less come here recently—there’s a fae-only underground club nearby aimed at their teen vices and where weird shit goes down. The Four stay away. Not our circus, not our monkeys.
"This is an unexpected visit," says Arlo.
"Didn't you hear about the trouble?" asks Xander.
Arlo cups his ear as if he can't hear, which he probably can't, and gestures to the edge of the bar away from the dance floor. The music's still loud here, but at least conversation is more audible.
"Trouble in Portia's kingdom?" asks Arlo and rubs long fingers across his chin.
"As if you didn’t know."
"I heard something." He waves a dismissive hand.
"Drop the clueless act. All fae know. As you live in her realm, this concerns you. We want to know if you've sighted any demons in here recently."
"Me?" He gestures to himself in mock surprise
"Yes. You," says Xander.
Arlo ignores him and switches his attention to Verity. "Is this your new friend?" He holds a hand out. Vee looks at his purple painted fingernails and long fingers before taking hold. He snatches his hand back; touching her confirms what we want to hide.
"Oh, she's your missing Fifth? You found her, then?" Arlo cocks his head as he studies Vee’s face. "She’s very pretty."
"Did you know any of the others looking for her?" I ask.
Arlo laughs. "A lot of people look for the Truth."
I pull myself to full height and scowl down at him. "Anybody you're friendly with?"
"Me? No. I don't get involved, you know that."
I turn to Vee. "What do you think?"
Her lips purse. "He's telling the truth."
Arlo snaps his fingers. "Ah! She spots lies! Clever trick! That must make life fun between you five. Have you asked them anything interesting yet, Vee?"
"Like what?" she asks.
"Whatever you want, if you’ll know whether they’re telling the truth. Man, I'd give my right arm to play games with these guys." He runs playful fingers along Xander’s arm.
Xander pushes his hand away. "Look, we just need to know if there've been any unusual ‘customers’ here recently."
"No." His response is definitive and firm.
"What about those vamp teens who dressed up like they were from a TV show and lured girls back to the House?"
Arlo scowls. "No fucking way, once we discovered them, we reported to their Elders and they were dealt with. Do you think I want to get involved with that shit? Nope."
His eyes shine brighter and anger masks his face. Vee shifts away, closer to me. I look at her and she nods, confirming his truth.
Arlo laughs. "Your very own lie detector. That'll make life easier for you all." The appraisal he makes of Vee's body and in particular her legs irritates me. "In some ways. How does it work then?"
"How does what work?"
"Between the five of you. Do you take turns? Or all at once?"
I clench my teeth at the amused curl to his mouth. If he were human, I'd smack him in the face for rudeness, but Arlo's only asking based on his personal norms.
"Take turns doing what?" asks Vee.
Xander leans in and whispers something. Vee blinks rapidly then looks at the ground. Now I want to punch Arlo.
"We're all friends," I say. “More like family."
Arlo crosses his arms, mouth tipping up at one side. "Sure, Ewan. I wonder how long that will last?"
I bristle again and look to Xander, who pulls out his phone and shows Arlo the images of Hunter. Vee's eyes remain on the ground, and now she's frowning.
"You okay?" I ask and touch her arm.
She snaps back to reality and tiptoes to reach my ear. "I'm going to the bathroom," she says and her hair and breath brush my skin.
Vee's scent lingers, clouding my mind, as she heads towards the open hallway opposite where we stand.
7
VEE
In my old life, I'd never come to a place like this. On the rare nights out I spent with Clone Club, we visited brighter lit, bigger places filled with shiny, happy people.
Not a freak show like here.
Hypocritical of me, I know, considering what I am. And odder still, these people scare me. Can the guys detect if any are demons too? Their continued vagueness and protection begins to piss me off. Aren't I their equal?
I definitely can't detect demons, although I recognised Arlo as fae. His similarity to the guy who attacked me set hairs on my neck, but I can't fear everybody of his race based on one event. Bloody rude comment though. Sure, I've pictured more than one of the guys naked but certainly not all five of us together. Omigod, no way. Hell, what would a girl do with so many...uh, appendages? I haven’t watched enough porn to know the answer to that one, and I don’t think I want to know.
The queue stretches out of the bathroom door, and I rest against the black painted wall to wait and duck as a ripped poster attacks my head. The brighter area highlights people's unfriendly faces more clearly than the gloomy club, and I keep my eyes to the floor, something I've spent a lot of time doing since I arrived here.
Ten minutes later, I emerge from the bathrooms having paddled in water and attempted to wash my hands in a sink blocked by paper towels.
So far, I'm unimpressed by my introduction to the fun Horsemen have when hunting. I wish I'd stayed home. Seriously.
The hallway is crammed with more bodies, some passing between the dance floor and bathrooms, the others queuing for or leaving the bathrooms.
A guy, similar height to me, stocky, catches my eye as I pass. His vibrant green hair is spiked, chains hanging from his leather pants. Seconds later, he bumps me sideways and I'm trapped between him and the wall as a hand slides around to my backside.
"What the fuck?" I shout and shove at his hand.
He leers at me and runs a pierced tongue along his lips. "Hey, beautiful."
His voice slurs, eyes awash with alcohol and my anger rises. "Get the hell off me!"
I'm about to bring my knee firmly into his crotch when he stumbles backwards, dragged by the shirt.
"Hey, man. I don't think you should do that." I watch as a taller, slimmer man looks down at my assailant.
The green-haired guy shoves him in the chest, but the other grabs his wrist. The second guy may look as if he has less strength, but the bigger man yelps in pain as the guy twists his arm round.
"I said, you shouldn't do that."
Others in the hallw
ay glance at us and then away again, as if the occurrence isn't unusual. The stocky man drops his challenge, then stumbles away, muttering and rubbing his arm.
"Thanks," I say as I pull myself away from the wall.
"No problem. You okay?" He smiles down at me. He’s blond, piercing-free, and the most ordinary person I’ve met in here.
"I’m fine." I shift my eyes in the direction of the bar, desperate to head back to Xander and Ewan.
"I haven't seen you in here before."
Oh great, is he hitting on me too?
"First time," I say brightly and sidestep a passer-by.
"On your own?"
"With some friends."
The man nods. At least his gaze remains on my face and doesn't wander elsewhere. "Having fun?"
"Uh—"
"Oh, look at me with all my questions!" He laughs. "Sorry. I'm Danny."
"Hi. Vee."
"Vee? Cool name. Short for something? Veronica? Violet?"
I shake my head again. Without Xander and Ewan close, I'm uncomfortable sharing who I am. "Just Vee."
Someone behind Danny knocks into him, and he holds out a hand, arm outstretched as he touches mine. This innocent gesture disturbs me because his touch lingers on my bare skin longer than it should. I look down at his fingers and frown. Danny slides them along my arm, and his face changes, eyes darkening as he does.
Call me paranoid (plenty do) but following the last few days, people behaving strangely bothers me.
"Sorry. I was pushed into you and your skin's very soft I couldn't resist stroking," he says.
Uh oh. Creeper. This is worse than the guy pinning me to the wall. I stare back into his friendly eyes, which now show more interest in me than I’d like. Oh, for fucks sake... I'd rather deal with a mob of demons than people like him. They'd probably make my skin crawl less.
Before he can touch or talk to me again, I push my way past a couple of girls, who’re heading towards the bathrooms, and back to the bar. I look down at my arm. A small red mark appeared on my inner arm where he touched me, and I rub at the spot, which feels warm against my fingers.
