by Raven Steele
"Stop!"
We both laughed and shared a swig from the whiskey bottle, despite it being seven o'clock in the morning.
"Well, I better get to work." Lynx picked up a fancy looking purse from off the counter.
"Where do you work?"
"My mother owns a clothing boutique store on Main Street. I‘m the manager. I get a pretty good discount if you ever want anything."
"Boutique? The word gives me chills.” I visibly shivered.
“Somehow, that doesn’t surprise me.” She smiled as she turned to go.
I stood up. ”Is Samira here?"
"She came in about an hour ago." She walked toward the door. "And for the record, I know that's not tomato juice in the fridge. But I think it's kind of funny she labeled it, so I’m not going to say anything."
She walked out the door, and I smiled, realizing that Lynx wasn’t going to be as bad as I thought. I think we might actually get along. Too bad it couldn’t last.
After I achieved my goal, I doubt anyone in this city would ever talk to me again.
Chapter 10
I thought about going to talk to Samira before crashing, but realized I should probably shower first. It wouldn't surprise me if she had already smelled me. In fact, now that I thought about it, she probably heard my whole conversation with Lynx.
Sure enough, after I came out of the shower, Samira was standing at the foot of my bed as if she'd been there the whole time.
"Do you believe in privacy?" I snapped as I walked to my closet, keeping a tight grip on the towel wrapped around me.
She followed me to the doorway. "What happened last night?"
"Just ran into a little trouble with the Silver Claws." I pulled a t-shirt over my bare chest. I hated sleeping in bras. I glanced back at her. "Did you know our roommate is related to the three witches from the bar?”
"Of course. I'm not an idiot."
I mimicked her under my breath as I pulled on a pair of underwear.
"Why are you interested in Dominic?" She still hadn't moved from her position, not a fraction of an inch. It was unnerving.
"How do you know I am? And why do you care?"
"You're going to get in the way."
"If anything, you're going to get in my way." I brushed past her, then jumped onto my bed and stretched out. My bed was warm, and I snuggled into it. When she didn’t leave, I narrowed my eyes. "Why do I get the feeling that you know a lot more than you're letting on?"
"Because I do know a lot more.”
“Like what?”
She folded her arms. “I have no intention of telling you. You're not part of the equation. Stay away from Dominic and the rest of the pack. There are bigger things in play than you realize."
I puffed air through my lips. “Listen, goth girl, I don't know what your deal is, but I've got my own reasons for going after the Silver Claws and there's nothing you can say that will keep me away. I've searched my whole life for Dominic. I'm not walking away. Now please leave. I'm tired."
I closed my eyes, but I could still feel her staring at me. "Seriously. You’re like a fucking gargoyle statue and it’s creeping me out."
A second later, the sensation left, and I opened my eyes. Samira was gone.
I slipped out of the bed to turn off the lights. When I laid back down, I stared up at the dark ceiling thinking of my uncle. How had I not known he had survived?
The thought had occurred to me to ask him, but something held me back. I may remember him as the fun-loving uncle, but time changes people. It had definitely changed me.
Besides, the pack didn't trust him. That should tell me something.
However, he did have information I could use. If he didn't like Dominic, he would probably spill all their secrets. He might even know something about Dominic’s schedule that would allow me to get closer to him and end this once and for all.
Just the thought of it brought a smile to my face. This was the beginning of the end. And with the discovery of my uncle, it could also be the beginning of my redemption.
I rolled over onto my side wondering what it would be like to not have revenge fuel my very existence. Would I even be the same person? Would it be possible to live a normal life?? And love? Children? Would my uncle play with my kids as he had played with me?
Those things were on the same level as fairytales to me and yet, with Dominic and Silas so close, the chance for a normal life actually seemed attainable.
These thoughts warmed me as I drifted into a sleep.
I slept for exactly six hours. My internal clock was as accurate as Big Ben. I rose from bed, listening closely to the sounds of the house. Empty. I placed my hands behind my head, reveling in the feeling.
Ahh, peace. And no cockroaches, unlike the many motels I’d stayed at. After a minute, I jumped up and threw open the curtains. I undressed, throwing my clothes onto the floor as I studied the woods behind me. It seemed private enough, a good place to run when I needed to burn off excess energy.
The deep sleep had helped my body heal and, while I waited for the shower to warm, I stretched my tight muscles. My wrists were just as perfect as before. I raised my eyebrows at them, impressed with Lynx’s abilities. No one at work would ever know.
I slapped my hand to my forehead. Shit! I had left the bar without completing the paperwork for Eddie. Again.
I should probably go back in. He had seemed especially anxious about it, as if he might lose his business if I didn’t. I sighed. Too dramatic for my taste, but I needed to keep my job.
After I dressed and ate, I booked an Uber to take me into the club. I considered calling Roma, but she’d had a late night just like me. I'd give my new witchy friend a break.
It was early afternoon when I arrived. And locked. I should've figured it would be closed this early in the afternoon. Eddie just seemed like the type of guy who was married to his job.
I sucked in a breath and released it. I guess I was wrong. Having nothing else to do, I headed toward Main Street a few blocks over. Maybe I could go shopping where Lynx worked. It had been several months since I bought any clothes and being a wolf wasn’t good for keeping them intact.
The streets were lined with old brick stores, probably the originals built when the city was settled. The air was humid and smelled liked fish and spicy jambalaya. Humans walked the streets, smiling and chatting, completely unaware of the supernatural community.
I shivered.
The ignorance could be blissfully amazing and scary at the same time. You’d never knew what hit you if a supernatural decided to eat you for lunch, which didn’t happen too often unless it was a total douchebag. Humans were off limits.
I passed a shop that smelled like incense and paused for a moment to take in a deep breath. A chill ran through my blood, and I scurried forward. Black magic. Best to stay away from that shit.
A few doors down, I found the boutique shop I thought Lynx might work at. A bell above the glass door jingled as I walked inside. It had looked small from the outside, but my eyebrows lifted when I realized how big it was inside. It was a two-story shop that went much farther back than I expected. Happy pop music blared through the speakers, and I frowned, sure that Lynx had picked the station.
I wandered through the store, dragging my fingers across all the soft and fancy-looking clothing. I checked the tag of a cute top, but dropped it when I saw the price.
A pretty brunette approached me. "Can I help you?"
I grimaced. ”I have deer in headlights look on my face, don't I?"
She giggled. "You do seem a little overwhelmed."
"There's too much to look at. I'm getting a headache." I glanced around the store, waffling on whether I should stay or bolt. "I'm looking for Lynx."
"Are you a friend of hers?"
"I’m her new roommate.”
She flinched.
I frowned. “What was that face for?"
She quickly collected herself and smiled. "Nothing."
"No way
. I saw it. Do you think it's a bad idea to be Lynx’s roommate?"
"Of course not. Lynx is a super nice girl. It’s just that her family—”
I waved my hand to dismiss her. “I’ve heard. But I'm not living with them. So, is she here?"
She nodded toward the back. "She's in the office, but her mother is there, too. I would wait until they are done."
My mouth dropped open. "No way! I want to see what all the fuss is about."
Walking away, I pretended I didn't hear the girl whisper at my back. "Your funeral."
I found the office easy enough and knocked on the closed door. It flung open wide, startling me.
"What?" A shorter woman stood in the doorway, her face twisted in a snarl. Her dark red hair was pulled back into a bun wrapped so tight it stretched the skin on her face. She might've been beautiful, with ivory skin and amber eyes, but her expression was darkened with malice.
It only took a second to understand why Lynx might need liquid courage to face her mother.
I glanced over the older woman’s shoulder. Lynx sat behind a desk, blood draining from her face.
The woman snapped her fingers in front of my face. "Are you going to say something or just stand there looking like an ass?"
Lynx jumped to her feet. "Mother, this is my roommate, Briar. She’s new in town, so please be polite. And, Briar, this is Cassandra Morgan.”
Cassandra looked me up and down, wrinkling her nose in disgust as if she could smell the shit on me from the night before. I was half-tempted to smell myself. I’m pretty sure I washed everything.
I raised my eyebrow. “How long are you going to check me out? Because I’m straight, in case you have any ideas."
She blinked. "Excuse me?"
"I said I'm straight."
She glanced back at Lynx in surprise. When she looked back at me, her face was red with angry blotches. "Do you know who you're talking to?"
I slipped past her into the room. "Nope and I don't give a rat’s ass." I rapped my knuckles on Lynx’s desk. "Do you want to go on a late lunch? I have some time to kill."
Lynx’s jaw nearly fell off.
"Now listen here.” Cassandra turned to face me. "My daughter has work to do, something you probably know nothing about. I suggest you leave this place before I call the police."
Lynx’s pale cheeks tinged pink. "Mother, that's hardly necessary."
"Oh, I think it is. We should probably search her too. There are nice things in this store, and it wouldn't surprise me if she's taken something."
I took three steps toward her. "Now see here, old lady. No one accuses me of being a thief."
She lifted her hand and flicked her fingers. An invisible force slammed into me, and I crashed into the wall.
Rage burst through me, making my blood boil. I was going to kill this witch just as soon as I could get up, which I seemed to be having trouble doing. Before I could steady my feet, Lynx stepped between us, holding her hands out as if to shield me.
“Leave her alone, mother!”
I stared at Lynx’s backside in wonder. I couldn’t remember the last time anyone had stood up for me.
Her mother sidestepped her to scowl at me. “Listen to me, shifter bitch. If you ever talk to me like that again, I will put you in your place in a painful way. Do you understand?"
A thousand insults flooded my mind, but I was still trying to catch my breath to spout any of them. Damnit.
Lynx pointed at the open door. "Please leave."
"We’ll discuss this incident later. As for you,” Cassandra’s gaze slowly lowered to me, “you’re in over your head. It’s best you give your loyalty to the Silver Claws’ Alpha as soon as possible. It’s in everyone’s best interest.”
She disappeared before I could respond. Whose interest had she been talking about? And why was she talking to me as if she knew me?
The sudden ache fermenting in my gut told me something was off with that woman. And not off in the sense that she forgot to take her Prozac that morning, but off like she was secretly a demon wearing a flesh suit.
I’d have to keep an eye on her.
Chapter 11
Lynx whirled around and helped me to my feet. “I am so sorry. My mother is insane.”
I brushed myself off. “I can't believe you came out of her vagina. I wouldn’t think it possible with that thick tree up her ass.”
"You okay?"
"Are you kidding? You saw me the other night. This was nothing."
She cracked a smile. "What are you doing here anyway?"
"I had to fill out some employee paperwork, but the bar is closed. I thought maybe I'd do some shopping while I waited for it to open.”
She squealed and threw her arms around me. "I thought you’d never ask!"
My body stiffened at her touch. Hugging did not come naturally.
She let me go but pulled on my arm instead, leading me out of the office. "This is going to be so much fun."
I groaned, already regretting it.
Fun was not the word I would use for what we did. For the next few hours, she dressed me as if I was a doll. I had to admit though, I sort of liked the attention. It was not something I was used to.
By the time she was finished, three hours had passed and my wallet was several hundred dollars lighter. It was the most money I had spent in years on clothes. Every extra penny I ever earned went into my revenge fund. I liked watching it grow.
When I was finished shopping, I headed back to the club, my arms full of bags. A familiar motorcycle was parked out front. Oh, hell no. A mixture of desire and anger thrummed through my body. For a second, an image of his naked and sexy body wrapped around mine filled my mind. I gritted my teeth, forcing the image into my brain gutter. Maybe I needed to screw him, just once. That might get him out of my system.
I huffed and walked inside, dumping my bags in the front. The lights were on, but I couldn't see anyone. Voices echoed from the upstairs office. Why was Luke talking to Eddie?
I crept quietly up the stairs, hoping to catch part of their conversation but their voices lowered. Luke probably heard me come in. However, I did manage to catch the words “money” and “deadline.”
As I approached the closed door, their voices stopped altogether. Disappointed, I knocked on it.
"Come in,” Eddie’s voice called.
I opened it and looked straight at Luke. "What are you doing here?"
"I could say the same for you.” His eyes dropped to my wrists, and he studied them for a moment too long. Then he gave me a smug look. “Are you following me?”
I snorted. “I would shoot myself first.”
Eddie cleared his throat. "Briar is my new bartender. Customers love her."
Luke picked at an invisible speck of dust on his jacket. "Have they heard her speak?"
I pointed at my mouth. “The crowd lines up to hear what comes out of this hole."
"Only because they've never heard so much bullshit before. Or should I say horse shit?"
“Your face is shit."
"Can I help you with something, Briar?" Eddie said quickly.
I flashed Luke one more cold stare before I turned to Eddie. "I need to fill out the employee paperwork. I keep forgetting."
He huffed and searched through a stack of papers on his desk. "I told you it was important to get that done. There are certain people," his eyes flashed to Luke, "who get very upset if my records aren't in order. We don't need the IRS sniffing around."
I looked from him to Luke, frowning. "What the hell does this loser have to do with your records? You're the owner, right?"
Eddie handed me a stack of papers. “There was a time when being an owner meant something, but not anymore."
Luke sighed as if he'd heard Eddie say this before. "I'm gonna go, but I'll be back later. Have it ready." He walked by me, eyeing me as he went. My body betrayed itself and shivered at his musky scent. To make up for my body’s betrayal, I reached my leg out to trip him, but he jumped o
ver it.
"Nice try.” I saw him smile before he left the room.
I waited until I heard him descend the steps before I turned to Eddie. "I hate that guy. What was he really doing here?"
He shook his head. "It's best to stay out of it. He's part of a group that pretty much runs this city. They’re backed by a lot of muscle."
"Someone needs to chase them out of town."
“Don't think for one second you are going to be the one to do it. Their group is extremely dangerous. Besides, you’re the best bartender I've ever seen. I've made more money with you in the last two days than all last week. I'd hate for anything to happen to you."
“Don't you worry. I'll stay out of trouble. When do you want this paperwork back by?"
“Before your shift at eleven.”
“You got it, boss.”
“Please, call me Eddie.”
“Thanks, Eddie.” I moved to leave but turned around to ask one more question. “Do you give out Christmas bonuses?”
"I'm Jewish."
"Damn." I left the office and walked down the stairs. Not like I was planning on staying until Christmas but, so far, I kind of liked having roommates, Lynx at least. And Eddie seemed all right. The jury was still out on Samira.
I walked outside, surprised I was even considering staying in a place longer than a few months. A lot could happen before Christmas. Because I had all my bags to carry, I called another Uber and rode home. I was going to have to buy a car at some point. These Uber rides were starting to add up.
Samira was in the living room when I walked in the front door of our house. She hissed at the sunlight spilling in through the open door.
"Oops." I hurried to close it.
She scooted to the other end of the sofa, scowling at me.
I set my bags down on a table. "So, you really can't go out into the sun at all?"
"It takes approximately ten seconds for my flesh to begin burning. Another twenty, and I will be dead."
"That sucks balls." I dropped onto the couch and propped my legs up on the coffee table.
