by Raven Steele
“That only happens the first time. Besides, we’ve remedied that problem. It’s much better now.” Angel scooted his chair closer to me and leaned in close. “There’s only one thing that tastes better than shifter blood.”
“Your mom?”
“A shifter with Scorpion's breath pulsing through her veins.” He slid his fingers down the flesh on my neck and to the swell of my breasts.
I swallowed the growing saliva in my mouth.
“Drink it, my dear. You will not regret it.”
“It’s addictive.”
“It’s a cure.” He let the words sink in before adding, “Besides, you’re strong. It won’t affect you like it does others.”
I raised the small vial to my lips but paused before drinking. “The Nocturnas will work with us again?”
“I plan on it.”
Before he finished the words, I was tossing the cool liquid into my mouth. It burned as it ran down the dark corridor of my throat, and I flinched at the pain.
“The fire will only last a moment,” Angel purred.
He was right. By my next breath, the sharp sting was replaced by an overwhelming warmth that rushed from my head to my toes. Every part of me began to tingle and the world came into focus. Colors were more vibrant, sounds sharper, smells stronger. It was as if everything around me had been asleep until just now. Was this how the world really was? I laughed out loud, already feeling better.
So I killed Silas. Big deal. That was my goal, wasn’t it? Even if I’d done it a little more brutally than I’d anticipated, the end result was the same.
“Dance with me.” Angel stood up, straightening his suit. He pulled me to my feet and for the next couple of hours he taught me to dance. I’d never even heard of this kind of dancing, but I easily picked up on the steps. After only a little instruction, they felt natural. Soon we were twirling around the floor, and I felt like the most popular supernatural in the room. I switched partners several times until I was back in Angel’s arms.
I giggled, landing against his chest. I leaned forward, whispering conspiratorially. “What’s the secret to this new batch?” I slurred my next sentence. “Sss-soo different than that last batch, which was awful.” I shrugged. “Although I kinda liked it. I didn’t like it at the time, but I liked it later.”
He turned sharply, pulling me back towards his table with amusement in his eyes. Then he put his finger to his lips. “It’s a secret.”
“What?” I whisper-yelled and leaned towards him, almost falling over, but he caught me, pulling me close. I was caught up in his gaze.
“Vampire venom. But don’t tell anyone.”
“I won’t.” I nodded, brushing my fingers over my lips, mimicking a zipper. “I won’t tell a soul.”
He chuckled and pulled out my chair, indicating for me to sit down but I couldn’t. I felt too much energy. I jumped up and down; I was unstoppable.
“I don’t want to sit down. Do you want to sit down?” Colors and sounds danced past me as a thrill raced through my veins.
“I’m thirsty.”
“Oh.” By his tone, deep and throaty, I knew exactly what he meant. I should care. I should make up an excuse to get out of here, but right now, with the world no longer dark and suffocating, I didn’t care. Dominic had ordered me to do whatever Angel wanted, so what if I gave him some of my blood? It wasn’t sex. It wasn’t even kissing.
I guided him to a dark corner where he pulled me close. I gasped at the suddenness of it. His hand slid up the back of my bare thigh and to my ass while the other traced the vein on my neck. Fangs grew long in his mouth. “This night was more than I expected. I enjoy you.”
His mouth lowered to my throat. I expected to feel teeth pierce my skin. Instead, his tongue pressed against my flesh. I groaned as a thrill rushed through my body. My heart thundered in my chest and lightning ignited in my belly as his fingers pressed into my hips.
Gripping me tight to keep me still, his mouth wandered lower until they reached the swell of my breasts. There was a brief sting followed by the most intense pleasure that shot right to my core. I sucked in a breath, grinding my hips against him and staring across the room. Everything around me spun like I’d just gotten off the Graviton at the local state fair.
But then there was something familiar in the chaos. A familiar face that brought the centripetal motion to a complete stop.
Luke.
Chapter 11
Luke stared at us from across the room, his eyes glowing a deep yellow. It broke me out of the spell I was under and I shook my head, trying to see clearly. My leg was wrapped around Angel’s leg, my arms clutching him to my breast. I jerked backwards, untangling myself. What the hell was I doing?
I stumbled back but Angel caught me.
“Is something wrong?” He dabbed at the blood on his mouth. My blood.
“No, I …” I glanced down in horror at the puncture wounds, blood welling up in the dark holes.
“I can heal those.”
He gripped my hips and leaned down. His tongue darted out and, in one long stroke, closed the holes. I should have been horrified, but the feeling sparked and then faded. I looked back to where I’d seen Luke. He was gone.
“I think it’s better.” I tried to push him away, but his hold on me was incredibly strong.
Angel inspected my skin. “Good as new. You’re lucky it was me who bit you. Most vampires can’t heal.”
“I’m a lucky girl.” He didn’t know how lucky. I didn’t want any other pack member to see the bite. I nodded, a fog making me feel weightless. I clasped his arm to keep myself grounded. He ran his nose along the length of my neck.
“You have such a unique flavor. There is something in your blood …” His face was in the crook of my neck now. “I’ve tasted it before, I’m certain.”
“It’s Scorpion's Breath.”
He pulled away to look into my eyes. “No, something else.” He took a step back, creating space between us. “Whatever it is, protect it. Many vampires would take advantage of such an original flavor.”
There was a joke there, but my mind was too foggy to latch onto it. “I need to go.”
He smiled, leading me back to our table. “Of course. Will I see you again?”
“I’m sure we’ll cross paths.”
He took hold of my hand and kissed the back of it. I cleared my throat, looking anywhere but at him. My eyes found my purse resting on the table. I needed to get a hold of Roma.
He picked it up and handed it to me. “My driver will take you home. He’s already waiting for you outside the front door.”
“Thank you.” As soon as he released me, I fled the club like Cinderella from the suckiest ball ever.
True to his word, the driver was standing next to the open car door. I flopped into the backseat, dropping my head back. I gave him my address and he politely nodded, then closed the darkened window between us. The whole way back, I kept my eyes closed and thought of nothing else. It was easy to do with Scorpion's Breath blowing life into me. It was all too easy to push away the nagging in the back of my mind telling me what I fool I was, how weak I was, how Luke may never look at me the same.
I reminded myself that after tonight, Dominic would have to trust me, even just a little bit. I was giving him exactly what he wanted: a chance to work with the Nocs again. The thought made me smile and, after I was dropped off, I stripped my dress off and fell into bed, my mind easing into a peaceful calm.
I slept better than I had in years. There were no nightmares, only pleasant dreams of a world when I was young again and my family was alive.
Waking was the nightmare. Everything I’d done the night before flooded my mind in one powerful memory. I jumped from the bed and ran to the toilet. I gagged over it until what little food was in my stomach came back up. Then I panted over it, regret coursing through me. What had I done? I showered, scrubbing every inch of my body, even the inside of my mouth.
I may have had to entertain Angel,
and, if I rationalized it enough, I probably even had to let him drink from me. But I didn’t have to be so willing about it. And I definitely didn’t have to eagerly take the drug he offered me.
It had helped, though. I’m not sure I could’ve gone through it had I not taken it.
I leaned against the wet shower wall, the water flowing over my face, knowing I was still rationalizing my actions.
I wasn’t sure I could go today without taking it.
But I had to try. Just say no. Everyone knew that.
And yet, as I felt the quiet whisperings of the Scorpion's Breath calling out to me, promising to quiet the pain, I didn’t care so much about saying no. Saying no wouldn’t make me feel better.
I closed my eyes tight. Think of something else. Do something else. Go through the motions.
Leaving the hot shower, I dressed and decided to go see Eddie at Sinsual. Maybe he’d give me my old job back. That’s exactly what I needed. To fall back into a familiar routine.
I texted Roma, asking if she could give me a ride.
Voices from downstairs found their way up to me. Ryder was here again. I could hear him laughing with Lynx and it made me smile. I liked the sound of them together. Ryder deserved to be happy, and if anyone could make a person happy, it was Lynx. But I worried for her. Her mother wouldn’t like the relationship.
I walked down the stairs and into the living room where the two sat closely together.
“Good morning.” I stepped into the room.
Ryder jumped to his feet, his face reddening.
I smirked at him. “You checking in on me again?”
“I, uh, well …” he stuttered.
“Where you off to?” Lynx asked me, sparing him from further embarrassment. She held her hand out to him. When he grabbed it, she pulled him back down next to her with a grunt. She laughed and snuggled up to him.
“To see if Eddie will give me my job back.” I wasn’t even sure they heard me. I opened my mouth to repeat myself but a knock at the door interrupted me.
I walked towards it. “You expecting company?”
“It’s just me,” Luke’s voice said beyond the door. I stopped dead in my tracks, fear gripping me.
“Come in,” Lynx called out happily, winking at me. She didn’t notice the alarm on my face.
Shit! What was I going to say to him? I didn’t think I’d be seeing him so soon. Didn’t I break things off with him? Why was he here?
Maybe he hadn’t been at the club. Maybe it was an illusion. I hoped that was possible, despite what Angel said.
He opened the door and smiled when he saw me. “You look well rested. Want to take a walk?”
Him smiling was a good sign. Maybe he had been an illusion.
“Sure. Except I’m going to head to Sinsual soon, see if I can get my job back.”
“It won’t take long. I promise.”
The hopeful look on his face was suffocating. I didn’t trust his good mood. I nodded and left the house, attempting to swallow the giant lump in my throat. The air was crisp and cool. A normal human would be wearing a jacket, but so far, I was liking the winter weather in Rouen.
He took the path that led to the woods, and I followed a step behind him. He slowed to let me catch up, brushing his arm against mine, and my skin buzzed at the contact. He smiled at me. “I wanted to make sure you were okay after last night. Dominic’s tasks are never easy.”
“I’m just fine.”
The light grew softer, giving in to the darkness as we entered the trees. I willed it to swallow me whole.
He worked his jaw, playing with the next words in his mouth. “Can I ask what happened?”
My chest tightened. “Luke, I …” I stopped. “What are you doing? I told you I can’t do this right now.”
“Clearly, I’m ignoring that.”
I sighed and moved to walk away, but he grabbed my arm. “Fine. We can put this on hold. For now.” His intense gaze told me that he would fight for me, when the time was right. “But that doesn’t mean I don’t get to worry about you. What happened last night? Are you okay?”
“I’d rather not talk about it. I did what I had to do, and I think it worked. Angel wants to work with the Silver Claws again. He even said the original contract would stand. I think that will make Dominic very happy, which is the goal.”
“Except it’s not Angel’s call. It’s Mateo’s.”
“But Mateo listens to Angel. It will all work out. It has to after last night.”
His muscles rippled tight. “Did he hurt you?”
“I can handle myself.”
His eyes met mine, and I stared stonily back at him. I couldn’t let my emotions get the best of me.
“Can you?” His hand reached up and gently touched where Angel had bit me. His finger caressed the skin above my breast. There was no sign of what Angel had done to me and yet Luke knew.
So he had been there.
Shame washed over me. I wanted to run away, to never face him again.
I wished he would yell at me or call me stupid. That would be easier to deal with than this strange kindness he was showing me.
I turned away, forcing his fingers to slide away. “I don’t want to talk about it. Let’s just get through the next few weeks and all this will be over. Then we can go back to how things were before.”
“Can we?” He folded his arms across his chest. “I’m not sure that’s true.”
I touched his arm, pulling them apart, and stepped into him, leaning my head against his chest. I didn’t want to touch him. I didn’t want to beg him to understand me. But I couldn’t stop myself. The pull to him had a mind of its own. “Please, Luke. Just … I need you to understand right now.”
He wrapped his arms around me and sighed, leaning his chin on the top of my head. “I can’t say no to you, Briar.”
“Good.”
He pulled back, his eyebrow raised. “Good thing you’re so cute.”
“Excuse me? I am not cute.”
He grinned. “Yeah you are.”
“I am not.”
He leaned down, biting my lip and a growl escaped his lips. “You are fucking sexy and you know it.”
Heat shot through me and I wanted to kiss him back. Instead, I deflected. “That’s right, bitch. Now get in line so I can help you find your brother, and then we can kick Dominic’s ass.”
He gripped my hand tight, refusing to let it go when I tried to pull away, and led me back towards the house. “Do you need a ride to Sinsual?”
“Nah. I’ve already called Roma.”
“Roma?”
“She’s an Uber driver. Anyways, she’s been helping me out lately. She didn’t even charge me last night.”
He nodded, looking a little disappointed. So I began to run, pulling him with me. “First one to the door gets a kiss.”
I shot through the trees, heading back towards the house, feeling a little childish. Luke sped past me with a huge grin on his face. I choked out raggedy breaths, trying to reach the front door before him. He reached it a step ahead of me and, at the last moment, turned so that I slammed into his chest. He caught me, grinning, and wrapped his arms around me. He lifted me off my feet and held me close, my feet dangling in the air. I leaned into him, trying to catch my breath and I couldn’t stop the smile from spreading across my face. I felt light and happy.
I reached up and kissed him on the cheek.
He scowled, putting me down. “Hey, you—”
“I didn’t say where I would kiss you.”
He growled and nipped my shoulder. A perfectly-timed honk announced Roma’s arrival. She waved when she saw me and gave a whistle in Luke’s direction. “You need a ride, too? I can take you to my house, if you want. And I won’t even charge ya.”
He laughed. “I’m good, thanks.”
I called to Roma, “Wait one second. I have to grab something.”
Rushing back into the house, I sprinted up the stairs all the way to the attic. I grabbed t
he box of Silas’ stuff and brought it down to Luke. “This is for you.”
He looked up at me, eyes wide. “Silas’?”
I nodded. I wanted to tell him not to get his hopes up, but I couldn’t crush the anticipation glimmering in his eyes.
“Thank you, Briar. This means a lot.”
“That’s what friends are for.” I turned around to leave, but he smacked me hard on the ass.
“You’re more than that, and one day, when you’ll let me, I’ll show you just how much more.”
Butterflies bloomed in my stomach all at once and flew downward until they burned in my core. My mouth fell open, but I couldn’t form an intelligible word, so instead, I smiled and continued walking.
I slid into the car. Roma flashed me a sly look. “Is he yours?”
“Not yet.” We drove away, heat still coursing through me. “But I’m determined to change that.”
After I got my revenge.
Chapter 12
It was good to be back at Sinsual. The bar was empty this time of day, but in a few hours it would be crazy busy. Sinsual was the most popular club around. I inhaled a deep breath, enjoying the smell of Windex and pine from the wood bar. Bartending was the one place I could be myself. There was something about putting on a show that didn’t have anything to do with shifters that made me feel good.
I always believed I could’ve had a good run in the circus.
A man stood against the bar, his back to me and a clipboard in one hand. There seemed to be a soft glow coming from his chest.
“Eddie?”
At my voice, he swirled around and I blinked. The light was gone, and I wondered if I was having side effects from the drug.
I should really stay away from that shit.
Eddie’s jaw dropped when he saw me. “You’re back! I heard so many different rumors. I thought for sure you’d be long gone if any of them were true. Are you okay?”
“I’m really good. Just looking to return to work, if you’d have me.”
