Jack pulled her close and kissed her neck. Marie’s senses went into overdrive. The hairs stood up across her skin, and the goosebumps followed. More chocolate swam through the air. The thought was tempting. She could see herself ripping his clothes off, followed by her own. It wouldn’t have been the first time.
“Slow down, there,” she said. “As much as I’d like to give Ms. Beaty a heart attack, I’m going to have to decline.”
“Why?”
“Because meeting your family and playing home decorator doesn’t exactly get me all revved up.”
“Really?” He slipped a hand under her shirt. “You feel like you’re at least idling.”
With a laugh, she slid off his lap.
“We’re going to do this right,” she said. “We’ll go to dinner—”
“Ah! I knew dinner was in the cards.”
“And then, maybe we’ll go back to my hotel. Have a little private time.”
He scowled.
“Not that place on Wilson? That’s a dump. Not sure I’d feel okay dropping my jeans over there. I’m not trying to talk to bedbugs while we’re mating away.”
“Ever the charmer, Jack.”
He adjusted his pants to accommodate his arousal. Marie smiled and did her best to shove his scent away.
“So,” he said. “What are the plans tonight?”
She rose to her feet and gathered her shoes. If she stayed much longer, his scent alone would drive her to resume their earlier position.
“I’m going for a run. Know any nice spots?”
“It’s a beach. And I avoid the woods.”
“You’re no help.”
He stood to join her. She smiled as he again shifted his clothes. Pressing against him, she nibbled on his ear as he held her waist.
“You figure out dinner. I’ll figure out what I’m going to wear.”
“I can work with that.”
She lifted her nose to the air. Weaving between the ocean water and sand were the woods. They called to her. There were still a few hours left in the night.
“Breakfast tomorrow?” she asked. “Seriously? You don’t mind?”
“I like my house packed with a lot of women,” he said. “If you can handle it, stop by.”
“I can handle it.”
He approached and kissed her on the lips, surprising her.
“Then I’ll see you in a few.”
Marie turned and left, almost reluctantly. She looked forward to her mini vacation, to the next few days.
CHAPTER 14
THE PAST FEW weeks, perhaps even months, had been a blur. In that time, Kevin had broken up with Leese, got back together, lost his job, moved away from home temporarily, built the largest magical workshop ever known, and fought demons and witches. He was sure there were other life moments in there, but as the scalding water ran over his body, nothing came to mind. That was a blessing. He could use a few quick moments to turn off his brain.
It didn’t last long.
A single question echoed through his mind, over and over, as he showered.
How did I get here?
He reached for the shampoo, then paused, his hand hovering. His gaze fell on the invisibility potion he’d brought into the shower with him. He’d already taken one drink, and had a few minutes of magic left to go. Still, knowing he was being paranoid and overly cautious, he took another sip.
There were so many other things he needed to do. At the top of that list was finding a job, getting his life back in order. He’d done his share of good deeds, maybe even pulled ahead a little. He had a hand in saving Skye’s life, and put to rest the mystery of how Michael Tavers got his magic.
But Victoria needed his help. That was the simple answer to the question of How did I get here?
There was a noise outside the bathroom. It sounded like movement, maybe blankets shuffling around. He almost reached for his glasses beyond the curtain, resting on the sink, but decided against it. It wasn’t an issue to see through any wall. But he wasn’t the only one that deserved privacy.
“Zoey?” he called. “Are you awake out there?”
A deep sigh, followed by more movement.
“I’ve been awake for the last three hours,” she said. “I’ve slept on floors softer than this bed. And the time change is screwing with me.”
Kevin laughed.
“I told you. I could send you right back to the mansion.”
“No. Thanks, Kevin. But … no. That’s a shortcut. I’m never going to be a better vampire if I keep taking shortcuts.”
He admired her determination, even if he didn’t understand where she was coming from. He liked Zoey. She’d saved his life before.
“The last three hours,” he repeated, thinking to himself. Kevin had been in and out of the room since then. He’d toured the town, checked out some sights, ate lunch. He checked on Zoey before coming and going, making sure he didn’t let any sunlight into the room. She appeared to be asleep, with various body parts sticking out from under the blankets. “What have you been doing this whole time?”
“Being bored out of my mind. God, when is the sun going down?”
“Not much longer now,” Kevin said. He didn’t normally shower so late in the day, but figured it would help keep him refreshed for the night ahead. “I’m almost done. Then it’s your turn.”
“Thanks. Hey, I have to ask.” There was amusement in her tone. “Do you always take invisible showers?”
He froze for a moment. Checking his vial, he let out a quiet sigh of relief when he saw he had more magic left.
“I, uh, never stayed in a hotel room with anyone besides Leese before. And my sister, but I don’t count her.”
“What’s the problem? Afraid I’m going to spy on you?”
Kevin stuttered for a moment.
“Well, I mean … How did you know I’m invisible in here, anyway?”
Silence followed. Zoey had her own moment of awkward stuttering.
“Hey, a peek is not a spy. Okay? Give me a break.”
Underneath his invisibility potion, Kevin was sure he’d turned red.
“So, fill me in,” Zoey said, changing the subject. “I’ve been out of it all day. What are we doing tonight?”
“Victoria’s been researching in her room. I think she wants to check out a few places.”
“She hasn’t left?”
“No. Doesn’t want anyone here to see her out in the day. So, make sure you keep that a secret.”
“Like I’m going to tell anyone? Please. Are you almost done in there? I feel disgusting.”
“Yeah. Just relax.”
“Hurry up. Oh, hey, Kevin? Will you wash my back?”
“Uh, no.”
“I’m joking! Wow. You’re no fun.”
Kevin turned the water off. Stepping onto the mat, he cracked the door open. He couldn’t see beyond the corner, but noticed there was no sun. Dusk had arrived. Zoey must have been overjoyed. His magic stopped the dangerous light at the windows, but the room probably still felt like a prison.
“Okay, the bathroom’s all yours,” he announced. “I’m going to check on Victoria. See where we’re going.” An unpleasant thought crossed his mind. “Do you … need to drink tonight? Let me know. I really don’t want to see that.”
More silence. He slid on his boxers, followed by a pair of jeans.
“Zoey?” he said, lowering his voice. “Did you fall asleep out there?”
Another noise. Movement. Something didn’t sound right. A thud. A stumble into the nightstand? Kevin stiffened. That wasn’t Zoey. Whoever moved was big, their footsteps heavy. Were there multiple footsteps?
He dropped to one knee and reached for his glasses on the sink. The walls vanished as he slid them on.
Zoey wasn’t alone.
There were five other people in their hotel room. Four men and one woman. Two of them held her down on the bed, covering her mouth. She struggled to break their grip, but even her supernatural strength wasn’t en
ough.
Vampires.
His breath hitched as panic took hold. He fought to remain calm. He didn’t have the experience of Victoria, or even Alex or Jack, but it wasn’t his first fight.
As two of them held Zoey in place, the others searched the room. What they were looking for, Kevin didn’t know. They hurried, with unnerving quiet. They searched through his suitcase, the dresser drawers. One overturned Zoey’s bag on the floor, spilling clothes and undergarments about.
He tried to think. Like Victoria constantly reminded him, he was powerful. But he wasn’t invulnerable. One vampire could easily kill him. Several could tear him in half with no trouble at all.
But after so many battles, after so many had threatened his loved ones, he swore he’d never be unprepared again.
His coat wasn’t an option. It hung, useless, on the back of the chair in the corner. But his coat was only one piece of his arsenal now.
“Zoey?” he called innocently, to fill the dead air. There was no reason to let the invaders know he saw them. “I’m getting ready to come out. Don’t try to look me up and down, now.”
He moved as he spoke, opening the cabinet under the sink.
Leese had laughed at him when he told her his plans. Even she, as much trauma as she’d went through, told him he was taking things too far. Leese had been kidnapped, drugged with a magical potion, threatened with her life, a gun pointed at her face. Still, she told Kevin he was being a little crazy.
His preparation didn’t seem like a bad idea now.
He grabbed the photo of his workshop, or War Room, as Martha had called it. The glass vial was taped to the side, where he left it, next to the wrapped toilet paper. He drew the portal on the photo with his finger, over the hooks where he stored his vast array of magic-storing vests. Glancing around the bathroom, the closest surface was the side of the sink cabinet. That was all he needed.
He drew the connecting portal and placed his palm in the center. Most of the cabinet vanished as the portal hummed into being. The cool air from across the world smacked him in the face. The air conditioners in the War Room were finally working. Gripping the toilet so he wouldn’t fall through, he reached through the portal and felt along the wall. He didn’t need to see. He knew exactly what he was searching for. His fingers brushed along a metal rod, over the combat belts he’d put together for human threats. It was a long stretch, but he slipped off a belt from the metal rod on the far end, the one he reserved for vampires. A few vials bumped into each other. Kevin peered through the wall again, making sure he wasn’t heard. The vampires continued to search. The sole woman in the group had swapped with one of her partners, helping to restrain Zoey.
As quickly and quietly as he could, he slipped the combat belt around his waist and secured the shoulder straps. Maybe it was overkill. Maybe it was silly. Like Leese had said, maybe it was a little crazy. But his new system had already saved his life once.
A sense of comfort washed over him as he felt the weight of the vials and trinkets. He knew where every potion was, every raw ingredient.
The first thing he reached for was his silence potion. He drank the whole thing, knowing it would give him a few minutes. A simple magic, the immediate area around him was a dead zone, muffling all noise.
He held his stone to his lips and thought of Victoria.
“Hey,” he whispered. “We need help.”
Kevin wanted to give details, but went silent. One vampire turned their head toward the bathroom. Kevin stiffened. Somehow, did the vampire hear? Did his potion not work against a vampire’s powerful hearing? Or maybe he decided Kevin had been in the bathroom too long?
The vampire moved. It was only six or seven steps to reach the bathroom. He threw the door open.
“Come on out of there, Houdini,” he said. “We need to have a word—”
The vampire went quiet at what he saw.
Kevin’s magic chose that moment to fade. The vampire gasped as Kevin appeared. He was still on one knee, wearing his glasses.
He already had a potion in his hand. The vampire rushed forward.
Kevin unleashed the vial, striking the vampire across the nose. The glass shattered as the liquid soaked his face and eyes. He stumbled back a step, but something wasn’t right. Kevin watched in confusion as the vampire rubbed at his eyes in frustration. There should have been contact burns and singed flesh. The potion sat in the sun for a day, absorbing its light, but yet did nothing.
His heart sank as the vampire reacted with only mere annoyance.
“Oh, goddamnit,” Kevin said. “You’re not a—”
The human charged, rage in his eyes. Kevin stopped the first kick, but he wasn’t a fighter. The second and third slipped through, and the air rushed out of his lungs. Several vials broke as he fell on his back. The human raised his boot and stopped hard on Kevin’s stomach. The saliva he spit up wasn’t voluntary, and sprayed into his attacker’s face. That only enraged him more, and Kevin took a punch for the inadvertent insult.
“What is this?” he shouted, wiping at the potion on his face. “What is this shit?”
He hauled Kevin to his feet and wrapped an arm around his neck. Half squeezing, half dragging, he moved Kevin away from the bathroom. The rest of the invaders had paused their search and watched. Zoey continued to struggle on the bed.
“What the hell is going on here?” one of them asked. He gestured to Kevin. “Is this little Rambo?”
“He threw something on me. Do I look okay?”
The group looked at each other. Kevin knew what was happening. They couldn’t hear their friend. The silence potion was still working.
“Dude, what did you say—?”
He never got to answer.
Kevin slammed the enchanted blade he’d unsheathed straight back, into the man’s thigh. There was a quick howl of pain for only a second before the magic took hold. The block of ice formed fast, starting from the entry wound and enveloping the human. Kevin moved away as to not get caught in its effects. The ice prison almost touched the ceiling before stopping.
The invaders watched in stunned awe. Kevin pulled another vial and readied his stone. But the man helping to restrain Zoey moved faster. He broke the nightstand next to the bed and held the splintered table leg over her chest.
“Drop that fucking thing!” he shouted. “Or I’m going to drive this right through her into the fucking floor!”
Kevin frowned as he searched the faces in the room. How many were human? How many vampires? He recognized a few from the club the night before. What did they want?
He tried not to laugh. That wouldn’t help the situation. Also, his ribs were on fire, making laughing difficult. But the silliness of the threat wasn’t lost on him.
He spoke, but they didn’t hear. More confused glances, adding to the humor. He gulped a counter-magic potion, removing the silence from around him.
“I said, you know that won’t kill her. Right?”
More quizzical looks. He tried to figure out which one was the leader. He settled on the one threatening Zoey.
The truth revealed itself.
“You guys … didn’t think this all the way through, did you?” He gestured to the empty drawers on the floor. “What are you even looking for?”
A man wearing ripped jeans and many piercings pointed to the ice prison.
“More bullshit like that.”
“Shut up, Jay,” the leader said. He repositioned over Zoey. She went still. “Listen, you little shit. Both of you—” He ran a finger down Zoey’s cheek. She tried to bite him. “You’re coming with us. This might not kill her, but it’s going to hurt. And who is to say we don’t throw her in a fire pit when we’re done? Do you understand?”
The remaining three drew closer. Kevin backed up and raised his vial. They hesitated.
“Put that thing down. And all that shit you’re wearing. Take it off and put it on the floor.”
“Kevin,” Zoey said. “Would you just deal with these assholes? I
’ll be fine—”
“Shut up!”
He pressed the broken table leg into her skin. Just enough to draw blood. Kevin clenched a fist and stepped forward, but the three blocked his path.
“Back up there, soldier,” the one named Jay said. “Just do what he says. Or people will get hurt.”
The door to the room behind them flew open. The mix of vampires and humans turned toward the interruption.
Whatever humor was left in the room vanished.
CHAPTER 15
“YOU LOOK TERRIBLE.”
Victoria unleashed her smile, shaking her head at Jack’s blunt observation. She kicked her legs up on the corner of the desk, still watching Jack through the tablet. They were only seconds into their video call, and he was already scowling at her.
“Thanks, Jack.”
“No, I’m serious. What’s going on? Are you getting enough sleep? Wow, you just look like utter shit.”
“Okay, okay. I get it. I slept fine. Although, yeah, I admit it, I might have gotten a little spoiled. I’ve been hiding out in this hotel room all day, digging into this town. Other vampires are here, and I don’t really want to let my wonderful secret out of the bag. I miss the sun already.”
Jack leaned back in his chair and smirked.
“There’s more.”
She rolled her eyes, silently cursing him.
“Kevin and I might be bumping heads a little.”
“Glinda? What did he do now?”
“Just, you know, being himself.”
Jack shook his head sadly.
“Ah, that’s enough to piss anyone off.”
“He played hero last night, but threw his magic around for all to see. Just another complication I didn’t need.”
“So, he’s not listening to what you say.”
Victoria noted the tone in his voice.
“No, that’s not what—”
“I remember some of the early jobs we did together. How you always tried to control me.”
She stiffened in her chair.
“I never tried to control—”
“Oh, Jack,” he mocked, mimicking her accent. “Don’t kill that person. Life is so precious and fragile. Oh, Jack, stop injuring so many previous mortals. Oh, Jack, be a little nicer. Oh, Jack, we need to save everyone, and do it my way.”
Damned and Cursed | Book 10 | Fallen Skye Page 20
