by S D Hegyes
Irene grinned as she did as Sorsha requested.
“Tanner runs on his own schedule. The fact that he’s visiting at all is a miracle.”
“Oh? What’s he do?” Irene took some slices of ham and piled them on her plate.
“He’s part of some kind of special task force.” Sorsha looked at Larz. “Come get something to eat,” she told him before she returned to Irene’s question. “Something he can’t talk about, but if I had to guess, it’s some private militia group.”
“Like a mercenary?” Irene asked.
“Exactly. He joked about me joining him.” She remembered how Tanner had teased her, telling her he might one day convince her to join his team. She hadn’t thought much about it since then, but the incident with Simon in Frank’s office made her wonder how she might have reacted to the situation if she’d been part of a task force going after people like Simon. She had no doubt in her mind she’d have killed him.
That was a scary thought. Not because Simon didn’t deserve it, but she remembered how there were always innocents caught in the crossfire during war. When she’d been in the army, she and her team had done as well as they could to minimize casualties, but there was no hiding they happened.
If a force existed in the supernatural world with the purpose of taking out supernatural monsters like Simon, would she join it?
“Sorsha?” She shook her head and looked at Irene. Worry flickered across the woman’s gaze. “There you are. You disappeared for a moment.”
“Something wrong?”
“Other than the fact that you’re hogging the collard greens?” Irene teased. Then she sobered as Sorsha shifted around and tossed some ham on her plate. “I asked if you’d thought about it?”
“Thought about what?”
“Working with Tanner again. I know you two were buddies in the military. If he invited you to whatever he’s a part of, would you join?”
Sorsha didn’t know.
“I’ve heard you talk about your time in the military. It’s not often, but it has happened, and I can hear it in your voice.”
“Hear what?” Sorsha’s brow wrinkled in her confusion.
“The way you miss it.”
Sorsha shook her head, a dry chuckle escaping her throat. “I think you misunderstand, Irene. I don’t really miss it. Did I do some good things? Yes. But it’s in the past. Besides, I doubt any task force would hire me when they realize how damaged I am.”
Irene snorted. “You’re not damaged, Sorsha.”
She gestured to her knee with a fork. “Tell that to my knee.”
“Is it bothering you?”
“It was earlier.”
“You should get that next surgery done.”
Sorsha shook her head. “No. Too expensive a—”
“You know I got you girl if that’s the only thing stopping you.”
“I know. Thank you.” Sorsha put a hand on Irene’s shoulder and gave her a soft smile in thanks. “It’s also risky. There’s no guarantee they can fix it anymore, and there’s actually a greater chance they’ll make it worse. I’m fine. I can walk, and that’s all I care about.”
“Is there anyone out there that could make you change your mind?”
It was Sorsha’s turn to snort. She glanced up and saw Larz hadn’t come into the kitchen yet. “Come get some food, Larz. We don’t bite.”
His eyes flashed red, and she saw his canines extend for a moment before he returned to the same neutral expression he’d had all night. He stood and walked toward the kitchen.
“You know me. There isn’t anyone alive who could make me change my mind about what I want to do once I set my mind to it.”
“Not even him?” Irene patted Larz’s chest.
“It’s as if I’m not even here.” Larz chuckled as he started making a plate for himself. “Go ahead, Irene. I’ll pretend I’m not here.”
“No offence, hottie. I just know Sorsha, and she’s never been indecisive.”
They both looked at Sorsha, and she shifted from foot-to-foot. “I’m not being indecisive. Not really. Tanner can’t tell me what he does for a living. Why would I join a team if I don’t know what they do?”
“Ummm. . .” Irene asked, pretending to think about it. “Money? You just said that the cost is one of the reasons you don’t want to get that knee surgery.”
“I’m still paying off the medical debts I already have.”
“I thought you had that covered?”
Sorsha shook her head. “No. That won’t be in my lifetime. Besides, that’s not the only reason.”
“Help me understand then because I don’t get it.” Irene popped a piece of ham into her mouth.
Sorsha sighed and sat her plate down on the counter with a loud clang. She looked at Irene, noticing that Larz was also listening despite pretending not to as he finished filling his plate. “You ever done something that you didn’t want to, but you had to because it was part of your job?”
“Of course. Everyone does,” Irene said with a shrug.
“Did people die because of it? Did you kill someone doing what you were told?”
Irene’s eyes widened, but she said nothing.
“I don’t know anything about Tanner’s task force. He’s not a bad guy. In fact, he’s one of the better ones. However, I can’t—in good consciousness—join a private force unless I know what they’re doing, unless I have the choice to reject a job without consequences.”
“Does this have anything to do with what happened?”
Sorsha turned her head away. “It has everything to do with what happened.” A knock on the door distracted her, and she excused herself to answer it.
Behind her, she heard Irene ask Larz in a low voice, “Has she told you what happened at the end of her service?”
She opened the door and smiled at Mr. Church. “There you are,” she told him, pulling him inside and giving him a quick hug. “I was beginning to wonder if you’d stop by.”
He chuckled. “I’m not staying. I have a date.”
“Oh?” Sorsha grinned at him.
“I just wanted to wish you and Larz a happy New Year’s.”
“Happy New Year, Will,” Larz called from the kitchen.
Sorsha echoed his response, and after giving him another quick hug and wishing him luck on his date, sent him on his way. “Have fun on your date.”
His eyes danced when he smiled. Then he waved and was gone. The door wasn’t even closed before another familiar face popped up though.
“Hi!” the blond woman said, waving enthusiastically.
Behind her, Sorsha heard a plate crash to the floor and shatter. Irene cried out in alarm.
Sorsha’s mouth widened into a knowing grin. “Happy New Year, Ella.”
21
“I’m glad you could make it. Come on in.” Behind her, Sorsha heard Larz apologize to Irene and escort her out of the kitchen so he could clean the mess he’d created. Sorsha opened the door and allowed the three inside.
The two men stepped past Ella and further into the apartment, while Ella waited until Sorsha closed the door behind them before she wrapped her arms around Sorsha’s neck in a tight hug. Sorsha held her hands out to the side, careful not to touch the woman in any way.
“Feel free to toss your coats on the couch and grab some food. There’s plenty,” Sorsha told the three.
“I’m so glad you invited us,” Ella said. She pouted as she pulled away. “Larz has been so distant and boring since he moved in with you.” She winked at Sorsha. “Not your fault at all, darling. He’s much happier. Still, I’m so glad I sought you out.”
“Wait,” Larz said, coming up behind them. “You two know each other?”
“We had lunch together,” Sorsha told him with a grin. She turned to the other two men. “You must be Larz’s other cousins. I’m Sorsha.”
As she’d done with Ella, she was careful not to mention her last name. If they were anything like Simon, they’d make assumptions. Not that
their assumptions would be entirely wrong, but it was easier. According to Larz, all of Kazal’s children had been taught to murder phantoms on sight after all. She didn’t feel like tempting fate.
It was the same reason she didn’t reach out and take their hands. She remembered how easily her abilities reacted to Ella. At least one of the two men before her studied her as if trying to find a weakness. No way was she going to shake their hands.
Both men looked familiar. A broken memory reared its head. Four people climbing out of a car. She recognized Ella and Larz right away, but the other two solidified as well.
The man eyeing her through narrowed eyes was dark-skinned with short curly black hair. After a moment, he nodded. “I’m Noah Kazal.” He reached out a hand to her, but Larz stepped forward, spinning him away from the others and hissing questions under his breath.
Sorsha chuckled even as she looked at the other man. He was much taller than the other two and built like a tank. He gave her a small wave. “Hi there. I’m Abraham, although you might’ve heard Larz call me Ham instead.” He rolled his eyes, but there was a good-natured smile on his face. He reminded Sorsha of a Norse god with his shoulder-length blond hair and blue eyes.
“Can’t say that he has,” she told him.
“Larz, this is your cousin?” Irene asked as she eyed Abraham appreciatively. He grinned at her. “I’m Irene. Come. There’s beer and food.” She pulled him toward the kitchen.
“Speaking of beer. . .” Ella held up a bottle of vodka. “Where do you want this?”
Sorsha pointed to the fridge. “On top of there. Glasses are in the cabinet next to it.”
As Ella sashayed away to do that, Sorsha spun to watch the happenings around the apartment with a soft smile. Larz and Noah had their heads close together, discussing something no one else was privy to. Ella poured herself a glass with some vodka and orange juice mixed. Irene and Abraham hovered over the ham, filling their plates and laughing at something the other said. Sorsha didn’t listen too closely. Knowing Irene, it could be anything.
A moment later, Larz appeared at Sorsha’s side. “Want to explain to me what’s going on?”
“Ella showed up at work one day a couple weeks ago. She was worried about you.”
“About me?” Larz swore. “She does know I’m an adult, right?”
Sorsha chuckled. “I invited your cousins to the party, Larz.”
He grabbed her hand and spun her toward him. “Sorsha.” He hissed in her ear, dropping his voice so low she knew none of the others could hear him, even with supernatural hearing. He spoke so soft she barely heard him. “If any of them find out what you are. . .”
“I’ll be dead.” She nodded. “I’m aware.” She smiled at him, running her finger along his jaw and watching him twitch. “After all, that’s what Kazal’s planted in your head, isn’t it? My kind are dangerous to yours.”
His eyes flickered scarlet as they widened. “You know?”
“I told you I did.” She chuckled as she took a step back and pulled her phone from her pocket. “However, I had to phone a friend for help. Turns out you missed someone when erasing yourself from my existence. I would have figured it out a lot sooner had I been smart enough to ask Charlotte right away.”
She held up her phone to the text conversation between her and Charlotte. After the incident with Simon, Sorsha had asked Charlotte if she’d been serious with anyone in Montana. Charlotte only remembered one person, someone she’d gone to the fair with and who’d helped her leave Shaded Glade.
Abaddon.
The single name across Sorsha’s screen caught Larz’s attention. He stared at it, his eyes darkening to brown and then reverting back to crimson multiple times. Finally, he met her gaze. “You know,” he said, voice resolute.
“I know.” Sorsha nodded. “Not everything, but some. Abaddon? It’s your demon, isn’t it? The one that possesses you?”
He pulled her close again, moving his mouth to her ear. “We’ll talk about it later, alright?” She nodded.
“Sorsha, Larz, stop kissing in the corner and join the party,” Irene called. “You can’t sneak away from your own party to fuck one another.” She and Abraham laughed, and even Ella seemed to find the conversation amusing enough to chuckle.
Sorsha didn’t dare breathe as she met Larz’s gaze. No wonder everyone thought they were making out. They certainly were close enough to be doing just that. Her heart hammered in her throat and her skin felt tight. Larz cupped her face in his hands, studying her expression, and ran a thumb over her bottom lip. Acceptance radiated across his features. Then he rolled his shoulders and stepped away from her, smiling. “After the party?”
“After,” she agreed. Desire rippled through her, but there were other people around. Maybe Irene would win her bet after all if the heat in Larz’s gaze was anything to go by.
They returned to their usual dance around each other for the next few hours. Every once in a while, they would glance at one another, long meaningful glances full of dirty promises. Something had shifted between them with the revelation of Sorsha’s knowledge that Larz was one of Kazal’s children. Still, they didn’t act on it as they ate, drank and laughed with the others.
Noah didn’t stay long. He made excuses about work when Ella and Abraham pressed him, but in the end, he only shrugged off their words. Larz showed him out, and the pair of them had more words at the door Sorsha didn’t hear as she laughed with the others over a joke Irene told.
“Ah, man!” Irene said once she realized what time it was. “Noah left right before the countdown.”
“What?” Sorsha pulled out her phone and glanced at the screen. “No way.” Time had slipped away from her without her knowing.
“Larz, get over here for a picture,” Irene called out. She pulled out her phone and got the camera ready. Sorsha watched Larz cross the room, shaking his head and chuckling under his breath.
They all gathered together as Irene stretched her arm out to take a picture. Sorsha noted how close Abraham stood behind Irene, even as Larz slipped his hand into hers out of view of the camera. She quickly dampened her ability so no one would see the white vapors that wanted to curl around their entwined fingers.
“Say, ‘Happy New Year’!” Irene told them.
A chorus of “Happy New Year” rang through the apartment and Irene took the picture.
Laughing, Sorsha glanced down and her and Larz’s hands. Irene and Abraham were distracted, looking at the picture she’d taken, but Sorsha could see Ella watching them with apparent approval even as she poured herself another drink.
Irene turned on the TV, changing it to a station that was showing the live countdown. Abraham tackled her from behind, and they tumbled to the couch, shrieking and laughing.
Still, when the countdown started, Larz didn’t release Sorsha’s hand.
She looked up and met his gaze. “Sorsha,” he whispered.
Her throat dried and clogged with cotton. She wet her lips, drawing his gaze there. His eyes flickered back and forth between umber and scarlet.
“Ten!” Irene and Abraham shouted.
“Nine!” Ella joined in.
Sorsha swallowed as Larz growled low in his throat. He reached up and cupped her face with one hand. “Are we done pretending there’s nothing between us?” he asked in a low voice.
She didn’t know how to respond. Around her, she heard the others shout, continuing the countdown.
“Sorsha?” Her name sounded strangled in his throat.
She opened her mouth to reply, but no words came out. What could she say? He felt the same way she did, she was sure. Didn’t he know she wanted him just as much as he did her? Why were they holding back?
Nodding, she tried to focus on the here and now. Another growl rippled through Larz, making her heart beat a staccato that she was certain he heard and felt as he pulled her against him and pressed his forehead to hers.
“Three!”
“Two!”
“One,�
�� Larz whispered against Sorsha’s mouth before he kissed her.
Larz’s mouth was warm against hers, and they both stilled for a minute before their hunger took over. He devoured her mouth, lips moving over hers and tongue lashing out until she moaned.
Power rose up inside her and swallowed her whole. She was used to her abilities flaring when she touched Larz, but this was different. This time it was wild and uncontrollable.
She pressed her hands against his chest, her power singing through her blood. It swirled around the pair, wrapping them in smoke that spun around faster and faster until they were caught in a tornado.
Heat and cold simultaneously swept through her as he opened his mouth and kissed her again. She’d been kissed before, but nothing like this. All the weeks of flirting, near kisses, and pent-up desire raged through them. They drank in each other, burning with a fire so deep, it would leave scars behind. As the storm of her magic whirled around them, they were lost in one another in the eye of it, getting everyone and everything around them.
She slid her hands up around his neck and buried them in his hair, yanking back enough to allow her to stand on the balls of her feet and press further against him. He growled at her, the sound rippling through her mouth and down to her toes.
Something pierced her lip, and she gasped as a mixture of pleasure and pain washed through her, but it was soon forgotten as another tidal wave of desire swept her off her feet and drowned her in everything Larz.
Only when they were both out of breath did they pull away from one another. As her power died down, the roaring in her ears stopped and her eyes fluttered open.
She found herself staring at a monster.
Except he wasn’t a monster to her, and she knew he never would be. His once-brown eyes burned brilliant blood-red. She’d seen them flicker, thought she’d recognize the demon when he appeared, but what she thought she’d seen was nothing compared to the reality. His canines had extended. Not as long as Frank’s or Simon’s, but there all the same. It took everything in her not to reach out and see if they were as sharp as she imagined they’d be.
