His hands were still locked around her waist, clutching her shirt. The heat of his palms seared her flesh and made her wonder what would happen if they were skin to skin. Spontaneous combustion came to mind.
He must’ve realized what he was doing because he jerked his hands away and stepped back, putting some distance between them. This time when he looked at her, he scowled, banking the heat that had simmered in his mercury-colored eyes.
Was he mad at her or himself? It didn’t really matter. She wasn’t going anywhere with him, even if her lips were tingling and other parts of her were making unreasonable demands.
The man might be angry, but he remained fully aware of their surroundings. “If you don’t come with me willingly, I’m going to pick you up and carry you.”
Izzy glared at him and scrambled out of reach. “You wouldn’t dare.”
Before the sound of her words died, the man hoisted her over his shoulder and took off running down the street. The sudden move jarred Izzy’s ribs, driving the air from her lungs. It would serve him right if she threw up on him. And she would’ve, had she bothered to eat.
Izzy managed to drag a breath into her body. “Put me down this instant!” She smacked his back, but the man didn’t notice. “Do you hear me?”
He grunted in response but didn’t slow.
“I don’t know who you think you are, but you’re not going to get away with kidnapping me,” Izzy said.
“Who is going to stop me?” He didn’t even sound winded when he spoke. “You?” he asked.
She’d stop him. Just as soon as she managed to catch her breath and quell the nausea rising inside her.
They passed several revelers on the way to Louis Armstrong Park. No one paid attention to them, even when she cried for help. The sight of a man carrying a woman over his shoulder wasn’t unusual in this part of town.
The music faded as they moved farther and farther away. Soon, they’d be isolated. Izzy couldn’t allow that to happen. Every investigative procedure show she’d ever watched said never leave with your attacker.
Of course, they never mentioned what to do if your attacker picked you up and carried you away.
“Put me down,” she said. “I want to walk.”
His thumb stroked over the back of her thigh. Every muscle inside of Izzy stiffened, while other parts melted—thanks to that stupid kiss. She pressed her lips together. She could still taste him. And an insane part of her that she refused to acknowledge wanted more.
“I mean it,” Izzy said. “Put me down, or I’m going to hurl on you.” She gagged to prove she wasn’t bluffing.
His footsteps faltered. Guess he didn’t want to be vomited on. “You cannot get away,” he said.
Probably true, but it wouldn’t stop her from trying.
“Let me go, and we’ll forget this ever happened,” Izzy said.
He shook his head, sending his long blond hair into his face. “I’m afraid that’s not an option,” he said.
Izzy saw her last chance to escape. She took a deep breath to scream again. The man leapt over six feet, dropping her down onto his hard shoulder. The move knocked the wind out of her again. No doubt that was his intention.
She gasped. “Jerk!” Izzy couldn’t see his obnoxious smile, but she felt his shoulders shake with laughter. He’d pay for that.
* * * * *
For a human, Isabel MacDougal had a lot of spirit. Most women would be screaming their heads off by now. Oh sure, she’d tried to get help, but she hadn’t fought him.
A woman afraid for her life would’ve ripped the hair from his head, which told Tristan that she wasn’t as afraid of him as she claimed to be.
He kept running, moving them deeper into the shadows. He still sensed the Darkling’s magic thanks to the lodestone around his neck, but it was fainter now.
Tristan didn’t want to think about how close Isabel had come to being captured by the Darkling. He’d barely managed to reach her first.
He sniffed the air. Other than a few homeless people and some unsavory types, the park was empty. He kept moving. With enough distance between them, they wouldn’t be disturbed. Eventually Tristan stopped and set Isabel down.
She wobbled then staggered a few feet away. “What do you plan to do to me now that you’ve abducted me?” she asked.
Tristan arched a brow. “I’m not going to attack you, if that’s what you’re thinking.”
“You already did,” she reminded him.
His eyes narrowed. “I kissed you. It’s not the same.”
Her pale brow furrowed. “Why did you kiss me?”
Good question. Tristan had been wondering the same thing, since now it seemed like such a mistake. It would be easy to say that he’d been trying to keep her silent. That had been the catalyst behind his actions, but the truth was Tristan didn’t care if she screamed. He would’ve taken her with him anyway. Then there was the kiss itself... and what happened afterward.
Not liking the direction his thoughts were taking, he glared at her. Something about her mouth captured his attention. Even now, her full lips drew his reluctant gaze. They were moist, red, and oh so soft. Even her taste had been different than he’d expected.
Perhaps she wore something to enhance their appearance, enhance their flavor?
Tristan might stretch the truth with others, but he never lied to himself. That honeysuckle flavor was all her own, and damned if he didn’t want more.
His frowned deepened. That wasn’t going to happen. He shouldn’t have touched her in the first place. It wasn’t part of his plan.
Tristan didn’t need to be thinking about her lips or her succulent taste. He was here to kill a Darkling, and nothing more. If he kept Isabel alive in the process, then great, but her continued existence wasn’t necessary for accomplishing his mission. At least not after she drew the Darkling out.
“I kissed you to save your life,” Tristan said.
Isabel snorted in disbelief. “Right, sure you did.”
“I did,” he said, sounding defensive. “You’re in danger.”
She cocked her head and looked at him. “From who? As far as I can tell, you’re the only threat to my safety.”
Tristan didn’t like his actions being questioned. She should just thank him and be grateful he’d arrived when he had. “Someone is hunting you.”
“That didn’t answer my question, Frosty,” she said.
She was smart and oddly attractive despite the awful purple in her hair. “No, I didn’t,” Tristan said. “And my name is not Frosty.”
“Whatever, Ice.” Isabel rolled her eyes. “Are you always a jerk, or am I just special?”
Tristan approached her until he loomed above her. “You’d do well to remember what I am,” he said softly.
She bit her lower lip.
His gaze dropped to her mouth of its own volition, and something dark rose inside of him. Her tongue darted out to wet her lips. Tristan’s jaw clenched.
The memory of their kiss came charging back, and his entire body tensed to the point of pain. He curled his hands into fists to keep from grabbing her.
“I know what you are. It’s not like I can ever forget,” Isabel said. “I see the real you every time I look at you.”
Tristan jerked his head back. He knew Sighted-Ones could see the beast lurking beneath their human forms. It was one of the things that made them so valuable to the Darklings, but it unsettled him to know a human had such ability. It would make hiding from them impossible.
The only thing that kept them from being a direct threat to the Moonlight Kin was the fact that most humans wouldn’t believe them. If that were to change...then people like Isabel MacDougal would need to be eliminated.
The thought left Tristan decidedly uneasy, but he refused to look at why. Instead, he focused on her colorful hair.
“A simple thank-you would’ve been enough,” he said.
Her brow rose at the same time as her smart mouth dropped open. “You expect me to th
ank you, Marshmallow? After what you did? Are you insane?” she asked.
Tristan gritted his teeth. He was not used to sparring with sharp-tongued, purple-haired hoydens who didn’t know what was good for them.
As the Enforcer for the Lycanian Elders, people respected and feared him. Known for his cold countenance and unwavering tenacity, Tristan took great pride in his position. The impression he made had never bothered him until now. Of course up until now, it had never been thrown in his face.
“I am as sane as you are,” he snarled, moving his face closer to hers. “The only difference is I have a stronger sense of self-preservation. You, Ms. Purple Hair, have a death wish.”
Isabel put her hands on her hips and glared at him. “And you, Snowball, can suck my big toe!”
* * * * *
Did he really think she was that stupid? Only a fool would trust one of them with their lives. They were the monsters, the creatures that came out of the night to swallow you up.
Either that or he had an overinflated opinion of his kissing abilities. Izzy glanced at his harsh mouth. Okay, maybe he deserved some bragging rights on that front, but that wasn’t the point.
“Listen, I’m not sure who you think I am, but you have the wrong girl.” Izzy hoped he didn’t notice the tremor in her voice.
“Scents don’t lie,” he said.
Izzy swallowed hard. “Well this time your schnoz is wrong. So why don’t you just be a good frost giant and run along?”
His mercury eyes glistened, then he slowly blinked. “Is there something wrong with your hearing?” He snapped his finger next to her ear.
Izzy flushed and shoved his hand away. “No, is there something wrong with yours?”
He stiffened. “I can hear things you never knew existed,” he said through clenched teeth.
“Good for you, Snowflake, but you’re still wrong about me,” she said, more boldly than she felt.
The voices that had been in the distance grew louder. Perhaps if they got close enough, Izzy could scream for help. She had no doubt the giant of a man beside her wouldn’t like the attention.
His silver eyes narrowed. “Don’t even think about it,” he hissed.
“Think about what?” she asked innocently.
“Whatever was going through your little purple head,” he said.
“I didn’t say anything, Whiteout,” Izzy said.
“You didn’t have to,” he snarled.
The man raised his head and sniffed the air. The canine move startled her.
“Your pursuer has changed directions,” he said after another moment.
Izzy smiled. “Great! Then I guess I’ll see you around, Snow Drift.”
“My name is Tristan Chevalier.” He flashed astonishingly white teeth. “I suggest you remember it. You’ll be hearing it a lot.”
She took a step back. “I don’t want to know your name.”
Her confession brought out a frown, but Tristan didn’t comment. “Whether you like it or not, we are stuck together.” He held up a hand. “At least for the time being.”
“Yeah.” Izzy shook her head. “I don’t think so. I’m a solo act. Besides, how do you know that I’m the one being hunted? It might be after you,” she said.
“Oh, it would definitely like to kill me,” Tristan said nonchalantly. “Of that there is no doubt.”
“I know the feeling, Frosty,” Izzy muttered.
Tristan scowled. “But I will not give it or you the opportunity.”
She believed him. Izzy couldn’t imagine much taking Tristan down. “If you’re so big and bad, why do you need me?” she asked. “It’s not like I can help. I’m crap in a fight. Just ask my sister.”
Tristan cocked his head. “There wasn’t time to ask Mindy,” he said.
Fear engulfed Izzy. How did Tristan know about her sister? She didn’t like the look he gave her. “How do you know Mindy?” she asked, bracing for his answer.
This time his smile left her chilled to the bone. “If she hasn’t already, she will soon mate with one of the Moonlight Kin.”
Izzy shook her head in denial. “My sister would never marry a monster.”
Tristan’s smile became colder, if that were even possible. “Not all monsters are created equal. I pray for your sake that you don’t learn that firsthand.”
Izzy shivered and glanced away. She needed to get to a phone to warn Mindy, then she needed to get out of town.
A police cruiser rolled to a stop behind Tristan. The officers climbed out of their car. This was it. This was her chance to get away from Frosty, the crazy snowman.
Tristan raised one powdery white brow and waited for her to answer.
“Forget it,” she said, then in the next breath yelled for the police.
His head whipped around too late. The officers were already approaching them. Tristan cursed loudly and glared at her.
“You’re a fool,” he said, then took off across the park.
Izzy watched him go. Hopefully that would be the last time she saw him. An odd sense of disappointment followed the thought.
“Jeez, girl, it was just a kiss,” she muttered then approached the police. “Thank goodness you guys got here when you did. I think he was going to mug me.”
* * * * *
Chapter Two
The police escorted Izzy home and checked her apartment. As they departed, they warned her to stay away from tourists.
Izzy waved goodbye, then quickly shut the door and locked it. She wasn’t safe anymore. Not that she’d ever truly been, but she thought she’d have a little more time in New Orleans before she’d have to go.
She glanced around her studio. Other than a daybed, which served as both a couch and a place to sleep, there wasn’t much in the place. Her foldable table and chair were with Everly.
The blood drained from Izzy’s face. Oh gawd, she had to warn Everly about Tristan. It wasn’t safe for her to stay either.
Izzy tossed clothes and her essentials into her tote bag. She was in the middle of packing when someone knocked on the door. Izzy’s heart jumped into her throat.
Had Tristan found her already? Maybe the police had returned? Was it too much to hope for that they’d found Tristan and arrested him?
She grabbed the bat she kept next to the daybed and quietly tiptoed to the front door. Izzy peeked out the peephole and saw a dark-haired, handsome guy standing on her porch. She didn’t recognize him. He looked young enough to be in college. Was he lost?
It wouldn’t be the first time that someone knocked on her door by mistake, but after the night she’d had, Izzy wasn’t taking any chances.
She checked again, this time using her gift. A swirl of darkness surrounded him, but Izzy didn’t detect a beast. However, the darkness didn’t bode well. She decided to ignore him and keep packing.
“Please, Isabel. I need to talk to you,” he said. “I know you’re in there.”
He knew her name. How did he know her name?
Izzy cracked the door open, but didn’t remove the chain. “Who are you, and what do you want?”
“Isabel?” he asked, as if he were unsure now that he got a look at her.
That gave her pause. “What do you want with her?” Izzy asked.
He stared at her. Like Frosty, this man was good-looking. The kind of guy most college-aged girls would welcome with open arms and open legs. Unlike Frosty, he seemed nervous.
“I came to warn you that you’re in danger,” he said. “Can I please come in?”
Gooseflesh rose on Izzy’s arms, and she glanced behind him to make sure Tristan wasn’t hiding in the bushes. The thought almost made her laugh. Almost.
“My name is...” He glanced around. “Stone,” he said after a moment.
“Okay, Stone.” Izzy emphasized his odd name so he’d know she didn’t believe him. “What can I do for you?”
“It’s not what you can do for me, it’s what I can do for you,” he said, surprising her. “I know this is going to sound craz
y, but there are monsters after you.”
“Monsters?” Izzy asked, trying to hide her shock. “Why would you say something like that?”
His amber gaze met hers, and he swallowed hard. “Because they’re after me, too.”
Izzy reared back in shock. No wonder he’d given her a fake name. He knew the truth. Stone opened his mouth to say more, but she held up a finger to stop him. “Wait.” Izzy closed the door to unhook the chain then opened it again. “Please come in.”
He flashed her a quick smile. “Thank you for the much- needed invitation,” he said, then swept into the room.
Izzy ignored the odd churning sensation in her gut. There wasn’t time to examine it. She had to get out of here.
“We don’t have much time,” he said, as if reading her mind. “I have reason to believe that you’re being stalked.”
Fear tightened her chest. She’d met her stalker already. What Izzy needed to know was if there were more of them hunting her.
“Have you seen or heard anything odd lately?” Stone asked.
Other than being kidnapped by an iceberg earlier, no, not lately. Izzy shook her head.
Stone scanned her small apartment, taking it all in with one glance. “You need to get some clothes together and come with me,” he said.
Izzy wasn’t going anywhere with him or anyone else. “How do you know about the monsters?” she asked.
“I sense them,” Stone said. “Don’t you?”
Yes, she did, but she rarely came across others like herself. Everly was the first person she’d met in years that had a true gift.
“That’s why they want me so bad.” Stone’s head came up, and he turned toward the open door. “He’s coming,” he hissed. “We have to go now!”
“No,” Izzy said. Although Stone seemed genuinely distressed, she didn’t know this man. “I’ll be okay on my own.”
Moonlight Kin 4: Tristan Page 2
