by Kim Schubert
He huffed, “No thank you. I like my head on my shoulders, and those bitches are not fans of all this awesomeness. And now, I’m going to shower.
“Here,” he handed me the gold talisman. “Hot and cold.”
Right now it was cold, very cold. Where the hell did an army of zombies wander off to?
…
Jerry exited the shower a few minutes later. “How long can the necromancer keep the zombies above ground?” I asked.
“No idea. I’ve only encountered their kind twice, and neither was a pleasant experience.”
I grunted, “Same here. They are fucking creepy.”
“Agreed.”
After a pause, he asked, “Did you notice the footprints at the graveyard?”
“Nope.”
Jerry chewed his bottom lip. “Me either.”
“Portal?”
Jerry sat heavily. “The blood sacrifice would make more sense. It wasn’t for the necromancer. She would have been fully charged in the cemetery.”
“Anyway to track a portal?”
“No, and the talisman is worthless until they come back.”
I nodded, “They will.”
“Unless they made it to the Fae.”
I blew out a breath, stowing the gold in my jeans pocket. “If the only thing that happened from the witches reaching the Fae was their disappearance, I’d go to the fucking wedding with bells on.”
“Have you decided if you are going?”
“Do I have a choice?”
“No, I suppose you don’t.”
We scoured the entire state in the week and a half before I had to be back for the wedding, and even though I spent a small fortune on gas, there was nothing to be found.
Chapter 9
If I was hoping for a happy ending with Blake, that he would leave Angelina and run into my arms with a heartfelt apology and an earnest declaration of his love, I was fucking deluding myself.
“Olivia, are you ready?” Grams called out, coming down the stairs into the living room.
“Yeah,” I grumbled back.
Tommy looked up at me as I gave him back the controller to the racing game he was destroying me in. He might have been a teenager, but by the sorrowful expression in his eyes and the soft squeeze of my hand, he understood.
Grams raked over my outfit, finding it fitting. The short purple dress ended mid-thigh, embellished with large rhinestones on the strapless top. It matched the purple highlights in my hair, which was pulled into a soft bun behind my left ear.
“Are you bringing any weapons?”
I sighed, following her to the garage. “No, you’ve made it perfectly clear we are to be an open target.”
“It’s a peaceful event.”
“Nothing with the Supernatural community is ever peaceful, but at least Darren and Logan will be there. They grow claws.” I was still fucking jealous.
“Mercer will be there running security.”
“Really, humans doing security?”
“The Centennial House is using Darren’s firm for security.”
I cast her a sidelong look as we got into my SUV. I could at least have my toys waiting for me, even if she was driving. “When did Mercer make that switch?”
“Soon after he lost his job,” she answered sadly. “Terrible shame about that.”
I nodded, unsure who should be ashamed. “Have you talked to Hash about it?”
“I have. He can’t overlook the conflict of interest.”
“Ugh, like Franks is a model officer. What ever happened with the case?”
“We won. They settled out of court once they saw the pictures of the untreated wounds on your back.”
“Good, that makes me feel slightly better about not killing him. I’d absolutely still do it if I happened upon him in a dark alley. ”
Grams laughed, “Or a well-lit alley.”
“I’m not particular.”
…
An hour later we pulled up to The Eagle, an elite and highly restrictive club I had only heard mentions of before.
I grudgingly had to admit it was elegant and awe-inspiring.
The valet took my keys and I watched them wistfully as my trunk full of weapons was carted away.
“Come, let’s see Darren and Kass,” Grams said, pulling me behind her gracefully. I straightened my shoulders, pretending I wasn’t the grieving, miserable, ex-girlfriend, but the confident Executioner.
Kass took one look at me and pulled me into an embrace. “How ya doing?” she asked kindly, her dark eyes sincere.
“Fucking wonderful.”
She grimaced. “So, we found out the sex.”
“Really?” I perked up at that news, eyeing her hand resting lovingly on her stomach.
“It’s a boy.”
“Aww! Congrats!”
Kass beamed, “Thanks, he’s totally healthy, nothing to worry about.”
I smiled, squeezing her hand. “That’s wonderful news.”
Mercer stopped by, dropping a kiss on Grams’s cheek as he checked in. He looked better in this environment. The suit and the technology peeking out his ear were both of a far higher quality. I daresay he even looked more relaxed, but that could have just been all the sex he was having with Grams.
Jerry and Mark found us next, looking better together, though their body language still hinted at trouble. Mark, also dressed for security, gave Jerry a pointed look that reaffirmed my suspicions before moving away. Although neither Mercer nor Mark moved far from our little group, I suppose I wasn’t the only one not really thrilled about the no weapons policy.
Logan and Lorraine found us next, hooray.
Lorraine, as per usual, was drunk. How did the bitch find the alcohol so fast? If I didn’t find her annoying and idiotic I’d be tagging along for the drinks. As it was, however, I wanted to throttle her.
Logan looked at me over her head, which was leaning unsteadily against him.
“How are you?” he asked, sincerely, which for the record freaked me out.
I shrugged, not trusting my voice, my misty eyes looking away from his quickly.
“Let’s get you a drink,” Kass suggested, pulling me gently behind her.
I nodded, grateful for the escape.
Blowing out a trapped breath, I gave the bartender a closed lip smile as I plunked down with a thump at the bar.
“Wine?” the bartender asked.
I nodded. He poured a glass quickly, not bothering to ask what kind. Good, I wasn’t particular.
“Sorry Kass, I know you can’t drink right now.”
She shrugged, toying with the napkin under her ginger ale. “Not a big deal, Olie.”
Right, the big deal was that I was here.
A throat cleared behind me. Turning, I looked into intelligent green eyes I hadn’t seen in quite some time. “Morgan,” I acknowledged, nodding at his blond date as well.
“Olivia, it’s been too long. Any succubus you need us to drain?” His meaning was not lost on me.
I grunted a reply, turning back to my drink. Asking that Master, Vampire, asshole for help with a first blood rage incubus was clearly not one of my better moments of judgment. Like Tate, he controlled a large House in St Ann. I had reached out for assistance when an incubus had accidentally drawn first blood at Kitten.
He left his date and slid next to my free side, his designer suit pressing against my forearm resting on the bar. Gently, he trailed his perfectly manicured fingers over my wrist.
“I’ve heard rumors of your…” He paused, looking for the correct word, finally deciding on, “…bedroom savvy,” his eyes aglow with the trademark amber of a vampire either aroused or pissed off. I was betting on the first.
I raised an eyebrow. Blake was fucking telling stories of our lovemaking?
“Perhaps you would be so kind as to give a few lessons.”
I groaned. This was such a mistake coming here.
“Fuck off, Morgan.”
His gentle caress turne
d into a painful grab. Behind me I heard Kass yell for Darren. I didn’t need help, I was a fucking succubus able to control and manipulate emotions. Granted, I couldn’t push unwanted emotions, but I sure could help what was already there.
“Careful. I have the advantage here.” Morgan hissed.
I thought about pumping him full of fear, but that didn’t feel right. Anger, though, now that I could use. I let the heated emotions swarm our contact. Blind, furious anger, a fury of hatred ran through my veins, merging with Morgan’s skin.
Fear flashed once in those brilliant green depths and he tried to break the contact. I didn’t let him, clamping my hand over his. I wasn’t fucking done. Let the asshole try to contain all of this anger and not get himself into trouble.
“Olivia,” Darren said softly behind me.
“Don’t touch her,” Kass warned.
“Olivia,” he tried again.
A warm hand rested on my bare shoulder, squeezing gently before the voice commanded, “Release him.”
I did. Morgan nodded to Logan before rubbing his wrist, then plastering on a fake smile as he went back to his date.
I didn’t turn to either of them. “He deserved it. You should have heeded Kass’s warning, Logan. What I was pushing into him would affect you as well.”
Logan shrugged, apparently unaffected, or at least doing a better job of controlling it than Morgan.
“They are all going to be after you tonight,” Darren informed me, his eyes sweeping the area for threats.
“Because I’m such a great fuck?” I drained my wine, waving the empty glass at the bartender for more.
Darren moved into my personal space, and he was fucking lucky he was married to my friend. “This is not a wise decision,” I informed him, whispering softly so others wouldn’t overhear us.
Logan gave a short chuckle. “You are going to want to hear this, actually.
“Blake is claiming you ruined him for other women. That’s why he hasn’t been able to perform his usual duties leading up to the wedding.”
I’m pretty sure my mouth hung open in shock.
Logan leaned in, whispering against my ear, “It’s also a matter of speculation whether he will be able to close the deal tonight.”
“That’s insane,” I hissed back. “I’ve slept with lots and lots of humans as well as Supernaturals, and no one has ever claimed I ruined them.”
Logan shrugged, a coy smile playing on his lips. “He also gave that as the reason he accosted you in the tech lab.”
I groaned, resting my head against the bar. “Please tell me there is no video of that.”
Darren patted my back gently. “You looked great in it.”
“Darren,” Kass whispered with reprimand, looking around us.
Fucking Jerry was right on the money with his assessment of why I was invited.
“There is even a bet if Angelina will invite you into the marriage bed tonight. As you know, the blood exchange and sex seal the deal between the two Houses.”
I groaned, “I’m aware. Let’s just hope my influence has worn off.”
Kass cleared her throat before leaning forward. “How long ago was the video?”
I chewed on my thumb thoughtfully. “When was I chaperoning Darren?”
A look of confusion crossed Kass’s face. “You slept with him that same day?”
I nodded, draining my wine glass again, opting for beer this time—well, if this fancy ass establishment had any.
“Why didn’t you say anything?”
“What was there to say? Yes, I slept with Blake. No, he doesn’t want me back, claimed it was a mistake. That’s nothing I care to repeat.”
“Your emotional ties should be cut at least, that was about a month ago,” Kass reminded me.
“I almost wish he could feel me now.” I hushed myself, sealing my emotions behind solid walls, pushing my shoulders back.
Clearing my throat, I turned in my seat, which I was certain was real leather, as Grams and Jerry made their way over. I lifted my beer in a toast before draining half of it.
…
“I can’t believe I’m actually here,” I muttered to myself, leaning against a thick white Roman column, hiding. I’m not proud of it, but being at Blake’s wedding, alone, sucked. I struggled through the ceremony, the shitty comments and sly looks, but now, as the last dance was slowly approaching, I was ready to leave.
I blew out a breath and ruffled my newly cut bangs, which settled at an angle just below my eyebrow. The soft curls framed my face, but even that wasn’t enough to get Blake back, nothing was.
“How’s it going Olie?” Kass asked, slipping next to me.
I groaned, holding out my empty champagne glass.
“Yeah, about the same here,” she confided. “At least you can drink.”
“True,” I agreed, my eyes locked onto the happy bride and groom.
Blake was devastating in his tux, easily leading his bride and mate around the dance floor. I tried to crush the sorrow swelling inside of me, but it didn’t work. The best I could hope for was that it didn’t seep past my barriers. It wouldn’t, but a small part of me wished it would. It had been weeks since I slept with him and I knew he couldn’t feel me anymore, but I wanted him to. I wanted him to know the depth of my pain and devastation.
Lorraine drunkenly staggered next to us and I closed my eyes, willing myself not to kill her.
“So,” she slurred, already testing my patience, “do you ever wonder what is so wrong with you that no one wants to marry you?”
Logan and Darren appeared then. Logan pulled Lorraine behind him. I just smiled, my eyes riveted to Blake.
“No Lorraine, I don’t wonder. I know what’s wrong with me.” Demon whore, that’s all I would ever be.
“Aren’t you supposed to be planning my wedding?” Lorraine drawled, coming out from behind Logan.
The bitch had a point.
…
The bride and groom were sent off and I hid in the shadows, not that it was really hiding. With vampires’ sight, they could all see me.
Kass wrapped her shawl around her shoulders with a heavy sigh, leaning against me. “I have to go pick up a forgotten ear piece in the groom’s room, then we can head out.”
“I’ll get it. Go with Grams and get off your feet.”
She smiled. “Thanks.”
I nodded, turning back to the huge expanse of wedding venue.
After three wrong turns and finally being escorted by the caterer, I found the groom’s room. Without thought, I opened the door, casting a look around at the discarded clothing, hangers, and tux bags.
“If I were an ear piece, where would I be?” I muttered, looking around.
“What did you—“ Blake’s voice died as he came around the corner. I backed up, terrified.
“What the fuck are you doing in here?” I all but screamed at him.
“Shh,” he coaxed, closing the distance between us.
“Don’t fucking shush me.” I was furious at him. Furious he left me, furious he seduced me, blamed me, and taped me. All the fury was covering up a swell of pain I was having a hard time keeping within my shields.
“You told everyone I—“ My angry outburst was stopped cold when his lips caressed mine.
“I’ve missed you,” he whispered against my overheated ear, “and your blood.”
“No,” I whimpered, pushing away from him. The blood of succubi held power for vampires, a natural aphrodisiac that he apparently thought he would need to seal the deal with Angelina.
He didn’t let me get far, wrapping his arms around my hips from behind me. Instinct had me tipping my head up as he sank his fangs into my neck.
I exhaled in a heated rush. “No,” I whispered again, trying to break free. Damn my traitorous body, damn him for knowing exactly how to seduce me.
“Let me go, please,” I begged, unable to move myself.
“Let her go,” growled Logan, standing outlined in the doorframe, ha
nds fisted at his sides.
Blake released me and I ran into Logan’s arms, trembling. Not my finest moment.
“That’s all I was after, bro. Have fun with her.”
I heard the door close behind him. I couldn’t look Logan in the eyes.
He pulled away and I took the hint, pulling back to wrap my arms around myself, pretending I wasn’t so fucking weak-willed that I would have given in to Blake again in the feeble hope he’d take me back on his wedding day. What the fuck is wrong with me?
“Nothing,” Logan answered, tilting my chin up, looking at the bite mark on my neck.
“I didn’t mean to say that aloud. He didn’t heal the bite, did he?”
Logan shook his head, his caramel eyes darkening with his lion. It was the ultimate disrespect.
I squeezed my eyes closed against the wash of self-hatred and hot tears threatening to thread down my cheeks.
With a hiss I dug my fingernails into my palms.
“Enough, Olie.” Logan’s voice was soft as he pulled me into his arms.
“I don’t want your pity,” I grumbled at him, my voice muffled by his crisp shirt.
“Will you take my compassion?”
I grunted a noncommittal reply.
Once I had control again, I pulled back, looking into those raw sienna depths. “I came in here looking for a missing earbud.”
Logan smiled, turning me toward the exit. “And I came in here to tell you I have it.”
“I’m glad you showed up,” I sighed. “But I won’t admit that to anyone.”
He chuckled, slipping an arm around my shoulder. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”
Chapter 10
It was a week later. A boring week later and I couldn’t help but feel this was the calm before the storm. The zombies still hadn’t made an appearance, and it was worrying both Jerry and me.
Grams had reached out to the necromancer community, but they didn’t want our help locating their missing member. Assholes.
So here I was sitting at Kass’s, watching some kids’ TV program and playing with Hannah.
“Logan is coming over for dinner tonight,” Kass informed me, turning off the TV.
“Is that a hint I need to get gone?” I asked, dressing a doll in an evening gown for Hannah.
