by Kailin Gow
Throughout it all, my body shook, as though I’d been thrown into that river with them. As George aids the man, bringing him to the bridge operator’s unit, the jumper identifies himself as Clarence, George’s guardian angel.
I smiled at the sight of the funny little man with the bulbous nose, his chemise giving him a childlike allure. It was a novel depiction of an angel. But my smile faded fast as a stream of cold air brushed along the nape of my neck, sending chills down my spine.
“I hate silly movies with angels in them.”
The cool words, filled with venom and hatred, hissed in the air around me, distant yet directly in my ear; distorted, yet all too clear.
Reaching for the crucifix at my throat I bolted up, turning to find the source of the voice in the darkened room.
“Lux, the light of all heavenly angels who works for a disheartened god is quickly becoming a thorn in our side.”
“Why don’t you come right to my face to tell me?” I dared. “Or are you just a big coward?”
Hearing movement from the back of the theater, I turned, but the bright light of the projector blinded me.
“You’ve no need to see me.”
A heated breath brushed along my ear, light and feathery, yet filled with unknown omens. I spun around still unable to see anything. Before I could get my bearing, I was shoved to the floor, my head bumping against a theater seat. With my fist around my crucifix, I scrambled to sit up and finally caught sight of the shadow.
An ominous chuckle rumbled throughout the theater, making a mockery of the scenes playing on the screen.
I peered through the darkness, willing my eyes to recover from the blinding projector lights. When a loud stomping sound approached me from the left, I turned, now able to make out the silhouette of a dark figure, tall, his arms like bulldozers and his eyes glaring with black resentment.
Jumping to my feet, I ripped the crucifix off its chain and pressed it to the demon’s scarred and scab-mottled chest. “With the powers bestowed upon me, I bind your powers. Be gone, Demon.”
An acrid puff of smoke filled the air, choking me and sending me reeling back. I leaned against the wall, relieved the demon had vanished, but wary of any possible followers. The room remained silent and still, the puff of smoke now obscuring the screen. Satisfied the room was empty, I threw my crucifix in the little clutch purse and went in search of Brax.
Fumbling my way through the dark, I found the door to the projection room. Aside from the old projector turning the old black and white film, and a stack of old film canisters, the room was empty. After a few tries, I found the door that led back into the house.
The hall was quiet except for the distant sounds of partiers chatting and gossiping. I treaded lightly, fearful of being caught in a portion of the house I had no business being in. However, when I heard Braxton’s voice, I hastened my steps to find him.
Pushing open the door left ajar, I found him in his uncle’s library flanked by the Hatchett twins, the other members of The Beautiful Ones.
Chapter 8
Shayne stood beside Brax in all her magnificence. Wearing an exquisite cream-colored dress with draped pearl sleeves and pearls seductively draped at the neckline, she was a vision of pure beauty. The cutouts at her waist, also draped in pearls added sensuality to the designer dress. Her hair was pinned back, but tawdry tendrils swirled about her head giving her a prim yet slightly disheveled sexy look.
“There you are,” she said as she quickly approached me. “We’ve been here for almost an hour and we’ve looked everywhere for you.”
Stunned, no response came. I couldn’t fathom what they were doing at Kingsley’s and why they wanted to find me. And why Brax had left me alone in the theater while hanging out with the Hatchett twins, without a word to them about where I was. He knew I was in the theater.
His face was expressionless, as though everything we did in the theater, never happened.
Moore, dressed in a black tuxedo, that filled out from his tall and toned frame, stepped up to me and in an instant I found myself drowning in his green gaze again. The effect was overpowering, bringing me to bear seductive thoughts I had never dared, to fantasize unspeakable fantasies and to long for his touch throughout my body.
“Wow.” He shook his head in disbelief as he inspected me, his eyes slowly drifting from one part of my body to another, lingering on my hips and breasts, heating me as I imagined his hands could. “You are positively stunning,” he whispered into my ears, his warm breath like fingers that tickled my sensitive skin. I couldn’t help shuddering from desire.
“Are you happy you came now?” Shayne shot at him.
He offered me a sly grin, his exquisite eyebrows cocking up. “I didn’t really want to come to this thing, you know, a bunch of grown-ups, university types, uptight and all that annoying etiquette.”
I smiled, relishing that Moore was more like me than I first thought.
“But when Shayne said you’d probably be here, on account of your father, I thought I’d pop in to take a peek.” He clasped my hands in his and spanned my arms out to get a better look at me, almost causing Brax’s tuxedo jacket to slide off my shoulders. A quick flash in his eyes questioned his rival’s apparel on my body, but he made no mention. “Am I glad I did.”
Only my concrete determination kept me from sighing aloud. I willed myself to keep the conversation on safe grounds. “How did you manage an invitation?”
Brax pushed through the twins and came to stand beside me, his protective arm coming to wrap around my shoulder and pulling me from Moore’s hold. “It’s a long and tedious story.”
“Our parents’ will stipulates we give the university a sizable sum every year.”
“They’re here as patrons of my uncle’s university, that’s all,” Brax finished, his tone impatient.
Moore’s gaze shifted to Brax’s arm and traveled down over the jacket. “Believe me,” he said, his eyes hardening for a moment as they met Brax’s. “Had we had any choice in the matter, not a penny would have ever been contributed to Dean Kingsley’s university.”
The animosity grew thick in the room. I quickly glanced at Brax, the almost imperceptible pursing of his lips divulging the anger he felt. So he did feel as affected by our make-out session in the theater as I did.
Shayne shifted to Braxton’s side, her long elegant arm pried him away from me. “You know, Brax, I’ve always admired your home from afar, but would absolutely love to have a grand tour. Gothic Victorian, is it not?”
She already had Brax at the door, her eyes deceptively hungry, while Braxton’s gaze had become more woeful with every step.
“How about a rerun of the tour, Lux.”
I shook my head. “As beautiful as it all is, once was enough.”
“Moore?” Brax offered.
Moore didn’t even dignify Braxton’s offer with a glance. His eyes were glued to mine, his tongue passing over his lips with pent up desire. “I’ve far better ways of spending my time than to visit a mansion.” His smile held a world of promise and passion.
He’d worn a tux, but had neglected to knot his bowtie. It hung around his neck, his white shirt slightly open at the collar, giving him the appearance of a distinguished and debonair man who was secretly a spy chasing the criminals of the world. He was so hot, heat radiated from him, filling the air between us with thick pent-up lust and desire.
I knew Braxton’s eyes were still on us and I felt his anger, but I was unable to tear my eyes off Moore.
“Let’s go, Brax,” Shayne said. “I’ve been dying to see this theater you’ve talked about.”
The moment they were gone, Moore grasped my hand. “Brax seems to fear leaving you alone with me. What about you?”
“Not at all,” I said. The room was suddenly hotter.
“I take it you won’t be needing this anymore.” He pinched Braxton’s jacket with disdain, pulled it off my shoulders and tossed it to a nearby armchair. “Not to mention the sin of hi
ding such a fabulous dress.” Once again his gaze swept over me, lingering on my collar bone, kissing up my neck and coming to stop at my lips.
My hunger for him was palpable, almost embarrassing. I’d never been one to fawn over guys, had never been given to moments of hysteria over a teen idol. I was strong, independent, held my own and was more apt to turn a cold shoulder than give any indication at all that a guy even existed.
But now… nothing else in the world existed except him.
He led me to an open secretary and picked up a decanter filled with an amber liquid. “How ‘bout a quick drink to get this party started?” He poured a finger into a tumbler and held it out to me.
The strong scent of alcohol wafted up to my nostrils and I turned away. “No, thanks.”
Bringing the glass under his nose, he inhaled the fumes that had so repulsed me. “Not a scotch drinker, I see.” He downed the contents of the glass and poured himself another.
“Not really.” Alcohol and demon fighting didn’t necessarily go hand in hand. I needed all my faculties at all times, not to mention how nauseating the mere scent of the drink was.
“Suit yourself, my dear.” He took another sip, let out a satisfied sigh and set his glass down. “Kingsley sure knows his stuff.”
Despite the alcohol, Moore sobered and looked intently at me. The playful twinkle that had been in his eyes moments earlier was now heavy with desire. “Did anyone ever tell you just how unbelievably beautiful you are? Your eyes are mesmerizing, shimmering like a multicolored opal. From the first moment I saw you, I wanted to lose myself into those captivating spheres.”
When he brought his hand to my shoulder, a shot of tingling cold and passionate heat ran through me, sending my body into full alert, though, for the first time, not with the intent to do battle. My body was in tune to his every touch as his fingers brushed over my skin.
“Truly exquisite,” he whispered as he came closer.
His lips parted and I was acutely aware of my own mouth, my tongue, and my lips, how they all hungered for the sensation to come, the taste of his mouth, and the play of his tongue.
In the distance a cough broke the weighted silence, but my focus remained on Moore’s approach.
“We’re back,” Shayne chanted.
Still flushed with anticipation, I turned to see Shayne and Brax at the door.
“How delightful,” Moore groaned with sarcasm.
“Brax wanted to get his jacket back. It’s a freezer in there.”
Braxton looked at his discarded jacket. “I take it you don’t need it anymore.”
“There are other ways of warming a woman.” Moore winked at me.
Even at a distance and with only a quick sidelong glance, I saw the tightening of Braxton’s jaw and the glare he shot at Moore.
Moore backed away from me, his eyes shifting between me and Braxton.
“You know what?” Shayne said. “It’s getting late and we’ve yet to speak with Kingsley. I wouldn’t want him to think us rude or anything.”
“Now?” Moore asked, his fingers discreetly reaching to grasp mine.
“Come on,” she said as she stomped into the library and grabbed her brother’s arm. “The life of wealthy socialites isn’t all fun and games. There are wealthy cohorts who need some butt kissing.”
“What a way to make it more appealing.” Moore grimaced then brought his lips to my ear and whispered, “I know of one hot butt I’d like to kiss and fuck. Let’s get together soon.”
As Shayne pulled him away, he held his hand out, touching mine until the last moment, his lips pursed in an airy kiss, while Shayne kissed Braxton’s cheek on her way out, her hand lightly brushing against the front of his crotch.
“Hey,” Braxton said as he glanced at the jacket. “I didn’t really need the jacket.”
“I didn’t think so.”
“I’m sorry for leaving you stranded in the theater. You must think I’m an awful host.”
“Those things happen sometimes.”
His distraction couldn’t have come at a better time, however. I wanted to delay knowledge of my demon fighting as long as I could. Had he returned to the theater too quickly, my game would have been up.
“I’ll make it up to you, I promise.”
“You’d better,” I teased.
His shy smile was slow in coming, but when it finally reached his eyes, I could see the uncertainty of this young and handsome man. He probably had hundreds of girls vying for his attention at school, Shayne being the most prominent among them, yet here he was unsure and nervous in front of me.
I held his gaze, silently questioning the connection that was growing between us. He had shown himself to be a friend, a good friend, yet…
Stepping into the library, he closed the space between us, his gaze repeatedly playing over my body, my face and back over my body. “It’s insane what you do to me,” he whispered, his voice hoarse, his eyes dark with arousal.
I wanted him to kiss me then, especially since it felt like a date when we were watching It’s A Wonderful Life. Tonight, despite the demon attack and the Hatchett twins interruption, I felt closer to Brax, and from the looks of his eyes on mine, I was sure he felt the same. He was bending down towards me, but approaching voices carried through the halls, slicing through the confusion of emotions that filled the room. I pulled away.
“I should probably go back and find my parents. They must be wondering where I went off to for so long.”
“Of course,” Brax said with a concurring nod and disappointment clearly on his face. “I’ll escort you back to the main foyer.”
The home was imposing, almost stifling despite the high arched ceilings and vast open spaces. There was something cold about it, something that brought an uncomfortable chill to my skin.
In the distance I spotted Mr. Kingsley with my parents, Shayne and Moore approaching them and making polite conversation. But while Shayne seemed animated and interested, Moore stared off into the distance, his eyes filled with boredom until he saw me.
The devilish twinkle returned to his gaze in an instant and a furtive smile curved his lips.
Braxton slowed his pace, his reluctance to join the group obvious in the way he gently pulled back on my arm. “How about a last glimpse of the terrace? The moon should be out and it’s glorious over the bay.”
I turned to look quizzically at him. “What’s up?”
His eyes wide with surprise, he played innocent.
“Why do I get the feeling you're holding out on me? There’s something you're not telling me. What’s really going on between Moore and you?” I held his gaze, wanting to know the truth.
He maintained his innocent gaze, but a thread of guilt played on his pressed lips. “We’re friends. We’re both relatively new to Shadowlight, and we sometimes hang out. We’re also the most powerful students at Shadowlight because of our families, wealth, and influence.”
“Seriously, Brax?” I knew all that on the surface, but there was an undercurrent of disdain he had for the twins but a tie he had with them at the same time. “Brax, quit bullshitting with me. I want to know.”
He sighed his resignation and clucked his tongue. “Fine. Shayne has been on my back for months now, trying to weasel her way closer to me. Lord knows she’s beautiful, and any guy would be crazy to have her, but she’s just not my type.”
“Oh,” I let out. Though all we did was made out in the theater, nothing really romantic happened between me and Braxton, but I felt a twinge of unexpected jealousy spike at my heart.
“I think she sees you as a rival, and she’s using her brother to get you out of the way.”
Ouch. The jealous spike at my heart was now a full on devastating dagger. Swallowing that bite of painful truth, I turned to Braxton. “But what would ever give Shayne the idea that you and I are a couple?”
He pulled me to him, smashing me against him. “Isn’t it obvious, Lux?” His fingers ran through his hair. “I want you. We’ve just met
, but I can’t help this urgent need to have you. But everyone wants Shayne and I together. It’s almost expected as the two non-related members of The Beautiful Ones.”
“Why can’t you do what you want to do instead of what everyone else wants you to do?” I asked, fingering his neck, looking up at him.
He gulped, as I moved my fingers closer to his lips. No words were necessary as Braxton’s eyes filled with the obvious emotions he felt for me. He quickly turned away, but not before I caught the pain-filled twitch of his lips.
I felt like a heartless idiot for not realizing how he truly felt about me.
“It looks like the party is revving down,” he said, his attempt to sound natural failing as his voice faltered. He cleared his throat and tried again. “Your parents will be looking for you.”
As we joined the group, Mom and Dad smiled at Braxton, obviously impressed with him.
“Well, it certainly was a pleasure meeting you Mrs. Collins,” Mr. Kingsley said to my mother before turning to bid me goodbye. “I certainly hope we’ll see you again, Miss Lux. I take it Braxton appreciates your company.”
I caught a glimpse of Braxton as he mouthed goodbye, his eyes speaking of his longing to be with me. To his right, Moore held an arrogant grin, while Shayne commanded his left, clinging to him for fear he’d run after me. Her desire for him glowed in her eyes and in the purring pout of her lips.
Walking out with my parents, I felt like a pawn in a game I knew little about. Unaccustomed to so much male attention, I didn’t know what to believe or who to trust. Moore seemed so sincere in his desire to be with me and had such a divine way of awakening the woman in me, while Braxton tickled my funny bone, made me feel at ease and looked at me with more than mere hunger.
Knowing little about love and lust, I felt confused. My body shouted out one command, wanting the heat of Moore’s touch, while my head tried to understand all emotions both guys evoked.
