Branded Wings

by S. I. Hayes

  “Don’t you know anything about Dragons?” I scoffed, smacking the guy so hard he slammed through the display window.

  chapter 51 sig

  WE PARKED OUTSIDE THE Groove Brew, and before I could even get out of the truck I could tell there was a commotion. I could hear people yelling and dishes breaking. “What the fuck?”

  Ryane grabbed my arm as I made to jump out of the cab and make a beeline for the shop, “Easy, you don’t know what’s going on. You could get hurt.”

  “Aella’s in there. Ryane, let me go.” I wrenched my arm from her as Keegan joined me in the street.

  “We goin’ in?” His eyes roamed the glass windows just as they shattered, a huge hulking body barreling through them, landing prone at our feet. We stepped back as Aella appeared in the broken opening, wiping off her hands, kicking a crawling man in the backside toward the exit.

  “Don’t you know anything about Dragons? Bullets mean very little, asshat.” She spat just past his head and the concrete began to bubble and dissolve. “That was a warning shot. Fuck with me again and I won’t be missing,” her voice hissed as she looked up, seeing us gawking. “Siegfried?” Stepping out through the broken encasement, she pressed her whole body against me as she passionately kissed me hello, her hands raking through my hair, instantly sending the blood south. I groaned into her and then heard Keegan clear his throat.

  I broke the kiss, it was rather porno for the time of day and the environment we were in, after all. She dragged her nails down my chest with a curt little growl.

  “What happened?” I asked as the sound of sirens began to blare, coming in our direction. “Should we be running?”

  “These three were leftovers from jumping Greisen. They thought they were gonna mess with me and rob the Brew. Pulled this on me.” She pulled out a .22 pistol with a laugh. “Fired it point blank at my chest. Good thing I’m a Dragon.”

  My scales ruffled, and I reached down to grab one of the jerkoffs when she stayed my hand.

  “I don’t need a white knight, Siegfried, I’ll press charges and it will go in as a hate crime. These fuckers are going to be dealt with in good measure, but I’m probably not going to be able to leave town.”

  I nodded my head, watching as Keegan ran interference with the 911 dispatch. The EMS was already assessing if any of the customers needed help and Ryane... Where was Ryane? “Baby, can I leave you here? Will you be okay?”

  “I’m fine. You seem to be the one that’s shook up by what I did. Go on, find your friend.”

  I nodded as I kissed her forehead. I scanned the crowd and realized that the police only had two suspects, not three. I cracked my neck and checked my phone, Ryane had hers on for a change. I followed the GPS down the road and around the corner to the next block. That was when I caught the scent of blood and heard the muffled scuffling and sound of a struggle. What the Hell?

  chapter 52 ryane

  I’D WATCHED AS THE third guy hobbled off bloodied. Keegan had grabbed one and the other was at Sig and Aella’s feet. Seemed to me he was going to get away again. Couldn’t have that, now could we? I sprinted after him and he gave chase. Hmm, my heart went all aflutter at the prospect of catching him and dragging his scraggly ass back to the cops that were swarming at the coffee shop, but then he turned down this alleyway and it was just the two of us. That was when something in me snapped.

  He pulled a knife as I grabbed him, trying to stick me in the ribs. I twisted out of it on instinct, and slammed him against the garbage cans. He went down, slamming his head hard. Blood trickled down from so many places, I couldn’t tell you how many. Hell, he could have been bleeding out for all I knew. It seemed a shame to let all that good salty nectar go to waste. I don’t know what came over me, I was on him like a jungle cat, my fangs ripping into his throat. Well, that certainly woke him up! He began to buck underneath me like a bull and I grabbed him by the shoulders, holding on for the ride. He managed to tear me away, but I slammed him again with my force push and he went down once more.

  That was better, he was still as I straddled him again to drink my fill.

  “Ryane?”

  I was pulled from my brutal assault by Sig’s curious calling of my name.

  “Busy,” I mumbled through laps at his slowly bleeding throat. “There’s more to be had yet.”

  His hands were on me and pulling me off even as I held on to the guy who was half-dead at this point. “Fuck, let me go!” I stood up, wiping the blood from my chin as Sig just stared at me.

  “You going feral on me, girl?”

  “Huh? This fucker, he tried to stick me with a knife!”

  “We-You can’t just drain them and leave them like this. People can’t just, Ryane...” He bent down, checking the guy’s pulse. “You could have killed him. If you had, you would have broken a serious law in the Vampire and Human community. Murder is murder. Remember that.”

  He grabbed my now unconscious victim and threw him over his shoulder.

  “I won’t tell Keegan, but you should. This needs addressing, Ryane. It’s serious, your hunger is serious and apparently out of control. I’m worried about you, buttercup. Please.”

  I nodded as we made our way back to the EMT’s and police cars. “Yes, Siggy.”

  chapter 53 greisen

  FROM MY LITTLE CORNER table across the street, I had the perfect view of the Groove Brew. Watching those idiots scramble to protect themselves from Aella was a trip in itself. I didn’t expect to see Keegan and the rest of them appear just as it was getting good however. No matter, this will just pull them in deeper, faster. Ryane went running after one of them, so I casually paid my bill and followed at a distance. I couldn’t have planned for her actions better. I watched as she jumped on the thug, tearing into his throat with the voracity of a Velociraptor.

  Ahh... Her hunger was ravenous and she didn’t hesitate to be brutal when they fight back. What’s this? She has the force push? Hmm... I had not anticipated that. I would have to be mindful of it in the future, just in case. Ryane held the guy down and I was sure she was gonna kill him, except there came Sig.

  I cloaked myself, bending the light around me so he couldn’t see me. Bastard stopped her and is giving her some sort of uppity speech. Fucking Dragons and their holier than thou sensibilities. They’ll kill to protect a piece of gold, but Gods forbid a Vampire kills on their watch. No matter. Seeds were sowing themselves, now I’d just need to add a wee bit of gasoline.

  chapter 54 Aella

  I WATCHED AS SIEGFRIED helped Ryane into the back of his truck, not really listening to the Officer who was still asking me what had happened. I had already gone over it twice. I mean, what didn’t they understand? Assholes attacked me and I kicked their asses. Simple. Over. Take them away already! I felt a twinge of something in my gut as he kissed her forehead and she settled into the cab. He closed the door before heading toward me, passing by a concerned looking Keegan.

  Sig came to stand beside me and put up his hand to the officer, silencing him. “Look, Officer... Stephens. “Miss Rowan has already given you her statement. If you need more from her, you have her contact info. Now, unless you plan to treat the victim as the suspect in this case, I suggest we let her get checked out by EMS and go home.”

  “And you are?” Officer Stephens asked, annoyed by being interrupted no doubt, watching as Siegfried pulled out his wallet, taking out a card.

  “Siegfried Rembrandt. Her council.”

  I looked at him curiously. I had no idea he was a lawyer. I mean, who would? Look at him... He gave a sardonic smile and winked at me as he put his arm around me, leading me toward the emergency services truck.

  “You’re a lawyer?”

  “When I have to be. You never know when it will come in handy.” He squeezed me into him and I took an odd comfort in his strong arm around me, falling into the space of his ribs perfectly, my head at his shoulder. “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah. Though I think I’m out of a job. At least till the
y can afford to fix the place.”

  “I think I can help with that. It’s just a window and a few dishes.”

  “Am I going to be in a lot of trouble?”

  “No. It’s like you said. A hate crime. You were singled out and attacked. You were protecting yourself.”

  I nodded. “I’m just confused on how they found me.”

  “Probably dumb luck.”

  “Maybe. I dunno. Or they followed me from school. I hate to think of Grigori as unsafe, but twice in a week? We need to do something; the Deviant Class isn’t safe.”

  “I know.”

  He walked me past the medics and straight for his truck. “Where are we going? I thought I was getting checked out?”

  “Do you think they know more about your anatomy than I do?” He laughed, opening the front door to his truck for me. Keegan was in the back with Ryane, who had her head resting in his lap. She gave me a little wave as I climbed inside, which I returned in kind.

  “Uh, not sure how to answer that one.” I chuckled nervously, looking at Keegan, my face crimson.

  “So do we have a plan, Boss?” Siegfried asked, starting the truck.

  “Let’s head back to Sam’s and then we can figure this out. Aella, are you good with that or did you want to swing by your dorm for a change of clothes?”

  “Shit, my bag is still in the shop.” I went to hop out of the truck, but no sooner than I said it, I spotted George running with my stuff in his hands, flailing for our attention.

  “Aella!”

  I rolled down the window and he shoved my bag at me.

  “Damn, pretty mama, you certainly can sober a man up!” He snickered.

  “I’m so sorry about the window, are you alright?”

  “Ah, couple scratches, nothing a few puffs won’t fix. As for the window, we will have to close up for a week or two. Sorry honey.”

  “Actually, I can come by tomorrow and see what I can do,” Siegfried interrupted. “I’m pretty good with that stuff.”

  “Really? I mean we won’t be able to pay you...”

  “Don’t worry about it. Just let my girl have a few days with pay.”

  “You can have it. Thanks man. Aella. We love you so much!”

  APPARENTLY I HAD MANAGED to get myself involved with the most interesting of people. Ryane is what they once referred to as a Legacy. The child of two Hunter families, now newly turned into a Vampire, which apparently came with its own set of complications. Not only was she bonded to Prince Keegan, but she had an insatiable bloodlust and was going through the synthetic like candy. She nearly killed the third guy that tried to get away. While that wouldn’t have bothered me, eye for an eye and all, it was sort of looked down on. They lectured the poor girl, cuz that’s what she needed right then. I was being quiet. They decided that they were gonna cancel the trip for the four of us, and just Prince Keegan and Ryane were going to go. The hope was that his father could shed some light on what was going on with her and that while they were gone, Siegfried and I may be able to discover just what was going on here at Grigori. I hoped they were right. I had this awful feeling in the pit of my stomach.

  chapter 55 Keegan

  ONCE IT HAD BEEN DECIDED that only Ryane and I were going to the Senate to see my father and make the marriage announcement, there was no real reason to wait to leave. Everything was pretty much packed so Sig and I spent the better part of an hour loading up the Jeep while Ryane checked and double checked the townhouse, as if she hasn’t left it mostly abandoned all summer long. Aella was very quiet, but helpful as she passed the bags to us when Ryane set them outside.

  “She doesn’t say much, does she?” I forced down the cargo door with a shove, why women pack so much I will never understand.

  Sig just shrugged with a smile. “I don’t know; I’m still learning about her. I get the sense she talks when she has something to say.”

  “Or when people talk to me.” Aella leaned up against the side of the Jeep with her arms across her ample chest. I couldn’t help but wonder what she’d look like trussed up. Sig spotted me staring with a wondering smile and shoved me hard.

  “Seriously?” he snapped. “NO!”

  “Sorry, the mind wanders.” I gibed.

  “Um... Do I wanna know?”

  “Just his Highness here and his fucked up mind at play.”

  “Uh, huh. Yeah, I’ve heard all about you and your crazy level, just keep it way... Way over there... Okay!” She chuckled, pushing at the air between us playfully as Ryane came outside, locking the door finally.

  “Did I miss something?”

  “Nah, babe, just the breaking of the ice, I think.” I kissed her forehead, grabbing her ass firmly in both hands. “You ready for this? It’s a long drive.”

  She stretched like a kitten after a long nap, wrapping her arms around my neck. “I can handle it; we’ll play strip I spy.” She nipped at my chin, turning around to face Sig and Aella. “You two, be careful, no heroics, just recon and go to your classes for Christ’s sake. We gotta keep up appearances.

  “Preaching to the choir.” Sig nodded. “You guys need anything, you let me know, I can be there in no time flat. Keep your GPS on at all times, please. I don’t like leaving you to go without a Guardian.”

  “What the Hell am I? Chopped liver? Last I checked, I’m not only a Guardian, but I’m a Hunter too. I’ve got weapons and everything!” Ryane stomped her foot, the silver and titanium of her boots, clanking on the ground. They had been made by Sam for her before she had been turned to give her an advantage, now with her speed and agility heightened they would be ever more deadly.

  “You are young and inexperienced, my love.” I hugged her, but she huffed, pulling away smugly and going around the Jeep.

  “Whatever. Fuck you both very much for the vote of confidence.”

  I shook my head with a sigh. “Sig, Aella. I will see you in a few days. Try not to burn it down while I’m gone.”

  Sig just lowered his head, while Aella laughed. If she only knew I wasn’t joking.”

  chapter 56 sig

  WITH KEEGAN AND RYANE gone, Aella and I stood next to my truck for several minutes, not saying much of anything. Here she was with that rocking body and I couldn’t think of a single thing to do or say.

  “I- You wanna grab some dinner? I’m starving all of a sudden.” I could actually feel my scales bristle and that was when I heard her laugh outright.

  “Do I make you nervous?” She leaned back, jutting her chest out playfully as she bit at her top lip with a grin.

  “Honestly? Yeah, just a bit.”

  She walked up to me, running her hand through my hair, her nails raking against my scalp. “That’s good,” she whispered as she licked my bottom lip and headed for the passenger side of the truck. “And yes, I too find myself suddenly ravenous, so I hope you know a good place to get some decent grub.”

  I groaned, I offered to feed her and realized that I knew very little of the area. I mostly stayed within the confines of Grigori, otherwise I was in the city, but I knew she had classes in the morning so a drive out there wasn’t going to happen. So, off to the Pepper Pot, we go.

  chapter 57 aella

  “THE PEPPER POT RESTAURANT.” I spied the overreaching sign that swung outside on the strip. The place sat on the end of the market street, not far from the civic center, but if you didn’t know it was there you could easily miss it.

  “This is Ryane’s joint. The food is really good if you like southern fare. Do you like spicy food?” Siegfried asked, helping me from the cab of the truck.

  “I’m not opposed to it.” I smiled, looking around. There was some mild landscaping to spruce the place up, but it needed work. “Does she make any money at all with a location like this?” I couldn’t help but ask.

  Siegfried laughed. “Truth be told, since Ryane owns the property there really is more she could do with it. Like expanding and putting in a patio for outdoor dining. It would double her capacity; she could even af
ford, at this point, to expand into the empty store adjacent if she wanted to. If I were her, I’d put in a glass wall for outside inside eating so people can see the outdoors but keep out of the elements. Maybe put in a pond or fountains...”

  “You been mulling it over then?” I chuckled as we entered the place. It was neat and clean. It smelled of fresh cut flowers and cookies, and something else I had never smelled, but made my mouth water instantly. “Oh, what is that?”

  “Fried gator tails,” Siegfried whispered into my ear. I could feel the smile as it curled up over his lips. “Guess I did okay bringing you here?”

  “If those things taste half as good as they smell, Hell yes, you did good.” I turned my head, grabbing him by the cheek and finding his mouth. He seemed surprised as my tongue made claims on his for an instant in a heated, if not all too brief kiss.

  “Sig?”

  A woman’s voice broke the moment and I looked across the expanse of the entrance way to see a small red haired girl that sort of reminded me of my sister, Mary.

  “Hi, um...” Siegfried seemed to be searching for her name.

  “Gilda Thrughogh, Third year, Whildeborn Fey. We met last semester through Greisen Calder at the Phi Beta Delta Spring Fling?”

  “Ah, Okay, right. How are you?”

  “Better. Finally got my shape straightened out.”

  “I see that. You look good.”

  “Thanks, anyhow, just you two tonight?”

  “Yep, got a few nights to myself. The Bossman took a little vacation with the little lady.”

  I wasn’t sure I liked their familiarity. I pulled away from Siegfried somewhat as they conversed, looking around the place, half listening.