by Megan Parker
“Zane...what are you trying to say? You’re rambling.” She frowned, “What is it? You know you can tell me anything.”
Zane frowned and looked over at her as she ran her left hand over his face for a moment. As she smiled and withdrew her hand, he spotted the glistening ring that she wore on her left hand—Devon’s ring—and narrowed his eyes at it. He knew she was over her long-dead lover and had moved on, but seeing the wedding band still wrapped around the ring finger of her left hand made him think that maybe she wasn’t ready for what he had in mind. Sighing, he forced a smile and kissed her hand.
“I just… I never thought I’d be in this position. I never thought anything would change for me. And, though I know you can step out into the world and have anybody you set your eyes on, I just wanted to tell you that I won’t ever have eyes for anyone else. I love you, Serena.”
Serena blushed, staring at him for a long moment—her eyes shimmering as they read the sincerity in his face—before she leaned her head against his strong chest and sighed softly.
“Zane...” she whispered and lifted her head to his, “… I would never want to see somebody else the way I see you. No matter what you think you know, I do—and I always will—love you.”
Feeling a well of happiness, he smiled and gingerly pressed his lips to hers.
Holding the kiss for a long, tender moment, Serena slowly parted his lips with her tongue and capturing his mouth completely with her own. As his tongue met hers, he felt a flash of heat and in the passion of the moment, he heard a growl but couldn’t bring himself to care who it had come from.
His arms lifted as her hands moved quick, desperate to separate their bodies from their clothing. Their mouths parted momentarily to get their shirts off and pressed back, more passion growing between them. Without breaking the kiss, he peeled away her pants along with his and pushed himself over Serena on the bed and continued to kiss her as they once again became one.
Nothing else mattered at that moment.
It was simply Zane and Serena’s world.
Zoey smiled and adjusted herself against Isaac’s chest as they settled into bed, “You were so incredible today!”
Isaac smirked, “So were you,” he rubbed his palm along her sides, “I had no idea you were such a great fighter!”
“I wasn’t that great,” Zoey blushed, “I just felt like I had to work harder because of everybody else.”
“Well, either way, I’ve never seen anybody fight that way!” Isaac kissed the top of her head, “You were so graceful!”
“I owe a lot of that to Serena,” Zoey confessed, “Seeing her grow and learn over the past few days really gave me something to aspire to.” She smiled, “She’s gotten stronger since I first met her. A lot stronger!”
“I bet. You and Zane are certainly great teachers, but…” he bit his lip and looked down.
“But what?” Zoey looked up.
“I was just wondering if you think she’s ready for what she’s taking on. I mean, I agree that she’s strong and everything, but is that going to be enough to rebuild her father’s clan and become their leader?” Isaac sighed as he looked down at her nervously, “I don’t mean to be rude, but she hasn’t had to do anything like this. I’ve only had to lead the small pack of therions in the woods and that’s challenging enough.”
Zoey moved closer to her lover and sighed, leaning her head on his shoulder. Her short, blue, pixie styled hair fell over her face, “I know what you mean, Isaac, and I understand your concern. But I have to be hopeful. She’s Gregori’s daughter, and I’ve seen too many incredible things from him to make a judgment just yet.” She confessed, smiling up at him, “I know it’s weird, but I have faith in her.”
“That’s enough for me,” Isaac admitted, “And besides, since she agreed to rebuild with my pack as members I’ll be happy to help in any way I can.” He smiled.
Zoey smiled, “It means a lot to me to know that we’ll be clan-mate’s and that we’ll have a chance to rebuild like this. It’s going to be great!” She turned to Isaac and leaned closer, catching his lips in hers and simply relishing in the moment of being in Isaac’s embrace.
Nikki sighed as she sat in the forest, watching the moon from the clearing that, only hours earlier, she and the others had battled so ferociously in. Her emotions had overwhelmed her and had wrecked her mind and she needed a break.
It was just too tolling to be that close to him and not be able to do anything about it.
She had finally allowed herself to see him again and, though she had known it was the wrong approach, she hadn’t been able to help herself. Though she couldn’t even be sure if she was wasting her time or not, seeing Zane’s face back at the tribe’s land had been too much of an opportunity to let pass. She had to know the truth! Though she hadn’t been completely honest with him when she first saw Zane, she’d known it had been him that she was looking for and, she wouldn’t have been able to figure out where to even start. Staring at the sky and letting out a deep sigh, she allowed herself to close her eyes as the memories built within her.
It was all driving her insane!
She’d just been missing him so much and, ever since she’d lost him all those years back, she’d been traveling alone and taking on any odd job that presented itself to her in whatever no-name town she’d happened across. And, while each new “home” was effective in helping her to help clear her thoughts for a time, the pain of her memories never failed to find her time and time again. It was becoming all-too clear that she would never be able to move on without some sense of closure.
Like it or not, she had to know the truth.
After all, he had been the only one who could stop her suffering in the past, and if there was any hope—any chance that she could find some way to have him back or to at least find closure to his absence—then she was determined to find it.
She frowned, looking up into the sky.
She had to go back to the clan.
“Hey Zane?”
Silence.
Serena frowned and rolled over, leaning her head on his shoulder as he continued to stare up into the canopy of starlight as it cut through the openings in the treetop’s canopy. “Zane? Is everything alright?”
Zane’s eyes shifted slowly from one constellation to the next as whatever was haunting his thoughts kept him distracted and staring off into the distance.
Whatever it was, it looked like he was upset by it.
Biting her lip, Serena sat up and nudged him in the ribs, “Hey! Earth-to-vacant-eyed Zane!”
He blinked and finally turned his attention to her, realizing that he’d been zoning out and frowned. He was making her worry and he didn’t mean for that. Their path towards rebuilding their lives was just beginning and, though this was a happy and prosperous chance for all of them, he couldn’t help but worry about what could possibly go wrong.
After all, The Council was keeping tabs on all of them now, and they were sure to put a stop to anything and everything they saw as a threat.
“I’m sorry, Serena. I was just thinking,” Zane answered finally.
“Really? I hadn’t noticed! I just thought you were ignoring me because you never wanted to see me naked again!” She stuck out her tongue and rolled her eyes, “You want to tell me what’s the matter?”
Zane sighed and shrugged, “I’m just nervous about rebuilding. I don’t want to end like the Odin clan.”
“I know,” Serena bit her lip, remembering the stories, “But haven’t you heard? The Stryker boy’s been turning his own situation around since waking up to that nightmare.” Serena smiled “ From what I hear he’s ruffling a lot of feathers, so obviously he’s not letting the Odin situation stop him!” She smirked and leaned back, staring up at the sky. “He does sound like he’d be interesting to meet!” She giggled.
Zane sneered and shook his head, “He sounds like a loose cannon, to me! I heard he went on some solo run in Maine and left a clusterfuck of a mess. Some obscene num
ber of human casualties left in the woods. Apparently The Council was cleaning up after his little camping trip for nearly two weeks!” Zane turned away, growling, “Must be nice to carry the Stryker name like that!”
“Oh? You mean like how I get to carry the Vailean name?”
Zane scoffed, “Hardly!”
“Aw! I think somebody’s jealous?” Serena chuckled, winking, “Afraid I’m gonna hop the Stryker boy if I got the chance?”
Zane sneered and turned back to her, “Like he could handle you!” He laughed and rested his head in Serena’s lap, finally feeling relaxed in her presence.
With the fear of Keith destroying all of Gregori’s hard work behind them, and the impending threat of execution from an angry Council fading like a bad memory, the only real threat wasn’t in what was, but only what could be.
Serena smiled as she thought of how, in only a short time, she’d gone from living day-by-day in uncertainty and loneliness to having an epic new chapter in not only her life, but in the lives of all those in her new clan; a clan that she would be overseeing with Zane by her side. Blushing at the thought, she gazed down into his gloriously mismatched eyes and ran her hand across his cheek.
“I love you so much, Zane.”
Zane blushed, “I’ll never get tired of hearing that.”
Serena nodded and smiled, “And I’ll never get tired of saying it.” She laughed and nodded, looking over at Zane for a moment. Her smile broadened as his gaze bore into her. “I was wondering…”
“Hmm?” Zane looked over at her, “What is it?”
“Well, I was thinking: if I’m going to be in charge and whatnot, I should probably have a—” her eyes widened and she turned suddenly as a wave of dark blue auric energy approached. “No…” her purple aura flared angrily as she shot to her feet as she shrieked in rage, “You?”
Zane frowned, not understanding her sudden outburst but standing up beside her, “Serena? What is it? What are you—”
Kristine’s aura broke through the darkness as she strolled towards them, “I heard you’d dragged your bitch-ass out of whatever shit-hole you’d been squatting in, slut! And I know you weren’t about to forget about what you did to us!”
Serena hissed, “Us? ‘Us’? Are you insane!”
Zane frowned and looked from the strange newcomer to Serena, “How do you know this…?” he paused as Serena sprinted by, charging at her.
“I’ll fucking kill you!”
Kristine shook her head, “Not before I kill you, bitch! And not before I take him back!” her purple aura seized and withdrew into her body, causing Serena to pause and backtrack.
“Wh-what? You’re an auric? But… you and Devon… were hunters! H-how could you hunt vampires if…”
“You stupid bitch! You of all people should understand! I knew he wouldn’t have me if he knew what I was, and cutting a few of our kinds’ heads off to try and bag him was more than a fair trade, wouldn’t you agree? But that’s ancient history and I want him!”
Serena frowned, “What are you—”
“Devon, you stupid bitch!” Kristine shrieked, “I know he’s with you! I saw him fuse with your aura the night you killed him and I want him—”
“I killed him?” Serena lunged at her, only to be thrown back as the auric threw out a wave of energy.
Kristine sneered, walking towards her, “Where is he?”
“He’s gone.” Serena glared, pulling herself up.
“Don’t lie to me!” Kristine hissed, “I’ve come too far for that!”
Serena frowned, “It’s not a lie, you psycho-bit—” she was cut off as she was forced to dodge another auric blast from Kristine and cried out as one hit her in the leg and dropped her to the ground.
“Serena!” Zane glared and turned to Kristine, his tattoos beginning to glow as his body started to shift.
“This doesn’t concern you!” Kristine glared at him, charging for another attack.
Serena’s eyes widened, “No! Leave him alone!”
“Oh?” Kristine looked at her, “Might this be a new love? Serena… two men at once? I mean, I knew you were a tramp, but—”
“I already told you; Devon’s dead!”
Kristine shook her head, “If that’s true, then I owe you for taking Devon from me!”
“You’re crazy!” Serena stood, “You started that fire at our weddi—”
“NO!” Kristine glared, “Devon would’ve never married you! It was all you! All your fault!” she glared at Zane, “And I will take what I’m owed!” She smirked as she threw out her aura at Zane.
Serena’s eyes widened as the blast hit Zane, “No!” she ran towards him as he slammed into the ground, “Oh god! Please no! Not again!”
But his aura was already gone.
His tattoos; cold and black.
His body…still.
Dead.
“Turn around, bitch! I’m not done with you, yet!” Kristine said, her soft steps approaching behind Serena.
Serena dropped to her knees, tears welling in her eyes, “Zane…”
Kristine’s aura slammed into her back, knocking her to the ground. “Don’t think I’ll kill you so easy! I’ve waited too long for this! Now turn around!”
Serena sobbed, trying to suck in a breath through her aching lungs as she clenched her eyes.
“Zane… no, please! Please don’t let it be true…”
Kristine grabbed her shoulder, “Turn arou—”
“Would you mind terribly if I asked you to try that once more?”
Serena looked down to meet dark brown eyes on Zane’s face.
Serena blushed as she saw Zane stand and, after dusting himself off, look at his hands and smirking.
“Z-Zane?”
He didn’t respond but, instead, smirked at Kristine and took a step towards her, “Oye! You hear me, girlie? I said I want you to attack me!”
Kristine frowned, “No… you’re not you. You can’t be…”
Serena bit her lip as a bright green aura shimmered and grew from his body, writhing and bubbling into life.
Serena struggled to her feet, starting towards him, “Zane!”
Frowning, he shifted his dark eyes to hers for the first time and took her in absently, “I’m afraid not, luv. Not anymore, at least.”
To be continued in book #2
of the Behind the Vail trilogy:
“Scarlet Dawn”
Megan J. Parker
**Preview chapters**
Serena sighed, sitting in the front row under the circus tent. Looking around, she noticed that there was no sign of an audience—a ragtag mythos circus—she shook her head at the craziness.
The group had finally gotten comfortable in their tents and Axle had shown them to their seats. She bit her lip thinking back to Axle’s stare, he seemed so intent on showing her his work…
…As if it would impress her!
Shaking her head to ignore the thoughts of Axle, she heard the music begin and a loud voice call out over the speaker, introducing Axle to the front stage. She watched him step out with a large beautiful golden tiger and watched as he winked over at her and bowed teasingly. Rolling her eyes, she glared and looked away, hiding the blush that was threatening to invade her cheeks.
Since when did she blush?
He was good looking!
Turning back, she realized he was now standing face-to-face with a tiger and he grinned, grabbing a large ring and setting it on the stand before turning back to audience.
“I need a volunteer! Any takers?” he grinned, turning to Serena. “How about you?”
“Hah! Fuck that!” Serena glared.
“Come on, Serena! Do it!” Zoey giggled, snuggling into Isaac’s chest. “I’m too busy.”
“Wha? You too, Zoe?” Serena sighed and nodded, dropping her head for a moment before jumping to the stage in a graceful stride.
As she reached him, he was petting the tiger’s chin and the tiger gave a loud purr and rubbed again
st him more. She smiled, watching him and found she enjoyed just watching him pet the tiger. She bit her lip, shaking her head quickly of those feelings and smirked.
“So, what do I do?”
She gasped as suddenly he lifted her and spun her around, placing her on a different podium right in front of the ring.
“Lie down.” He smirked.
“Well, that’s not a way to get a girl in your bed!” She smirked teasingly.
A hint of humor reached his eyes and he smirked, “Oh, I know. You haven’t seen my methods for that yet. Now, lie back!”
Serena laughed, lying back on the stand and watched out of the corner of her eye as Axle turned back to the group and asked for a cheer. The group let a few hilarious hollers and in a flash, the ring was set on fire and the tiger was running towards the ring…and her!
She gasped, watching the tiger’s movement and chewed her lip nervously for a moment. The tiger gracefully jumped straight over her and through the ring, landing perfectly on the other side.
“My turn!” Axle grinned.
She watched as he did several backflips towards her. Landing on his hands for the last flip, he pushed his arms out and his legs came flying over her and pushing through the circle of fire.
Then, as if time had stopped, their eyes met and she froze, biting her lip at the intensity in his gaze. She watched as he smirked and winked at her and then he was gone. She frowned, quickly shaking her head at what had just transpired and quickly jumped off the podium.
His hand caught hers and the fires from the ring sparked in his eyes and she turned before he pulled her to him. She gasped as his lips found hers…
His lips were soft yet passionate.
They begged for something she was afraid to give.
And, more afraid of the feeling, she was afraid that if they asked again…
…she would fall.
Quickly, she pulled away and bit her lip before glaring and lifting her hand, slapping him hard across the cheek.
