She glanced around, catching sight of the goon from the corner of her eye off in the distance. Teagan had teased her about the bodyguards last night. She’d finally had to escape to her room, leaving in the middle of the Xbox game she’d been playing with Stellan. She’d heard Stellan yelling at Teagan in admonishment the entire way up to her room. “M-my cousin,” she finally breathed, turning to look back up at Noah, who seemed braced to take on the world for her. She felt warmed by his protectiveness even though she could beat his ass from here until Timbuktu. “It’s totally sick, but my mom and dad are pushing Teagan on me.”
Noah grimaced, genuine disgust lighting his eyes. “Your cousin? Your first cousin? That’s not even legal.”
Eden shrugged, ignoring the moths of revulsion that erupted in her belly just at the thought of Teagan. She started walking again and Noah followed. “Yeah, well my dad is really, really old-fashioned and he loves Teagan, and he has a lot of money to make certain legalities go away.”
“Eden, this is twisted.”
She ignored the spark of panic that flared in her chest as she said, “Have you finally reached your freak quota? Is this the friendship over?”
“Of course not,” he growled, seeming insulted. “But you gotta admit this is weird — beyond weird. Damn, I just wish I could do something…” Suddenly he paled and grasped a hold of Eden’s shoulder, pulling her to a stop with a surprising amount of strength. Eden frowned down at the hand that had halted her so effortlessly. “Teagan hasn’t done anything, right? That’s not why you’ve been so quiet all week, because I swear to God, Eden, I will rip him apart if he so-”
Eden laughed, happily this time, and braced her hands against his chest to stop him. He seemed surprised by the gesture and she felt his heart pick up speed under her palm. Their eyes locked for a moment, and Noah’s hand brushed her wrist, sending a flurry of goosebumps rising up all over her skin. Afraid the hunger would decide to make an appearance, Eden pulled back and grinned at him, trying to ease the sudden tension. “Nothing happened. I can take care of myself. I just… my parents are really trying to drive me up the wall, what with this debut party and now Teagan…” Noah was still looking at her like he’d never seen her before and she raised an eyebrow at him. “Dude, are you even listening?”
He let go of his breath and grinned. “I told you not to call me dude.”
“Hey, we’ve been over this. You were given options and you chose dude.”
“My options were dude and dick. That’s not a choice. That’s sadism.”
“What is so wrong with dude?”
“Well every time you say it my IQ drops ten points.”
“Wow, and you only started out with ten in the first place. We must be way into the negatives.”
“I’d be a vegetable if that were the case.”
Eden made a face. “You said it, not me.”
Noah raised his eyebrows. “Keep up the insults and you’re going in the lake, Winslow.”
She snorted. “I’d like to see you try.”
“Oh you would, would you?” He reached for her, grabbing her around the waist. Eden started shrieking.
“You wouldn’t dare, Valois!” She yelled, trying to pull out of his embrace as he dragged her down the grassy slope towards the lake. Jeez, he was strong for a human. She elbowed him in the gut but it didn’t even slow him down.
“Either stop calling me dude or you and the lake are going to get pretty friendly.”
“No way!” She half-laughed, half-yelled, tucking her foot around his ankle. They both went down like a ton of bricks, the air whooshing out of Eden’s lungs as Noah landed on her. “Get off!” She giggled, pushing at him.
She felt the vibration of his body as he laughed, struggling to untangle them. The weight of him abruptly disappeared and Eden turned to see him towering over her, still choking on laughter. “You put up a good fight, Winslow.” He held his hand out to her. “But we better stop. The little old lady on that bench looks ready to call the cops and your goon looks ready to kill me.”
Ice immediately tightened around Eden at the thought and she gripped Noah’s hand, letting him haul her up off the grass. She was so dazed, worrying about the goon telling her father she was messing around with a human in public, she lost her footing and had to grab on to Noah for balance. His familiar citrusy scent dove inside her and her hunger latched onto it with a fierceness that debilitated her. Her chest squeezed tight with the need and she couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think, as her eyes landed on his mouth. Her fingernails curled into his forearms as she imagined tilting his head back and opening his mouth. All she’d have to do was breathe him in, reach deep inside him and take a little bit of pure, beautiful soul. Yes. Yes. She could do that. Her hunger needed it. She needed it. Do it, Eden, do it.
“Eden.”
She licked her lips, reaching her hands up to his face.
“Eden!” Noah shook her hard. Blinking fast, Eden looked up and saw his startled gaze.
Oh my God! Fear made her wrench back from him like he was poisonous. I almost… I almost…
“Eden?”
She felt sick. “I–I…”
“Eden, are you OK?” He asked quietly, his eyes serious. Hard.
Eden narrowed her own eyes now as he kept his distance. Had he sensed something?
You were staring at his mouth, Eden.
Right. Relief washed over her. Maybe he just thought I was making a move on him. Better that than the awful truth.
What… that you almost sucked his soul out in public?
“I gotta go, Noah.” She stumbled back.
“I thought we were going to get some coffee?” He nodded his thumb over his shoulder in the direction of town.
“Yeah, I can’t, I remembered something I have to do.” That would be not killing you.
***
Thank the Lord, Noah sighed as he rounded the corner onto his street. It had taken him forever to get rid of the tail Ryan Winslow had put on him. Another one of the goons that followed Eden around. That was the sixth time one of them had followed Noah. Ryan was growing suspicious of his daughter’s friend. That wasn’t good. Neither was Eden’s increasing hunger. Clearly, it was getting worse. He shuddered, thinking about the look in her eye at the lake. It wasn’t the first time a soul eater had tried to take his soul. It was the first time one he liked and maybe even trusted had tried to. God, he never thought he’d hear himself say that sentence. He thought of the look of horror on Eden’s face when she realised what she had almost done. Noah exhaled, brushing his hair back off his forehead. He was worried. Cyrus had been right about Eden all along. There was part of Merrit inside her. She was a good kid but her soul eater nature was determined to destroy that part of her, as was her family. Not to mention that sleazy cousin of hers. Noah’s fists clenched just thinking about it.
His head was throbbing as he ascended the metal stairs up to his apartment. Perhaps there was still time. No, there is still time, dammit. He shook his head, fumbling for his keys. He’d never expected that he would need to save Eden as much as he did. But he had to.
Noah blinked as he opened the door, light filtering in behind him to illuminate the girl on his bed. He frowned, taken aback to see her there. Quickly, he stepped inside and locked the door.
“Hey, Noah.” She stood up, tall and lithe and completely mortal. She wound her arms around his neck, her long blonde hair brushing his arms as they encircled her waist.
“Romany.” He managed a smile just before she kissed him, long, slow and deep. When she finally allowed him up for air, he squeezed her a little closer. “What are you doing here?”
“Can’t a girl visit her boyfriend every now and then?”
Noah pulled back, throwing her a look as he dumped his keys on the sideboard and headed for the mini fridge for a Coke. “Not when he’s on assignment.”
Romany pouted at him, her hands sliding onto her hips. She wore a sleeveless tank with tight fitting jeans. Comfortabl
e clothes that outlined her toned and strong physique. Under those jeans would be a dagger or two. Just in case. “It’s been a while, Noah. I wanted to see you. I’ve missed you.”
He smiled at her but didn’t say it back. Romany was a Warrior of Neith and one of many mortal warrior girls Noah had fooled around with over the years. Sure, he and Romany had been together a couple of years, since she was eighteen years old in fact, but he’d never bored of the relationship because she wasn’t clingy. Or so he thought.
She seemed to read his mind and snorted. “Oh get your head out of your ass, Noah. I’m here because Cyrus sent me to warn you.”
Instantly his body hardened and he froze with the can inches from his mouth. His eyes said, ‘well?’
Suddenly Romany grew serious and cool. “Word is out on you and Cyrus’ little half-blood. Despite our best efforts, there’s a faction out there who believe she’s an abomination.”
Noah’s heart began to pound. Abomination was never a good word to throw around. “They’re coming for her?”
Romany nodded. “They don’t know where she is yet… but you better watch your back, Noah. I happen to like it.”
Chapter Five. The Monster Within
“What are you doing, Stellan?” Eden asked quietly, her eyes flitting between him and the pretty girl on his bed.
After she’d fled from Noah, Eden had wandered around for a while, trying to gain control over herself, trying not to cry in public. She couldn’t believe she’d almost hurt Noah. Noah. She’d taken her frustrations out on a guy who’d pulled out on her as she was trying to leave the car park. Her horn nearly broke under extreme use and the poor guy was bright red with embarrassment from the blasting she gave him. She told herself she didn’t feel guilty for being a bitch.
She thought about driving around for a while, despite the check engine light, and then she’d gotten a text message from Noah.
Things will work out. Promise. N.
Eden had just been about to smile in relief when her phone buzzed again.
Haul ur ass back to the house, Paradise. It’s show and tell time.
At Stellan’s text, her stomach had roiled with nerves, but she knew she wouldn’t ignore him. When she’d gotten home, Celine had been on her way out for one of her own ‘dates’ and had told Eden to stand by for Stellan who had something important to share with her.
“I think it’s a good idea, so would Ryan. While I’m out, listen to your brother.” The elegant blonde had nodded briskly at her as she passed, reeking of Chanel and evil. Eden watched the door close softly behind her, smirking. That could almost have passed for a normal conversation. I’m going out for a while, darling. Be a good girl and listen to your big brother while I’m gone.
The young girl on Stellan’s bed, probably a college freshman by the worshipping eyes she cast Stellan’s way, looked up in confusion at Eden standing in the doorway to his bedroom.
“Good, you’re here.” Stellan grinned up at her and then patted the freshman girl’s hand. “This is Lana.”
Lana frowned at him. “Why is your little sister here?”
Yeah, Stellan, why is your little sister here?
Eden had a feeling she already knew the answer to that. Great, it was like he had a sixth sense or something, cornering her when she was at her weakest.
In reply, Stellan gripped Lana’s chin lightly and held her gaze. Her body slackened immediately, entranced by him. “Eden’s going to hang out with us for a while, and you’re not going to talk.”
“Eden’s going to hang out with us for a while, and I’m not going to talk,” Lana repeated.
The sight of the girl completely defenceless made Eden slightly uncomfortable. This was the side of her brother she liked to pretend did not exist. “Stellan,” she said hesitantly, trembling against the doorframe as the hunger grinned from within.
He clucked at her wary tone and stood up from the bed. “Eden.” He gave her a patient smile. “You promised you’d let me try and convince you.”
She nodded numbly, glancing at the girl again, who sat frozen. She almost didn’t look real. That made Eden feel a little better.
“I’m not asking you to feed.” Stellan shook his head reassuringly, and a little of her unease dissipated. “You know I can’t. But watching might change your mind… plus, you should know what to do for your Awakening Ceremony. I promise you’ll want this, Paradise. When I’m done, you’ll need this.” He sounded so reasonable. So loving.
She shivered, eyes locked on Lana who gazed up at Stellan like he was the second coming. Eden’s hunger scratched at her, like a dog at the door begging to be let in.
Stellan followed her gaze and smiled. “Watch and learn.” Slowly, he lowered himself back to the bed. “Come closer, Eden.” He threw out at her without taking his eyes off Lana.
The sickening, cowardly urge to turn and run back to her room fought with the need to please Stellan. To please the hunger. Shuffling forward, Eden obeyed them both.
Smiling softly, Stellan leaned forward to press what, in any other circumstances, would have been an incredibly romantic kiss on Lana’s lips. The girl sighed into him and reached up to clasp his head to kiss him harder. Eden felt her cheeks heat and lowered her gaze. A husky chuckle rumbled up from the back of Stellan’s throat. “Easy, Lana.” He pulled back. “Eden.”
Her gaze flew back up to meet his eyes. “I’m still here.”
“Keep watching,” he insisted. “You grab their head,” he instructed, clasping Lana’s head between his two hands. The girl buckled into him. “Now when I’m done, Eden, I’m going to have to compel her. To compel someone, you merely lock your eyes on theirs and command them. Easy as-”
“I know how to compel someone,” Eden interrupted.
He grinned at her in surprise. “Oh really?”
“French teacher,” she mumbled.
His eyebrow quirked and he threw her a dopey, knowing smile.
Eden shrugged. “OK, math teacher too.”
Laughing, Stellan nodded. “OK. So you know how to compel. Good.” He turned back to the freshman. “Lana,” Stellan whispered like a lover. Eden felt a frisson of excitement rush through her as he tipped her chin and leaned over, his lips inches above the girl’s. At the hitch in his breath his grip tightened, his grey eyes bled of their colour to a terrifying white. Only the black of his pupil remained. The temperature in the room dropped as Eden’s heartbeat increased; need, thrill and revulsion pulsing through her veins like cowardly confused worms. Her brother’s face grew taut, hardening over like marble, and as he began to suck, Eden thought she would die with shame. Lana’s eyes flashed wide in terror and pain, her mouth falling open in silent screams as pieces of her soul were drawn out of her and into Stellan in tendrils of a blue smoke-like property. Veins popped up all over Lana’s face, her skin as transparent as tracing paper.
Slowly the grey returned to Stellan’s eyes and his skin began to soften to normal. Abruptly he stopped, throwing Lana away from him, and the girl lay back on the bed, eyes still slammed open, mouth still shrieking no sound as her skin gradually returned to normal. It was a horrifying sight. Eden began to fight the hunger, the lust for the soul feeding trumped by her disgust now that it was over and this girl…
“Stop her,” Eden demanded hoarsely, reaching forward and then drawing back. Stellan heaved again, his hands trembling as he tried to compose himself. “Stop her,” she said a little louder, dying to scream. He made no move. “Stop her!” She cried, fighting back tears. Finally processing how upset Eden was, Stellan cursed and leaned over Lana, pulling her to him. As soon as he focused on her eyes, Lana fell limp.
“You’re OK, Lana. You didn’t feel a thing.”
“I’m OK. I didn’t feel a thing.”
“You’re going to get into your car and go home. You were never with me today. You’ve been at the library, studying for the American Literature final.”
“I’m going to get into my car and go home. I was never with y
ou today. I’ve been at the library, studying for the American Literature final.”
Eden stared at her as she stood up, smoothing down her dress as if nothing had happened. She strode towards Eden, and just before she brushed past her, Lana turned her head a little to look up at her blankly. Eden stifled a gasp, her fingers curling into fists. A darkness flickered in the depths of Lana’s eyes like a black flame, cruel and useless in light places. As the girl left them, the sound of her heels clacking against the polished stairwell and foyer, followed by the click of the door shutting softly behind her, Eden began to shake, thinking on how confused Lana’s family and friends would grow over the coming days when they realised the girl they knew had changed irrevocably.
“Paradise.” She felt Stellan’s hand on her shoulder and flinched away from him, glaring. His eyes widened in hurt. “Eden, don’t. This is what we are.”
Demons. Evil. Soul sucking bastards who took a piece of someone from them forever and left a little monster behind in them. They were cowards. Eden shook, a hot anger flushing across her skin. She was a coward. A coward who stood by and watched her family do it. Her brother, whom she loved. How could she love someone who could do this?
“I’d die, Eden.” Stellan choked hoarsely, as if he’d read her mind. “First, I’d go insane, and then I’d die. Would you want that?”
She raised her head slowly and their eyes locked. His shone with tears and love… for her. Like always. How many times had he hugged her close when Ryan had been especially cruel? How many times had he blown off something with his friends just so she wouldn’t be alone on a Saturday night? How many times had he told her he loved her, and protected her from Teagan, from their parents finding out the truth about her? She was the one that wasn’t normal here, not Stellan. And still he loved her.
When he put his arms around her, she fell into them, the fear and guilt over what had just happened churned in her chest like too much oxygen.
“I love you, Paradise.” He kissed her head affectionately. “And I won’t let you starve.” His voice had turned to steel. “I know you wanted it. I felt your need. Your hunger. You can’t deny that.”
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