Chapter 4
Samael appeared back in his car, right outside of the gym. He’d been so close to finding those damn angels when he heard Marcella’s call. Lies were easy enough to come by. He had just been so pissed at being summoned that he’d said the first thing that came to mind, like he was driving and could have killed people. Of course, when he saw Jason, he knew why she was so upset, and the guilt immediately had set it.
Tuning in to his senses, he sighed. Nemmy and Caspius were long gone. Fuck. Now where in the hell was he supposed to look? They were probably already back to wherever they were staying at, sleeping, just like he should be doing.
Pulling out of the parking lot, he left himself open to receive any sensations of goodness. The texture against his skin would be different than the ones he got from humans if he began picking anything up. Angels felt like the thickness of velvet. They tickled your skin. Not like with humans. Mortals were more like silk, so soft you could hardly feel them.
Heading toward his penthouse, he was surprised when he pulled into the parking garage and felt his body tingle. Great. Fucking angels. No doubt they’d felt him earlier, and now, they were waiting for him. It wouldn’t have been hard for them to pick up the traces of evil he’d left behind.
Samael didn’t even walk in. He dematerialized right into his living area. Two smiles greeted him from the couch upon his arrival.
“Samael. So nice of you to want to contact us earlier. I see they sent in the big guns for this one. So, what is it this time?” The blond and red-haired angel raised an eyebrow, his smile never faltering.
As Nemmy remained seated, Caspius stood and walked around the back of the leather sofa. Samael watched them suspiciously, although he wasn’t sure why. They were too honorable to do some sneak attack. Angels let you know what was coming, and even though you knew, it was almost impossible to stop the freight train headed your way.
“You’re taking souls that belong with me. I don’t take too kindly to that. But, I don’t want any action right now. I just thought I’d let you know I was in town and that Zepar is also aware of both of your presence.”
Nemmy scooted forward and leaned toward him. “It’s not like you not to fight. There’s something going on, and I am curious as to what.”
Samael cursed. Damn angels. You couldn’t get shit over their heads. “Let’s just say I’m getting older and wiser.”
“No, I don’t think so,” Caspius whispered. “I smell…a female. She’s...” Caspius took a deep breath. “I’m not sure. You didn’t get close enough.” His face masked over as his eyes penetrated into Samael’s. Not good. “So, someone’s finally managed to catch your eye. I was for sure you’d join us after you lost your” He paused, knowing better than to say anything. “But that was just wishful thinking.”
“Yes. Keep wishing. It’s never going to happen.”
“It would have,” Nemmy whispered. “If Marcianna was still alive, you would have joined us. I know it.”
“You know nothing,” Samael snapped. “She was good. Not I.”
“Still heartbroken, are you?” Caspius bowed his head toward the floor. “Do not get defensive, Samael. We all still mourn her loss.”
“I mourn nothing! Now get out of my apartment before I take back what I said earlier and level this place with all of us still in here.”
Nemmy stood, his eyes blazing. “You dare threaten the lives of innocent humans who live in this building? If I didn’t put it past you, I’d drop you right now.”
“You wish.” Samael collapsed onto the recliner. Damn, he was tired. He hadn’t slept in days, with all that was going on. It didn’t help that he was constantly watching over Marcella without her knowing.
“Wait.” Samael looked up to see Nemmy’s eyes peering toward the hallway. Fear took over at knowing what lined the walls. Fuck.
Jumping to his feet, he chased after the angel, but he didn’t reach him before the damage was done. A ragged breath left Nemmy’s lips as he took in the pictures of Marcella. They were nothing more than virtual snapshots from Samael’s memory, but the evidence of her in human situations spoke volumes.
“She lives? Oh, sweet Jesus, she does live. I can feel it.”
“No!” Samael wiped the wall clean with his flick of his wrist, making the pictures disappear. “I only wish her to live. Those were nothing more than…You can’t possibly understand what I’m going through.” He took a deep breath, pretending to play the heartbroken fool they all knew him to be. “Just leave. Please.”
Eyes, both light pink and a storm grey, stared at him. Nemmy was the first to take a step back. “You know I don’t trust a word you’re telling me. If she’s back, we’ll find her. And you know what that means.”
Both disappeared at the exact same time. Samael could feel fatigue taking over. Yes, he knew what that meant. Son of a bitch, he was so fucking screwed. Damn angels, with their damn stubborn streaks. It was only a matter of time, and then all hell was going to break loose.
* * * *
Marcella looked at the two-door Honda Civic and then back to her men. “I’ll call before I get into town. Give me about two hours. I’m sure it won’t take that long, but, just in case something happens, don’t do anything.”
They nodded, and she took turns kissing them. Climbing in the car, she looked over the directions Ben had given Ambrose. She’d been to Victoria on plenty of occasions, but she wasn’t sure of some of the roads he had marked down. The exact location wasn’t certain, but he informed her no one really did know where it was located. For this, she’d have to go off of her senses to help find Donavon. Maybe if she was closer, she’d pick up on their connection.
Taking off down the road, she looked back at the projection of the small house. The men still stood there, watching her leave. An aching pulled at her heart, but she still couldn’t fight the excitement of bringing them all together again.
The highway came into view, and Marcella turned, heading north. If she stayed along the coast until she reached Tivoli, then she could cut across and hit the main highway off of Refugio, heading to the small city. Her stepfather had showed her the shortcut years ago, and now she was more thankful than ever.
Turning on the music, she lost herself in thoughts of how her showing up would pan out. What if they didn’t let her in? Would she take Donavon against his will like she’d done with Ambrose? She really didn’t want to do that. It would be so much easier to get him to fall for her first and then explain to him why he needed to leave. But what if he wouldn’t go?
The headlights automatically turned on as the sun lowered further in the sky. Marcella wasn’t sure exactly how much time had gone by, but she kept herself busy going over what she would say to him. Winning him over was her first priority. How she would do that exactly, she wasn’t sure. Jason seemed to think it was going to be easy for her. Since the change into her collector, she wasn’t going to count on it. Nothing was as easy as it appeared.
The exit for Victoria came into view, and Marcy took it, using her instincts to drive her onward. Fuck. Pulling off to the side of the road, she turned on the hazard lights and looked around.
“I need to turn into my wolf. God, I hope this doesn’t hurt like the last time.” Her lioness had all but crippled her. The pain she had experienced with her first shift was excruciating. Going through it again was something she wasn’t looking forward to.
Envisioning herself in human-shifter form, Marcella tried to will her own characteristics. She could see her hair the same, long, dark, with loose curls. Blue eyes would be good. Her lioness had green with yellow accents, but she didn’t want herself to resemble the animal that chose her. Her wolf would have to be different.
“My skin needs to be lightly tanned. I can’t be as pale as I usually am. They’ll be expecting a shifter, not a ghost.”
So clearly, she could see her new self. The darker skin made her eyes stand out against the contrast. The red of her lips paled to a light pink. She looked more h
uman than normal, which she liked. Albeit, prettier than she probably should look, but she needed all the help she could get to win over her new man.
Cobwebs manifested throughout her body and the twisting caused her to clutch the steering wheel tightly. Nausea threatened with the way her insides adjusted. Just as fast as it came, it left.
“Oh, thank you. Jesus, that wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought. Of course, that was the easy part. My wolf form will be the hardest.”
As she looked up, the field resting next to the road nearly made her cry out in alarm. She hated how everything looked so 3D. The stalks of corn seemed to come toward her as they swayed with the wind. Even the colors were more intense and brighter. Damn, she didn’t like it.
“Just a little further, Marcella. You can do this. You have to do this!” Pausing, she shook her head, realizing just how much she was talking to herself out loud. Geez, she hoped this wasn’t going to be an ongoing thing.
Putting the car in drive, she headed more toward Victoria. The wolf inside screamed for her to go faster. The headlights reflecting off of the white lines separating the lanes were so bright they nearly blinded her at times. When the lights of the city came into view, she felt the need to turn off as if she was heading toward the opposite end of town.
The compulsion to roll down her window and take in the smells made her mouth water. Marcella didn’t hesitate as she pushed the button, allowing in the fresh air. Following her instincts, she pushed the car faster, letting her hair whip around her face. She could feel the fire behind her eyes as the moon called to her. God, time was running out. The part to play the new shifter couldn’t be any truer. She was completely lost when it came to what she was meant to do on a full moon.
A dirt road grabbed her attention and threw off alarms in her mind like a neon sign. Turning onto it, she slowed down enough to catch her breath. The rapid beating of her heart caused her whole body to tremble. “This is not good. Not good at all.”
The need to comfort herself wasn’t helping one bit. Loud rap music broke through the silence, and she knew she was at the right location, but somehow that didn’t reassure her. Slowly, she pulled the car around to the back of the two-story house. For some reason, the main door wasn’t facing the road.
“My, my, how I’d like to take a bite out of you.”
Marcella screamed as a man suddenly appeared at her window. He’d come from nowhere. At least, she hadn’t seen him before the second his face was inches from hers. In the darkness, she knew he was Hispanic. His shaved head was covered in tattoos. Fear poured from her in waves, so thick she was nearly choking on the scent.
A group of men walked out of the house, all carrying weapons. Two large, lightly tanned men towered over the rest. Marcella put the car in park and slowly eased out.
“Please, I need to speak to your leader.”
Pains twisted in her stomach, and she knew she didn’t have much time. Gripping the top of her car, she pleaded to them with her eyes.
“For what? Who told you how to get here?”
Looking at one of the Hispanic men who addressed her, she took another step toward them. “No one told me. I sensed it. Please help me. I was attacked almost two weeks ago. Something’s happening to me.”
The men began to circle her, inhaling deeply as they moved closer. More panic rolled off of her. The sweet fragrance hung heavily in the air, growing thicker as they began to crowd her space.
“Oh, she’s good. Real good.”
A hand caressed her back, and she spun around to get away from it. She knew deep down none of these men were Donavon. Samael hadn’t lied. They were thugs of the worst nature. More hands reached out and touched and she continued to try to get away from them, but they kept swarming around her.
“Please. Get your leader. I must speak with him.”
More contorting brought her to her knees. The pain was too much. She didn’t want to shift. Not yet.
“Get back! What in the hell do you think you’re all doing? Can’t you see she’s in pain?”
Marcella was pulled up by the scariest man she’d ever seen. Tattoos completely covered him from the top of his neck down. His head was shaved, and silver glowing eyes pierced her very soul. No, he was definitely not Donavon. There was evil in this one.
“I’m Alpha, come inside. Let me look you over.”
His rough hands practically jerked her through the door of the house. The moment they entered the living room, she looked into a pair of sapphire and gold mixed eyes. Time stopped as their gazes locked. Blond hair stuck out at odd angles as he looked up from cleaning out his gun. My God, he’s beautiful. Now that was Donavon. She knew it deep down from where her collector called to him.
“Got another one. She was attacked almost two weeks ago. Seems her wolf is dying to get out. Odd, don’t you think? It’s barely dark.”
Donavon stood, and Marcella’s eyes traveled up for what seemed forever. Damn, he was tall. Exactly Dominic’s height. The eeriness with which they looked similar went beyond shocking. If she were to put curly hair on him and take the gold out of his eyes, they’d be identical twins.
“Where did you come from?”
His question was directed at her, and not too nicely. Just getting her brain to function proved to be a chore. While her mind raced with surrounding towns, she said the first one she could think of. “Cuero.”
Beautiful eyes narrowed at her. “That’s a lie.”
Oh, shit. “No, it’s not.”
His large hands gripped tightly to her arms. He picked her off the floor until his face buried in her stomach. Marcella froze as teeth tore into the bottom of her shirt, ripping it completely off.
“What in the hell are you doing! Put me down right this minute.”
The smoothness of his skin rubbed against her stomach as he caressed his cheeks against her. Heat sparked and enflamed her body, turning her pussy instantly wet. A moan came from her mouth at his contact. Before she could get the images of his cock pounding inside of her out of her head, she hit the floor hard. He looked at her alarmed and stepped back.
“I can’t pick up anything. Somehow she’s closed off. But I don’t think she’s from Cuero. I could smell her lie the moment it left her mouth, but now everything is blocked.”
The Alpha shook his head and looked at her curiously. “Please excuse Arizona. He doesn’t do too well around the ladies. You see, I can smell you from here, and I know what you want.” He smiled mischievously, and she instantly got to her feet. “But we’ll get to that afterward. First, tell me where you’re really from.”
“If you must know, I’m from Ingleside. I haven’t lived in Cuero two weeks, and look at what happens.”
Marcella lifted her pants leg and pointed to the multiple lacerations that were in their healing process. Then she lifted her hair and spun three hundred and sixty degrees. Wearing only a bra and jeans after what the alpha had just assumed probably wasn’t very smart. She was showing way too much flesh. Damn it, she couldn’t believe Donavon was acting this way, dropping her and ripping off her shirt. It was time she taught him some manners.
Watching her knight closely, she noticed something pass through those sapphire and golden eyes as he took in her wounds. Protectiveness? She wasn’t sure, but the time for playing the innocent girl was over. This pack was rough, and if she wanted to be a part of their game, then she would have to be, too.
“Now, I don’t know what in the fuck is going on with me, but I’ve seen enough movies not to be completely stupid on the details. I was attacked. Now something is happening to the inside of my body. It doesn’t take a genius to put two and two together. Tell me what to do. I’m going through too much pain to ask nicely.”
“How do you know you don’t have rabies or something? What made you come looking for us?”
The alpha’s silver gaze never wavered as he took her in. “It wasn’t a fucking dog that bit me.” Marcella took a deep breath. “Look, I’m not sure what brought me here. Ma
ybe I’m insane, but I hear voices in my head. They directed me here.” That’s it, Marcella, blame your insanity. Marcianna made me do it. Yeah, she’d laugh over that one later.
“The voices are your wolf. You’re lucky to have them. Not many of us do. Only the finest have the ability to communicate with the beast within. Arizona is one of them.”
Lifting her gaze, she saw Donavon quickly look away. Why did they call him Arizona?
“May I stay here? I have nowhere to go. You see, I have a temper, and with all of these things going on with me, I kind of exploded at my aunt. She kicked me out.”
The silver eyes widened as the alpha took in her question. “You want to stay here with all of us? Do you have a death wish, or do you just like men?”
“No, I. I want him to take care of me.” Marcella pointed to Donavon, who distanced himself even further. “You said he’s not so good with woman. I should be able to trust him if that’s the truth.”
“How do you know I didn’t mean that he beats women? Maybe he doesn’t like them.”
“Then we’ll get along great. I don’t like women, either.”
Damn, Marcella was really starting to feel desperate. The alpha laughed at her and motioned for Donavon to come closer. When he did, her knight glared at her angrily, and she felt her heart drop to her toes.
“How ’bout it, Arizona? Do you think you can watch over her for me?”
“Is that an order?” His body stood rigid as he waited.
“Do I really need to say if it is? Maybe I don’t want her touched by anyone here. She’s got potential for exactly what I’m looking for. We don’t have much room, but she can bunk with you. Your bed is big, and I seriously doubt you’ll touch her. All this time and I still haven’t see you with a woman.”
A laugh echoed throughout the small room, making them all turn toward the entrance. Men walked in, paused as if to notice they weren’t welcomed, and walked back outside. Marcella wasn’t sure what to do. At least it looked like she had made it possible to stay here. But whatever she had potential for, she didn’t want to know. The plan didn’t revolve around staying long enough to find out.
Corrupt Cravings Page 6
