Twisted i-3

by Gena Showalter

  His ears twitched, picking up…something, a rustle of clothing maybe, then nothing.

  Not those. I don’t like those. They give me the creeps.

  Like the room at the hospital. That was something, at least. He read the spine of the book he held. Dark Arts of the Ages.

  Show me the pictures again.

  We’ve memorized them already, Caleb complained.

  As promised, Elijah kept his figurative lips shut.

  Aden heard another rustle of clothing beyond the bathroom door as he discarded the book and picked up the photos. What he saw as he shuffled through them: two little boys the same age, so alike they could have been twins. Yet, the older they got, the more dissimilar they became, Robert aging faster than Daniel. Also, the older they got, the unhappier their expressions became, until Robert—looking fortysomething—and Daniel—looking thirtysomething—were sullen and miserable.

  And this was the man Tonya had loved so staunchly she hadn’t gotten over his death seventeen years later? Seemed obsessive. Weirdly obsessive.

  That one, that one, that one, Julian chanted.

  Aden stilled. The picture he held was not of the brothers, but of Tonya herself. Younger, blonder, prettier, sitting under a shade tree, staring off into the distance as little pink flower petals floated around her. “What about it?”

  I dismissed it every time because it’s of a woman. Of her. But the more I see it, the more I think I was…there.

  “Maybe you took the picture.”

  If I did, that has to mean I was Daniel. Right? She wouldn’t have spent time with her brother-in-law.

  Unless Robert loved her, too, Elijah said. Wait. Ignore that. I didn’t mean to say that out loud.

  Hearing his voice perked Aden right up.

  I was not balding! Julian insisted.

  I think that’s something every baldy tells himself at some point, Caleb said.

  “Okay, good. We’re working as a team again. I like this. Let’s keep this up.”

  Let’s travel back in time, like Mary Ann suggested. To when the picture was taken, Julian said, practically rubbing hands together in glee. I’ll prove I had hair. Aden will open his eyes, and be in Daniel’s body. With hair. Did I mention that part yet?

  Deep breath in, hold, hold. “Are you forgetting how many times we’ve woken up with new—worse—foster parents? Or in a mental institution we’d once been dismissed from? Or, the latest, with a new doctor in charge of our care—a doctor who wasn’t human but a fairy in disguise who hoped to kill us?”

  No. But—

  “No buts. I told everyone else no, and now I’ll tell you.” Even if he wasn’t exactly happy with his present, he didn’t want to make it worse. “No, no, a thousand times no. And now that we’ve covered that. Who took this picture isn’t important.”

  You don’t know that.

  “You died in December. This picture was clearly taken in the spring. And we both know you only need to remember the day you died to make this work.”

  A frustrated growl. Well, I’m not remembering. We have to do something. Try something.

  “We’ll visit Tonya again. I’ll make her talk.”

  No. I don’t want her hurt, Julian rushed out, only to pause. I mean, I know you won’t hurt her. I just…I don’t know. I don’t want her to suffer anymore.

  Intrigue sparked. Were Julian’s past feelings coming to the surface? Had he loved the woman, as Elijah suspected? He—wait, wait, wait. Aden’s attention snagged on a single word. “You said anymore. You don’t want her to suffer anymore. Why was—is—she suffering?”

  I…I…don’t know.

  Maybe you’re thinking about this too hard, Caleb said. Maybe if we relax for a little bit, the answers will just come to us.

  Aden doubted he’d be relaxing anytime soon.

  Uh, Aden. Victoria’s in trouble, Elijah burst out.

  “What!” His head snapped up, his gaze automatically moving to the door. Unlike the mirror in the mansion, he couldn’t see past the wood. He was on his feet a heartbeat later. “What’s wrong with her?”

  I know I’m breaking my promise to you, but Tucker’s out there and he has a knife he’s very determined to use. Mary Ann and Riley are there, too. I just thought you should know.

  “Are they okay?” He never should have trusted that traitor.

  As of right now, yes.

  As of right now. Words that were like a noose around his neck. Exploding into action might cause Tucker to explode into action. Okay, okay. He had to think about this, plan how to strike. He might be upset with Victoria, but he didn’t want her hurt. Didn’t want any of them hurt.

  Back and forth he paced. He tried to listen, but all he heard was that rustle of clothing. Why?

  “Where’s everyone located in the room? Do you know?”

  Two seconds passed. Four. The rustling increased in volume, but that was it.

  He and Riley are knife fighting, Elijah suddenly announced. Both are cut up pretty badly. Blood is everywhere. A horrified gasp. Victoria just tried to get in the middle. Now she’s unconscious. Mary Ann is—

  Junior slammed against Aden’s skull. Exploding into action, so not a problem anymore. Victoria was hurt. No one hurt Victoria. His mind was so focused on defending her, he didn’t stop to open the door. He simply burst through it, shards spraying everywhere.

  Took a moment for him to make sense of what he was seeing, hearing. Or not hearing.

  First thing he noticed, the room was a wreck, the nightstand in shambles, the lamp shattered into hundreds of pieces, the phone embedded in the wall, but Aden hadn’t heard anything more than that rustling through the paper-thin bathroom wall. Still didn’t. Yet, the boys were going it at like animals in human form, throwing each other onto the beds, the floors, into the dresser.

  Tucker’s illusion could now control sound, he realized.

  Second thing, Aden had fought Tucker before and knew the guy wasn’t giving the confrontation his all. He was actually spreading his arms, allowing Riley to pound those meaty fists into his face. Well, until survival instinct kicked in and Tucker probably reacted without thought, bucking the shifter off him.

  Third, the metallic scent of blood coated the air, whipping Junior into more of a frenzy. The beast raced from one corner of his mind to the other, claws cutting deeply, making him grimace. Any minute now, and Aden’s brain would be ripped into tatters. Surely.

  Fourth, Mary Ann was dodging the combatants as she raced around the room, searching for a weapon.

  Fifth, Victoria was in an unconscious heap at the door. Blood trickled from her nose.

  No one hurts her. No one. Such a killing rage…blooming inside him…so strong he wasn’t sure how he could contain it…had never experienced anything like it…not even when he’d fought Sorin…was going to detonate…

  What’s happening to us? Julian asked, barely audible as Junior roared and roared and roared.

  Aden threw himself into the fray, batting Riley away with one hand and grabbing Tucker by the shirt with the other. His momentum gave him strength, and he was able to spin, slamming Tucker against the wall, then the floor, and pinning him in place.

  Sensing his opportunity to strike, Junior burst from his skin, the roaring now directed at Tucker. Junior wasn’t solid—yet—and caused no damage as he tried to bite. Tucker just lay there, taking the abuse. He looked as if he were smuggling golf balls under his eyelids, and a couple of his teeth were missing.

  Riley must have gained his bearings because he was beside Aden a few seconds later. Junior had already decided Tucker belonged to him and wrenched around, snipping at Riley, teeth—solid now—slicing through his arm.

  The shifter reared back, and Junior returned his attention to Tucker. Saliva dripped from sharpened fangs.

  Tucker smiled. “Remember…promise…” he managed to get out. “Protect…brother.”

  Aden tried to rise, but it was too late. Junior had slipped from him completely, and attacked, feasti
ng. Not once did Tucker struggle. And then, his head lulled to the side. His eyes were open, staring into nothing. Glassy, dull. His pulse stopped thumping—because he had no neck left.

  Suddenly sound whooshed back. Aden heard a male scream—a bloodcurdling sound that echoed throughout the room, though no one in the room was screaming. He could hear Junior’s snarls as he ate. Could hear Riley panting. Could hear Mary Ann fighting sobs. Could hear Victoria’s shallow breaths.

  He couldn’t face any of them. Not yet. If Junior decided to turn on them…

  “Riley, get the girls out of here.” Aden wrapped his arms around his beast, holding for all he was worth. “Now.”

  “Where and when should we meet you?”

  “I’ll call you and let you know. Now go.” Before it was too late.

  A pause. Footsteps. The squeak of door hinges. He stayed where he was until Junior had eaten everything. He could feel the beast’s pleasure and satisfaction. Then the beast’s discomfort from overindulgence.

  “What did I just let happen?” he whispered, even as he petted Junior behind the ears.

  Tucker wanted to die, Elijah said, sadness dripping from the words. Vlad can’t use his brother against him if he’s dead.

  “I know. And Tucker needed to be stopped, but not this way.” All Aden’s threats aside, not this way.

  These things happen, Caleb said. He didn’t sound sorry or upset but vindicated.

  Really? Julian sniped, because I don’t remember anything like this happening before.

  Aden continued to pet Junior, and the beast allowed it, not even trying to attack. Junior even fell asleep, his body misting before seeping back into Aden’s pores.

  He lay there for a long while, Tucker’s blood pooling around him, soaking into his clothes, his hair. He’d known Junior was dangerous. But this…there’d been no controlling him, no reining him in.

  That couldn’t happen again.

  You can ward yourself, as the other vampires do, Elijah said. The ward will help keep Junior inside you. Help keep him calm, quiet.

  Uh, why are you so despondent? Julian asked. Controlling that monster is a good thing.

  Yes, but the ward will quiet us, too.

  What? Julian.

  What! Caleb.

  We will be aware, as Junior will be aware, but we will have no voice. Not any longer. No, don’t protest, any of you. I knew we would reach this point. And I wanted to be sure Aden could exist without us. He can. You’re strong enough, Aden. Smart enough.

  So we’ll just fade into the background? Caleb asked, incredulous. Upset.

  That’s not fair, Julian said.

  Life never is.

  So. Aden was supposed to choose between controlling his beast—who could emerge and kill everyone he loved—and destroying his dearest friends. No, life wasn’t fair.

  He sat up, saying grimly, “Right now, Junior’s content and maybe even battling a case of indigestion. Nothing needs to be decided right now.”

  What do you mean, nothing needs to be decided? There shouldn’t be anything to decide, Caleb said.

  Aden ignored him, couldn’t yet deal with him. “Let’s get cleaned up, find the others and pay Tonya another visit.”

  We don’t have a car, Julian said, everything else forgotten at the mention of his…wife’s?…name.

  We don’t need one, Elijah replied. Not anymore.

  TWENTY-NINE

  BY THE TIME ADEN TEXTED to set the meeting place and time, Riley had already procured another room, was cleaned and bandaged, Victoria was awake, showered and changed, and she was pretty bruised up. Mary Ann was showered, changed and pissed. At herself, as well as everyone around her.

  Tucker was dead, killed in the most violent, vile way, and no one seemed to care. She hadn’t thought she would care. He’d caused so much pain and suffering—and would have caused more. But part of her mourned him. Mourned the boy she’d once known. The boy who had treated her with respect and kindness and made her feel pretty. The boy who would never know his kid.

  How was she going to break this to Penny? She’d have to call, have to tell her. Just not now. Maybe after her own grief had settled.

  Mary Ann didn’t blame Aden for what had happened. If he hadn’t killed the boy, Riley would have. There was simply no middle ground with these creatures. It was either kill or be killed.

  What had happened to a good old-fashioned locked-away-for-the-rest-of-eternity punishment?

  Adding to her sense of anger was Riley’s treatment of her. Yes, he’d offered his beast, but she never would have taken it had she been coherent.

  If Riley wanted to end things with her, he could end things with her. However, he was going to have to tell her straight out. No more giving her the silent treatment, then defending her “honor” with such fury, as if he still cared. No more keeping her at a distance, then looking at her as if she’d make a tasty snack.

  If things were over, things were over. She needed to know—and cut all ties.

  She loved him, she wanted him in her life, but she deserved to be treated right. That’s why she’d broken up with Tucker, because he hadn’t treated her right. She couldn’t change her mind about that now, just because she craved Riley more than her next breath.

  She wouldn’t die without him. She knew that. She would miss him, yes, and would probably cry herself to sleep for weeks. But in the end, she would be okay. Right?

  Next time she got Riley alone, they were going to hash this out.

  They walked the few blocks to the meeting place, the parking lot of a deserted warehouse. Not much traffic this way, which was always a good thing. The sun was setting, shadows cast in every direction. Another good thing.

  “I wonder if Aden is—” Victoria began, then stopped on a gasp.

  Aden simply appeared. In a blink, he was hunched over and fighting for breath.

  He could teleport. He. Could. Teleport. When the heck had that happened?

  “That’s…a little more…difficult than I…imagined,” he panted.

  “Aden!” Victoria rushed to him.

  He straightened, and by the time she reached him, his arms were open to her. She threw herself at him, and he hugged her tight, burying his face in her neck. She winced a little, obviously hurting from her injuries.

  “Are you okay?” he asked her. Having almost lost each other must have trumped whatever he’d been angry about.

  “Yes. Just a little bump on the head when Tucker threw me into the wall. Are you?”

  “I’m fine. I’m sorry I was so mad at you. I should have—”

  “No. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you before. I can’t believe—”

  “I was jealous, but if I’d just stopped—”

  Lord above, they were talking over each other, making eavesdropping very difficult.

  Victoria cupped his cheeks. “You have no reason to be jealous, I promise. It was a onetime thing, and it will never happen again. It wasn’t even very good.”

  Mary Ann had no idea what they were blabbering about, but Riley must have because he mumbled something about “not his fault” and “better than good, as always.”

  Took a moment, but something clicked inside Mary Ann’s head. Onetime thing. Never happen again. Not very good. Better than good.

  Sex.

  Glaring, she wheeled around. The wind blew, causing several strands of hair to Swan Lake over his eyes. He had his arms crossed over his chest, the pose casual and unconcerned.

  “You told me the two of you had never been involved!” She threw the words at him as if they were weapons.

  To his credit, he didn’t pretend not to know what she was asking. “We slept together one time. That’s not exactly an involvement.”

  Then what was? “Is there anyone you haven’t slept with?”

  There was no change in his blasé expression. He shrugged. “Just an unlucky few, but that just means I haven’t met them yet.”

  “Really? You’re using sarcasm now? Really?”
r />   “What do you want me to say, Mary Ann?”

  “When did it happen? Tell me that much.”

  “Before I met you.”

  And that made it okay? “What about before you dated her sister?”

  A nod, as if he didn’t hear—or didn’t care—about her disgust. “Yes. Before then. I’ve never cheated on a girlfriend, and I never will, so this argument is pointless.” Pointless.

  “Screw you,” she said. Then, “Oh, wait. Fifty percent of the people in this circle already have!” Her math was off, but she didn’t care. No wonder she’d always been so jealous when she watched him with Victoria. No wonder the pair was always at ease with each other. They’d seen each other naked! And once tasted, forbidden fruit was that much easier to taste a second time. And a third.

  Mary Ann was proof of that. How many times had she made out with Riley when she shouldn’t have?

  “Look, it was awkward, all right?” Now he was the one throwing words like weapons. “Like she said, there’s not going to be a repeat performance.”

  Again, as if that made everything okay. “Why don’t I sleep with Aden, then, and we’ll see how pointless—”

  Riley leaned down, getting in her face, all hint of placating her gone. “You will not sleep with Aden.” There was so much fury in the undercurrents of his rasping voice, she felt the brush of it all the way to the bone.

  She could only blink in surprise. Now, here was a reaction she hadn’t expected from him. It meant he still cared about what she did—and who she did it with. “Why? Because I’m still your girlfriend?”

  A moment passed. The fury melted, and he straightened, gathered his wits. “I…I don’t know. Neither one of us is the same person we were a few weeks ago.” Honesty. Well, that she had expected, and now she wanted more. “Just say it,” she said, forcing the issue despite their rapt audience. Please don’t. Please don’t say we’re through. That we’re over, done.

  A muscle ticked below his eye. A sign of his upset, and something that had happened quite frequently lately. “I’m practically human. I can’t protect you anymore.”

  If that was his only argument, he’d never get rid of her. “You did just fine back at the motel.”