“I have given her time, and have barely survived on the small amounts of blood Jace procured for me. I canna go on like this,” he said, raking a hand through his hair. “And, neither can she. The mating compulsion is affecting her just as much. I can hear her thoughts, torn between wanting to shred my clothes and being frightened of what she is feeling. You doona understand this yet, but the mating compulsion makes you mindless with need. These emotions will drive her insane. I willna sit by and watch my mate suffer any longer. ‘Tis my duty to provide for and protect her,” Zander stated.
He appreciated Orlando’s concern for his mate and knew the warrior had Elsie’s best interests at heart, but this wasn’t up for debate.
“I’m doing this, and I would like for you to remain here and help me. Och, as much as I have hated your closeness to her, you guys have developed a friendship and she may be more accepting with you present,” Zander added.
Like air hissing from a tire, Orlando sighed his defeat. “This entire situation blows. I get what you’re saying, but you might regret this. I have been with her from the beginning, and will not abandon her now.”
Zander fisted handfuls of his hair, wishing there was an easier path for them. “I will regret this if I doona tell her now. I pray she will eventually accept me.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Wrestling with her dress, Elsie finally managed to reach the zipper. She swayed in her tiny bathroom, her alcohol-induced buzz going full force. Thoughts rattled around in her head. Questions about Zander and the emotions he evoked. The dance they shared played through her mind, wreaking havoc on her libido. Her deisre for him was overpowering. Get a grip! she chided.
Zander and Orlando were waiting in her living room. She insisted Orlando leave Confetti with them, needing a buffer. She didn’t trust herself alone with the irresistible Zander. Plus, she was on edge. From Mackendra, to Zander, to Lena, the entire day had brought an endless stream of questions and confusion. Man, what she needed was another drink.
She could hear the hushed conversation between Zander and Orlando. Zander’s sexy baritone sent shivers down her spine. The man played her body like a fine-tuned instrument. Needing as many barriers as possible, Elsie threw on her granny-panties and her favorite flannel pajamas. She hoped her appearance would mask how she truly felt, which was aroused beyond comprehension, and ready for a night of unending passion.
Taking a deep breath, Elsie exited the bathroom. Zander was clearly not leaving anytime soon, and Orlando had all but moved in with her after her attack. She noticed they were huddled close to each other and decided to took a seat in the adjacent chair. Her buzz immediately crashed, and a headache took its place.
“O, can you get me a Monster, please? I can’t seem to move a muscle.”
“How about some water? A Monster will keep you up all night,” Orlando stated.
She jumped from her seat. “Fine, I’ll get it myself, Dad. Would you like anything, Zander?” Me, naked, and spread on my bed? she thought then cursed herself and stormed into the kitchen.
Zander stood and followed her into the kitchen. His gaze was intense and disturbing. “I’d like a great many things, a ghra.”
His closeness and innuendo were unnerving. Not to mention, how delicious he smelled. It felt like an eternity passed as she lost herself in his beautiful, blue eyes. She memorized the way the lighter-blue mixed with the deep, sapphire-blue and morphed to glowing bright-blue. Huh? Glowing?
“What’s wrong with your eyes?” Elsie blurted.
Dread crossed his gorgeous face, but was gone before she blinked. “I will explain that, but please, come sit down, Elsie. I have something to share with you.”
Concerned and confused, she allowed Zander to lead her back to the living room. She plopped down onto the couch. Her heart pounded like a scared rabbit. What did he have to tell her? That Lena was his girlfriend? That he knew she hunted vampires? That he thought she was crazy for believing other creatures existed?
Zander sat next to her and picked up her hand. He played with her fingers and palm. “This is verra difficult, and I know you’re no’ going to like it, but I beg you to please hear me oot.”
She watched his face scrunch up as he struggled to find his words for several minutes.
Finally, he began. “You are correct. Vampires are real. In fact, other beings, such as shifters, sorcerers, imps, cambions, and so many more, exist, as well.” He looked up and met her gaze. “We are members of the Tehrex Realm.”
Of course vampires were real. She killed many of them over the past year. Although, she’d never encountered any of the other creatures he’d mentioned. Her rapid breaths huffed through her ears as his words sunk in. But, he said we, meaning he was part of something.
She wouldn’t ask, didn’t want to know. If Zander was a vampire, that would make him her enemy. She quickly thought about her knife that was safely tucked under her pillow in the bedroom. Her fingers itched to wrap around its comforting grip.
Despite her thoughts, the words flew out of her mouth anyway. “What did you mean by we are members of the Tehrex realm? What are you? Do you kill people, too?” Shaking with fear, she looked to Orlando, seeking protection.
He looked worried and uneasy. What did he have to do with this? It struck her that he wasn’t surprised by Zander’s words. Was he a vampire, too?
Zander swallowed. “Aye, I am a vampire, but nay, I doona kill people. Vampires are not the same as the creatures you hunt.” He held her gaze with brightly glowing eyes. His eyes really did glow. Her heart broke as the truth sunk in.
Zander was her enemy.
Mack would be so disappointed in her. No matter what, she didn’t want to kill this man…well, vampire.
“You and your cohorts in SOVA doona have the correct information, lass. The Tehrex Realm, and the stratum of beings that exist within it, were created by the Goddess Morrigan. Many centuries ago, a demon attacked our leaders and started a war. I became the Vampire King when my father was killed. Many humans have been killed by the demons and their skirm. The vile creatures who harmed you, and killed Dalton, are skirm, no’ vampires. Skirm are your enemy, not me or mine,” Zander explained.
Elsie watched him take a deep breath. She looked at him closely. He didn’t resemble the vampires she killed. His eyes were a beautiful blue with no charcoal ring. He didn’t seem crazed and she hadn’t seen fangs in his mouth. All vampires had fangs.
As if hearing her thoughts, Zander continued. “Skirm are mindless creatures controlled by the demon that turned them. They doona have retractable fangs like vampires. Skirm drain their victims when they feed. Vampires need blood to survive, but doona kill. I eat, sleep, breathe and have a beating heart, exactly like you.”
Elsie would’ve been more bothered by the fact that he answered her thoughts if her sister didn’t possess the ability to read minds.
Her head swam as he kept talking. “For the most part, supernaturals are good creatures. Of course, as with humans, there are always exceptions. Skirm, however, lose all humanity when they are transformed. One of the first changes I made after the war was to form the Dark Warriors. Orlando, Santiago, and all of the others you have met are a part of this group. They protect humans, as well as, creatures of the realm.”
Her hands shook as she set her drink on a nearby table. “I don’t even know what to say. Are you going to kill me now that you’ve told me this?”
She hated how desire burned through her when he gently took her hands and clasped them between his large palms. How could her body still want this man, or thing, whatever the hell he was? It made her sick to her stomach.
“A ghra, you are no’ in danger. I would never harm you. You mean more to me than you can imagine.”
“How can that be? Nothing I thought I knew about you is true. You aren’t even a man. What are you, Orlando? Are you a vampire, too?” She played through all her interactions with these two men. How did she miss this?
Orlando’s voice brough
t her head up. “It’s easier if I show you what I am. But, promise me you won’t freak out and run off screaming like a girl,” Orlando pleaded.
Elsie glared at Orlando. She opened her mouth to deliver her scathing reply, only to have her jaw drop open when he slid his fingers into the waistband of his pants then pushed them, along with his boxer briefs, to the floor in one sinuous move. His shirt followed suit. She knew that Orlando was fit, though she had no idea how well-defined and muscular his body was. Although a good-looking man, he did nothing to arouse her the way Zander did.
She admired the druidic tribal tattoo on his left forearm. Her gaze continued down and she noted that he was also well-endowed. She stared at the floor, ignoring how uncomfortable she was. She didn’t know what she was about to encounter and to top it all off, Orlando was standing there naked. She had no desire to see all his bits and pieces. He was like a brother to her.
“Elsie, look at me,” Orlando commanded.
“What do…” her response died when Orlando’s body wavered.
It was difficult to see what was happening through the bright light that emanated from him. The light was so bright she had to squint, but he appeared to be changing shape. His face shrunk, along with his limbs and body. Skin rippled along his back and fur sprouted. Actual fur covered his entire body. Before she blinked, he was on all fours, transforming to the white cat she met at the cemetery.
She was cemented to the sofa, utterly speechless. She had allowed that cat into her house countless times. Elsie was stunned. She had suspected there were other creatures roaming the night but had no idea this was it.
Suddenly, Orlando’s body wavered again. Blinking against the bright light, she saw his form expand and grow. The fur remained white while he transformed into a massive snow-leopard.
He had to be at least five feet high on all fours, and over seven feet from head to tail. She noticed that no matter what shape he took, his eyes remained that familiar, bright, emerald-green. She also realized his patch of black fur was in the same location as the tattoo on his arm.
“Oh, my, God! Orlando, is that you? Do you understand me?” Elsie gaped as she stared at the most beautiful animal she’d ever seen.
The snow-leopard strode carefully to her side, obviously not wanting to scare her and nudged her leg with his nose. Her hand hesitantly reached out and her fingers stroked his fur briefly. It was as soft as silk. She yanked it back, wondering what was going on around her.
Zander’s voice was gruff and guttural when he ordered, “Shift.” She heard the emotion in Zander’s voice and couldn’t allow herself to be swayed by how upset he was.
The snow-leopard backed away from her, shifting to human form. She watched as Orlando calmly pulled his pants on and then sat on the couch. Her mind whirled out of control.
“I’m a feline shifter and can take the form of any cat. And, yes, I can understand you, but I can’t respond. Are you okay, El? You’re white as a sheet. Please say something,” Orlando pleaded.
“I’m absofuckinglutely not okay. I don’t even know where to begin. I knew there were other creatures out there, but I had no idea people could change into animals. And, to see it with my own eyes,” she shook her head, confused. “Are you like a werewolf who kills people? You say vampires aren’t evil and that what I’ve been fighting is skirm. How do I know you are telling me the truth? I know what I’ve seen. What I’ve lived through,” she bit out and fought the tears that threatened to spill.
“No, I’m not a werewolf, and, honestly, we take offense to the term. We prefer to be called shifters. El, I’ve been living with you for weeks now. You know me. I am no more evil than you. I hunt the bad guys, simple as that,” Orlando reassured.
“Lass, we are no’ like the creatures you hunt. We are still the same males you have come to know. I hate to see that fear in your eyes. None of us would ever hurt you,” Zander replied. He reached out to stroke her cheek and she flinched away from him.
“I can’t believe this. It’s difficult to simply trust what you are saying. For over a year now I have been killing what I thought were vampires, and now I’m supposed to believe they weren’t the same as you,” she stated.
She struggled to accept the reality they presented. Elsie felt betrayed by all of them. They lied to her and kept an enormous secret this whole time. Could she ever trust them again?
She had begun to feel like she was a part of a family again, but now she didn’t know what was real and what wasn’t.
“I need you both to leave. I need to be alone right now.” They both sat, staring at her, and when they didn’t move she yelled, “Leave now!”
*****
Sharp claws shredded Zander’s heart as he met Elsie’s gaze. He never thought his mate would reject him, but that was exactly what was happening. His greatest fear had come true. He’d lost her for good.
Zander now had an understanding for the pain she referred to as her black hole, for he had one of his own. He was jealous of the red blanket she wrapped around her body as she curled up in the chair. It should be his arms comforting her. His chest she curled into. Her eyes screamed hatred as she glared at him, demanding he leave. Elsie wanted nothing to do with him ever again.
He turned to leave when her tears started, but found it impossible to walk out the door. “I know ‘tis a lot to take in. You’re hurt and angry that we didna tell you this sooner, but understand that our mission is to keep humans and the Tehrex Realm safe. Your mission with SOVA posed an unknown threat that I was obligated to evaluate before arming you with information that could harm countless innocent beings. We all love and care for you. That was never a lie. I will be here if you need me,” he murmured then shut the door, leaving his heart in the hands of his Fated Mate.
*****
Stop your crying, Elsie chastised. Call your sister. Cailyn would know what to do. She always knew what to do. Cailyn was Elsie’s voice of reason. Always had been ever since they were children. Grabbing the cell phone Zander had given her (which was one more reminder that creatures from her nightmares had infiltrated her life), she called her sister.
Cailyn answered on the second ring. “Is everything okay? What’s going on?” she blurted into the receiver.
When Elsie heard her sister’s groggy tone, she felt guilty about calling past midnight, but she didn’t know what else to do.
“I’m not hurt, at least, not physically. I need to talk to you. I’m sorry for calling so late, but this can’t wait,” she murmured.
She heard the rustling of sheets and imagined Cailyn sitting up in bed. “You know you can call anytime, day or night. Now tell me, what’s wrong. Your thoughts are all jumbled. I can’t make sense of anything, El.”
“What I’m about to tell you is going to sound crazy, but trust me, it’s real.” With a shaky voice, she told her sister what she had learned from Zander and Orlando about the creatures of the Tehrex Realm and the skirm who killed Dalton. She purposely left out how she had been hunting skirm with SOVA for over a year.
“So, you’re telling me that you actually saw your friend, Orlando, change into that cat from the cemetery. And then he turned into a giant, white leopard? Unbelievable.” Elsie heard the awe in her sister’s voice.
“That’s all you have to say? Unbelievable? This is a big deal, Cai.” How could her sister be so calm when, once again, the fabric of her world was crumbling?
She heard Cailyn release a heavy sigh. “First of all, it’s three in the morning, and I’m half-asleep. Second, these men, or whatever, have gone above and beyond in their support of you. They’ve given you an expensive car and enough money to live comfortably for years. They’ve never harmed you in any way and it’s obvious they care deeply for you,” Cailyn explained in her mother tone. It was a familiar sound that Elsie relied on whenever she was in crisis.
Elsie admitted Cailyn wasn’t wrong about any of what she said. They had been incredible friends to her from day one. But they lied to her. And, hello, they weren’
t human.
“You, yourself, said you would be dead if not for Zander’s brothers saving you from that attack. For me, all that matters, is how they’ve given you their love, support, and friendship. They made your life better and made you smile again. I don’t care what they turn into, or what they consume, as long as it’s not you. Is it weird? Yes. But, is it the end of the world? No. My heart tells me they are kind and caring.” Cailyn paused then gentled her voice, “What is your heart telling you, El? Are you really worried about Zander being a vampire? Or is this about you wanting him?”
Elsie’s instincts screamed that these warriors were not malevolent beings, but it was difficult to see beyond the evil creatures who took Dalton from her. She had to admit that maybe she had wrongly associated Zander and the others with skirm. She didn’t even want to acknowledge that her sister had a point about her desire for Zander.
“I do not want him,” she denied vehemently.
“El, anyone can see the chemistry between you two. It’s explosive. You may have loved Dalton, but what you have with Zander is so much more, and I think that scares the shit out of you. Don’t let your past haunt your future.”
“I knew calling you would help. You have a way of putting everything into perspective. I may not like what you say sometimes, but you always make me think. You’re right. Zander and the others have been good to me. I have a lot to consider. Sorry for waking you, sis. Go back to sleep and I’ll call you later,” Elsie replied.
“Don’t overthink everything, El. I love you. Goodnight.”
Elsie had a lot to contemplate before she would be comfortable around her friends again. It struck her that she still thought of them as friends. More than friends for one of them. Ugh, what a mess.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Bad Boy Billionaire Boxset Page 16
