Only when Shaz exited the fight cage did Arys finally release me. I made my way to him, tossing people out of the way as I went. He padded over to a bench off to the side laden with towels, water and his clothing. The shift back to human tore a shout from him. I fell to my knees before him, reaching to take his face in my hands.
“Let me see,” I said, breathy and scared.
His neck was a raw mess. Several bites marred his body, some mere flesh wounds and others more than a little serious. His face too bore evidence of the fight. Bruises lined his jaw and nose, spreading out beneath his eyes. A cut on his eyebrow dripped steadily.
“I’m ok,” he tried to reassure me, wincing when I ran a hand over his ribs. Grasping my hand, he rose, pulling me up with him. “I just need to get dressed and chill for a minute. Can you get me a Scotch?”
“You want a drink? Shaz, you could have a concussion. Or worse.” I turned to Arys who stood protectively nearby. “You should try to heal him.”
“No,” Shaz said. He pulled his pants on, grimacing as he moved. “I’m fine. Really. We heal fast. It’s all good.”
I saw the truth in his eyes, the unspoken words. He wasn’t ready for Arys to touch him like that, with the rush of power. I didn’t want to accept that his previous addiction would prevent him from receiving much needed help. Avoiding the rush couldn’t possibly be more important than his life.
“It would be best to stop the bleeding.” Arys advised, ignoring the warning look Shaz shot him. “Don’t forget where you are, pup. In a place like this, you’re a delicacy.”
“I’ll take my chances.” Turning his back on us, Shaz cleaned his wounds with the towel.
We couldn’t force him to do a damn thing. Rather than push the subject, I ordered him a damn Scotch. He cleaned up reasonably well other than the brutal facial injuries and the blood spatters that stained his platinum hair. Back in his suit, collar open, he exuded an air of disaffected cool. He was too calm for someone who had just killed without reason.
I exchanged a look with Arys who shook his head and shrugged. What had just happened deeply disturbed me.
After a few quiet minutes of sipping his Scotch, Shaz surveyed the room and said, “Well since we’re here, we might as well party.”
Chapter Eight
I gaped at him, questioning his sanity. “What the fuck, Shaz? Did you get your brain rattled in there?”
“I just fought for my life. Now I want to celebrate the fact that I’m still standing here.” Shaz turned to flag down another waitress.
“What you need to be doing right now is healing,” I insisted. “And resting. In bed, after a hot shower.”
His jade-green gaze swung back to me, and a mischievous smile graced his lips. “Will you play nurse for me?”
Before I could answer, Jenner strolled up. His expression was guarded, unreadable. “You got lucky,” he said to Shaz, taking in his injuries with interest. “Congratulations.”
“It had nothing to do with luck.” Shaz leveled his gaze at the haughty vampire, challenging him with a look. “You think you know werewolves? Well, you don’t know me.”
Jenner nodded approvingly, and he offered Shaz a hand. “You proved yourself to be the better wolf. I applaud your integrity. Let me know if you’re ever in need of a change of scenery. I’ll have a job for you.” I wouldn’t have thought a vampire more arrogant than Arys could exist. Yet, here he was.
“You’re assuming you’ll still be in charge of this place in the future. How cute,” I quipped. It might have been bad form to taunt the vampire who’d promised to cast me in his theatre of bloodlust and melodrama, but I’d tired of his showboating.
“You wanna make a move on my territory, Alexa?” Jenner stepped up close, forcing me to crane my neck to meet his gaze. “After you grace my stage, you’ll be begging to be one of my girls.”
“I won’t be the one begging.” It was a promise I intended to keep. Jenner would be sorry he’d won that poker game.
When I didn’t call my power or so much as nudge him, Jenner backed off. This was fun for him, his pathetic attempt at playing with Arys’s toys as a means of revenge. One thing about vampires, they never got over anything. They had too much time to dwell on past wrongs.
“The midnight show gets the biggest crowd. They’ll be getting a treat tonight.” Jenner waved over a waitress who set down her tray and slid into his arms. He swept her hair aside and kissed her neck. She quickly fell under his influence, grinding her pelvis against him.
I turned away before he bit her. It wouldn’t be long until the clock struck twelve. That didn’t leave me a lot of time to ensure Shaz was really alright and decide what to do about Jenner. I wasn’t going to play the swooning victim for him.
Jenner offered the wrist of the waitress to Arys who declined. He wanted to taste her though. I could see it all over him.
“You’re not doing to Alexa what we saw you do on stage earlier,” Arys said, warning in his tone. “I’ll call it quits on this game of yours and kill you right here.”
A frown creased Jenner’s brow. Dragging his tongue over the matching punctures he’d given the waitress, he mumbled against her skin. “Why no, of course not. Every vampire that tastes her blood seems to die or become pathetically addicted to her.” His head snapped up quickly then, and he pinned me with a hungry stare. “Too bad. I’ll have to watch the two of you together instead.”
“Excuse me?” The numbing effects of the alcohol wore off quickly at that sobering remark. It took effort to look Jenner in the eyes rather than ogle the crimson drop sliding down the waitress’s neck.
“Arys Knight united with his other half after all this time…yeah that’s something I want to see in action. I imagine a witness can come away from that quite affected.” Having finished with his nibble, Jenner gave the waitress a light pat on the behind and sent her on her way.
He didn’t notice the way Shaz’s gaze dropped to the floor. Yeah, one could say bystanders could easily get swept up in the rush of what Arys and I commanded. Shaz knew it very well.
I expected Arys to protest, but instead he shrugged, bored. “Let’s just get this over with. Then we’re even, and we’re done. Is that clear, Jenner?”
“Crystal.”
We were far from done with Jenner. Of that, I was certain.
“I’m not an exhibitionist,” I protested. “There’s no way I’m putting my private life on display so you and your audience can get off on it. You’re disgusting, Jenner.”
Shaz’s scoffing laughter caused my eyebrows to shoot straight up in disbelief. Sucking back the Scotch, he winced as his sore face reminded him that laughing was a privilege. “It won’t be so bad, Lex,” he offered. “Just take one for the team. The sooner we’re done here, the sooner we can enjoy the rest of the city.”
“Take one for the team?” I repeated, searching Shaz for any sign of the wolf I thought I knew. “Who are you?”
Before I could lay into Shaz for his rash and absurd behavior, Arys caught my arm and steered me away. When we were a safe distance away, I opened my mouth to let him have it. He clapped a hand over my lips to muffle my bitching.
“It’s just another vampire power trip, ok? Remember that. Everything that’s happened tonight, it’s all about power. Because we’ve got it, and he’s desperate to hang on to it.” Arys paused, waiting until I nodded in understanding. “Jenner thinks by coming on strong he can intimidate us. So we play his game. But we play it our way.”
Chewing my lower lip in frustration, I turned the possible outcomes of this scenario over in my head. There was no way through without stepping miles out of my comfort zone.
I groaned and might have even pouted a bit. “Why did Shaz automatically get the cage fight? Because he’s a man? I’m sensing a bit of a double standard here.”
“There isn’t a man in this room who has the power you have. Succubus and wolf. Do what you do best. Let’s teach Jenner to be careful what he wishes for.”
&nb
sp; My head swam as the crash from the blood high began. Human blood might sate one hunger, but it was just the beginning. Power was more addictive than blood. An essential life force like blood, power begged to be tasted.
“Do you trust me?” With a gentle hand on my cheek, Arys locked eyes with me, searching for assurance.
Talk about a loaded question. Too many times, he’d made choices that I didn’t agree with, choices that significantly increased the danger in our lives. Yet, so had I.
“Yes,” I said, leaning into his caress. “I trust you.”
* * * *
I watched from backstage as the theatre filled with people. It was a relatively small theatre compared to most, but still a crowd of people waited to watch some authentic vampire activity. My stomach dropped to my knees.
“I change my mind. I can’t do this.”
“Sure you can. It will be fun.” Arys lounged on the sofa, exuding a calm that I did not share. He’d taken off his jacket and opened his shirt to reveal more of his hairless chest. His gaze followed me as I flitted anxiously about the room. “Relax, Alexa. I’ll guide you. It’ll be fine. You might even like it.” With a wink and a sexy snicker, he beckoned me over.
I shook my head, unable to sit down. Pacing a hole in the carpet and wringing my hands wasn’t getting me anywhere, but it gave me something to do while I waited for Jenner to turn me into a carnival act. Step right up and watch the werewolf get fucked and bled by the vampire destined to love and kill her. There’s a crowd drawing tagline if I ever heard one.
The door opened, and Jenner stood in its frame with his arms crossed. “Remember, I’ve got your wolf out there. So don’t try anything stupid.”
“Like what?” I challenged, swallowing my fear despite how it choked me. When he shot me a dark glare, I added, “Hey, my definition of stupid is likely much different from yours.”
“Just get your ass in gear. I got the crowd warmed up for you. They’re eager to see such a unique pairing. As am I.”
My main motivation to walk out of that room and on to the stage to be part of this wackjob show was Shaz. He was in rough shape, pouring liquor on the pain and feeding his new bad attitude. Jenner’s security guys surrounded him and promised that they would add to his injuries if I gave them a reason to.
“What exactly are you expecting to see?” I followed Jenner down the hall while furiously rubbing my moist palms on my skirt. Calm and cool, I had this. That’s one of the lies I told myself to combat my nerves.
“I expect to see something that makes me want to touch myself while watching you. Along with everyone else in the room. That’s what they’re here for.”
Finding me so close, he fell back to walk beside me. Smart vampire. It was in his best interest to avoid having me at his back. I wasn’t above a cheap, come from behind kind of shot. We stopped at the rear entry to the stage. I was doing a pretty good job of keeping it together. I hadn’t run shrieking from the theatre yet, although my confidence would have fared better if my knees weren’t quivering.
Arys took my hand, sliding his fingers between mine. A spark of blue and gold flashed like lightning between us. Calm flowed through me, and our contact strengthened me.
“Oh, come on now, Jenner,” Arys taunted. “This won’t be the first time you’ve gotten off to me. We both know what this is really about.”
The temperature around us rose several degrees in response to Jenner’s immediate anger. His fists clenched, and he hissed, “Fuck you,” before storming up the steps to the stage.
“What the hell was that about?” I whispered as Jenner announced us to the crowd.
“Cheap shot. Don’t worry about it.”
I resisted when he tugged me up the stairs. “Did you have a thing with him or something?”
“No. Geez, Alexa, I haven’t fucked everyone in my past.”
Before I could question him further, Arys dragged me into the spotlight where I stood numb, like a deer in the headlights. The audience was silent, watching us curiously. Their energy hummed like a swarm of insects. I rubbed my arms as if that would wipe the annoying prickle of it away. My mouth was so dry I couldn’t swallow. Stage fright gripped me hard as I stared at the onlookers staring back at me. I was sure I’d faint right then and there. Like the fight arena, most of the audience was human. However, I noted an increased vampire presence compared to the earlier show. Shaz was out there. The blinding spotlight kept him hidden in the dark, but I could feel his wolf’s energy.
Jenner stood backstage in the shadows just beyond the stage lighting. I couldn’t see him, but I could feel the weight of his gaze. He was going to be pissed when I vomited all over the place.
Arys was smooth, acknowledging the crowd with a glance and then dismissing them entirely. He turned me to face him, putting the onlookers to my right. My gaze darted from the spotlight where we stood to the chaise lounge several feet away. Overwhelmed wasn’t the right word.
‘I can’t do this,’ I seized hold of the mental door between us and slammed it open.
‘Trust me.’
Lifting my hand, Arys kissed my palm before doing the same to my fingertips. I was painfully aware of the many eyes upon me, watching for my reaction. A gasp slipped out, embarrassingly loud in the silent theatre.
Heat started in the center of my hand. A familiar push of dizzying energy accompanied the growing warmth. I began to relax. It had been a while since Arys had manipulated me, and I almost fell under his thrall, unaware that it was happening.
I stared into his eyes, tumbling headlong into those drowning midnight orbs. Turning my arm to expose my wrist, he dragged his lips over the pulse beating there, never breaking eye contact.
‘Aw, Arys, no fair.’ I tried to say the words aloud, but his actions had stolen my breath. All I mustered was a barely audible, “Why?”
“Because you’re mine,” he said for the benefit of the crowd. To only me, he whispered through my mind, ‘I want you to enjoy this.’
The fear and unease dissolved with every touch of his mouth on my skin. It was a dirty move for Arys to turn his power on me that way. I fell under his influence, becoming the glamoured victim he wanted me to be. The vampire essence within me was no match for Arys. Not until death.
I too had wielded this power over someone else. It felt amazing to be on either side of the vampire and victim power play, at least until the high wore off. Then came the remorse and awkward moments with friends. Or maybe that was just me.
The warm, wet touch of his tongue commanded my full attention. He sucked at my wrist, plumping the veins nicely. Anticipation thrilled through me as I waited to see if he would bite so soon. The audience was tense, wondering the same thing.
Arys knew how to work the rush though, and he ever so gently dragged his fangs over my flesh instead. The growing heat crawled up my arm to engulf my whole body. I had no idea how far Arys was willing to take this. And as the haze of lusty need gripped me, I didn’t care.
The seconds felt like hours under his careful touch. Leaving my wrist unmarked, Arys moved to the sensitive inner crook of my elbow. Again, he teased my senses with a flick of his tongue. If having me beg for his bite was what he wanted, he would make it happen.
It no longer occurred to me to be unnerved by the watching crowd. Only one person had seen Arys and me in action. He was currently numbing out in the audience, saddled with security. How would Shaz feel watching now that he wasn’t part of it?
Soft music began to play, echoing throughout the theatre. It broke up the stillness but encouraged the mood. Only when Arys pressed his lips to mine did I realize I was holding my breath. It slipped out as a ragged sigh.
His kiss was aggressive, a commanding assault on my mouth. Desire flared its wings wide within me, tickling my insides like butterflies. Deep within my core, I felt it, a yearning for him that could never be matched nor fully sated.
“Do you feel that?” He whispered against my lips. “I’m inside every part of you.”
&
nbsp; The power built harder, faster and stronger every time we called it together. It had started to feel second nature, which was a nice change from the earlier confusion and mayhem.
Arys’s pupils were huge, excitement making his eyes a deep, drowning black. Nobody would be left untouched by the high when he was done here. I tried to pull him in for more, but he avoided my grasp, slipping around to stand behind me. His chest was firm against my back. Pulling my hair aside, he stripped me of the choker, baring my neck. His arms went around me. Holding me tight, Arys breathed deeply of my scent. He groaned, a low sound rife with hunger, a sexy murmur in my ear.
‘Show Jenner why he should fear you. Make him yours.’
Those unspoken words floated through my mind. The intent behind them was clear. I gazed into the shadows where Jenner lurked, focusing on his energy among the masses. Intrigue, attraction and wariness flavored his energy. The hunger wore many faces. With just the thought planted in my head, the vampire in me snapped to attention. Jenner…yeah I wanted a taste of that.
I sucked in a deep breath; I shouldn’t do what I was about to do, yet caught up in the moment the way I was, I couldn’t think of a single reason why not. In a sober state, I never would have considered claiming Jenner. Sure, I’d seduced a five hundred year old vampire who possessed a respectable amount of power, but we already had a personal relationship. Jenner was a stranger I knew only in someone else’s memories. He was also of a very strong bloodline. One I shared. Could I do it? Only one way to find out.
The power swelled between Arys and me, causing the lights to flicker. I reached out metaphysically to Jenner while also beckoning him with a finger. Right away, I sensed his resistance. A challenge.
Arys’s hand in my hair was possessive. Clutching my long locks, he ran his tongue along the side of my neck. A familiar and welcome tingle began in my loins. I rubbed myself against his evident arousal. A rush of excitement brought a mischievous smile to my face.
Freak Show (Alexa O'Brien Huntress Book 7) Page 10
