by Adria Wade
“We decided in the car that we would take Andie to Bram Manor and then come get you so you could say your final goodbye. You didn’t get any closure with Tessa, so I wanted to make sure that that didn’t happen with Andie,” Taylor said with a scowl still on his face.
Oh, I was getting closure after all…now I felt like an idiot.
“Game plan, guys,” Eli said.
“She’s coming to Bram Manor so we can watch over her,” Lucas said.
“I’m coming,” I said.
“Wow, kid, you really like danger, don’t you?” Hunter said.
Violet groaned. “She’s impossible to get through to.”
“Yeah, that would have been okay if she was dead, but she’s not. There will be a blood crazed newborn vampire in the manor. It’s not safe. Please, just go home,” Taylor begged, desperate for me to see reason.
I shook my head. I didn’t like the idea. She was in pain and I wanted to stay by her.
“I will bring you to see her in the morning. I promise you that if you listen this once,” Eli said.
There was silence in the air as every eye was on me, waiting for a reply, hoping that I wouldn’t put up a fight.
I scowled and nodded. “Okay.” But only because he promised me tomorrow.
Relief flooded his face. “Good. I’ll take you home.”
I sighed and slowly walked to the car, my heart heavy with sorrow. They didn’t understand that home was wherever Andie was going.
Chapter Eight
I got in the car, my mind reminding me of one daunting fear. What if she died during the change and I wasn’t there to hold her hand until the end? I didn’t even know if it was possible for her to die during her transition. I felt like I was reliving the tragedy with Tessa all over again; only this time I wasn’t responsible for what happened. I could feel myself slip away, deep into my mind. I couldn’t block out Tessa.
I exhaled and started to shake my leg, feeling a surge of anxiety fill my nerves as I settled in the car. There it was, the flashback, the headlights of the car I was mere seconds from crashing in to. Tessa screaming my name before the impact. My hand reaching out to her and no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn’t reach her. I squeezed my eyes closed, forcing the images out of my head. Nothing is going to happen. Deep breaths, Paige, just try to stay calm.
Eli slid in the car beside me, his brows knitting together as he looked down at my leg. “What’s with the leg shaking?”
“Nervous habit.”
“What are you nervous about?”
He placed his hand on my knee and I automatically stopped. The warmth from his hand was enough of a distraction.
“Calm it, thumper.”
I burst into laughter. “Thumper?”
He grinned. “Yeah, your leg was moving a mile a minute.”
“I have…issues with cars.”
“What, like a phobia?”
“Yeah, something like that.”
“You drove here, though.”
“Determination and adrenaline does wonders, it seems. Chelsea came after me when she found out I was trying to sneak out. She was pissed.” I pointed my chin to the window, then went on. “Her handiwork.”
He shook his head. “You’re lucky she didn’t drag you out of the car. Chelsea can be brutal when she’s pissed.”
I pulled down the visor and looked into the small mirror at the cut by my eye. I groaned. Great, I’m going to have to have explain this to my father.
“I could fix that, you know.”
“And how would you do that?”
He chuckled. “Okay, you’re going to think this is really gross, but I can heal with my saliva. I already healed your busted lip when you kissed me.”
My brows furrowed. “What?”
I pulled the visor down once more and looked into the mirror, observing my lip. No mark. Wow, he could actually heal. It was incredible.
“So, you want to lick my face?”
He nodded, his eyes alive with amusement. “Don’t worry; I can control myself when it comes to your blood. It just take a lot of restraint.”
“You’re right; I find that tremendously gross, but if it keeps me from having to explain this bad boy to my father then I’m just going to have to suck it up and take it.”
I moved my body, facing him, and leaned into him. “Go ahead, gross me out.”
He leaned in, placing his hands on either side of my face, and ran his warm, wet tongue over my cut. I flinched as the contact made my cut sting. He then pulled away from me, pressing his lips together as he fought against the urge to have my blood. My heart leapt into my throat from fear as I reached for the door handle, ready to run if his urge to have my blood was too strong to fight off.
“Are you okay?”
He wouldn’t answer. I didn’t know whether or not I should get out. He insisted that he could control himself, but maybe I was too close for him to resist. As I opened the door to get out, he grabbed my arm.
“No.” His breathing steadied as his eyes fluttered open. “I’m fine.”
My pounding heart seemed to slow as I relaxed my tight muscles. I pulled down the visor, running my fingers beneath my eye where the cut used to be. “Amazing…thank you.”
“Anytime. You know it would have went a lot smoother if you would’ve just listened to us. You wouldn’t have had that nasty cut if you had.”
I casted my eyes down. “I thought Andie was dead, and I knew that I had to say goodbye no matter what. To not get the closure you need from someone’s death is painful.”
“I know exactly what that pain feels like, but you could’ve been killed. Then we really would have been burying someone tonight.”
He placed the key in the ignition, hesitating to turn on the car as he looked my way. “Are you going to be okay if I start the car? You’re not going to flip out on me, are you?”
I chuckled. “I’ll try not to.”
He started the car, and as the engine roared to life, my nerves seemed to intensify. I ran my hand through my hair and sighed. Just keep talking to him and it will keep your nerves calm.
He rolled the window down on my side. “A little bit of air for you. Just don’t try to jump out while I’m driving.”
Amused, I giggled as my chest filled with joy. “And what, make myself look like an idiot? No, I think I’ll pass.”
As he drove, I couldn’t help but to glance at him with a permanent smile on my face. So far, he had been the only one who could make me open up and actually break through my excessive shield of glum that had followed me since Tessa. I was really starting to like him, but knowing that, though, had made me uncomfortable because I knew it wasn’t a good thing.
“So, you kneed Lucas in the jewels.” He grinned as he glanced at me.
“Well, he wouldn’t get out of my way. What’s his deal, anyway? He’s an ex-vampire who likes to kill vampires now? That’s a little weird considering he used to be one of them. From the look on his face back at the house, he actually seemed like he wasn’t happy with being a human again.”
“He fell for a huntress who was always in dangerous situations, and it was because of that love that forced him to kill his own kind when it was necessary. Don’t get me wrong; she can definitely take care of herself, but that doesn’t stop the protector in him from coming out. And as for his humanity, it’s only temporary. He prefers to be an immortal, so as soon as he knocks her up, he’ll be ready to turn again.”
“So, vampire hunters with hybrid powers, werewolves, a half witch, half vampire hybrid, vampires, and hybrids that are a group of friends…I didn’t think any of you would get along, because, well, according to the bedtime stories my grandmother used to tell Taylor and I when we were little kids, you guys are supposed to be natural enemies. And nowhere in those bedtime stories did any succubus come up either…I kind of wished they did, though.”
“Well, most supernatural creatures do hate one another; we’re just different than the rest.”
&
nbsp; “You’re a diverse bunch.”
“Yeah, tell me about it.”
“How did you become a hybrid?”
“I was recruited to this society of reapers. Well, we called ourselves reapers because we didn’t know exactly what we were and Athena’s father wasn’t very forthcoming about what he was injecting us with. It was hard to put a label on us. Athena’s father, Aaron, ran this society of hunters where, in order for us to hunt, we were required to be injected with a serum that consisted of vampire and werewolf blood and to get a tattoo of a grim reaper that was laced with wolf’s bane. It did actually seep into our bloodstream, and that is why our bites are lethal to vampires and werewolves. If you know anything about wolf’s bane, it’s poisonous to both creatures and can actually force the hybrid powers in us to appear, which is what Aaron wanted, obviously. Anyway, the tattoo would warn us by stinging our skin whenever our enemy was near, triggering the change so that we could protect ourselves from the immortals. It also could be triggered by our anger. You need the venom of both supernatural creatures to fully turn you, though. Athena and I almost died because of it, actually.”
My brows rose in surprise as I looked at him. “Really?”
“Yeah, we were bitten by vampires, but we didn’t have werewolf venom to complete the transition until Maddox and his pack came along. It was a scary, miserable time for us both.”
I stared at him, watching the wind run through his hair as a pang of sorrow consumed me. If he would have died, I wouldn’t have met him. He wouldn’t be here to put a smile on my face when all I wanted was to burst into tears.
“I’m glad you’re still here.”
A smile broke out on his lips as he glanced my way. “Me too.”
“So, did you have fun with the incubus?” he asked.
I froze. I didn’t feel comfortable talking about Silas, because I knew Eli wanted me. I had every right to dance circles around anyone I wanted to because I wasn’t attached to anyone, but to talk about what I did with Silas to Eli just didn’t seem fair to him. Besides, why would it matter, anyway? I didn’t have any intentions on seeing Silas again.
“Do you really want to know what I did with him?”
He frowned. “I’m sure he was all over you, and vice versa. They are master seducers.” He shook his head with a look of disgust on his face.
“Do you have something against Incubi?”
He turned down my driveway and let out a long, drawn out sigh. “I had a bad experience with one years ago.”
He pulled up at my home, turned the car off, and got out. I quickly got out, as well, not satisfied with his answer.
“Well, that’s it? You’re not going to tell me anymore?”
He scowled as he handed me the keys to the car. “Do you remember when I told you that my sister was murdered?”
My breath hitched. “An incubus killed your sister?”
He nodded. His mouth set in a hard line as he looked down, attempting to hide the hurt, but he couldn’t…it ran too deep.
“Is he dead? Did you kill him?”
He sighed. “Oh, I wish. It’s a little too complicated when it comes to killing them. They are demons; you can’t just stick a knife through their heart and call it a day. I mean, that would injure and weaken them, but it won’t kill them. Watch yourself, Paige. Incubi and succubi aren’t good company.”
“But Silas saved me. Maybe he is good… he has to be.”
“There is always a reason as to why they do something.”
I shrugged it off. “We only just met, though. We danced, he saved me, the end. It was one night. We’re not going to see each other again.”
He looked me dead in the eyes with a serious look on his face. “It’s only the beginning, but in the end, you are the only one who can stop it.”
My brows furrowed. My head was spinning in confusion. I tried to grasp what he was telling me, yet I still didn’t understand.
“Why are you being so cryptic?”
He ignored me and turned to walk away.
“Hey, where are you going? I’m not done with you, mister!” I called out to him.
“Bye, Paige.”
He then began to jog down the driveway, his pace quickening as he used his impressive humanoid speed to make his exit.
I scowled. “You’re lucky I’m not a hybrid, or else I would’ve ran after your ass!” I yelled, knowing damn well that he didn’t hear, but I didn’t care.
I folded my arms and looked around at my surroundings as paranoia set in. Eli said Silas wasn’t done with me yet. He could have been out in the bushes right now watching me. Fear pricked at my skin at the thought. I didn’t know what to think, really. Given what I had heard about an incubus killing Eli’s sister, Alyssa, the fear had been put in me, but there was still that nagging thought in the back of my mind that Silas in particular wasn’t like the rest. I didn’t know much about incubi and succubi and what they did, but if they were the murdering, sexual demons that Eli made them out to be, then maybe Silas wouldn’t have saved me. I was completely torn and a part of me wished that tonight was indeed the last time I would ever look into those seductive, intoxicating eyes again.
I hurried inside and made my way up the staircase.
“Paige!”
I jumped and turned at the sound of my father’s stern voice. I actually wasn’t expecting him to be home yet. He came out of the living room, scowling as he took in my attire.
“Dad, hi.”
“What are you wearing?
My body sagged as I sighed. “I already heard it from Taylor.”
“Good, now you’re going to hear it again.”
I groaned and sat down on the stairs. I had no fight left in me tonight with everything that I had been through already. I just wanted to shut the world out for a little while and float away into a peaceful sleep.
“You look like you’re wearing a bra. Where did you go dressed like that?”
I opened my mouth to talk, momentarily dumbfounded as I wracked my brain for an answer. I couldn’t tell him about the club filled with supernatural creatures.
“I went out to dinner with Andie and a couple of friends.”
His eyes narrowed and he folded his arms. “You went out to dinner…dressed like that.”
I nodded. My eyes fell on Ms. Schultz standing by the doorway with her arms folded and dressed in a pair of grey leggings and a black, long tunic top. She was getting cozy with the boss.
“Should I start calling her Mom now?”
Ms. Schultz’s cheeks flushed as they glanced at one another.
“Don’t change the subject. I don’t believe you.”
“Okay, fine. We went to a club after we left the restaurant, hence, why I’m dressed this way.”
“And how did you get into a damn club? You’re not even old enough yet.”
“Max, she’s nineteen. She isn’t a child anymore. Let her learn,” Ms. Schultz said.
“I totally agree with her.”
His eyes shut and he clenched his jaw. It was hard for him to let things go, especially when it involved me. I was the troublemaker who always needed guidance and a babysitter in his eyes.
“We’re having dinner tomorrow. I expect you here. I’m sure you will be able to miss one night of fun.”
“It’ll be hard, but I think I can manage. Have fun with Ms. Schultz tonight, and wear protection. God only knows you wouldn’t want another Paige.”
My father’s cheeks reddened as they stared at each other in shock. I grinned.
“Goodnight, Paige!” he said.
“Goodnight,” I said a little too sweetly.
I snickered and went upstairs. My insides filled with satisfaction and joy from the look on their faces, forcing out all of the stress from the night.
Chapter Nine
There was a draft that chilled my skin as my duvet slowly slid down my body. It took a moment for my mind to register that someone was in my room. Alarmed, my eyes popped open and I quickly sa
t up, fighting against the grogginess of sleep. I gasped, setting my sights on Silas, who was standing by my bed, looking down at me. Beads of water dripped from his hair and clothes from the rain.
I swallowed back the trepidation that forced itself upon me as I feared that he was back to finish me off…just like Eli had warned.
“What are you doing? How did you get in here?”
“The window.”
He sat down next to me, and I instantly moved away.
“I know what you are. You can’t be here.”
He reached for me; his hand grasped my knee, giving it a gentle squeeze. “It’s okay.”
The overwhelming amount of reassurance that poured out of his eyes rained down on me, soothing any doubts that I was in the presence of a dangerous person.
I relaxed. “What do you want?”
His lips turned up into that same incredibly sexy smile that affected me the first time as his eyes darkened with sexual hunger and want. I was trapped in his intense stare, unable to look away as an overwhelming urge to have him exploded in my body and I ached for his touch. It came on so sudden, as if his eyes were the window to his seduction.
“You…and you want me to.”
My breath hitched as his hand slowly moved against my skin, making its way up the inside of my thigh as he leaned in and kissed me. His lips, cold from the rain, melted into my warmth as they moved against my own.
I grabbed his wet shirt and pulled it off before he pushed me back, grabbing hold of my wife beater, ripping it off. Soon, there was nothing left of our clothing, nothing left to keep my body from shivering except for the warmth of his body on mine. I could feel my heart pound as my cheeks warmed, and my breathing intensified as our bodies moved against each other. Every touch, every movement, set my insides on fire as I burned in the lust-filled atmosphere that surrounded me. I was high in his passion, high in the satisfaction that enveloped me as my muscles seemed to melt yet intensify all at once.
