by Robson, Cecy
“Get the hell out of my bathroom!”
Liam sighed dramatically and shook his head. “Celia, you need to get over your shyness. I told you, the body is a marvelous wonderland—”
I hit him in the face with a bottle of conditioner. Emme appeared as I reached for the liter of shampoo. “Liam, honey, not everyone wants you to see them naked. We’ve discussed this, sweetie . . .”
Emme guided Liam out of the bathroom while he continued to hold his bleeding nose. I’m sorry, she mouthed to me over her shoulder.
I fell back against the tile. The water grew cold the longer I stood there alone, a painful reminder that nothing would change when I stepped out. Aric wasn’t there to fight beside me. I was on my own. And monsters had already begun to hunt.
CHAPTER 7
“There is something I believe we should do.”
I quirked a brow at Misha. He leaned across the kitchen table. Most of the things he “believed we should do” involved fur cuffs and frosting. I paused in the middle of pouring my juice. Behind me Chef swore as he cut watermelon to resemble a blooming flower. “What might that be, Misha?”
“We’ve been focusing on training your physical abilities, but have neglected your other talents.”
I didn’t like the direction of this conversation and put the pitcher of OJ down. “I’d rather you concentrate on landing me a new mission so I can kill the big creepy bastards hunting me before they strike again. My beast has grown restless with the need to protect me, Misha. If I don’t sink my fangs into evil soon, I’ll go nuts.”
Misha continued unaffected. “If what seeks to kill you recognizes you as the key to its annihilation, perhaps you need an additional weapon.” He smiled at my unyielding stare. “Your dormant magical abilities need to be awakened, dearest one. And I believe I know how.”
“My magical abilities are just fine and dandy. Leave them the hell alone.”
Misha met my scowl with a sigh. “I disagree. From what you describe, you cannot control your change when exposed to animals.”
“Yes, I can. If I know they’re there, I can block their spirit and not accidently change into them.”
“That’s not what I mean, my darling. You need to train yourself to absorb their spirits and control the change, as opposed to trying to prevent it. It would please me if you could transform into any animal at will.”
“I don’t want to be considered a shape-shifter; those things are freaky.”
“Shape-shifters spend decades making blood offerings in order to command their forms. I assure you no lives will be taken or virgins sacrificed. I’m merely suggesting an experimentation of sorts.” A vampire entered the room. Misha sent him scurrying with a subtle wave of his hand.
I slammed my palm on the table and grinned. “Good to know virgins are safe in your hands, but I’m still not doing it.”
Chef placed more food in front of me and glowered at my plate. “Merde! Eez zat all you are eating?”
Misha ignored my protests. And we both ignored Chef. “My love, developing your gift would give you an advantage no one else on earth possesses and would further add to your uniqueness.”
“Don’t you mean my weirdness? Misha, I think you believe I’m capable of more than I am. Aside from my tigress, all other forms I’ve managed have been temporary. Besides, it’s not pretty when I come in contact with an animal—I have seizures during which I’m vulnerable. I drool, and my skin turns so raw I feel like I’m being raked by broken glass.” I threw my hands in the air. “I can’t even return to human or tigress until I completely relax.”
“My darling, I believe that is related to lack of practice with your abilities. Which is why I am suggesting we start strengthening your power.”
“No. Sorry. It’s not going to happen.”
Misha’s gray eyes brightened when he flashed me his typical wicked grin. “We’ll see.”
• • •
“Where the hell are you going?”
Vampires weren’t the friendliest of creatures. I muttered a curse and veered toward where Hank stood in the driveway. His black hair was mussed and his white collared shirt spread open from the cold breeze. All the buttons were missing and lipstick marks ran the length of his excessively tanned torso. I raised my chin and adjusted my cream-colored sweater over my skinny jeans. “Go back to your room, finish deflowering whatever coed you managed to dupe into thinking you know Rob Pattinson, and leave me alone.”
I’d taken the day off to spend with my family. The giant maggot fiasco and my sisters’ prompt escort to the Den made sure that wasn’t possible. My tigress was restless and feeling claustrophobic. I needed to get off the premises before I killed someone—starting with Hank—and to avoid any of Misha’s magic “lessons.” Of course, Hank caught me. And of course, he told Misha.
“Master,” he called over his shoulder. “Celia is trying to leave.”
Misha stepped out onto the terrace that ran the length of his suite, with the half-naked Virginia fastened to his neck. The sexcapades just never ended in the land of the undead. “Do you feel that’s wise, my darling?”
Virginia’s hands slipped from Misha. If scathing looks could strip, I’d have been standing there in my thong. I ignored her and spoke to Misha. “Ying-Ying is checking for any magical murdering devices. Aren’t you, Ying-Ying?”
Ying-Ying levitated in a lotus pose over and around the silver Lexus LFA Misha had assigned to me, yodeling in Mandarin. My sadistic yoga instructor specialized in extreme contortion and torture devices she claimed would help my flexibility. Mostly they just scared me. Her body circled around the car twice more before she glided down the hood and onto her feet. She said something in Mandarin before laughing psychotically and patting my back, something she often did during our sessions.
Misha nodded. “Very well. Your vehicle appears to be secured and the wards have just been reinforced against any magical assaults. You may leave.”
I gave Hank a little pinkie wave before sashaying toward the Lexus, only to have Hank and Tim block my way. “Of course,” Misha continued. “Not without escorts.”
Misha insisted I take Hank and Tim with me. I insisted that I not. We argued for a bit and I ended up winning—sort of. Having picked up some of Shayna’s driving techniques, I took off on my own and lost his vampires when they tried to follow.
On my way to Incline Village, I called Taran to tell her where I was headed in the hopes she and our sisters would join me. I left a message on her voice mail when she didn’t answer.
I pulled into the trendy town of young hip professionals just to have lunch, only to be greeted by outdoor tents set up by vendors. Ski season remained in full swing and business owners were taking advantage of the tourist rush. I found one of the last spots on the street and slipped out of the supercar. Couples meandered on the streets in thick sweaters and with steaming lattes in their hands. Across the street a Japanese chef handed out kabobs of sizzling steak, chicken, and vegetables with a happy grin. He could so teach Misha’s chef a thing or two.
My tigress craved sushi. I obliged her and crossed the street. After lunch, I strolled along the rows of tents and checked out the merchandise. Most consisted of touristy type T-shirts and apparel I didn’t care for. I did find a stand that sold jewelry, and picked up a few earrings for my sisters. As the sidewalks grew more crowded, I decided it was time to head back to the land of the living dead and horny.
I took a shortcut through the rows and discovered a merchant selling large bouquets of flowers. When we lived together, Aric bought me fresh flowers every week. I thought of him as I selected the perfect arrangement of white lilies and orange roses. I’d just paid for them when I scented a werewolf standing next to me.
She was a few inches taller and wore a dark red sweater and tan slacks. Her skin was fair and her pure white hair cut into a stylish bob. I thought she was pretty
and carried a certain elegance. There was also something familiar about her eyes, but I couldn’t determine what without staring. I assumed she caught my scent, because she turned to me.
She smiled kindly. “Good afternoon, dear.”
Wow. Talk about polite. Usually, I received challenging or strange looks from weres when they caught my scent. I smiled. “Good afternoon.”
“Those are pretty flowers you have there.”
“Thank you. I like the orange—” I stopped speaking when the strong clean scent of water crashing over stones cut through the aroma of ferns and exotic arrangements. As Aric approached, I realized why the other wolf’s eyes had looked so familiar. They were the same eyes she’d passed on to her son.
His expression softened when he saw me. I hadn’t expected to see him again so soon, and despite the problems between us, an overwhelming sense of joy stirred inside me. Aric’s steps slowed as he neared and as he took me in from the top of my loose flowing locks to my chocolate boots. A warm smile spread across his face, minimizing the signs of his sleeplessness. “Hello, Celia,” he said.
At the sound of my name, the other werewolf’s eyes widened. My heart drummed frantically against my chest and my tigress leapt to attention. “Hi, Aric.”
Aric’s long hair slightly darkened his beautiful light brown eyes, and his ever present five o’clock shadow was thicker; he’d probably skipped a day without shaving. But despite the small traces of fatigue that lingered, his facial features remained just as strong, just as handsome, just as sexy. I cocked my head to the side. The tension and the circumstances from the other night hadn’t allowed me the luxury of admiring my wolf. But I did then, and drank every inch of him in. Aric in turn stepped closer, staring at me in the way that made my toes curl.
If the other wolf hadn’t elbowed Aric subtly, I’m certain we would have stood there much longer. He cleared his throat. “Celia, this is my mother, Eliza Connor.”
All of a sudden, I was eight again. My cheeks blushed feverishly while I shuffled my feet. “Hi, Mrs. Connor,” I mumbled.
When they both grinned at me, I realized Aric had also inherited her smile. Eliza placed her hand on my shoulder and gave me a gentle squeeze. “It’s so nice to finally meet you, Celia.”
We’d spoken a few times on the phone, but I hadn’t recognized her voice. I should have. It was just as kind and lovely as it had always been. “It’s nice to meet you, too. Will you be in Tahoe long?”
The cheer faded from their faces. “No,” Eliza said quietly. “I don’t plan to stay more than a few days.”
A horrible emptiness threatened to tear my chest wide open. I realized why she was there. “You’re here for the wedding.”
A sense of foreboding swept around us, reminding Aric of the albatross that awaited him and robbing him of the pleasure that had so briefly enlivened his striking face. Eliza watched him, her expression void of the happiness she’d initially demonstrated. She reached out to touch his arm and glanced back at me.
I peered at the flowers clutched tightly in my hands. The sudden meeting had briefly pushed aside our troubles and circumstances—enough that I’d forgotten about the Tribe, the attempts on my life, and the end of my and Aric’s relationship. For those brief minutes I was happy again, beside my love, meeting his mother for the first time. Funny how reality could clobber dreams like a fist.
I didn’t know what gamut of emotions played across my features. I only knew I couldn’t stay there any longer. I handed Eliza my flowers. “I’d like you to have these.” I swore in my head when I realized my voice had cracked.
She took the bouquet, not bothering to look at it. Instead she searched my face, grasping, I imagined, for something to say. My eyes stung. I needed to get away. “I’m glad I had the opportunity to see you. Please forgive me, but I have to go.”
I hurried away. Behind me I heard Eliza’s insistent voice. “Let her be, son. She’s been hurt enough.”
I collapsed into the driver’s seat and wiped my eyes with my sleeve, frustrated with how I’d reacted. It took me a few minutes to calm down enough to drive. I arrived back at Misha’s so upset I barely remembered the ride. Resentment, sadness, and anger churned my stomach. All I wanted was to go back to the guesthouse and lock myself in. Yet, when I saw Misha waiting for me in the garden, I knew I wouldn’t be able to make my escape.
Misha stood along the freshly swept stone path like a man who could crush the pyramids to dust, despite holding a Cavalier King Charles spaniel in his arms. The dog was completely enamored with Misha. It must be a girl. The bitches love Misha.
“Hello, kitten. It pleases me that you made it back safely—despite your lack of escorts.” He pointedly glared at his bodyguards. Rivers of sweat ran down Hank and Tim’s faces and fear of Misha’s rage made them quiver. The Catholic schoolgirls wore smiles, obviously delighted they weren’t the ones in trouble for once.
My hands fell to my sides. I didn’t want to deal with any of this crap. “Misha, don’t be mad at Hank and Tim. I’m the one who ditched them. And what the hell’s up with the dog? I told you I don’t want to participate in your freaky science experiments.”
Mish sped to my side me before I could blink. “Come now, my darling. How bad can it be?” He swatted my shoulder with the dog’s tail. I already had my guard up in an attempt to block the dog’s essence. It didn’t help. Either I was too upset or too distracted. Whatever the reason, I crashed to the ground in a violent seizure.
Hank swore. Maria said something like, “If she dies, I call dibs on de master.” A huge commotion ensued and everything became a dizzying blur of images and noise.
As my world and teeth rattled, someone lifted me from the ground. I screamed from the torturous agony the contact inflicted. In mere moments, I found myself on a very large bed. My body shrank and my ears elongated. I panted profusely, tasting merino wool as my lolling tongue scraped against the expensive fabric.
My vision cleared slowly. When I finally focused, I didn’t like what I saw. Misha and his vampires had me surrounded. Most had big grins and some were shaking, trying to hold in their laughter. Misha leaned over the bed, his fists digging into the mattress, his shoulders rigid. A sinister shadow darkened his stone-cold features. “Whoever laughs first shall die by my hands,” he said in a deadly whisper.
There was such an immediate silence, I feared I’d gone deaf. I tried to sit up. Big mistake. The supersized room spun in a stomach-lurching whirl. I quickly flopped back down and shook my head to clear it. My long ears slapped against my fuzzy face. The shake had helped some, but by then I was royally pissed off.
What the hell, Misha? I told you this was a bad idea. I can’t believe you freaking did this to me. Just when I thought we were friends you had to pull a prick move like this!
That’s what I was thinking. What came out was, “Woof, woof. Yip, yip, bark, growl, bark!”
Liz leaned in close to my face, her ice blond hair hitting my little wet nose. “I think she’s trying to tell us something. Do you need to go for a walk, Celia?”
Agnes Concepción adjusted her glasses and peered down her nose at me. “No, she wants a biscuit. Celia’s always hungry.”
I growled at both of them.
“She does not want a damn biscuit,” Maria spat in her thick accent. “She wants ah steak.”
“Is that it, Celia?” Edith asked. “Do you want a steak?”
No, I don’t want a steak! I just want my body back! You all suck! Once again, “Yip, bark, bark, bark, woof,” was what they heard.
Someone wanted to kill me, Aric was getting married, and I was a damn dog. I wanted to pee on the fire hydrant I called life. What I didn’t know was that things were about to get much, much worse.
CHAPTER 8
“Bad, Celia. Off the couch!”
Liz swatted my butt with a rolled-up newspaper and had the ovaries to flip ou
t when I bit her hand. “You’re getting hair all over the furniture, you little bitch!”
Aside from the time I was awaiting my Nursing Board results and accidently came in contact with a skunk, this was the longest I’d gone without changing back to human. The entire day was miserable. Everyone took turns walking me and trying to force steak down my throat. I gave in after a while and ate the steak—but only because I was hungry. I refused to pee on the lawn, though. After escaping Edith Annes and Agnes Concepción’s clutches, I found a bathroom and used it privately. It took some maneuvering, but I managed to use the toilet without falling in.
Misha spent the day pacing and muttering to himself. He barely glanced at me. When he did, guilt darkened the strong angles of his face. His eyebrows remained furrowed and that damn arrogant grin of his was noticeably absent. I repeatedly bared my teeth at him. You should feel bad, you jackass. I’m drinking from a damn bowl!
When nighttime arrived, I tried to make my way back to the guesthouse, figuring I could shift underneath the ground and come up inside my quarters. I was almost to the back door when strong arms grabbed me and scooped me up. “No, Celia. You will stay with me this night.” Misha’s voice sounded stiff and unyielding. I barked in protest. He ignored me, carried me to his room, and shut the door.
The minute he released me, I tried to escape. “Growling and scratching at the door will accomplish nothing,” he said. “I need to ensure your safety this night.”
I tried not to eye Misha. He wore silky black pajama bottoms and nothing else. His long blond hair hung loosely against his strong, muscular shoulders, and his chiseled abs and chest resembled stone. Any other bitch would’ve humped his leg.
Misha picked me up again. I fought against his hold. It was a pointless effort. I may have been stronger and at least twice as big as the average spaniel, but I would never have been a match against a vampire. Even still, I was an extremely stubborn spaniel, and I let out a warning growl when he placed me on the bed. He threw back his head and laughed. In a way, I couldn’t blame him. How ferocious could I have possibly been? Nevertheless, I meant business, and I was going to bite him to prove it, but then he played dirty and rubbed my belly.
