“I’m his mate,” she repeated. “He’ll do what I tell him. Haven’t you ever had a boy wrapped around your finger before?”
Crystal winced. She remembered how Hank had deferred to her when she asked him to leave. She suspected there was more to it, but Gwen was already opening the door. She took a breath to steady herself and stood up to follow her.
She hoped Ember had changed back and put her clothes on, at least.
Chapter 9
Crystal opened the front door and saw her mom sitting at her desk, working on some paperwork. “Hey, Mom, um, I’ve got kind of a big favor to ask.”
Brandy Davis looked up from her stack of bills and smiled. “What’s wrong? Is—oh, hello. I’m Crystal’s mom. Please, call me Brandy.”
Crystal turned and saw Ember smile. “Brandy? Hi. I’m Ember.”
“Amber?”
“Ember,” the redhead said with a touch of edge to her voice.
“Oh, I’m sorry. That’s an unusual name. Very pretty though,” Crystal’s mom added.
“So, anyhow, uh, Ember is the problem,” Crystal interrupted. She ignored the almost silent growl from the redhead and continued. “She moved into town recently and her dad had to fly back out West to take care of some things. Since it’s a new town and school, I wondered if she could stay with us?”
Brandy frowned. “I didn’t know you had a new friend.”
“Mom, it’s not like we see each other all that much!”
Brandy nodded. “I know, and I’m sorry. We’re short-handed at the hospital and I figured the more shifts I can pick up, the easier it will be to help you pay for college.”
“I said I’d figure—”
Ember pushed past Crystal, interrupting her. “I’m sorry to bother you, Brandy. I promise you won’t even know I’m here.”
Crystal had to fight to keep herself from scowling. “Yeah, she’ll even sleep on the rug in my room if she needs to.”
She saw Ember’s shoulders stiffen and knew she’d struck home. Her mother sighed and nodded. “No, no, that’s fine. She’s not a dog! If I’m working, you can sleep in my bed and Ember can have yours.”
Crystal fought back a laugh and asked, “What if you’re not?”
Brandy winked at her and nodded towards the couch. “Then you can be a good hostess and take the couch.”
Ember turned to look at Crystal and smirked. “I think I’m going to like it here,” she said.
Crystal forced a smile on her face. “Come on, Amber, let’s go.”
She led the way upstairs to her bedroom and heard Ember following behind. Ember looked around and smirked. “Pink?”
“What’s wrong with pink?”
“Nothing,” Ember said. “It’s the same color as a deer after I’ve torn out their throat and they’ve bled out.”
“Jesus!” Crystal gasped. “That’s sick!”
Ember shut the door behind her. “Call me Amber again and I’ll tear your face off. Then you can match your walls.”
Crystal backed up a step and felt her bed against her leg. She sat on it and pulled her phone out of her purse so she could plug it in. It was nothing more than an excuse to not look at the woman who scared the hell out of her.
“Don’t worry,” Ember said. “It won’t take long.”
Crystal jerked her head up. “What won’t take long?”
Ember smiled. “He’ll come soon. He’s probably already healed.”
“You’re supposed to protect me, I thought?” Crystal asked. “So far you’ve threatened to rip my face off and reminded me there’s some creepy monster after me.”
“The real world isn’t princesses and slippers,” Ember said.
Crystal clamped her lips shut and fumbled with her phone, finally plugging it in. “I know that,” she mumbled. “My life hasn’t been easy, you know.”
Ember laughed. “I bet you’ve been through hell.”
Crystal spun to face her and stood up. By the time she was standing, Ember was right in front of her. Crystal hesitated and then remembered how Ember was taunting her. “Before or after I was almost run off the road by a biker gang so I could be bitten by something from a bad horror movie?”
“You don’t know anything,” Ember snarled. “You’re a baby. Your fate was sealed when you walked down that road. We prolonged your life, that’s all.”
“I’m a baby?” Crystal scoffed. “You’re what, six months older than me?”
The redhead snorted. “Six months and a dozen years.”
Crystal’s jaw dropped again. When she gathered her thoughts, she said, “No way! You’re not—”
Ember sighed and said, “Sit down.”
“No.”
Crystal grunted when her back and head bounced off the wall behind her. She rocked forward and caught herself with her arms on her bed. She straightened and sat on her comforter. “You hit me!”
“I don’t like you,” Ember spat. “But I have to keep your worthless ass alive, so you do what I tell you, when I tell you.”
Crystal opened her mouth but Ember thrust a finger at her. A finger with a nail that looked a little longer and a little more curved and pointed than it should have.
“You don’t ask questions. You act and then later, if you’re still alive, you can try to figure out what’s going on,” Ember explained. “Now, why I’m older than you but I look better? I changed when I was sixteen.”
“Changed?”
Ember fixed her with a stare and then clamped her teeth together. Crystal winced. “We age, but not as fast. It’s a fountain of youth. We’re stronger, faster, heal quicker, can see and smell better, and pretty much can run circles around any norm in the world.”
“Norm?” Crystal asked. “What’s that?”
“Normal person.”
“Oh. So, uh, that sounds pretty good. But you live in dingy trailers. Are you guys like gypsies or something?”
“We have to,” Ember said. She turned and looked around the room and focused on a lava lamp. She reached over and turned it on and watched it as a red light radiated from the liquid while it warmed up. She turned to look at Crystal and finished her explanation. “We’re monsters.”
“Monsters? You make it sound like a gift.”
“You can return a gift,” Ember said.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Ember shrugged. “You don’t need to worry about it.”
“I don’t? Seems like I’ve got a lot to worry about, if what you and your friends tell me is true!”
“Of course it’s true.”
“How do I know? Maybe you’re just trying to scare me.”
Ember glowered at her. “Yeah, because scaring kids is our thing. We get off on it.” Ember shook her head and narrowed her eyes into slits. “Do I need to shift again to remind you how real this is?”
Crystal leaned back until she touched the wall. She shook her head and forced her heart out of her throat. “No,” she squeaked. She winced and forced herself to prove she wasn’t as scared as she really was. “Then I’d have to explain to my mom why a dog shed all over the floor.”
Ember’s fists clenched at her sides and trembled. In a menacing tone, she growled, “You’ve got balls, but you’re stupid. I’m the only person between you and a fate worse than death. You should show me some respect.”
Crystal swallowed and nodded. “You’re right, I’m sorry. I’m just not much of an ass-kisser, I gue—”
“Nobody’s saying kiss my ass. Just don’t be so catty. You know what wolves do to cats, right?” Ember asked with a glint in her eyes. “And if you even think about turning the ass-kissing line into a joke about me licking myself, I swear to whatever god you worship that you’ll need to be more afraid of me than you do what’s waiting for you out there.”
Crystal grimaced. “Heard that joke before?”
“I’ve heard them all.”
She nodded. “Okay, um—”
A knock at Crystal’s door interrupted her. Her mo
m stuck her head in and smiled. The smile faded when she saw how Ember was standing. “Is there something wrong, girls?”
Ember relaxed while Crystal shook her head. “No, just a misunderstanding. We’re cool now.”
Brandy tilted her head. She saw the smiles on both girls’ faces and pursed her lips together. “Okay, well, if there is, I don’t want any trouble in here, okay? And speaking of trouble, I didn’t realize the motorcycle I heard was yours, Ember.”
Ember turned to face her. “Oh, sorry. Is that a problem?”
Brandy frowned and looked at Crystal. “You rode on it with her?”
“Kind of had to get home somehow.”
She shook her head. “I’ve seen a lot of people hurt on motorcycles.”
Ember stiffened and then relaxed. “Brandy, I’m a good driver. Very defensive—it’s almost always the people in cars that cause accidents, so I know what to look for. I’ve been riding my whole life and never laid my bike down once.”
“There’s always a first,” Brandy said. “I didn’t see any helmets on it.”
“No helmet law here,” Ember said.
“You’re both under twenty-one,” Brandy said. “So there is a helmet law.”
Ember opened her mouth but Crystal hurried to keep her cover. “Oh, I didn’t know that. I’m sorry. Uh, I’ve got my bicycle helmet. Will that work?”
Brandy snorted and then twisted her head. “I don’t know. I don’t think so, but maybe. It’s definitely not good enough in my opinion. If you’re going to ride it, you need real helmets. Both of you.”
“I don’t see how you can make me do that,” Ember grumbled.
“You’re staying at my house? My rules,” she said. She shrugged her shoulders. “Sorry, but you’re a very pretty young girl, and I don’t want to see you in the hospital.”
“You won’t.”
Crystal got up from the bed and nodded. “Don’t worry, I’ll get Beth to give us a ride in the morning and we’ll get helmets before we ride again. Right, Ember?”
“What?” Ember frowned and stared at Crystal a long moment before she sighed. “All right.”
“Great,” Brandy said. “And it’s getting late. Crissy, I put some blankets downstairs on the couch for you.”
Ember bit off a short laugh, earning a glare from Crystal.
“I’m going to bed. I’ve got to be in early tomorrow. Good night, girls.”
“Night, Mom,” Crystal said and waited for the door to shut. She turned to a grinning Ember and said, “You do not get to call me Crissy. Ever!”
Chapter 10
“You look nice today. Want any breakfast?” Crystal asked the next morning when Ember came down the stairs, wearing her trademark black skirt with a tight-fitting white top. It took Crystal a moment to recognize it as one of her tops from two years ago.
Ember’s eyes narrowed and she stopped to sniff and glanced around. “Your mom gone already?”
“Yeah, she had to be in by six. She’s working a double so she won’t be home until tomorrow morning.”
“Good.”
Crystal frowned. “Look, I’m sorry about last night, I’m just—what’s wrong with my mom? Are you still pissed about the helmet thing?”
“Irritated,” Ember admitted, “but that’s not it. You’re ready for him and he’ll know it. He’ll come tonight.”
“What are you talking about?”
She sniffed again. “His poison sped up your cycle. You’re ready for him.”
“My cycle? What, you mean my period?”
Ember nodded.
Crystal’s eyes rounded. “Oh my God,” she muttered before rushing upstairs to the bathroom. She dropped her clothing and sat down on the stool. A quick wipe later and she stared at the stained paper. “What the hell?” she mumbled before fumbling through the cupboard under the sink beside her.
Crystal walked downstairs a few moments later with her face flushed. “I just finished a week ago!”
Ember looked up from the jar of peanut butter and jerked the spoon out of her mouth. She tried to talk but the sticky paste made her mumble her words.
“Wait a minute,” Crystal said when she saw the jar that Ember sat on the counter and pushed behind her. She laughed, her embarrassment forgotten. “Peanut butter?”
“So I like peanut butter—what’s your problem?” Ember said while licking her lips.
Crystal couldn’t contain herself. “Oh, nothing.” She giggled. “I think there are some videos on the Internet, that’s all.”
Ember snarled. “That’s enough,” she growled. “Did you use a pad or a tampon?”
Crystal’s humor faded at the question. “Um, kinda personal!”
“Kind of important,” Ember said. “A pad won’t hide the smell as much.”
“Gross! I don’t smell! And what gives? I just finished my period last week.”
“It’s not a period,” the redhead said. “It’s you coming into season.”
“Coming into—”
“You’re in heat.”
Crystal’s jaw fell open.
Ember smiled and turned to lick the last of the peanut butter off the spoon before tossing it in the sink. “I’m good, but I didn’t notice you until you came downstairs. He’ll be able to smell you from a mile away, more if he’s downwind.”
“I’m—in heat?” she repeated. “Like a dog?”
Ember chuckled. “He’s not like any dog you’ve ever met.”
“A wolf?”
Ember shook her head.
“What then?”
“A beast.”
Crystal heard herself whimper. “This is so messed up. I don’t—I mean—how long will this last? What does it mean?”
“It’ll last until he breeds you or you die.”
Crystal gasped.
Ember pressed on. “Then again, I suppose anybody could breed you. Know any cute guys?”
“Oh my God!”
A car horn honked, drawing Ember’s attention. Crystal turned and stared at the door a moment until she realized her friend must be waiting. “Oh! Beth’s here.”
Ember sighed. “Great. You ride with her. I’ll drive.”
“No.” Crystal shook her head. “We told my mom we’d go together. She’ll be pissed if you don’t.”
“Got news for you, Princess,” Ember said. “I don’t care.”
Crystal balked and then lifted her head up. “Please, Ember. I need you.”
Ember’s eyes narrowed. She sniffed again and sighed. “Fine. But just so you know, you’re acting nice now because you’re in heat.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You’re going to be extra friendly and nicer than usual. Horny too. If you don’t want to spread your legs around the first guy you see that you like, you’d better keep your friends close.”
“What? No way! You make it sound like I’m turning into a slut!”
Ember shrugged. “The Beast’s bite will do that. Why else do you think you’d be willing to screw a giant hairy beast?”
“No way. Now effing way!”
“Effing?”
Crystal blushed and turned as Beth honked again. “Come on, she’s going to be pissed.”
Ember shook her head. “You always worry about everybody being pissed off at you?”
“What? No—”
“So it’s just your hormones then?” Ember asked as she pushed past Crystal and walked out the front door of the house.
Crystal stared after her surly protector, jaw hanging open at the woman’s words. Was she always worrying about upsetting other people? She tried to be nice and thoughtful, but look where that got her—made fun of and ridiculed. Crystal closed her mouth and snorted before grabbing her purse and book bag and following Ember out the door.
Beth met her in front of her car, a five-year-old Ford Fusion her mom had passed down to her. She surprised Crystal by stepping in front of her and wrapping her arms around her before Crystal could react.
Crysta
l grunted and then inhaled. The scent of Beth’s fruity shampoo and the lavender scent of her soap filled her nose and made her relax into her friend’s embrace. Beth stiffened for a moment and then held her tighter. Ember cleared her throat, breaking Crystal out of the fog of comfort she’d let herself fall into.
“Isn’t that sweet?” Ember asked.
“What? No, she’s my friend,” Beth stammered. She spun to face her and looked her up and down, pressing her lips together to show she disapproved of Ember’s clothes. “Isn’t that your shirt?”
“Beth, this is Ember,” Crystal said. She emphasized the beginning of Ember’s name to stop her friend from making the same mistake her mom had. “And yes, it’s my shirt. Ember didn’t have any spare clothes.”
“Okay, hi Ember. Now what the hell is she doing with you?”
Crystal’s eyes widened and Ember laughed. “Whoa,” Crystal managed. “She’s, um, a friend of Hank’s.”
“Hank? Is that the giant on the bike?”
Crystal cringed and nodded. “Yes. Sorry about that. I had to get out of there. He gave me a ride the other night.”
Ember snorted.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Beth demanded.
Crystal glared at Ember. “On his motorcycle! After that party.”
“That’s how you got home?”
“Yes.”
Beth pressed her lips together and nodded. She turned to Ember. “So what’s with you?”
Ember chuckled. “I like you.”
“What?” Crystal blurted.
“She’s feisty and has good instincts. Very protective,” Ember said.
Beth’s eyes widened and she glanced at Crystal a moment before looking away. “Crystal’s my best friend.”
“Uh huh,” Ember said. She turned and walked the final steps to the rear door of the car.
Beth turned to Crystal, her confusion obvious on her face.
“I told you when I called last night I’d explain everything this morning.”
“So start talking.”
Crystal sighed. “I don’t know if I can. Not this morning. There’s too much. Tonight? After school.”
Beth folded her arms and glared at Crystal. “I am not happy about this.”
Claimed by the Beast Bundle Page 5
