Giovanni grew before their eyes.
Their twin gazes rose with his increasing height.
“And that won't work, baby brother!” Sabrina glared up at him. “Sis?” She tilted her head at her twin.
Serena grew in size and faced him, her skin gleaming to a rose color and then a garnet red. The furniture in the room rose from the floor, while the high stained glass windows crackled behind him.
His eyes rounded at her. “How did you...?”
Serena laughed and changed instantly to human. “Apparently, I’m a queen now. And, guess whose queen I am? I’ll fight you from his side if you try to kill him.” Her threat made the walls rumble. “And guess what?” She floated closer. “I alone could defeat your entire army.”
He looked stricken and his human form appeared.
“So, our clans are now family and will be forever.” Serena nodded her head with finality.
Sabrina drew close.” And it means we’ll not be shedding family blood, right?”
Giovanni released an exasperated breath. “Fine! I am so sick of this clan shit, anyway. I want to live like...” He gazed around. “A real Italian bachelor-mogul, you know?”
Sabrina laughed. “Oh, Gio, my baby boy. We think you’re the best catch out there!”
“Yeah, and you may even get tired of that life and maybe try some human feelings for a change.” Serena gave him a blue-eyed wink.
The Ballatori family laughed loudly together.
~* * * *~
Grigori allowed the laughter to roll through him as he floated away from the door. I‘ve almost made up for it. The Mesmer grew distracted as he glided down the hall. Maybe I can do better than even this and see about wiping Lucas. No, it wouldn’t take it all away. He thought of King Malias, forever cold and hate-filled, because he believes he should pay eternally for his sins. I have known the same nightmare for a very long time now.
He thought of the Russian family he’d loved and helped to destroy centuries ago, and he knew the loss of their souls would forever be a living misery inside of him. Rasputin sighed and moved down the hall. I could save a hundred families and never be free of it.
~* * * *~
Tipperary, Ireland
Eerie sounds echoed from all around and reminded some of the older generations of a time long ago when otherworldly creatures roamed the countryside. Everything looked normal at a casual glance, but there was something in the air as the peaceful green grass fluttered with a gentle breeze.
Less than a hundred years ago, they did exist here, created by sorcery and raised from holy stone; these supernatural beings flew across the ancient Irish dells at night while imprisoned as stone guardians for the human churches by day. The legend told of how they were created to protect humans from evil, until one day, they became the evil.
Today, you could almost feel them and even imagine they truly existed, while the vibrations from something inhuman drifted through the sunlit meadow. A total silence fell over the Ireland grass as something fearsome drifted in; even the younger generations could feel it, as everyone scurried away from the sunny day. All the locals rushed their children indoors, closing the shutters, and bolting their doors.
A cobalt sky darkened as sudden clouds appeared and all the birds disappeared. A twisting vortex rolled down and landed with a violent wind in the middle of the glade. The whirling stopped, as the King of Gargoyles stepped down onto the cool Ireland green. The darkened pall receded from the glade while he looked around.
“So, it’s my big brother, the King of the Beasts!” A sarcastic voice rumbled from everywhere.
Malias stilled and his form grew.
“Don't get all battle heavy on me, big brother.” Lucas laughed. “I wouldn’t challenge you alone. I’m a Lycian, remember? So, I’m smarter than that!”
Malias shimmered and got ready for it to come, as he didn’t believe a word of it. All was quiet, as a cool rush of wind whipped against his body. He turned his gaze and there she was. He shimmered and changed to human, shock rippling the marble away.
Valentine glared at him and crossed her arms over her chest.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” He recovered and marbled again.
She shrugged. “Following you.” Her eyes glowed at him.
“So, my brother has his own violations, eh?” Luke’s amused laughter echoed all around.
“And you get your scrawny gargoyle carcass down here, Lucas!” Her Chimera voice wisped high into the air.
So fucking beautiful. He shook his head. And so very dangerous. “This is none of your business, Serena!”
Another great wind came and Sabrina appeared next to her. She placed her hands on her hips and gazed at her sister's face. “They think just because they’re kings, they can get away with any God Dammed thing!”
Malias stared at her.
Sabrina shrugged at him. “It seems I have some of her powers, since we’re twins and all.”
Lucas appeared next to his brother, while his astonished gaze locked onto Sabrina. “You actually came like you said!”
Malias glared at him.
He stepped forward, entirely forgetting his dangerous brother. “I wanted to—”
“You’re raging war against my clan.” Sabrina fumed at him.
He shook his head. “I never meant—”
“So, what in the hell did you mean to do? Killing all those innocents and stalking me?”
“I want you.” He lowered his gaze.
“Well, buster, you have to court women even in this century, you dumb clod!” She laughed. “It’s called dating. Maybe you’ve heard of it?”
Lucas gaped at her. “But, what about Giovanni?”
Sabrina gazed over at her sister. “We took care of it.” She winked at Valentine. “Times have changed, boys. Time to put away the beastly battle gear!”
“You mean I really have a chance?” Lucas blinked his eyes and smiled.
“Maybe...but I‘ll have to teach you some human first.” Sabrina swung her pleased gaze to Malias. “And some manners!” She laughed and rose from the ground.
Stunned, Lucas stared up as she floated above him.
“Well? Are you coming?” she called.
Malias threw his startled gaze up.
She gave him a playful wink, her Valentine-like smile dazzling.
Lucas drew in a breath. “Shit, yeah!” He floated from the grassy ground and grabbed her hand.
“That’s a boy!” She looked him over. “Mmm, let’s do shopping first. You would look so delicious in Armani.” They shot up and disappeared.
Malias dropped his gaze back down.
“You said you would never leave me again,” Valentine seethed at him. “Now I find it’s been a whole ‘nother year!”
“Apparently, I lied.”
Valentine visibly trembled.
“So, Valentine saves the day...again!” His laughter rang with a cruel sting.
“Go ahead, yak it up!”
He rose from the ground. “Go back to your clan, Merger girl. Where you belong.”
Valentine rose from the grassy earthen floor to face him. “I’m your queen, my dear beast, in case you’ve forgotten. So, just take a wild guess about where I belong?”
He fought the urge to flinch at her words. “Not if I—”
“Go ahead and run, you cowardly king. But remember, I will follow.” She shrugged. “And you’re the one who made it possible!” She laughed. “This time you’ll pay for that particular sin.”
“I don't want you anymore.” His tone rang icy through the glade. “And, I don't believe in retribution of the moral kind.”
She winced with a visible tremor at his cruel words.
He smiled maliciously at her while he grew to full beast size. “So, I got bored.” He shrugged as the miserable lie almost stuck in his throat. “It happens to beasts who live forever, didn't you know?”
Tears filled her glimmering blue eyes. “You deserve to be a cold and lonely king.�
�� She shot up into the clear blue.
“Yes, I do, and the cold will last forever.” He sighed with sorrow, as he shimmered and disappeared.
CHAPTER TEN
Ventura, California
The red Mustang flew over Ventura Boulevard and came down hard on the shocks. The powerful vehicle haphazardly moved through traffic, zigzagging in and out of lanes and over the medians. As if in finale to its wild journey, it recklessly spun out in a parking lot, the rubber of its tires smoking.
Detective Valentine jumped from the car, removed her gun and moved to the entrance of the liquor store. She didn’t even hesitate as she tore through the open door.
Wearing a black ski mask, a big man held an unsteady shotgun aimed at the clerk's head.
She raised her weapon and put one into his skull.
The holdup man rounded his eyes in surprise as his body visibly stiffened and crumpled to the floor.
Terrified, the clerk slumped against the counter while expelling a shaky breath and his wide-eyed gaze rose to the gorgeous woman holding a gun.
Valentine walked over and stuck her boot beneath the dead man’s ribs, flipping him over. “Fucking scumbag!” She gazed around. “Just him?”
“Yeah.” The trembling clerk nodded and his body visibly shook. “Thank you!”
“You just experienced your given right to remain silent,” she snickered while staring down at the corpse. Her gaze swung over to the horrified clerk. “I ask one thing.” She gave him a sweet smile.
“Oh, yes anything!” His teeth chattered from the shock.
“When they ask you later?” She sighed as she checked the clip in her gun. “I asked him to freeze and put his weapon down, and then I shot him, okay?” Valentine winked at him while tucking her forty-five back into her holster.
“Oh, absolutely! If you had yelled that? Why, he would have blown my fucking head off!” As though the shock hit him all over again, his legs gave away and he gripped the counter to hold himself steady.
Valentine leaned back against the counter. “You got any gum?” she asked as she looked out through the open door.
“Yeah, just take the whole box!” He nervously rifled through the case behind him.
“Nah, just one pack please.” She threw a dollar bill onto the counter and removed the wrapper from the stick of gum. “Gotta have something to do until the black and whites come.” Valentine viewed the flashing police lights flickering through the front window.
She’d thought, when she transferred to one of the worst districts in LA, there would be some thrills. But no, it was still so boring. She yawned, glancing down at her expensive watch and a smile touched at her lips. A going away gift from her Chief at the Malibu Station. He’d said she did, in fact, need psyche for transferring to the Ventura District.
The Calvary has arrived and here goes another round of ridiculous bullshit. Lieutenant Detective Valentine popped her gum with a loud smack and rolled her eyes at the sight of the tall male uniformed officers who strolled up to the liquor store. She sighed at the thought of the long boring hours of filling out reports and answering idiotic questions, which would drag on forever.
~* * * *~
Valentine slumped down onto the sofa and propped her boots up on the coffee table. I just can't do this anymore; it’s been six months of busts and busting balls. At first, it felt so good, but now? I just need more than this. She gritted her teeth. No, don't think about him! She sat upright. Don't you dare go there, Valentine! He’s lower than pig-slopped dirt! She yanked her jacket from her shoulders. Fucking jerk-face, lying son of a... She threw her jacket down and sighed. I just want to forget! Stilling, she remembered the Rayne's and Grigori with their standing offer of a wipe. I can't take the dreams, I can't cry anymore. And another bust won't even do it!
She slumped back down onto the couch. That's just it—I finally remembered the last time Payne and I were together. We were having... She gulped. Could you call it sex? No, it was like being shot to the fucking moon! The hottest God Dammed thing on Earth and beyond, then I remember becoming aggressive. A flash of his eyes twinkling up at her while he sucked on her nipple rushed through her mind and heat spread across her face. His hands, his mouth and his rock hard...
Valentine balled her hands to fists as she stood up and let out a piercing scream. All her glass covered paintings on the wall shattered. Then one day, I was Serena the fashion designer? I would’ve gone on in a world where I didn’t belong, if it hadn’t been for my sister! Someone must know what happened. She thought of the Mesmers again. I should just get it over with and get wiped, before I kill an innocent, in my lowlife-killing spree, dedicated to Mister Scumbag Payne!
Frustrated, she shook her head. All you have to do is close your eyes and concentrate and voila, you will be right there with him. I’m tempted to do it, just so I can kick his beastly ass! She’d repeatedly resisted the temptation over the last months because after their last meeting? She’d suffered from the humiliation for months; telling Giovanni how she was Malias’ queen and how she would stand by his side? All the while, he’d already dumped her like common street garbage.
Releasing a huffing breath, she jerked her boot back and kicked the coffee table over, the remote and ashtray spilling to the floor. Her gaze narrowed at the floor. She bent down and picked up the little cigar from the ashtray mess. She raised the little cigarillo and sniffed it, as her pulse grew rapid. He’d been here?
She stared around at the empty apartment and her stunned gaze dropped to the cigar again. It looks old, but he was here! A small thrill rippled inside her and it lasted for two whole seconds before she threw the cigar against the wall with all her might. Chicken shit, spying on me while I slept? Probably just wanted some sex, and then he would up and leave me again!
Valentine’s entire body shook as fury built inside her. He lied about keeping me with him, to use me, because I'm one of the last female beasts who he could have sex with. Then, after he gets me to confess my love for him? He has my memory wiped and goes on his beastly way? Oh, no, I don’t have to take this shit! She spun around with her arms tucked in and began to whirl.
The coffee table rose from the floor as all her paintings rattled and jerked from the walls. A small whirlwind rose to the ceiling, pulling everything not nailed down into it. I’m gonna have it out with him once and for all, and kicking his good looking ass may just be a way to get over him. Valentine closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath. And I can find him instantly, because it was just too easy to imagine his face and his wicked smile, damn him!
~* * * *~
Calcara’, Venezuela
A blazing heat hit her face as her eyes popped open. What the hell? By the searing inferno of moist, thick air which hit her, she even thought she landed in hell.
Before her eyes, all jungle and a loud booming echoed from all around her. Men screamed in pain and bodies lay littered along the bloodied ground.
Valentine looked around at all the carnage and spotted him.
Payne stood glaring at her from next to a huge tree. He rushed toward her, grabbed her up and they both shot into the blistering sky.
Valentine gasped, while his steel-like arms wrapped around her as she shut her eyes to the rush of wind, the temperature changing to a cool breeze.
He stilled while they floated.
Too afraid to open her eyes, Valentine wondered what she would see in them, those moody dark eyes, which trapped her soul. Would she see cold, hateful disgust like the last time she gazed into them?
“What the fuck did you think you were doing?” Payne’s deep voice rumbled through her.
Valentine opened one eye and peeked at him.
“A fucking civilian just showing up in the middle of this shit?” he growled and flew sideways at high speed with her tucked under his arm.
She closed her eyes again and they abruptly stilled, her feet touching the ground. She found herself standing at the entrance to an airport.
Payne gently pushe
d her back, but she still fell forward as the whole event scrambled her senses. He grunted with annoyance and set her upright. “You fucking journalists and weak-assed Red Cross do-gooders,” he growled low at her. “Getting your foolish bobbing heads shot off!”
She raised her wide blue gaze to lock eyes with him.
He stilled while he stared. “But you’re the cutest pest I’ve seen here yet.” His tone suddenly changed to a purr.
Stunned, Valentine blinked rapidly at him. He doesn’t know me? Her whole body shook, partly with rage and partly from misery. He wiped? She trembled all over.
Payne clicked his tongue while he gazed at the shock her body exhibited. “Yeah, I always get that reaction.” He grinned and tugged her close. “I just want a taste and I promise I won't hurt you, okay?”
His warm voice sounded so soothing to her frayed nerves and she didn’t seem to have an answer to give. He smelled so dammed good and the heat from his lean, hard form just made her go wet between her thighs. Valentine tilted her head back, her expectant mouth ready and open.
There was a pause as he studied her face. He shrugged, leaned down and gently tasted her lips. He started to pull away, and then as if he changed his mind, he tugged her closer, pushing his tongue into her waiting mouth.
Valentine clung to him and shoved her shivering body up against him, kissing him for all she was worth, her breath stopping in her chest. Oh God, just let me not wake up this time!
The kiss went on for a long, breathless, spellbinding moment. Her insides quivered and her heart pounded in her ears, as the same glorious tumultuous sensations swept though her. The resentment and hate dropped away and she forgot everything. There was just this magnificent kiss.
Payne nibbled at her lower lip and released her mouth with a gratified sigh. He pulled away and gazed into her glimmering eyes. “Mmm, you taste as good as you look!” He gave her that teasing wink of his and stepped back. “Do me a favor will ya, Sweet Lips? Catch a plane to the states!” He shot up into the air.
Valentine stumbled back and raised her shaking fingers her tender lips. She gazed around at the empty space left in his wake. He actually wiped? The shocking realization hit her like pelting bricks. Her eyes narrowed. There’s no way he gets away clean! Forget your queen, did ya? Leave me to dry out from the addiction to you, which you gave to me? No fucking way! She rose into the Venezuelan sky. I guess I’ll take his advice and fly out to the states all right. Straight to the answers I need.
Voracious Vixens, 13 Novels of Sexy Horror and Hot Paranormal Romance Page 211
