Breaking the Storm

by Sedona Venez

  Holding up my bound wrists, I smiled widely at Hector. “Hi, Hector, these are too tight. Loosen them, please,” I stated with a deceivingly sweet voice.

  Hector's eyes widened as he stepped forward, reaching for the keys looped through his belt. Swiftly, the man with black hair shoved his hand away. “What the hell are you doing? She's a prisoner.”

  Hector looked at me helplessly before they both pushed open the heavy doors, revealing a large chamber filled with somber Others sitting on pews in the upper level. On the lower level, the Other Council sat grave along a high-perched table with Tiber sitting in the middle—a council consisting of two high-ranking members from each race, including one hybrid Fae, my sister, Chance.

  Tiber nodded toward Hector and the black-haired man standing watch on either side of me. “Bring forward the accused.” They pulled me down the aisle as the crowd gasped and pointed. This was the first time in history that they allowed Others besides the Council to witness a trial. I tossed my long, auburn hair, smiling wickedly at the surprised looks on the faces in the crowd. They were expecting to see a monster, not a tall, curvy woman expensively dressed in crème riding britches and a long coat.

  I smiled when Chance jumped up, clutching her well-rounded stomach, unconsciously protecting the last of our bloodline. Her face was outraged as she glared at the Council members. “How dare you bind my sister's powers like some uncivilized human?”

  Tiber growled menacingly at her. But proudly, she did not cower. “Chance Credence! Do not question our methods. She will be treated as any Other brought before the Council.”

  Not to be out matched, Chance shouted back, “To treat her with such disrespect is despicable.”

  “One more word, Chance, and you will be thrown out.” Tiber snarled.

  “Sister, do not upset yourself,” I said before looking at Bianca Donato, Tiber's soon-to-be mate, with disdain. In return, she gave me a smug smile before looking toward Morpheus Brasson, a bitter warlock angered by my refusal to allow his nephew to court me. Now I understood who was at the root of my arrest. They were in cahoots. Bianca, the very beautiful wolf-shifter with a face like an angel but a devious black heart, was the pride of her evil family. Our families hated each other. It was a hatred so deeply rooted that no one could even tell me how and when the rivalry started. The women in Bianca’s family hated us with a fanatical devotion. Their motto was to seek and destroy everything Credence.

  “Solista Credence.” Tiber looked over at my surly stepfather. “Morpheus Brasson has accused you of two serious crimes against the Others.”

  I looked at him coldly while responding. “Do tell.”

  “The first, exposing the existence of the Others to a human. The second, using your powers to kill a human. Are these accusations correct, Morpheus?”

  I knew from the cruel look in his eyes that he would not stop until I was punished for rejecting his nephew.

  Morpheus smiled. “Yes, they are.”

  The crowd rumbled with shock. I knew what Morpheus wanted, but I refused to beg him for my release, or to let him play with my mind. He was a manipulator who was pure evil. It was his way or no way and I could no longer live that way.

  Tiber nodded grimly, looking at me with no emotions in his eyes. “Solista Credence, do you have anything to say in your defense?”

  I smiled coldly at Morpheus before looking over at Chance with a soft smile. Chance whispered, “I love you,” as tears streamed down her cheeks.

  Looking boldly at the Council and with a loud voice that carried throughout the chamber, I said, “Only the truth shall set me free.”

  CHAPTER 1

  CENTURIES LATER

  The club was dark. The thumping beat of the music slammed into me as I pulled along the bane of my existence—Light.

  My legs froze as a wave of emotion hammered into me like a freaking battering ram. Nervousness? No. It was anxiousness. An emotion so cloying and suffocating that I almost went running out of the club like the hounds of hell were nipping at the heels of my designer boots. I dropped her hand quickly, thwarting any chance of her sensing my anxiousness over the dilemma—the Knox dilemma.

  Damn, this was fucking ridiculous. After months of dating, why did I still feel like some shy virgin just thinking about him? The scary creep of emotions I had been determinedly denying started to churn deep in my stomach. It was emotionally crippling.

  Damn! This is not good.

  Logically, the smart thing to do was to let him go. No, scratch that. Morally, it was the right thing to do. My mind raced. This damn thing between us had gone way too far. I had broken the most important Credence rule, no relationships—ever. Now I was fucking attached to Knox in what started out as a well-concocted plan to just have fun and sex without all the emotional attachment and drama of a relationship. It was turning into a torrid reality show—starring me.

  I was almost gagging on the swell of emotions before gritting my teeth and shoving it down like a bitter dose of medicine. “Move it, Light. The Battle of the Bands is about to start and I want to wish him luck before he goes on,” I screamed over the music.

  Light bit out, “I get that, Storm. Really, I do. But can you slow the hell down?” She tightened her grip on her plastic cup filled with beer, sloshing it all over my black suede, platform ankle boots. “Damn, I've never seen anyone nudge, jab, and hip-check so many bodies just to get backstage as ruthlessly as you.” She winked, her hazel eyes twinkling as she lifted her cup in a mock toast. “I taught you well. Good job, cousin!”

  I was beyond exasperated as I looked down as she teetered on neck-breaking heels. “Why are you wearing those ridiculous fuck-me heels?”

  She wiggled her brows before cooing, “Maybe because I'm hoping to get fucked tonight.”

  I was stuck somewhere between wanting to laugh hysterically and itching to choke the crap out of her. I was seriously leaning toward the latter—we were horribly late, all because she whined like a child until we were forced to stop for her desperately needed cup of beer. Ever the wild party girl, Light waved to a couple of musicians before breaking into her rendition of a music video vixen with shiny ink-black hair bouncing around her wildly in rhythm to the music.

  Light leaned in, whispering, “You're good, right?”

  I wanted to scream, No! I'm not fucking good. I'm a mess. Emotionally and mentally. But instead, I shrugged casually before saying, “There's no other choice but to accept the inevitable.”

  She smiled sadly. “You can't keep him, Storm. You know that. He'll end up like they all do, dead.”

  “I know. I hate this. I hate what we are.” Monsters that literally sucked everything that was good out of every man who came into our lives.

  “You're preaching to the choir, Storm. Our lives suck. But it's either us or them, and I choose us every time.”

  My lips felt numb when I said, “Got it, so pull off the fucking Band-Aid.”

  She responded, “Quickly, like right after the show. Your mother will kill you if she finds out you haven't cut him off yet. He's like milk that's way past the expiration date. Toss him out, Storm.”

  “Fucked up, but true.” I sighed heavily.

  She looked at me pointedly. “No, what's fucked up is what happens if we don't cut them off before we get attached and start spouting words of love. Let this one go and let's move the hell on, shall we?”

  “Okay. Enough already.” I scanned the area quickly. “I don't see him.” I tried calming my wild, beating heart before jamming my twitching fingers into my jeans pocket. He wouldn't be hard to pick out even among the chaotic mess of equipment, crew, and rowdy bands partying before preparing to take the stage. No, Knox was the type of guy you gravitated to, who stood out in the crowd. It wasn't just his classically good-looking features and perpetual five o’clock shadow. It was his raw energy that entranced me, that made me feel like a giggly, fumbling high school girl, happy to be in his presence.

  Yes, there’s no denying it, front man Knox Gu
nner was a sexy badass. His edgy eyes, passionately naughty attitude, and tattoos mixed with his raspy voice and hard lyrics made him irresistible to me and—I gritted my teeth—every woman he came in contact with. But he was all mine. Well, at least for a couple more hours.

  I blinked when Liam, guitarist and Knox’s closest friend, parted the crowd like a ship slicing through the sea, finally standing before me with his version of a smile that bordered somewhere between a sneer and a scowl.

  “Finally, it's Storm and her sidekick…” His lips curled up slightly. “Lightning.”

  I rolled my eyes. His amusement over our names was wearing real thin. Shit, it wasn't our fault that our mothers thought it was cosmic and damn near amusing to name us after inclement weather. It was bad enough that I caught enough shit from classmates over my name, Stormy Credence. But Light, whose full name was Lightning, was the butt of every joke imaginable. I mean, what mother would be crazy enough to name their daughter Lightning Credence but my Aunt Lia.

  Light snarled. “Hey, asshat, what did I tell you about that?”

  His eyes got all smoldering. “I can't help it—Lightning. Your name makes me fucking hot.” He tried to grab Light’s waist, but she was quick, skirting away like he was a leper.

  Light's eyes turned icy as she held her cup in front of her like a shield. “No touching. I'm here for the drinks, not to be pawed by the likes of you, guitar boy.”

  His lustful eyes gave her the onceover. “Yeah, that’s what you say.”

  My lips curled up as I watched the sizzling energy that bordered hate and lust bouncing between them. Light hated and avoided him like last season's designer shoes. And Liam, well, he didn't like her either. But like the typical asswipe that he was, he made no secret of the fact that he wanted to fuck her really bad.

  His strange blue eyes slid to me, taking inventory of my black, sleeveless rib-trim tank top, tight blue denim jeans, and black leather motorcycle jacket with grudging appreciation. “Knox’s been waiting for you. He’s been fucking crazed. I don’t know what fucking spell you put on him, but fix it.”

  Spell? I fought the urge to take a step back anxiously. Did he know what I was? I licked my suddenly dry lips. No, he couldn't. But he was eerily perceptive at times—too perceptive, which made me damn uncomfortable. And it didn't help that he was always looking at me with that snide glare I hated. He might not like me, but I wasn't the type of chick who was easily intimidated. “Spells don't have shit to do with it. I’m his genie lamp. He rubs me in all the right places and I grant him everything he desires.”

  He smirked. “I know. I heard you two last night. Keep down the porno moaning to a dull roar next time.”

  My eyes narrowed. “Jealous?”

  “Can't be jealous of something that will be over by next week.” He looked me up and down. “You're an unnecessary distraction, Stormy, and I don't like it.”

  “Who gives a fuck what you like or don't like?” I stepped closer. “It's amazing how you talk a mean game when Knox isn't around. Ever thought about expressing your wish for him to dump me? It would be a hell of a lot easier than this backstabbing shit.”

  Light looked from me to him with interest. She knew that I was close to throttling his ass. And she was always ready for the thrill of a good blood bath.

  He sneered. “I have. But he's determined to let this train wreck of a relationship continue. Fuck, man! You're hot, but let's face it. You're not even his type.” His evil smirk said it all. He hit my weak spot. I was totally aware that by society's standards, I was considered very attractive—well, plus the fact that I was on the curvy side. A tight size nine to be exact, with way more breasts and ass than most of the rail-thin, cosmetically enhanced groupies that hung around Knox and the band.

  “Wow! I guess I should be flattered that an ass like you actually thinks that I have that much power over a guy like Knox.” I smiled, knowing that it never reached my eyes. “Let me clue you in. The more you and your she-bitch, Kaydee, try to push me away from him, the tighter we get. It's the fucking law of attraction, which kind of makes me wonder if either of you are actually concerned about him, or if you’re only worried about me taking away your one-way meal ticket out of poverty?”

  “Just because he fucked—” His nostrils flared. “No, scratch that, went down on you, doesn't fucking mean that you're an authority on all things Knox.”

  My mouth flopped open as my temper flared, going from a slow simmer to an all-out boil. How in the hell did he know that? Was Knox talking about me to his friends like I was some fucking notch on his guitar? Like some sleazy groupie who was one bang away from completion?

  Light looked at me with concern before sputtering, “Oh, hell no, guitar boy. Don't talk to her like that.”

  “I just call it like I fucking see it, Light,” he responded with a decidedly cruel tinge in his voice.

  My pulse raced as I gripped my mental barriers like a suit of armor blocking out his emotions. I almost sighed with relief before self-doubt started crawling all over me. I fought hard, pushing away the cold taint of my father’s condescending voice that reverberated in my head, berating me for never being good enough or wolf enough—or worthy enough of love. I shook away the now-unearthed doubt that any man would love me just for me—a doubt deeply rooted in the fact that from birth, my destiny was to someday succumb to the Credence Curse—we all did. All of us are destined to be buried alive in a sea of loneliness and a life devoid of love.

  Stop it!

  There was no room in my life to go down this dark, destructive path lined with a lifetime of toxic mind bombs. No, all I had to do was stick to the plan—break up with Knox—and that would keep whatever we had firmly seated in the “temporary fling” category, leaving my heart and mind intact.

  I cocked my hip. “Has it ever occurred to you that Knox might be fucking tired from the pressure of you and Kaydee riding his shirttail like he's some sort of messiah leading his groupies to the promise land?”

  Liam flinched like I had physically bitch-slapped him. Ah-ha! I found his soft spot, his Achilles heel. And being the bloodthirsty witch I was, I went all in for the killer shot. “You know, sometimes pressure can make you do some necessary things, like get rid of cumbersome baggage.”

  Knox was talented. Everyone knew that. And grudgingly, I had to admit his band was just as talented. A band that consisted of Liam, the guitarist; Logan, the bassist; and Aiden, the drummer. It was a strange combination of friends who were so different in personalities that it didn't make sense that they were so tight. It was a mystery I gave up probing after Knox was so vague about it.

  His eyes narrowed. “Did he tell you that?”

  Not in so many words, but I could feel the overwhelming strain of Knox fighting hard to keep the band together. In my eyes… mission impossible and tonight's final round of the Battle of the Bands was another heavy weight on his already overburdened shoulders. Winning tonight would mean winning a record contract that was one step closer to his dream of finally getting his voice and music heard by a larger, mainstream audience.

  I was startled out of my musing by arms that pulled me back roughly. I looked down at the muscular forearms. The right had a black-and-grey guitar tattoo etched across it. The left, a black wolf howling at the moon. I loved the feeling of comfort and warmth as his taut body molded against mine like a glove. I actually sighed, sinking into him like a warm bath. I just loved his touch. Simply, it made me crumble.

  Light rolled her eyes with a smile, nudging Liam away. “Hi, Knox. Bye, Knox. Come on, guitar boy. I need another drink.”

  “I'll catch you later, Stormy. Our conversation is far from over,” Liam stated firmly.

  I eyed him coldly. “I look forward to it.”

  Light wiggled her fingers before dancing off into the crowd with Liam's eyes firmly fixed on her ass.

  Knox spun me around. His sea-green eyes locked on me with his usual scorching intensity. “You look beautiful. Is all this for me?” His se
xy, deep voice was electrifying like thunder, making my stomach clench and toes curl like a well-sated cat.

  We stood steadfast in a sea of conundrum. I could feel the usual, curious stares. Stares I’d gotten used to because we were contrast at its finest—my soft, size-nine curves molded against his lean, muscled tautness. I even loved the simple fact that I had to tilt my head all the way back to look up into his sea-green eyes. We were so different but so the same. Both of us too emotionally broken and terrified to trust. Both of us drifting through the sea of life without an emotional anchor.

  A group of guys jostled us, knocking me back from my disturbingly flowery thoughts. Focus, Storm, no attachment. Knox practically growled before pulling us into a dark, secluded corner.

  I tilted my head back, wrapping my arms around his lean waist. “Of course, and you haven’t seen anything yet. Wait until I get you alone tonight. I’m going full-throttle sexy on your ass.” This really meant that I was finally going to break the no-sex seal and let him have his wicked way with me. Giving me something I could remember when I walked away… forever.

  He whispered into my ear, “Hmm… I can’t wait,” before nibbling on it, grabbing a handful of voluptuous ass with two hands. I was almost purring when he reached up, gently pulling my hair loose from my standard tight ponytail. He loved it loose, said it made me look like an exotic temptress. And for now, what Knox wanted, Knox fucking got. End of story.