Slowly, he made his way to the hallway, clutching to the suit tighter. Directly in front of him was a restroom. He turned right and stopped. He knew that smell. Instantly, the evil inside of him flared from the center of his chest to the end of his hands and feet in a rush. The reaction to the scent of the immortal in the unfamiliar surroundings was all instinct.
The door stood open and he peeked inside. A bed sat against the far wall, but the closet was open and empty. This wasn’t her room. If Melody had been an immortal then he would have noticed it, immediately. He headed to the other end of the hall and closed his eyes as a delicious aroma hit him hard. Yes, this was where she stayed.
Vex stepped inside and glanced around the small space. The closet was also open, and although one side of clothing was gone, the other side was full. If she’d left, she was definitely coming back.
Pictures on the wall caught his attention. Most were of Melody with a woman he could only assume was her mother. Then there was one on the far side. He grabbed the picture down and could feel his jaw clench. “Leon.” So he was the immortal living here with her. That angel had almost belonged to him. He’d been so fucking close to having him completely under his spell. Then, bam, good pushed through his conscience and he had second thoughts. Happened almost every time with immortals.
He placed the picture back on the wall. So where was Melody now? If she had left for a while and she was with Leon, there was only one place for them to go, and that was back to the city. Why did he have a feeling he was going to be seeing her again very soon? Vex smiled and headed for his car. If his demon hunter was going to be back on the hunt, there was no way he was going to miss it.
The Maserati jumped to eighty as he got on the bypass. The whole way there he couldn’t stop smiling. This woman was going to be a challenge to break. That he knew, but he was almost positive he was going to have a hell of a time doing it. Melody belonged to him. And little did she know, she was going to find out firsthand what it was like to be mated to a demon master. It might take some time to convince her that the bond they shared was worth stopping her little game of taking out his men, but he wasn’t in a rush. She’d submit to him. She had to. What was the alternative?
Within twenty minutes, Vex was pulling into downtown Corpus Christi. Now, if he were Leon, where would he be? There were still a few hours before the club opened. And it wasn’t like he had anything better else to do. Melody was his top priority. He’d like to nip this whole demon hunter thing in the bud and have her in his bed instead. The probability of that happening, however, was slim to none. Now that she was off the radar, he’d have to pretty much wait for her to come to him, unless by some miracle he was able to track her down.
The light changed to green and he headed down Shoreline Boulevard. The further down he went, the bigger the houses became. Immortals usually compounded together. If he was going to find them there was only one place to look, and that was down this road.
Water connected to the land off to his left, and the most expensive houses rested on that side. Immortals loved scenery. The gulf view was something they would have strived for. Vex scanned the mansions: Most of them were guarded by large iron gates, and it was almost impossible to see in. Damn, he needed to get closer. Joggers ran along the sidewalk and he pulled over the Maserati. He looked down at his suit and closed his eyes. Materialization was something that came naturally to any master. He quickly made his outfit change into black shorts with a sleeveless white shirt. The running shoes that covered his feet felt odd. Vex couldn’t remember the last time he’d worn anything other than a suit.
The road became two lanes on each side. He quickly crossed over and began slowly jogging along the concrete. As his eyes scanned the first house, he couldn’t pick up anything unusual about the location. Human. A few more houses passed and Vex could feel the sweat pouring from his body.
Shoreline was a runner’s paradise. The views were amazing. With each house he passed, he could feel himself starting to enjoy the pain thrumming through his lungs and legs. Maybe he should start doing this just to pass time. A demon master’s life was so full of chaotic happenings that it wouldn’t be so bad having a hobby to burn off some of the frustration that came with the job––a job that he’d been tired of for a long time now. He couldn’t say he necessarily liked what he did, but Vex didn’t see an alternative. Most demons strived to become a master. Yet, the only thing he wanted was peace.
Two miles had to have passed when laughter had him slowing down. The sound sent pleasure erupting through his body. He knew it was Melody before he even saw her. Cautiously, he made his way to the edge of the gate and peered in. The large two-story white mansion was crawling with immortals. Vex tightened his hands on the iron bars as he watched her motion to a black sport bike. God, those curves were going to kill him. Tightening took over his chest at her smile. “It’s not a Ducati, but it’ll work. Just as fast, and sweet looking.”
Leather pants hugged tightly to her ass. The cleavage visible through the white tank top was almost his undoing. Vex glanced at her black backpack. As her leg lifted to straddle the bike, all of his attention went to the action. He was surprised when a moan passed his lips. Well, shit. That wasn’t good. He’d always been good at containing his emotions.
Leon walked up and he could feel the iron almost bending in his grasp. The immortal handed over the helmet, and the lust in his face caused rage like Vex had never felt before to scorch his stomach and chest.
“Remember what we talked about. You promised.” He leaned over and kissed her cheek. “No demons. Stay as low key as you can.”
Another laugh came from her mouth, and she reached up and grabbed his hand. “I’m running to the store, that’s it. I promise I won’t do any hunting in the twenty minutes I’ll be gone.”
Again, his lips connected, but this time with her hand. Everything holy. Vex was on the verge of jumping this damn gate. Hell, with as much adrenaline coursing through him, he was sure he could easily bend these bars to fit himself through. How would they like that?
The bike’s engine roared to life and Vex knew what he needed to do. He raced back to the car at record-breaking speed. It had taken him only a few minutes, but the good news was that Melody had never passed him, so that meant only one thing. She’d gone the other way. And he was going to try his best to find her.
***
Melody stopped the bike in front of the convenience store and ran in, grabbing a Dr. Pepper. She clung to the helmet as she placed the soda on the counter. Sweat was making her hair stick to her neck. She almost didn’t want to put the damn thing back on, but safety was important. Plus, the helmet would be better in case she ran into any demons that picked up that she wasn’t actually a full-blooded human. It was great cover to hide her identity.
The cashier took her money and Melody thanked her, and headed back outside. She opened the soda and took a big drink. The burn felt good as it raced down her throat. After a few sips she stopped and watched the traffic around her. Cars were thick on all sides of the intersection. Ugh, it was going to be a pain getting to the church. The place where she collected holy water was next to the hospital where she worked part-time. It didn’t matter what time of day it was, the traffic was always hectic in that part of town.
Melody put the bottle in her backpack and began raising the helmet when weird tingling took over her skin. The acceleration of her heart quickly joined a tightening in her core. Her eyes frantically took in the surroundings: a demon. A very, very strong one. She couldn’t ignore the feelings inside of her. They were exactly like when she—
A gasp came from her mouth as her eyes connected with an all too familiar face. The master. He sat at the gas pumps directly in front of her. His arms were resting on top of the fancy black sports car he was driving, just staring at her. The look was one right out of a movie. He wanted her. Melody would have bet her life on it. The master was all seduction and dark promises. One look into his eyes relayed messages more po
werful than whispered words could ever capture. The impact they had on her body was downright terrifying.
What was she supposed to do? Melody quickly glanced away trying to make it look as though he hadn’t just turned her world upside down. She pulled on the helmet and got on her bike. It was imperative she act as normal as possible. What if he didn’t recognize her? Yeah, right. With the look he was giving her, he knew exactly who she was.
She started the bike and walked backwards with it as she slowly went in reverse. He was already back in his car with the windows rolled down, looking every bit amused as a cat stalking a mouse. And that’s exactly what she was to him. Prey. She’d started this game with her kiss and wave, and he was rolling the dice ready to take his turn. If she wasn’t smart, this master was going to eat her whole.
Melody threw the R1 into gear and jerked down on the throttle. The way the traffic was lined up couldn’t have been more perfect. She flew through the intersection, barely making it between a truck and van. The wind whipped past her while she weaved in and out of cars. From the view in her rearview mirror, she could see him doing the same. Only she had a hell of a lot more room to work with.
A laugh came from her mouth. She so had this in the bag. Once she was at the church, she was home free. There was no way he could step foot on holy ground.
The pitchfork on the front of his car was gaining fast and before Melody knew it, he was directly behind her. The beating of her pulse overpowered the purr of the engine. She made a quick right and blasted down the back road. Tires squealed behind her and she was turning left onto the road the church was on before she knew it. Out of nowhere black blurred beside her, and she knew he’d jumped the curb. Melody skidded to a stop to avoid hitting his car as he slid sideways right in front of her.
As they connected stares, the silver in his eyes sucked her in.
“Get in.”
The demand, so short, so full of authority, almost made her ease off the bike and follow his orders. Melody shook her head hard and sped around his car, driving right into the lawn of the church. She turned the key and walked to the grass. The invisible border was one he couldn’t cross. As the master got out and stood up, she had to crane her neck up to see him. He was at least a few inches over six feet. A lot taller than her five-foot-three frame.
“Come to me, Melody.”
Longing jerked at her chest. Was it his status as a master, or something more? Just looking at him made her legs shake from need. “You can’t be serious. You think I’m just going to jump in your car…and what?”
A slight smile came to his face. “And be mine.”
“Yours?” She burst out laughing. “Yeah, right. You’re funny. I don’t think so, buddy, but nice try.”
He leaned against the car and she took in his white, sleeveless shirt. Odd symbols weaved down to his elbows on both of his muscular arms. The delicate lines of tribal tattoos outlining them were beautiful. She wasn’t sure if it was Samoan or Celtic. Whatever it was, it held her attention for longer than she should have let it. Melody was ripped right into his body. He winced as smoke poured from his hand.
“You belong to me, Melody. We can keep playing this game for as long as you want, but know that I’m not a very patient man. I want you. Under my body. In my bed when I wake up.” Fingers wrapped in her hair and his lips hovered above hers. “Come with me.”
She moaned even though she hadn’t meant to. As she tried to move away, she felt his grip tighten against her head. The action only made her body react even more in his favor. “I can’t.” His eyes pulled her in again. The deeper she looked she could feel herself being sucked into a place she never knew existed. Time stopped completely until all she could see was Vex.
“Hey!”
A priest came from the building. The master before her looked up and narrowed his eyes. “I have to go. Tonight, I will see you again.” Soft lips pressed into hers and Melody’s fists gripped into his shirt tightly. It was that, or else she was going to throw her arms around him, and that went against everything she stood for. She could not get involved with this master. He was evil, and represented everything she meant to put a stop to. Hadn’t her father been the same way?
Melody pushed back, and he let her go. “Oh yes, we’ll see each other tonight, but not for the reasons you think. Watch your back. I’m pretty sure I have a bullet with your name on it....”
She suddenly realized she didn’t know his name.
“Vex,” he laughed. “And we’ll see about that. You see,” he grabbed the backpack from her shoulders and held it up in front of her. Flames erupted in his grasp and as the material fell to the ground, they disappeared right before her. “It’s hard to kill anything without a gun or bullets, isn’t it? If you think I’ll be an easy target, you’re mistaken. I cannot let you go around killing me, or my demons. I won’t.”
Words wouldn’t come as she stared at where her backpack had been in his hands. “Everything I owned was in there, you jerk!” Melody fought the urge to attack him and took a few steps back so he couldn’t reach her again. The priest was almost to them, and she could sense Vex’s annoyance.
“Well, by all means, come with me and you shall never want for anything ever again. I know you feel our connection, Melody. Trust in it.”
Again, she took a few steps back. “I’ll never trust evil. Ever.”
He closed his eyes and breathed in deeply. “I don’t understand. Why this charade of fighting who you are? You have demon blood within you. I can smell it. I feel it calling to me. Yet you go around killing the men you’re connected to. Why?”
All the anger she felt for her father made her start shaking. “You don’t worry about that. Just trust me when I say that I will never stop taking out as many of you fuckers as I can. You all have no right to be here. All you know how to do is tempt, seduce, and ruin people’s lives. I will kill every last one of you until I die.”
Vex’s gaze peered behind her and she knew the priest was there. “See you, tonight, Melody.” He climbed in and the Maserati took off. She felt herself collapse to the ground. What in the hell had she gotten herself into? This man was nothing but trouble. She was in over her head, for sure.
“Are you all right, my child?”
Melody took the priest’s hand and watched as he flinched at their connection. He helped her stand and started opening and closing his fist.
“I’m sorry, father. Please, I’m not a bad person.” She looked toward the doors. Now that her gun and bullets were gone, what the hell was she going to do? Ugh, she wanted to scream. “I should be going. Thank you for your help.”
Melody got on her bike and took off back to Harvey’s. She needed to talk to Leon and let him know what happened. Maybe he could take her to get another gun. Suddenly, she didn’t think it was a good idea to be driving around all by herself. At least not so soon after Vex had found her. She continually watched in her mirrors and over her shoulder to make sure he wasn’t following. The sooner she got back to those iron gates, the better. At least then she could sit down and come up with a plan.
Chapter Four
The lights surrounding the top of the vanity pulled Melody back into her thoughts. She couldn’t get Vex out of her head. Everything Leon kept saying behind her was interrupted by flashes of her demon master’s gorgeous face, or the muscle in his arms. Or the feel of his lips against her. A sigh came from her mouth...God, she shouldn’t want to fuck a person so badly. Maybe it was the evil in her. Vex was off limits. That’s why it had to have been so tempting. He said they were mates, and maybe he was right. It still shouldn’t have caused to her continuously shift in the chair just thinking about feeling his cock thrusting into her.
“What do you think, Melody?”
She looked at the reflecting of Leon in the mirror. The lipstick was still half way to her mouth. Dammit! She’d done it again. “What do I think about what?”
“Holy cow, Mel. That’s the third time you had to question me. What is up wit
h you? You’re just going to the movies.”
The red lipstick slid across her lips as she continued to look at the immortal. “Sorry, Leon. I have a lot on my mind.” She reached back, separating her hair, and began braiding it.
“I said tomorrow we should go down to the water and have a picnic or something.”
The want was still written all over Leon’s face. A tightening took over her throat as she tried to think of a way to let him down gently. Before she could answer he held up his hand and stood from her bed. “We’ll see what tomorrow brings.”
Melody nodded and wrapped the rubber band around the end of her braid. It hung all the way down between her breast and hip. The tight black shirt and leather pants she now wore would be perfect for what she had in store tonight. She grabbed the leather jacket and slid it on. The new backpack was hanging in her closet and she placed it over her shoulders. “You sure you don’t want to come to the movies?” She hated asking, but it just seemed too rude not to invite him.
“No, I’m good.”
“Okay.” The kiss she almost placed on his cheek was routine. She almost stumbled, stopping herself. “See you later. I’ll probably be a little late. I’m going to catch dinner, and then head to the late movie.”
Leon followed her out of the room and down the long hallway that connected to the large staircase. Some of the immortals had their doors open and she caught sight of a woman as she passed. They were all so beautiful. She was surprised no one knew they’d been angels, once upon a time.
The sound of her boots clicked against the tile as she made it to the front door. Leon spun her around just as she reached the handle. “No demon hunting.”
Their Dark Hunter (Masters of Darkness) Page 3
