H.U.M.A.N.S (The Veiled World Book 1)

by Susan Reid

  “Okay, I guess it’s more the fact that you have a wife and child.” I finally admitted.

  His brows furrowed.

  It was safe to say that I’ve killed the mood for him. He sighed and turned away from me.

  “I just don’t want to be one of your conveniences because you miss her.”

  He turned back to face me with a hint of indignation and the normal hazel color of his eyes began to return.

  Then he stood up. “Is that what you think?”

  “Call it female intuition.”

  He was quiet for a long time.

  “Well, sleep tight. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  — And with that he left via the door, closing it behind him.

  Chapter 19

  I left on my own at the crack of dawn, waking up before anyone else. Taking a cab back to the ridge near the beach gave me time to ponder the decision I made not to sleep with Gage last night. As strange as the whole thing was, I really and truly enjoyed being with him, aside from the intense attraction.

  What if I never saw him again after this? What if he took what I said as an insult and I completely turned him off?

  I told myself that it was for the better. He was taken and I couldn’t be the other woman to anyone. That was the main reason why I felt a bit betrayed by the fact that Marq was going to be a father. Did it really matter that he didn’t feel anything for her? That could easily change because the girl was having his baby. I sighed, feeling depressed as the darkness of dawn began to transform into slowly scattering iron gray clouds.

  A low lying blanket of fog surrounded the shoreline. The combination of that and the magical totems placed all around the island rendered it virtually invisible to human eyes and detection.

  I pulled my Quadski into my space at our makeshift pier dock, surprised to see so many others already here this early. When I saw the large speedboat docked and Jax, Pierce, Duncan, Phillip, and Cole all carrying large boxes onto shore and heading towards the bar entrance, it made sense.

  I had forgotten all about supply and restocking day.

  “Damn, you just now getting back?” Jax commented first once I caught up with them.

  Cole turned around, two huge boxes hefted on each of his massive shoulders.

  I pursed my lips, not in the mood for the third degree.

  “Couldn’t have timed it any better. Where have you been all night and why do you smell so much like a damned Nocturna?” Cole’s brows knitted together in suspicion.

  What? Of course, my clothes were still soiled.

  I groaned and rolled my eyes.

  “Way too early for all that but if you must know, Dad, I’m fine. I ran into one on the mainland but I covertly took care of it.” I answered with sarcasm.

  “Another one? Where? And what did you do, bathe in their blood right after?” He stopped.

  I cringed, nervously looking away with guilt.

  No, I drank it. I replied mentally.

  “It was nothing out of the norm. Need any help?” I offered with a glance back at the fifty-foot speed boat, our general errand transportation.

  “No, this is the last of it.” He shook his head.

  Good.

  I trudged towards the bar, heading straight for my apartment upstairs.

  I soaked for a really long time in the tub, using nearly all of my gardenia scented bath oil and washing my hair twice, hoping that it would take care of the Nocturna smell but I knew better.

  It wasn’t the blood or my altercation in the alley with Gage and those three Nocturna.

  It was clearly me. What I’ve become.

  I couldn’t get the fantasy of Gage and the offer of unbridled ecstasy that I achingly turned down out of my head. Would he come after me once he realized that I left without saying good-bye? Worst of all, would I ever see him again?

  Maybe I’d drop in on him instead now that I knew where he was staying.

  He was the least of my current worries though. I was going to have to explain this change to everyone sooner or later and though I dreaded it, I knew I was being silly.

  Twinkie was growling at me from underneath my coffee table as I wandered through my apartment but I fed him anyway and changed his litter, hoping that would be some sort of a peace offering that convinced him I was still his loyal and loving master.

  Hovering over his food bowl with nose twitching and a low rumble in the back of his throat, he kept one suspicious, pale green eye one me while he scarfed down his sardines.

  Shaking my head, I dialed Fin, a long-time good friend and patron, who owned a book and curio store on the mainland in Puerto Vallarta. It was early but she had young ones, which meant that she typically had no choice when it came to waking up at the crack of dawn.

  “You’re up bright and early.” She answered first, chipper as always.

  “Likewise. How’s it going?”

  “Well, it started out peaceful.” She laughed

  I could hear her kiddos playing and screaming in the background and I laughed too.

  “That’s better than any alarm clock though, isn’t it?” I joked.

  “I’ll say. What’s up?”

  “I wonder if you’re able to come by the bar later on tonight or if I could come out there, whichever is convenient.”

  “It might be better if you came out here. I can’t get away today. We’re having a huge sale and business has been jumping.”

  “Ok, I can do that. I also wondered if you could get a few things together for me when I do. I’m looking for any and all information, books, or whatever on Aldeur both past and present.”

  “Aldeur? Why that place? It’s a city of full of pomposity in my opinion. You doing a paper for school?” She kidded.

  I pressed my lips and stifled a snicker. “Something I want to read up on, that’s all.”

  “I’m not sure what I have on hand. I may have to make some calls but I can probably get some information together by about seven this evening. Is that too late?”

  “Any information is appreciated and seven is fine. Do you need anything?”

  “Nah, I’ll make dinner too. It’ll be great to see you and catch up. I know I haven’t been to the bar in a few weeks.”

  Yeah, a lot has changed too. I thought to myself.

  “Hey, you’re super busy, it’s no big deal. Can’t wait to see you guys.”

  “See you tonight.” Fin replied and disconnected.

  I hung up, sighing in thought.

  I don’t know what I was looking for in particular. I guess I just wanted to know more about Gage anyway, like who he really is and where he came from to satisfy my curiosities.

  As soon as I opened to door to head back downstairs, Twinkie zipped past my legs and shot downstairs like a fat, furry, pale yellow torpedo.

  Riza and Cole were restocking the bar with fresh bottles of liquor, and Isis was sitting at the counter going on animatedly about some funny incident that took place at the festival last night. I didn’t even bother to ask what she was talking about. I’d hear about it, eventually.

  A platter of fresh croissants, coffee, and tea were already set out for everyone to help themselves. Jax, Pierce, Duncan, Phillip, and Stone were carrying boxes down into the cellar.

  “Damn, someone must have gotten laid last night.” Isis grinned big.

  I could have, I thought to myself in frustration.

  Cole frowned.

  “Uh, no. Could you do me the honors, please?” I pointed to my still wet hair.

  “Uh-huh. Sure.” Isis replied, bringing her palm up flat to her lips as if blowing a kiss while I turned my back to her.

  I worked my fingers through my hair as cool wind began to stir around my head, raising and spreading each section and strand and then the air began to warm.

  In less than a minute, my hair was completely dry.

  It was awesome having Sylphs for friends.

  “Thanks.” I said, quickly combing my fingers through my hair to smooth it all to
gether before putting it up into a pony tail.

  “Um, why the hell do you smell like eau de Nocturna? Don’t tell me you’ve been rendezvousing with one?” Isis wrinkled her nose once I sat down on the barstool beside her and reached for a croissant and some honey.

  Cole and Riza both looked at me expectantly too, apparently wondering the same thing and awaiting my response.

  I took my time drizzling on the honey and then picking at the flaky crust before taking a bite —and taking a long time to chew.

  Then, I proceeded to pour some coffee.

  Isis’ brow quirked and then her eyes began to sparkle, something that usually happened when she thought she was reading my mind. Then she would look at me as if I should have been able to read hers. This time, I think I could.

  “We’ll talk later.” She whispered before glancing over my shoulder in pleasant surprise.

  I turned around to see Erian walking in with a stack of books and one of his personal magic kits in under his arm. Clee wasn’t far behind him, carrying a platter of more food.

  “Hey baby!” She called out to him and then quickly whispered into my ear, “He wanted to talk about your treatment when you get a chance.” She jumped up to greet her man with a hug and kiss.

  She was already across the room before I could tell her that it was completely healed over and I’m now part Nocturna…or whatever it was that I was supposed to be.

  That last part was not going to happen, yet.

  “Ahem. Wanna tell us why you still smell so strongly like one of them?” Cole insisted.

  “Am I that funky?” I was irritated.

  “No, just weird. It’s like an overpowering mixture of gardenia and something sinister, like bloodstone.” Riza commented.

  Bloodstone?

  “What you smell like is not the point. It’s the why that I’m concerned about. Didn’t you just shower?” Cole asked.

  When I didn’t reply or look at either one of them, continuing to pick at my croissant and sip my coffee, I heard Cole tell Riza to, “Give us a minute.”

  My entire stomach clenched with tension when she walked away.

  What could I tell Cole? He wasn’t stupid and he was my brother. I trusted him more than anything and I knew he wouldn’t judge me based on something out of my control but I was still afraid of what he and everyone else would think of me now. He leaned onto his forearms, closing the space between us so we could converse quietly and among each other. Then, he took a long moment to search my face and my eyes.

  “I already know something is off with you. You can’t hide that from me, Kai. So what is it? You can tell me, I’m your other half you know.”

  I pursed my lips and looked up at him, into the same light amber eyes with dark lashes and the same level of intuition that we shared.

  “You know that sort of Nocturna guy we ran into the other night when we were hunting down the one that ended up biting me?” Cole’s brows knitted together and I could already see his jaw tense.

  He nodded, already suspicious and expecting some dire news that he didn’t want to know let alone hear. “Yeah, what about him?”

  I licked my lips, glancing down at the half eaten croissant before looking back up at him.

  “He’s — not really a Nocturna.”

  Cole was quiet. “What do you mean, not really a Nocturna? And you know this how?”

  He appeared really confused and cautious. I shifted on the barstool and sighed deeply.

  “He’s a hunter too.”

  Cole exhaled sharply. “How do you know that, Kai? You been talking to him? I don’t believe that. It’s bullshit. He had all of the characteristics of a Nocturna. We saw it and you know it, Jax and Isis know, and I know it. Where have you been meeting up with him and for how long? Is he around here?” His voice was rising and a few heads turned our way.

  “This is why I debated saying anything to you.” I hissed through clenched teeth.

  He paused, regaining his composure and then leaned in close to me again with a serious, almost parental-like scolding gaze. “Same age or not, you’re my sister and if anything seems potentially dangerous to me then I’m gonna do whatever I can to protect you. I promised mom and dad that I…”

  I glared at him and cut him off abruptly. This time I raised my voice slightly, agitated with his parent complex. “We were five years old, Cole. I’m sure they thought it was adorably brave at the time and even if you meant it, you shouldn’t have made that promise. I can take care of myself. I’m not weak or naive.”

  I hated when he brought them up as his sole mission to treat me as if I was his incompetent younger sister.

  He sighed to soothe and placate the direction of our conversation, seeing the defensive attitude quickly mounting in me.

  “Okay.” He began, more to calm himself down. His tone was soft again, “Alright. Tell me why and how you managed to run into him again.”

  “He came to see me first, actually, and the only reason I decided to meet him at all was because he said that he could help me.”

  Cole ran a hand over his face, clearly annoyed.

  “So you believed him and went off to meet him?” He narrated as if I should have known better.

  “That’s right.” I said flatly, already knowing what he was going to imply.

  I could tell he was doing everything he could to bite his tongue and just listen objectively.

  “How could he have helped you though?”

  I took a long moment to figure out how I was going to spring it on him.

  “Sort of the same way one would quickly treat a venomous snake bite.”

  “I see why he volunteered then.” Cole was cynical, pursing his lips with brows furrowed in anger. “We saw the way he was looking at you that night. I didn’t like it then and I don’t like it now.”

  I rolled my eyes and sighed. “That’s beside the point. We have no idea what’s been going on around here lately and he is a Hunter, Cole. He was a hunter before he was bitten by a Nocturna —just like I was.”

  With my last words, Cole’s pupils completely dilated, making his eyes appear almost full black. He was frozen, unmoving and silent for a really long time, making the connection of what I finally revealed to him and why I smelled like a Nocturna. To me, that part won’t be the hardest and most difficult to swallow.

  —Wait until I tell him about my new diet.

  Chapter 20

  We decided to take the conversation up to my apartment after that last bomb. Cole listened carefully when I revealed everything to him, especially the part where I had to reiterate that Gage was looking to see if there was a way to reverse it and how many of us may be out there. In fact, he was really becoming fascinated with the whole awakening of our sub-domina by Nocturna venom. Although it sounded good on the surface, I had no idea what the long term side effects may be or if there are any disadvantages, which was why I still needed

  Gage.

  Why couldn’t he be single or available? Though I was going to try and keep my distance, I knew it would only be a matter of time before I needed to…no, wanted to see him again.

  I went on to inform my brother that Gage was behind the corpse we found, and that he’s been keeping the level of human casualties to a minimum as far as his hunting goes. However, if Clee and the other animators closed the Los Muertos gateway, then the source of food for me and him would be gone and then I’d have relocate outward, maybe even back to the North American States. I didn’t want to be selfish and put so many at risk and in danger by suggesting we wait to close it but I didn’t see any other way of being able to keep myself fed. I suppose that’s why Gage stocks up. Guess I’d better learn how to do the same soon.

  “You had me at the whole killing Nocturna part, that’s cool, but feeding from them? No thanks. That’s nasty as hell.” He shivered in revulsion.

  “Trust me, if I could survive without it I wouldn’t even touch it. I’m going to try as hard as I can to avoid drinking it altogether but I can�
��t control the need and the craving and I hate that. Anyway, if I see him again or if he shows up here then he’s an automatic member of the bar too. That means that he gets the same respect as anyone else and I want him to feel welcomed.”

  Cole didn’t appear to be enthused about that.

  “Then I suggest you inform everyone one else as soon as possible. I personally need to know more about this cat first. Until then, he can hang out here but trust that we’ll all be watching him closely.”

  “Fine.” I groaned and got up from the couch.

  I was relieved that Cole had accepted this as well as allowing Gage to become a member, not that I didn’t think he would.

  The only thing that I didn’t want him to know was the threat of being hunted down by the hardcore members of the Ascendants. Even if I told him that I would be alright as long as they had no idea what I really was, then it wouldn’t matter.

  “I’m not sure how everyone else may take the news.”

  “What? You mean you haven’t even told Isis or Aqua man yet?”

  I shook my head no, flashing him a wry glance.

  He laughed heartily, humoring himself.

  “As long as he doesn’t show up hanging and swinging like Marquez did then I won’t have a problem.” Cole warned.

  I chuckled lightly reminiscing over those good times.

  “I want to know more about what’s going on with you too, what this will mean, and if it may be worth it.”

  “What do you mean worth it?” I looked at him curiously now.

  “Meaning, if this is the direction we as hunters should take in order to prolong and protect ourselves.”

  Now I understood what he was getting at. I shook my head.

  “I don’t think this is the answer, Cole. Everything has a consequence.” As much as that scared me to think about, I had to admit it even though I had no clue what those consequences might involve.