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

by Susan Reid

  I hesitated before finally shaking my head no.

  He closed his eyes, sighing angrily in disappointment before turning away from me.

  A long silence hung between us before he spoke again.

  I didn’t even know what to say to him.

  “I guess I can’t be mad at you. It would be hypocritical of me.” He finally said.

  That was true but I still felt bad that he had to witness it. I don’t think I could have handled walking in on Marq and Anya either.

  “It just happened. It wasn’t something we planned. There are some things that I do want and need to tell you but not right now.” That didn’t seem to be convincing enough for him.

  “I guess it’s safe to say that Saturday night is off then.” He turned back around to face me.

  “No. Why would it be?”

  He bit his lip. “I think we should postpone it for now. It would be a lot easier on me. I’ll let you know when. I’ll leave through the front door.” He said flatly heading down the stone stairwell towards the front entrance.

  I watched him go, hearing the locks clicking, and then the door opened before I could even move. I felt like a two-timing bitch but how could I cheat on Marq when there was no actual committed relationship established?

  “Wait! Marq!” I called out, racing down the steps after him.

  I expected him to already be out the door and gone but he wasn’t, in fact, he backed up slowly and slammed the door, locking it once again.

  His face was still serious but wide-eyed once I reached the bottom landing and that observation immediately made me go rigid with concern.

  “What? What is it?” I asked, frantically searching his face.

  I couldn’t decide on taking his expression as enough of a warning or opening the door to have a look for myself.

  He turned to me and held up a finger, “I’m gonna go out on a limb and assume that you’re not expecting several guests for some sporadic get together or to complete an orgy that you two have started, are you?”

  Annoyed at Marq’s smart-assed comment and what he was really trying to inform me of, adrenaline began to pump wildly through my veins and heat began to simmer to the surface of my skin from my core. Another reflex action and I didn’t even have to ask what he was talking about. Gage was already at the top landing and my teeth began to elongate.

  Chapter 25

  Turningmy face away from Marq, I bolted back up the stairs and past Gage.

  “I’ve gotta cut them off at the pass. I don’t want this place being discovered by them!” I said quickly, racing up the stairs to my apartment.

  “I’ll see who, what, and how many we’re dealing with.” Gage called out to me.

  Charging through my apartment door, the first thing I did was grab my cell phone, sending out the emergency code in a mass text to everyone else. Then, I quickly changed and gathered extra ammo clips. My sword and weapons belt were still downstairs.

  Marq met me in my doorway as I darted out.

  “What do you need me to do...” He began but trailed off and paused when he caught sight of my fangs.

  Damn. I didn’t have time to conceal or explain anything. The look on his face was enough but even he knew that this wasn’t the time to comment further.

  I was down the stairs in a flash, racing down the stairwell and out the front door when Gage suddenly appeared in front of me with primal hunger raging in his eyes. I could only imagine what mine looked like right now too.

  “How many Nocturna?” I asked him.

  “Seven. The good news is they arrived by boat not an open gateway, but they didn’t arrive because they knew your bar was here —at least for now they don’t. They’re after another one, a female Nocturna who seems to be running from them for some reason. She must have swam ashore, she’s soaking wet.” He informed me quickly.

  I was confused. “I’ve got backup coming.”

  “We don’t need it. Here’s your chance to stock up.” Gage assured me.

  I turned to see Marq behind us, still stunned by the revelation of what he was seeing.

  “Kai…” He began slowly.

  “I’ll explain later, Marq. I don’t want you to get hurt though, so stay put.” I said, beginning to unlock the door.

  “They can’t hurt me. I can help.” He replied.

  “No. We’ve got this.”

  Gage disappeared again.

  “I’m not gonna stand here like a little girl while you’re out there fighting and risking getting hurt yourself.”

  Why? Because I allowed myself to get hurt already not long ago? I didn’t verbalize that.

  Instead, I sighed angrily. “Look at me Marq.” I flashed my fangs, which stopped and mesmerized him with both esteem and a hint of fear.

  “Trust me, I’m not going to get hurt. I’d just really prefer that you stay here and guard the bar for me, if you don’t mind.”

  I was adamant about him staying behind or leaving altogether. The thought of him seeing what I’ve become and watching me feed was absolutely not going to happen if I could help it. He was thinking of the fact that I was bitten, that much I could guess. He sighed and hesitated after studying my face carefully and then he barely nodded.

  “Lock yourself in and don’t open it for anyone. I have the keys.” I quickly said, opening the door and slipping out swiftly.

  I could hear Marq locking the door behind me.

  I know it was completely out of context and not the time for it, but I couldn’t help but pout internally against the raging fight that began to consume and take over my instincts and control.

  This was the second time the mood had been stamped out but this time, it wasn’t my doing or fault. I suppose maybe the third time would be a charm —if there would be a third time. I guess Gage and I just weren’t meant to connect physically.

  Darting from darkened corner to darkened corner and hiding among the foliage and bushes, I scanned the landscape, noting each heat and cold signature with my infrared vision. Hiding was pointless I know, because Nocturna could scent and see anything with a heat signature in pitch darkness no matter where you went. Where was Gage and where was this runaway Nocturna? Was this a set-up?

  I didn’t know but I’d better treat it like one just in case.

  When the first curse, snort, and howl rang out, I knew that Gage had already taken one down.

  One Nocturna had been enough but there were seven this time and it was just me and Gage. However, this time, they had no idea just what they’d be facing —at least not until Gage had attacked first.

  Even though they couldn’t see the bar, the hint of something magical hidden by the wards gave away the fact that other supernatural beings were here, somewhere. It also meant that they could be lurking anywhere as a precaution. It was best to flush them out or find this girl first since they apparently wanted her bad enough to trespass so cavalierly.

  She’d make a great hostage or ransom.

  It took me less than five minutes to traverse the landscape about a mile from the bar’s entrance. Following the sound and the smell, I was horrified to see three male Nocturna nearly dog-piled on top of Gage at once. He had clearly been overpowered or even blindsided for that matter.

  One of them had a strange looking weapon that resembled an axe and he was taking the opportunity to strike from behind while Gage was distracted. Several carcasses of Nocturna, had already been viciously ripped apart by Gage, and their parts were strewn about the ground several yards away.

  He appeared hurt and slightly dazed but he was still fighting with ferocity. A dart of some kind was sticking out of his bare, heaving and glistening chest. The Nocturna had darts too? I thought those didn’t faze him?

  Proceeding with caution instead of head on was probably the most logical thing to do but that didn’t even occur to me once I saw that Gage was in trouble.

  Fierce and feral instinct took over. Wanting to protect my turf and help Gage fueled the tigress in me more so than the hung
er, and it was as if she were trying to take me over completely.

  I didn’t even bother with my katana or any of my weapons for that matter. I sprinted straight for the one who was about to deliver a possible killing blow to Gage, and I made it just in time to catch his arm as he swung down.

  I struck in rapid succession, my martial arts training being my second nature; disarm first, subdue, and then take them down at any cost.

  —One direct and crushing hit to the ribs just below the armpit resulted in a loud, distinct, and firm crack.

  He twisted, snarling in pain.

  —A swift jab beneath his armpit completely dislocated his shoulder and his arm went limp.

  —And finally, a powerful quick chop and twist broke his arm at the elbow, causing him to drop the weapon completely.

  Diving sideways with a round-house back kick, the heel of my boot crunched hard into the jaw of the one who tried to come to his aid. I guess he thought he’d surprise me by thinking I hadn’t seen, felt, or heard him move.

  Gage heaved upward with an angry roar of fury and burst of strength, taking on the one that held his arm with a hard slam of his elbow straight into his nose, destroying it on impact.

  I rode the one with the broken arm down to the ground, twisting his neck and wasting no time sinking my fangs in deep to rip out a large chunk of flesh. He convulsed, his body spasmed as blood bubbled and oozed from the gaping wound. I took a few gulps just as the other Nocturna that I kicked away recovered and grabbed me around the neck, jerking me off of him roughly.

  He aimed a handgun to my head, which was equipped with an identical dart to the one they shot Gage with.

  Snatching his wrist, breaking it, and jerking his hand away from me, I jumped to my feet and reached up and behind me to grab him around his head. I used him as leverage to swing upwards and lift myself completely over him in one clean, acrobatic move that left him confused and enraged. Once I was behind him, I brought a foot up between his legs and the soft crunch made him groan and hack. Not wasting a second, I delivered a crushing stomp on the inner part of his knee that brought him down fully on one broken kneecap.

  I was on his back in a blink, biting down into the nape of his neck all the way to his spine and tearing out a huge, ragged hole. He bucked and screamed in panic and when he turned to try and throw me off of him, I took that opportunity to go for his jugular.

  I sensed another nearby once I was finished with him.

  Another male.

  I counted. Gage had taken down three and we both took down these three, which meant that he was the last one… not counting the female one they were after in the first place.

  Seeing me hovering above the one I had just slain with his blood dripping from my chin and fangs, he began to retreat and back away in horror.

  “Son of a bitch!” He exclaimed, almost tripping as he struggled momentarily to gain traction against the sandy, dry ground. I pinned him like prey and he cut tail and ran back towards the southbound shore, where I assumed that they had docked their choice of transport. My muscles tightened and I was about to spring forward and chase after him but Gage beat me to it.

  He was like a lightning fast streak of shadow, springing from out of nowhere and leaping in one bound to tackle and take him down with ease and a bit of grace.

  My Phantom Jaguar. Watching him in action was a complete turn on and I now understood what he meant when he mentioned the same about seeing me fight too.

  However, his taking over left me to find the female.

  Chapter 26

  There were many places to hide but I had the hunter and Nocturna advantage here and this was my turf.

  I paused, lifting my head and sniffing the wind. The potent smell of the freshly killed Nocturna scattered about was the most dominating thing and I couldn’t really distinguish between theirs and hers.

  Where had they all come from and why were they after her? Who was she? The way they were dressed reminded me of some sort of Mafia.

  Footsteps sounded off to the right and I turned, ready to pounce.

  “It’s me.” Gage held up his hands.

  I exhaled extreme relief.

  “You’ve recovered. Are you okay?”

  He rubbed the spot on his chest where the dart had been and nodded. “I’m fine.”

  “I thought you said darts were ineffective?”

  “Yours were. Those were filled with some sort of a shocking and paralytic serum. As soon as it hit it stunned me and brought me to my knees, then I felt drugged. That’s how they were able to overpower me easily. I took the last two darts out of one of their guns to study the contents.”

  I nodded but fear gripped me anyway.

  I couldn’t even imagine what would have happened to Gage if I hadn’t been there or gotten there in time.

  “They were part of a Palace of Night garde.” Gage informed.

  “Yeah, I figured it was something like that and that’s what worries me. At some point, more will come looking for these that never made it back.”

  “My thoughts exactly. It might be a good idea to close that gateway at the Los Muertos port very soon after all.” Gage said, turning to glance out at the distant, darkened ocean past the bay towards the mainland.

  “Well, it’s a good thing that I’ve got my crew coming right now then. This calls for a major meeting and plan and I want you to be there too. I want to introduce you to everyone, especially my brother.”

  Gage seemed apprehensive and he frowned speculatively.

  “We’ve already met.”

  “That didn’t count. Consider this a formal reintroduction. He didn’t know who or what you were then and neither did I. So far, he’s the only one I’ve told about me and you and our differences and he’s cool with it, but he wants to understand more about it. I can’t be the one to explain or tell them because this is still all new to me.”

  He still didn’t seem compelled enough to stay and meet the gang.

  “Please.” I urged.

  “I’d rather not. Not looking like this anyway.” He glanced down at himself.

  I was in no way complaining and saw absolutely nothing wrong with how incredibly sexy he was right now. I was positive that none of us females would be offended in the least either.

  In his haste, and because I was still wearing his shirt at the time, he remained shirtless when he went to scope out the intruders. A thin layer of sweat, a few minor cuts, and smears of dark blood coated his bare, sculpted chest, stomach, and biceps.

  His slacks were torn in a few places and we both reeked of Nocturna blood.

  “Seriously?”

  “I’ll leave once they’ve arrived. I don’t want to leave you here alone right now.”

  “You think I can’t handle myself?”

  “No, I’m definitely positive that you can. I’ve seen you do it twice with moves that would make Bruce Lee proud. But in light of the possibilities it wouldn’t be gentlemanly of me to simply leave you here to deal with any potential and looming danger.”

  I gushed internally. Though it was a pet peeve of mine when males felt they had to protect me, deep down, I sort of liked the chivalry.

  “Just promise me that you’ll be back. We could use your knowledge and input and…”

  He raised a brow. “And?”

  “And I’d like to finish where we left off … and take my turn.”

  That sparked a twinkle of something in his eyes that made them both begin to softly emanate a soft, pale blue light. His inner body temperature was already heated but I noticed that it glowed slightly more orange and red at the thought of my words and what I meant.

  “What about your, not really boyfriend?”

  I guiltily eyed the already healed cut that had been on his shoulder and collarbone from Marq’s attack not long ago.

  “We’re not exclusive and we don’t owe each other anything.”

  “That’s not the way I took it but alright. Interesting choice though, I’ve never heard of a wate
r elemental engaging with any race other than their own. They tend to be a very ornery and proud race but I can completely get how and why he couldn’t resist an alluring Tigress.”

  I blushed. “And Aldeurians are known snobs. No one’s perfect.”

  He narrowed his eyes at me and I instantly regretted my words, wondering if he’d be angry again at my bringing it up.

  On the contrary, he smirked and then sighed, running a hand through his hair.

  “Alright, I promise that I will be back.”

  Though his reply surprised me, I couldn’t help but smile with satisfaction.

  “Well, I guess I’ve got plenty for the next couple of weeks but that female is still out there somewhere.”

  “Go collect what you need. Most of the fresh blood is in the heart. I’ll find her.”

  “The island isn’t that big but when you’re trying to find a needle in a haystack it is. Besides, I know this island way better than you do and I’m not an expert at collecting blood. I don’t even have the right tools and containers.”

  He pursed his lips. “So you want me to do it for you?”

  “If you don’t mind.” I said, fishing the keys to the bar from my weapons belt.

  “I mind. Your crazy not boyfriend is still there and I don’t want you to blame me for killing him in self-defense.”

  I shot him a wry look but he was right. I couldn’t trust Marq not to say or do anything to Gage.

  I sighed. “Alright but be careful. There may be others that you may not have seen before and they could be armed with more of these things.” I referred to the darts.

  “I’ll be careful. First, I’m going to burn the bodies and then set their boat for a course somewhere in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. At least then they’ll have no idea what happened, where they went, or who was responsible. That may help deter the attention from your island.”