Heroes Among Us: A Paranormal Romance Collection

by Ditter Kellen

  “Maybe.” Kash shrugged. “I personally have never seen one, but that doesn’t mean they don’t exist. Now, tell me what your business is with Celia.”

  Unable to look away from his exotic eyes, Charlie whispered, “How do I know you’re truly this Rougarou and not just some folklore idiocy the natives dreamed up to scare away trespassers?”

  Kash’s breathing grew harsh. His arms lifted out to his sides and his eyes brightened to a brilliant shade of yellow. Sharp points that could only be described as claws began to protrude from his nail beds. His bottom jaw extended and his beautiful white teeth became pointed and razor sharp.

  A scream trapped in Charlie’s throat, her fight-or-flight instincts kicked in and she instantly chose flight. Hell, she wasn’t a complete idiot. There was no way in hades she planned on sticking around for the after-party.

  She was abruptly jerked off her feet as a roar loud enough to wake the dead exploded in her ears. No matter what Charlie had been through in her life, what terrors she’d had to endure, she had faced her fears head-on. She’d never lost focus, and had never given up. Well, this was some shit no human should be expected to handle. Charlie’s eyes rolled back in her head as the darkness blissfully claimed her.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Kash felt no satisfaction in Charlie’s fear. No matter what sort of monster he truly was, he’d never been able to harm someone weaker than him.

  He laid her limp body in the center of the cot. “What are you really doing here, Charlie?”

  “You cannot keep her forever, my son.” Mauve’s raspy voice floated into the basement from the open doorway. “She has been seen with you. Eventually, others will come looking for her.”

  Kash straightened, answering the elderly woman without taking his gaze from Charlie’s pretty face. “The authorities have no jurisdiction here. And even if they did, they are far too cowardly to brave the swamps for a missing girl.”

  “Even a coward can develop a false sense of security with Celia’s help. Do not forget that, my son.”

  Forcing his focus away from Charlie, Kash met Mauve’s gaze. “Don’t you think I know what’s at stake here? I understand what must be done.”

  “Then get it done,” Mauve demanded, turning to go. “The storm has stopped. I am returning home now.”

  Kash moved away from Charlie’s side and followed Mauve from the room. “I’ll take you.”

  Mauve shook her head, waving him off. “There’s no need. I have a desire to run.”

  Understanding the nature of the beast, Kash reached out and gently squeezed her hand. “I will see you soon.”

  He waited for Mauve to step outside before closing the door and returning to the basement. He couldn’t seem to stay away from the blue-eyed temptress currently sleeping on his cot.

  Kneeling down beside her, he touched his nose to her neck and inhaled deeply. No matter who or what kind of person she truly was, Kash couldn’t seem to get enough of her scent. He wanted to bathe in it…to strip her of her clothes and explore her.

  Another scent caught his attention, so faint, he’d almost missed it. He recalled noticing it before when he’d first met her.

  Is she sick? he wondered, his gaze traveling over her face. Something wasn’t right, only, Kash had no idea what that might be.

  She took an unsteady breath, her eyes beginning to flutter open.

  Kash didn’t move, he simply held his position, daring her to push him away.

  She blinked a few times as if clearing her vision, and then shrank back against the cot. “Get away from me.”

  “If I’d wanted to hurt you, Charlie, I would have done it while you slept.”

  “Like you did last night?” she shot back, fear evident in her voice.

  That pissed Kash off. “You think I raped you?”

  “Didn’t you?”

  Pushing to his feet, Kash peeled his lips back over his teeth. “You were the one who initiated things. How the hell was I supposed to know that you’d taken drugs?”

  “You’re right.” Charlie held up a hand between them. “Will you at least move back so I can get up?”

  Kash did as she asked, giving her enough room to climb from the cot. “I would have never let things go as far as they did had I known you were drugged.”

  Charlie pinched the bridge of her nose. “I know. I shouldn’t have said that. What’s done is done. Just tell me what the hell I’m doing here.”

  “I brought you here to get answers. How long you stay is up to you.”

  She threw out a hand. “I have no answers for you! I only met you a couple of days ago. And in that short amount of time, all I’ve learned about you is that you’re a monster.”

  Kash inwardly flinched, unsure of why her words affected him so. “Information that you received from the Voodoo priestess.”

  Charlie’s eyes became shuttered. “It doesn’t matter where I learned it. It only matters that I did.”

  “How do you know Celia Battiste?”

  “I don’t know her. I was taken to her by a girl from the restaurant.”

  Kash studied her closely. “What girl?”

  “Her name is Trudy. She told me that Celia had her mother and wouldn’t release her until she brought me there.”

  He sensed no dishonesty in Charlie’s explanation. “What did Celia want with you?”

  Charlie gave him her back. “I don’t know. She babbled on about werewolves, and not being able to cross onto your lands. I ran out of there before she could finish her tale.”

  “You lie,” Kash growled, reading her not so subtle body language.

  Spinning back to face him, Charlie snapped, “Screw you, Kash! You’re the one who lied. You—” A gasp left her lips, and her hands came up to lock onto the sides of her head. She staggered to the side to lean heavily against the wall.

  “What is wrong with you?”

  It took her a minute to answer. “My pills. I need my pills.”

  Kash ground his teeth. “Where are they?”

  “In my purse,” she whispered, her eyes squeezed shut tightly. “It’s in my car.”

  He’d left her car back at the restaurant. “If this is a trick, it won’t get you anywhere. The basement door locks from the outside.”

  Charlie opened her sky-blue eyes to reveal unshed tears. “It’s no trick.”

  With a sigh of resignation, Kash strode across the room and up the stairs. He entered his home above, locking the basement door behind him.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Charlie waited for the door to close behind Kash before stumbling to the cot to sit and wait. The pain thumping behind her eyes was far worse than any she’d felt before. She was running out of time.

  If Kash kept her locked in his basement, she would likely die before she could figure out a way of escape. Yet, she couldn’t leave without blood. His or Mauve’s, it mattered not. Celia had been very clear on that point.

  She supposed she could just ask him for the blood needed to seal the deal, but doubted he would willingly give it. And then she remembered the small vials Celia had given her. She reached into her pocket and pulled the them free. My way of escape.

  Glancing around the expanse of the basement, Charlie searched for an inconspicuous place to hide the vials but found nothing. Then it hit her; under the mattress of her cot.

  Charlie tucked the small bottles beneath the mattress and lay on her side. With her head throbbing to the beat of her heart, she had no choice but to close her eyes and wait. Kash would return soon with her pills…she hoped.

  ***

  A sound coming from upstairs caught Charlie’s attention. She lay completely still, listening to footsteps travel across the floor above.

  The basement door opened to reveal an ominous looking Kash. He handed her the purse he carried, along with a bottled water. “What are the pills for?”

  “Migraines.” Charlie fished the bottle from the depths of her purse and popped the top. Placing the pill on her tongue, she was
hed it down with the bottled water and prepared to wait.

  The suspicious look Kash sent her set her teeth on edge. “You don’t believe me? Look up the medication. It clearly states that it’s used for migraines,” she lied easily. In truth, she knew he had no internet in the swamps; therefore, he had no way to research her claim.

  His jaw tightened. “Are you hungry?”

  Charlie was starved. The piece of bacon she’d had at breakfast had been used up long ago. “I could eat.”

  “Get up.”

  “Pardon?” Charlie threw her feet over the edge of the cot.

  “You can come upstairs while I make something to eat. There’s nowhere you can go, and you can’t leave Saint Malo without a boat.” He patted his jean’s pocket. I hold the only key off this island.”

  Charlie glared at him, wanting nothing more than to dig her nails into his beautiful golden eyes, when a plan began to form. She cleared her throat, softening her gaze. “Do you have any bacon?”

  He lifted his eyebrows.

  “Or whatever you have is fine.”

  Kash held the door open as Charlie stood and marched across the room. She kept her eyes downcast in an effort to appear docile.

  She climbed the short set of steps, emerging into a massive room filled with what appeared to be handmade furniture. Some of the most beautiful furnishings Charlie had ever seen.

  The floors were hardwood with a light coat of varnish and covered with random throw rugs. As gorgeous as the living area happened to be, nothing could compare to the kitchen.

  It took considerable effort for Charlie to keep from gasping aloud. The kitchen itself had to be the size of her entire apartment back in Los Angeles. And in its center stood a large cedar island. Pots and pans hung from the hood above it, and three barstools rested behind it.

  “Have a seat.” Kash nodded toward one of the stools.

  Charlie trailed over, perched herself on a stool, and watched as Kash took down a large pan.

  The stove happened to be built into the island, which meant she would be within sight at all times. Great.

  He opened the refrigerator, pulled out a pack of bacon along with a carton of eggs, and went to work.

  Charlie couldn’t help but notice how his muscles flexed beneath the T-shirt he wore with every move he made.

  He glanced up just then, nearly catching her gawking. “Fried or scrambled?”

  “Surprise me,” Charlie muttered sarcastically. “You hold me against my will yet give me a choice on how I want my eggs?”

  Kash narrowed his eyes. “This is your doing, not mine. You can’t consort with the likes of Celia Battiste without consequences.”

  Charlie fought back a yawn, feeling the effects of the pain pill, she’d taken. “I told you why I was there. I wasn’t consorting with anyone.”

  “So you say, but Mauve saw you coming a mile away. I should have taken care of you like she told me to do.”

  Charlie’s anger surfaced. “But you decided to sleep with me instead?”

  Kash paused in his task of laying the bacon strips in the pan. “If memory serves me, you were the one who seduced me.”

  More than a little embarrassed by his words, Charlie looked away. But Kash had been spot on in his statement. She had seduced him. And she would do it again if it meant getting out of there in one piece.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Kash hadn’t missed the blush that stained Charlie’s cheeks, nor the flash of rebellion in her eyes before she’d looked away. She wasn’t unaffected by him anymore than he was her.

  Though Kash hated to admit it, he’d wanted her as much as she had wanted him. Hell, truth be told, he still did. But Charlene Howard wasn’t the sweet innocent she portrayed herself to be. No, she was brought to Louisiana by Celia to use in the same way she had used Darcey.

  Kash had met Darcey in a strip club he’d frequented in New Orleans. Though Kash had felt a certain attraction for Darcey, he’d grown bored of her pretty quick. Unlike Charlie, he silently admitted. No, Charlie was anything but boring.

  Once the bacon finished cooking, Kash cracked the entire dozen eggs into a bowl, whipped them up and poured them into a clean pan.

  Charlie tapped a fingertip on the island top. “How do you get electricity all the way out here?”

  “Solar panels. The stove is gas.”

  “If you plan on keeping me locked up here, I’ll need my things.”

  Kash finished cooking the eggs and then scooped some up onto a plate. He added several pieces of bacon and set the plate in front of Charlie. “I already got your things.”

  She accepted the fork he handed her. “Mrs. Bickford will miss me. Once she figures out that I’m gone, she’ll call the police. You won’t get away with this.”

  He quickly built his own plate. “I saw your rental contract. Your rent is paid up for six months. She won’t miss you.”

  “Looks like you thought of everything.” Charlie picked up a piece of bacon and took a bite.

  Kash didn’t bother to answer. In truth, he had thought of everything except what he would do with Charlie when the time came. He only knew that he couldn’t kill her.

  Once they’d finished eating, Kash cleaned up their mess and motioned for Charlie to move to the living room.

  She yawned behind her hand and moved to get up, but her body tilted sideways.

  Kash moved with lightning speed, catching her slight form before she hit the floor. “You shouldn’t take those damn pills.”

  “Why do you care?” she slurred, resting her head against his chest. “You’re only going to kill me anyway.”

  Kash ground his teeth. “I’m not going to kill you.”

  “So you say…” She went completely limp in his arms.

  He carried her across the room to the basement, laying her on the cot and covering her with a blanket. He wasn’t sure how long she would sleep, but he figured at least a couple of hours.

  After locking the basement door behind him, Kash left his house and made his way toward Mauve’s. He needed to talk with her about Charlie. No matter what the older woman demanded, Kash couldn’t bring himself to hurt Charlie. Even if that meant he had to keep her in his basement for the rest of her life.

  “Something troubles you,” Mauve murmured without looking up from her task of picking herbs. She’d no doubt sensed his approach long before he stepped into view.

  Kash dropped to his haunches beside her. “Tell me about your dream.”

  “I have told you everything that I saw.”

  “Tell me again.”

  She paused in her task of gathering herbs and met his gaze. “Very well. I saw Celia, her head hidden beneath a cloak. She sat in the center of a dark circle. A fire burned behind her, illuminating her covered head. The circle began to move, revealing dozens of crows standing wing-to-wing. I reached into my skirt pocket and withdrew a dagger. As I drew near, the crows parted to allow me entrance into the circle. Celia rose to her feet, pushing the cloak’s hood back as she stood. Gone were the black eyes, the wrinkles, and in her place stood a blonde-haired beauty with sky-blue eyes.”

  Kash frowned. “If Charlie’s face appeared instead of Celia’s, wouldn’t that mean that Charlie is the one in danger?”

  Mauve’s faded brown eyes blinked up at him. “I sensed nothing supernatural about the girl. Only the blood of a Rougarou can give Celia what she desires.”

  The older woman’s gaze suddenly sharpened. “You did not bite the girl, did you?”

  “Of course not,” Kash growled, insulted that she would ask him such a question.

  “Then it is as I thought. Celia summoned the girl to her as she did Darcey. And we both know how that turned out. But you are right about one thing, my dear boy. Charlie is definitely in danger. If Celia is responsible for that girl being here, then she will not live beyond Celia’s need of her.”

  Kash straightened to his full height. “Celia can’t touch Charlie as long as she remains in Saint Malo.”

/>   “You are developing feelings for this girl.”

  With an effort, Kash prevented his teeth from clenching. “The only thing I feel for her is pity. Celia has somehow gotten her claws into Charlie in an attempt to lure me in. I can’t let her go, Mauve. I can’t even send her back to California. There’s no place on earth she can hide from that damn priestess but here.”

  Mauve’s faded brown eyes grew misty. “Be careful with this one, my son. She is not the same as Darcey. She has an old soul…a soul I’m afraid that might just be your demise.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Charlie sat alone in Kash’s basement, staring at the light of a nearby oil lamp. She’d been locked away for weeks without any hope of escaping. Worse still, she hadn’t had the first opportunity to use the drug on Kash that Celia had given her.

  If Charlie couldn’t find a way out of there, and soon, she would have no choice but to seduce Kash, which wouldn’t be an easy feat. He was already suspicious of her, watching her like a hawk when in his presence.

  Footsteps overhead sent her quickly shuffling back toward the cot. Her shin bumped into the side, letting her know she’d reached her destination. She felt beneath the mattress, snagged the small vial containing the liquid, and tucked it into the pocket of her jeans like she always did when he brought her upstairs.

  The door opened to reveal Kash’s large frame. “You’re awake.”

  “And you’re an ass,” she shot back. “I’ve had to pee for the last twenty minutes. I was beginning to think you’d deserted me down here.”

  He motioned her forward. “I figured you would sleep several hours after taking that horse tranquilizer.”

  “It’s not a horse tranquilizer,” she snapped, marching in his direction. “It’s a damn pain reliever for my migraines.”

  Kash backed up enough for her to squeeze past him. “How long have you had migraines?”

  It was the first time he’d asked her about her headaches. “For a couple of months.” She stopped inside the living room, waiting to see what he did next.