Deadly Beauties: Blood's Fury

by C. M. Owens

  He chuckles, playfully swatting at my pathetic swings. The dark user has been on my nerves for a while, but he's hung around and watched my back. I'm not too crazy about the fact he bought the house directly beside Kane's, but at least he's not sleeping in the trees.

  "Sorry," he lies. There's not an ounce of a genuine apology in his tone.

  "Sure you are," I mumble while glancing through the glass window.

  "Relax. Pretty boy and his buddies are engulfed in a game of Grand Theft... something or another. He's not coming in any time soon. Mortals."

  I let a small smirk free, but my inner turmoil instantly banishes it. He starts to say something when I finally notice the metal ring in his lip. Without thinking, my thumb brushes over it.

  He almost shivers under my touch, which offends me.

  "Don't like a light user touching you?" I scoff, trying not to sound as insulted as I feel.

  I pull away and lean against the railing to stare away from him. He lets a laugh free and leans up beside me.

  "It just caught me off guard. You like?" he asks while motioning to the steel circle.

  I'd never tell him that he's the kind of guy who is sexy enough to pull it off. I refuse to feed the immortal male ego. He knows it looks good though, and it's obvious he realizes I think so.

  "It's fine."

  "You know I can read all the colors around you right now," he pokes, making me squirm. "You should guard your aura better."

  "Did you come to try and make fun of me, or did you have something of any relevance to say?"

  My patience has run thin, and I'm sick of his usual frustrating openings.

  "I just sent your hound a message to check out the Old Shot. An informant of mine assured me there was a lead worth tracking down. I was coming to find out if your light warlock had told you yet."

  "He told me. I don't like him going into a night stalker bar, but he assured me there was no way for them to know who or what he is."

  He casts his gaze behind him once, checking for anyone who might be listening in, and then he turns his attention back to me.

  "Shouldn't be. So, you look tired. Haven't been sleeping much?"

  That's the stupidest question I've ever heard.

  "My mother has been missing for over a month and a half now. How would you sleep?"

  "Just fine," he says with an unaffected shrug.

  I'm almost shocked, which I shouldn't be.

  "That's cold, even for a dark user."

  He pulls a pen from his jacket and starts scratching something down on a piece of paper.

  "What are you doing?" I muse while trying to look at what he's writing.

  "Keeping tabs of all the hurtful things you say about my kind versus all the hurtful things I say about yours. So far, you're way out in front. Who's the bad guy?"

  He smirks as I roll my eyes.

  "Fine. What's the deal with your mother?"

  He puts his paper back in his pocket, and then he turns his attention to the ground below.

  "You'll figure it out eventually, for now, let's focus on the other reason I'm here. Are you feeling stir crazy?" he asks while looking at me once again. "I've noticed human boy doesn't let you out of his sight very much."

  Stir crazy? No. But it would be nice to get out of the remote-control-clicking environment for a while.

  "What do you have in mind?" I ask, my suspension radar on high alert.

  His menacing smile is quickly banished, but I had a chance to catch a glimpse of it. I still don't know if I trust Gage... never mind. I know I don't trust Gage. Though he's kept a watchful eye, dark users can't be trusted.

  "There're a couple of night stalkers I want to take out. Believe me when I say you don't want to know what they've done. Their council should be the ones eliminating them, but they're not here to do so."

  The blood in my veins turns to ice from his bomb drop.

  "Are you crazy? A night stalker is our biggest enemy. They'll freeze you stiff and draw out your life."

  Idiocy apparently haunts every male - immortal and human alike.

  "Believe me, if you knew the details of what they did to their latest, underage victims, you wouldn't be so quick to turn tail and run. They need to be taken care of, and this won't be the first time I've taken them out.

  "Night stalkers are allowed to kill with discretion. I don't like it, but it's the way of our world. These didn't use discretion, and they sure as hell didn't show mercy. Since their council refuses to clean up the mess, my council has approved my request to do so with no objection from the bloodsucking rulers. I've got some friends coming in for the job. Problem is, I need one little thing."

  Crap. I know where this is going.

  "Bait." My huffed answer almost makes him smile. "Fine. Where and when? And no vaporizing me from place to place."

  He pulls my hand in his to look at my watch. He doesn't shiver the way he did only moments ago when I tried to touch him. The moon is faint tonight, just a small sliver. It's a good night for hunting night stalkers.

  "Meet me at my place in five minutes. I'll fill you in on the plan, and then I'll drive us there. I promise, no vaporizing."

  I frown a little at the spontaneous timing. I quickly glance through the glass door to see if Kane has returned.

  "Fine. I'll see you shortly."

  I turn to see Gage has already disappeared, leaving me talking to his leftover scent. Rolling my eyes, I head back into the house to tell Kane... something.

  "Hey," he says as soon as I join him and Zee in the living area.

  "Hey. Can you pause it for a second?"

  "Sure, babe."

  Without hesitation he halts the game, and I take his hand in mine to lead him back to the room - away from the unwanted listeners.

  Amy is flipping through a magazine, pretending as though she hasn't been sitting in there to stare at my man this entire time. Sierra and Deke are curled up on a chair together, their lips entangled. I'm almost jealous.

  He shuts the door behind him, his body tensing as if he's worried. "Everything okay?"

  "Um... yeah. I just need to get out of here for a little while. I think I'm getting a little... stir crazy."

  I suck at lying.

  "Sure. Let me tell the guys I'm heading out."

  I grab his hand, realizing I didn't clarify what I meant.

  "I need some time to myself. I'll be back in a little while."

  His eyes drop, suddenly a sense of guilt in them.

  "I've made you feel trapped, haven't I? I'm sorry. I didn't mean to pretty much strong-arm you into living with me."

  Now I feel guilty for making him feel guilty. Good grief. What a vicious little circle.

  "It's not that. I'm just... I just need to walk around for a while. I spoke to Frankie, and they still don't have any leads on my mother. It's just a little much for one night."

  As much as I hate using my mother's disappearance in my lie, it really will be therapeutic to kick some night stalker ass. If Gage is right about his foolproof plan.

  He sighs as he nods. "Couldn't it wait until daylight? I don't like the thought of you being alone in the dark."

  Now I know why I'm so utterly lost in this beautiful man. I've never known someone to be so thoughtful and sweet for no reason.

  "I'll be fine. I promise I won't be too long."

  He sighs while shifting uncomfortably, fighting the urge to beg me to stay.

  "Well, take your phone. If you run into any problems, call me. Where will you be?"

  "Um, I'm not sure. I might go to the diner, check in with Wade and some of the others."

  He pulls my hand in his, holding it gently.

  "Okay. Just... be careful. A lot of girls have been popping up missing lately. I don't like you going out in the dark."

  If he knew what was actually out there, he'd really be against me going out into the dark.

  "Thanks."

  I lean up to kiss his cheek, but he turns and catches my lips. It's been
so long since I've given into his delicious fire. This thing with my mother has forced me to disengage, feeling guilty for losing myself in him.

  His breath tastes incredible in my mouth, and I love the way his body feels pressed against mine. He pulls me tighter, feeling the weeks of pent up frustration. Before I know what's happening, he jerks me up, and my legs wrap around his waist.

  "Clear your head tomorrow. Stay with me tonight," he murmurs against my lips.

  I groan instead of moaning, realizing by now Gage has already started growing impatient with me. If another girl falls prey at the hands of the merciless simply because I selfishly became lost in the throes, I'll hate myself.

  "When I get back, we'll finish this. The diner will close before I can get there if I stay here right now."

  He doesn't stop his perfect kisses. Instead, his hunger for me only intensifies in a devouring motion. The intoxicating sounds coming from him make my whole body tingle in ways I've almost forgotten.

  Oh damn. I hate you right now, Gage.

  "Kane, stop. Just let me go. I'll be back," I mutter grudgingly.

  He groans, obviously not wanting to release me, but he does so very reluctantly, letting me stand on my own again.

  "Fine. I'll see you soon. Hopefully really soon," he grumbles while adjusting his pants.

  I chuckle lightly as he gives me a playful scowl, and then he kisses my lips one last time before walking back out to the crazy living room scene where the music is blaring and drinks are underway. I notice there are now a few new houseguests hanging out. How long were we in here?

  Gage is gong to kick my ass.

  Pulling out my purse, I find a vial of scent masker to drown out any trail. If one of the night stalkers escapes, I don't want to lead them back to my beautiful human. I'd never let anyone touch him, but I don't invite danger to follow me either.

  When I walk out, my eyes fall on Kane in the far corner talking to Deke. They're whispering amongst the blaring music, which I obviously find a little odd. At least I think they're whispering. With this terribly obnoxious music, who knows?

  A girl with store-bought blond hair drops her arms around Kane's waist and leans into him. Who the hell is she?

  Without a pause, he slips her arms out from around him and dismisses her with barely a wave. Breathing out in relief, I pass the sulking fake-blond and walk over to Kane.

  He smiles the second he sees me, and he doesn't waste any time pulling me into his arms.

  "You guys can fill a house pretty quickly," I murmur, my eyes tossing back to the cheap blond whose eyes are on me right now, sizing me up.

  As if Amy's obsession with Kane wasn't bad enough. Great.

  "I told you we party. You just haven't had the chance to see it lately. The guys felt like getting their buzz on tonight though. You sure you won't just stay? I wouldn't mind seeing you slur a little."

  I let a small laugh free and shake my head.

  "Maybe I'll take you up on that when I get back. Don't let too many blonds rub up on you while I'm gone."

  His bottom lip folds between his teeth just before he leans down to pick me up and pulls me against him. Those luscious lips find mine again, and he smiles behind the kiss.

  "I've only got eyes for one blond."

  Amy snorts derisively as she walks by, letting it be known she just overheard that comment. I roll my eyes, and pull back from his tempting offer to stay.

  "I hope that means you're not thinking about some brunettes."

  Amy's short black hair shakes as she tosses her head around to glare at me. I'm pretty sure she couldn't have heard that, but the timing is rather coincidental.

  "No worries. You're the only girl that has ever held my attention, and that's not going to change. Hurry back. I don't want to spend the night around a bunch of drunken people without my girl to hold."

  A goofy grin spreads across my lips, and I give him one last kiss before withdrawing completely.

  "I'll be back soon, and I expect to be held all night."

  "No arguments here."

  He gives me a wink as I head out the door, and through the glass, I watch him resume his private conversation with Deke who never said a word to me. They seem so serious, and Sierra seems to notice it as well. I watch her approach, and instantly they loop her in.

  I'm almost jealous of how close they all seem to be, because I feel like such an outsider. It's for the best though. In less than a year, Kane won't be able to be mine anymore.

  A shuffle of people scurry past me on their way into the noise box of a house. It's crazy how soundproofed it is. It's obvious now why they had it soundproofed. They never cut the volume low on anything.

  I down the vial of scent masker before attempting the stairs. My face distorts into a medley of disgusted expressions as the slimy, tart liquid slides down my throat. I always forget how terribly horrid this stuff is.

  Feeling it start to strip me of my scent, I sprint down the steps and cover the distance to Gage's house. I knock, but his home is soundproofed too. An immortal thing.

  The lights are on, and the entire house is covered in windows just like Kane's. A small fluttering of butterflies hit me when I see Gage's shirtless body in the room just ahead.

  His back is turned as he talks to someone on the phone. I notice the tattoos on his back - various symbols, mostly magical. I shouldn't find it sexy, but I'll be damned if I don't.

  Finally, I ring the doorbell to keep from staring at yet another guy I can't be with. Gage's back stays turned as the door opens on its on.

  "We'll be there shortly. See you then."

  He puts his phone in his pocket and turns to face me with a small smile.

  "You've taken a scent masker already I see. I was going to offer you some."

  My eyes accidentally stray to his ripped body. There's not a flaw on his muscled physique. He's so lean... I wasn't expecting such definition.

  "Yeah," I bumble out like a stammering fool. "I didn't want to risk leading them to Kane."

  Gage is tall, almost as tall as Kane. Without my high-heels, I feel so short in comparison. Even with my heels, I still just reach his chin. Without them, I barely meet his chest.

  "Uncomfortable?"

  My eyes pop up from their forbidden journey over his salacious contours. Immortals shouldn't be allowed to be this eternally hot. I hate immortals.

  "Huh?" I ask, feeling more than a little foolish.

  "I was asking if you're uncomfortable. Again, your colors are all over the place."

  Damn warlocks.

  "I'm fine. I was just curious as to why you have so many symbols tattooed all over you."

  It's obviously a rather transparent lie to cover my drooling fiasco. I never realized how woman I was until these past several weeks.

  He lets a small laugh out, and then he pulls a shirt from the back of the chair to put on. I'm relieved when he finally covers himself up.

  "I'm a member of the Somage. I run into some pretty unsavory creatures, so in order to avoid possessions, summons, and various other precarious situations, I took on the protective symbols. It's saved my ass more than once."

  Somage?

  "I thought the Somage were just an urban legend."

  He smirks and then shrugs.

  "We like it that way. We can only erase memories for short intervals, so it's a daily struggle to keep the fey world a secret when some creatures refuse to abide by the rules. We take out the ruthless and careless killers who could potentially become exposure threats, and we put down the wild, bloodthirsty bloodsuckers of all kinds if they lose control. We're just a group of dark users trying to take care of the big bads. What exactly do the light users do to keep people safe?"

  His rhetorical question seeps sarcasm as he pulls on a thin, hooded jacket.

  "I get it. I realize the light tends to-"

  "Tends to worry about their own hide and not give a damn about anything else going on in the world? Glad we agree on that."

  Jackass.


  "So, is this where you pull out your score pad and mark where you've just insulted the light?"

  He lets a snicker out, and then he shakes his head.

  "This is the part where I give you some makeup lessons."

  Question marks form in my head and swirl around in circles.

  "Makeup lessons?"

  He smirks as he walks over to me, and I feel his dark magic roaming through my body as something changes. It steals my breath with its invasive touch, and I almost feel the need to go on the defense when it's suddenly over.

  "Easy girl. Don't be going to battle just yet. Your scent is gone for a few hours, but your appearance could still give away your identity. Take a look."

  I walk by him and gasp when I see the red hair, bright green eyes, and unfamiliar face.

  "How did you... we can't-"

  "We can for short periods of time. It'll last for three hours at most. You won't be able to do it again for several weeks though. Magic is a beautifully tricky thing like that. Let's get going."

  He ushers me out the door, and I follow him down the stairs of the deck to his garage.

  "Don't have an inside access?" I ask.

  "To my garage? Of course I do. I just didn't want to drag your through my house and give you a chance to get comfortable. The way you were looking at me... I was worried I was about to get unwrapped like a Christmas present while we were merely in the living room."

  My cheeks flush upon hearing his teasing comment. I cut my eyes away as he opens the door. He laughs ridiculously hard, and then I hear a familiar voice behind us.

  "Nothing?" Kane asks with disbelief, and without thinking, I whip around.

  Gage walks over to me just as Sierra, Deke, and Kane come into view.

  "Nothing. It's as though... I don't know. There's just nothing."

  "What's going on?" Gage pipes up, and my heart leaps into my throat.

  I'm going to kick his ass for this.

  Kane walks toward us, not recognizing me at all as his eyes barely give me a second glance. What's he doing leaving his party? What are they looking for?

  "Sorry. I didn't realize anyone was living here. I didn't mean to appear as though we were trespassing."

  He sounds so formal, polite, and... oddly different.