by C. M. Owens
Though the pain is excruciating, I grit through it. It's not like I haven't felt it before. Within a few deep breaths, we're back at his house. I look down to see the blood has covered my arm.
Damn it.
Dizziness is always a reminder as to why I shouldn't let him vaporize me, but right now I've got to focus on the more important things.
"My blood, it'll leave a trail."
"Every drop that fell was soaked up by the earth. Care to explain how that happened? While you're at it, how about telling me how a mortal holds energy in the palm of her hand, when some century-old beings can't even do such a thing."
I was really hoping to avoid this conversation.
"Are you saying you're over a century old? You used energy as well."
He smirks as he places me on his bed, and then he tugs his mask off to reveal the face I'm getting far too used to seeing. I take a moment to drink in my surroundings. It's a neutral colored scheme. Given the fact he's a dark user, I was expecting something a little more... gothic?
There's nothing dark at all about his room. In fact, it's actually a light, cozy sort of atmosphere. The taupe walls mingle with the splashes of red art. No personal pictures adorn the space, but there are plenty of wild, enthralling sculptures and paintings.
He takes interest in my bemused facial expression just before he rips my sleeve off my shoulder to reveal the severity of the wound I refuse to look at. He flinches, and guilt shades his eyes as he pulls out medical supplies.
"Let me guess, you were expecting dark crosses, voodoo dolls, pentagrams... that sort of thing," he says in a forced mocking tone, his attention more focused on my shoulder.
The living room had been simple, nice, even elegant, but I thought that was just for the sake of appearances.
"Maybe a skull and cross sort of theme."
He lets a laugh out as he smears something over my shoulder. His perfectly crisp blue eyes find mine as I take a deep breath. The concern I see is genuine, which makes me genuinely confused.
"Be glad Isolis doesn't come from a strong sire. His venom is weak," he says to break the awkward silence.
His eyes fall back down to my wound, and I flinch as he starts pressing harder against the open bites I still refuse to view.
"He sure as hell felt pretty strong to me."
He laughs at my candor, and then shakes his head as he eases off the bed. His soft, satin bedspread is almost slippery. The vibrant red goes well with the trickle of blood still falling off me. It's a good thing he has magic, otherwise getting the blood stains out would be a bitch.
"He is strong. I guess I should elaborate. Just because his venom is weak, that doesn't mean he's weak. It means he comes from a lesser bloodline. The stronger bloodlines have much more painful venom. Once, I spent days on my back screaming in agony."
I shiver as my mind falls back to the second, almost fatal bite I received. I too spent days on my back, screaming out my torture.
"What did he mean by something big is coming? And what rituals were you talking about?"
He shrugs, as if he's not dwelling on the fanged beast's spewed threat.
"They always say something big is coming. As for the rituals, we don't know what they were for. That's kind of why I asked him."
His playfully poking tone makes me roll my eyes, and then he kneels before me to start bandaging my newest set of bite marks.
"How am I going to explain this to Kane?" I huff out.
"It'll heal within twenty minutes. That medicine is some of my aunt's best work."
It's obvious he's a little closer to his aunt than his mother. Should I pry?
"So, you and your aunt are close?"
He smiles, and then he pulls off his shirt, as if he's trying to make me blush and squirm.
"Very. She should have been my mother. Life sure as hell would have been simpler. Now, let's get back to you. How did you control the energy orbs?"
He turns to me as he pulls out another, clean, blood-free shirt and pulls it over his head. His bottom lip folds between his teeth - the metal ring included - as he waits for me to answer the question I never usually do.
"Do you remember that trust conversation we had?" I ask curiously.
"I think it's time you start trusting me so I can start helping you. That's a lot of power, and Isolis just saw you use it. He got away tonight. Though he'll surely flee town now that he's lost his mignons, he'll be back. You need to be ready. Now trust me."
Hearing a dark user tell a light user to trust them is almost comical, but I really don't have a choice. He can't allow his friends to tell his council what I'm already capable of.
"It's my father's magic. I can control energy just as he does, but it's already strong enough to do some serious damage. If your guys tell-"
"They won't. They don't even know your name or your face so it wouldn't do them any good to tell. You seemed so in-control over it, but I could tell you were holding back. Why?"
Because it makes me a psychopathic freak to use it at full strength.
"It's... well, it's my father's power. Do I really need to say more than that? Just as the use of it gets him high, drunk, and leaves him completely encompassed by the seduction of its force, the same happens to me. It's not something that can or should be used if there are options. My mother's power is from the earth, which is why I can only assume my blood was swallowed up. That's actually new to me. The earth was trying to keep me safe. As for the rest... well, I don't trust you that much."
I don't trust anyone to tell them how strong I really am... how damn crazy I can get. The dark would look light if I ever lost control. I dread being immortal. My power will grow stronger, even stronger than Drackus's power, and who knows what a peril I might become.
"Fair enough," he murmurs while sitting down on the edge of the bed to join me. "For the record, red suits you. I prefer the blond, but you can pull off the extreme change."
I laugh a little as I stare at the ends of my hair bearing the foreign color.
"So, you never speak to Drackus? Care if I ask why?" he asks, seeming hesitant in his approach to the touchy subject.
So, so, so many reasons come to mind, but I only share a tidbit about my estranged father.
"You've heard the stories. Though I know my father would be here if I ever needed him, it wouldn't be because he loves me. Drackus thrives on chaos and power. He'd love nothing more than if I called him and asked him for help just so he'd have an excuse to show the world and me how powerful he really is. To be honest, I'm considering asking for his help. Mom's been missing for far too long."
He shifts uneasily. Most people don't say my father's name above a whisper. I suppose I use it a little too casually.
"I think you should give us a little more time. If Drackus comes out of his-"
"I know. The light and dark would unite to fight against him, and it would be war all over again. My father has just as many friends as he does enemies, so when I say it would be a war, I mean that very literally. I'm just reaching the point of desperation."
Before I realize I'm doing it, the tears are flowing down my face. Gage pulls me into his arms, and I shiver against the unexpected contact.
He's been rude, obnoxious, aggravating, and recently flirty, but this is the first time he's ever been... sweet? Considerate maybe?
Oddly enough, his embrace is comforting, but it only makes me ready to get back to Kane. Those are the arms I want to be in right now.
"We'll find her. I'll keep calling all my contacts and we'll find her."
I pull back to see the truth in his eyes, and I tilt my head.
"Why do you care so much? I thought you were only here to clear all accusations of it being your people."
His lips tighten as he looks away.
"That's how it started, but then you kind of grew on me." His words make me bite back a grin, but his lips etch up slightly upon seeing my reaction. "I know. Crazy how things work out. Besides, you need my help, and I happen
to enjoy helping people out. Who knows, maybe once you're immortal, the two of us can even try to be friends."
I lean forward, my eyes teasing him lightly. "Even if I'm light and you're dark?"
His eyes flash a devious glow before he murmurs, "They're just definitions of power, nothing else. If lovers can be on opposing sides, so can friends."
I just laugh at that while shaking my head.
"I'll be glad when my face and hair get back to normal," I say in an effort to shift the topic.
I'm ready to get back to Kane - more than ready. I'm also a little curious about where he went and what he was doing.
"Your face has been back to normal for a while now. That's why I said you could pull off red. It wouldn't be you pulling off red if you were still wearing another face."
Reflexively, my hands pop up to feel the familiar skin pulled in all the right places. I glance to the mirror on the wall to see how very bizarre it seems for me to be wearing this brazen color.
"I'm definitely not rocking red. Thanks for the lie though."
He laughs lightly, and then he plops down on the bed to rest his hands behind his head. With him lying that way, it makes me feel uncomfortable to be sitting here. This is too intimate a setting for us, but before I can disengage, he draws my attention to him.
"That'll still leave a mark. The meds just stop the bleeding and kill the worst of the venom. It'll close the wound, but I'm afraid it'll still scar. Sorry."
His eyes hold mounds of guilt to prove the authenticity of his apology. I pat his leg, and then I start to stand.
"That's no problem," I sigh out, and then I wave my hand over the mark while chanting the secret medley of words my mother formed in spell.
Before his eyes, my skin shifts, and an invisible veil drops to cloak the hideous mark I'm not yet prepared to see. His eyes widen, and a smirk forms as he stands and lowers his head to be level with my little miracle.
"That's pretty nifty for a newbie. How long will it last?"
I shrug, trying to ignore the heat of his breath finding the skin on my chest.
"I'm really not sure of its limitations. It's worked on my other one for several years now. Mom seems to believe it'll always work."
He stands up, seeming too impressed for such a seemingly simple feat.
"You don't even realize the significance of this, do you?" he asks while touching the skin.
Chill bumps form when he caresses the hidden bite, and then I shakily murmur, "It's just for small sections. Nothing too big would work."
"It even feels smooth. No different from the rest of your skin," he says while letting his hand trail down my shoulder to my arm.
I shiver this time, and he smirks, obviously reading my aura again. Damn warlocks.
"Um, how much longer until my hair changes back?"
His smirk grows as he pulls my hair between his fingers and draws it in front of my face.
"It just did."
I stare at the blond and sigh in relief. I really need to get out of here. I know Kane and I can't be together forever, but I still want him. Being around Gage, someone who has my immortal destiny... it's just confusing me. Confusion is not something I need right now.
"I should get back to Kane."
Gage smiles bigger, and then he winks at me while holding his hand over my head. My ripped sleeve mends in front of my eyes as the blood stains covering my clothes disappear. Within seconds, my entire ensemble looks like I just walked out of the drycleaners.
I take it a step further and make it different, changing back into what Kane saw me leave in.
"Call me if you need me," he murmurs with his grin still intact.
Then something dawns on me. "Why did you soundproof your house? You mentioned you were... er... next door... and insinuated you overheard... um... stuff, but your house is completely shut off from the outside and so is Kane's."
He laughs loudly at my stammering attempt. I couldn't just say he mentioned overhearing my bedroom tousles with Kane.
"The house was soundproof when I got it. It wasn't something I added to it. It's rather obvious this is a hotspot for immortals. I'm sure one owned it at some point in time. There are quite a few houses like this one. As for overhearing your passionate screams, I'm not always inside and you don't always shut your balcony door."
My face floods crimson, and he laughs ridiculously hard when I drop my eyes instantly.
"I'm definitely leaving now."
Turning on my heel, I head toward the door, leaving behind the rambunctious cackles flowing freely from the dark user's mouth. He's enjoying this way too much.
Chapter Sixteen
The loud, thumping music is vibrating the house. The lights are dim, like this is some sort of a club instead of a home. I can see a group of boys clicking away on the remotes while playing one of the violent games.
Amy is the only one I recognize and know. There are so many people that it's impossible to find Kane right now.
"Blonds are my thing," a drunken goon slurs from behind me.
I whip around, quickly tossing his stray arm off my shoulders and take a step back.
"Sorry. Drunk strangers aren't my thing."
He smiles, his eyes dancing with the thrill of a chase.
"Well, let's make them your thing. I'm Craig."
"She's taken," Deke says while popping up out of nowhere, standing close to me in a protective sort of manner.
"Yo, man. I though you were with Sierra. That babe single now?"
What a jerk.
Deke's eyes narrow, and then he lets out a derisive scoff. "Even if she was, you wouldn't be able to handle her. Sierra's still mine. This is Kane's girl. You really want to keep playing with fire?"
The guy's eyes widen, as if he's sobering a little, and then he stumbles backwards.
"No. Sorry. Tell him I didn't know."
Without another word, he disappears from sight, leaving his balls behind apparently. I've never seen anyone so quick to bow out.
"Where's Kane?" I ask, having to yell over the music.
"He's out looking for you. I just sent him a text to tell him you're here. He's heading back now."
Looking for me?
"Why did he go looking for me?"
"Because there was another attack in town. We got a call a few minutes after you left. Two girls were found dead in their homes, and it wasn't pretty. He went to track you down and bring you home until daylight. But you're an expert at vanishing into thin air. Where'd you go?"
Crap.
"I just walked around mostly. There's a spot at the edge of town I like to go. When will he be back?"
Before he can answer, strong arms are wrapped around me and pulling me into a glorious embrace. I breathe him in, enjoying his smell like he was made for me. Those incredible lips find my neck and trail across my hidden wound as he kisses me through the fabric.
I stifle a wince when he presses too firmly against the still tender bite left behind. Though it can't be seen, it can sure as hell be felt.
I turn around, and he draws me in closer just before his perfect lips find mine. I smile behind the kiss that is far too passionate to be displayed in front of so many.
"No more late night romps through the town, please. My heart still isn't steady," he murmurs against my lips.
I smile bigger as I lean into him.
"I take it you were worried?"
"Very. I've called your phone at least a dozen times. Did you lose it?"
Oh shit.
I left my phone at Gage's before we even left to go set the trap that went terribly awry. I completely forgot it.
"I'm sure it'll turn up. I'm sorry you were worried, but I'm a big girl. I managed."
By the skin of my teeth, that is.
"I heard about those girls they found in town, and it scared the hell out of me. I left shortly after you did, but we couldn't track you down. Since then, I've been worried sick. I sound like a total control freak right now, don't I?"
<
br /> I smile involuntarily to the point it almost aches. Giggling like a fool, I shake my head. The noisy room makes it hard for us to hear each other, but I can tell he likes the fact I'm more turned on than freaked out.
It feels good to have him care so much, since I feel the same way.
"I love the fact you went all over town looking for me, but I hate you missed your party full of drunk, smitten-with-you women."
He laughs at my insincere remark, and then he cups my face in his hands before leaning down and kissing me lightly once again.
"I need to go check on Zee and tell him your back. I've got him missing out on all the drunk women, too. I'll be right back. Don't move."
I just nod, my foolish grin remaining intact, as he shuffles back through the mass to head outside.
I look over to see Deke has claimed Sierra's attention. I almost smile, but then my mouth fills with the taste of bitter when I see Amy making her way toward me.
Inhaling a sharp breath, I ready myself for whatever cruel, unnecessary thing she spews through her jealous lips. This past month, I've heard it all.
"I really don't feel like hearing it, Amy. Just enjoy the party and leave me alone," I grumble as soon as she reaches me.
"I don't want to fight. I just came to tell you... look, there's a lot about us you don't know. If you love your family, your friends, your life in general, you need to give up Kane."
My blood almost boils. How dare she threaten me.
"You start making threats against my family, and I'll-"
"I'm not making threats, Alyssa. I'm telling you that choosing Kane has consequences. You'll belong to him. If you don't like the way that sounds, you need to give him up, because he's never going to give you up."
She walks away before I can form some well mastered retort. I glare at her back as she mingles into the middle and starts dancing between some drunken men. I wish she'd just stay away from me.
"What'd she say this time?" Kane asks as he comes up behind me. "I saw her talking to you through the glass. I couldn't get in here before she said anything."
I just shrug it off the same way I always do the things she says.
