I descended the stairs, balancing the tray of cookies on my hip as I gripped the banister with the other hand. The steps were steep, but the room below was well worth the trip. Where Mimi had decorated the first floor in traditional tones, the basement was outfitted with male entertainment in mind.
A large bar took up one corner of the den, with several drinks on tap and seating for ten. There was a pool table to the side, and I recognized a few bouncers from Tainted Eden racking up a game. Erick and Daniel leaned against the wall nearby.
They teased the two players after every shot. The minute Erick saw me, he smiled. We hadn’t exchanged more than a dozen words since he’d introduced himself earlier this morning. He was courteous and protective, plus he and Daniel treated me like I’d always been part of the crew.
It was a refreshing change from the reception most of the others had for me. I brought the dish to them first, using the opportunity to inquire about my missing memories. “Hey, Erick?”
“What’s up?”
“I wanted to ask you about the other night. I seem to remember you, but then again, I don’t. Do you know what happened?”
“Man, if I’d kissed her, she sure as hell wouldn’t forget it.” Daniel nudged him in the ribs.
Erick’s blush matched mine as he shoved the brunette aside. “It wasn’t like that. Besides, she kissed me.”
“I did?” Nope. I was much redder now. I felt it.
“Oh, yeah. You made out with him right on the dance floor.” Daniel pretended to smooch Erick.
“Cut it out.” Erick smiled, turning back to me. “Bargas tried to pull you outside, but you got away. I helped and you thanked me with a kiss. It wasn’t even on the lips. No biggie.”
“Well, I’m glad you saved me. Thanks again.”
“Hey, if I save you, can I get a proper kiss?” Daniel waggled his eyebrows at me, but Erick dragged him away before he embarrassed us further.
The main group clustered around the couch, talking amongst themselves. I’d been introduced to Dean earlier. He stood out, preferring his own company, but nodded and took a cookie. The white powder dusted his cocoa fingers before he licked it off. Though he seemed melancholy, he was attractive in a scruffy, take-me-home-and-fix-me way.
Part of me wondered why he looked so forlorn, but after this morning, I was the last one to pry into someone else’s memories.
Darian and Lukas argued in the far corner. I hadn’t seen them in the same room since they’d gone to my apartment. I sensed their attention on me as I approached the coffee table with my tray. Jason paused whatever show they watched with a loud whoop and tossed down the remote. The noise startled me, and I was so nervous, I almost dropped everything.
“Awesome. I’m starving. Did you make these?” His words ran together in a single breath.
I set the plate down as he grabbed three cookies and swallowed one whole. At nineteen, he was younger than the others. He had a thin build and mousy brown hair and more tattoos than sense. He appeared skittish around me, but I could tell he was loyal to a fault. I’d liked him within minutes of meeting him.
“Ooh, they’re still hot inside. What are they?”
He tried to shove another pastry into his mouth while blowing to cool his burns. I saw how Tobias and Jay had become friends, even if the two had polar opposite personalities. The lump in my throat made it difficult to answer. Lukas assured me they wouldn’t stop looking for him, and the Elitists needed him alive.
For his sake, I would stay strong.
“In the Dominican Republic, we call them Deditos de Novia. Here in America, they’re Lady Fingers.”
He bobbed his head in acknowledgment, taking another before he returned to his program.
Daniel hopped over the couch and grabbed a few to take to the guys around the pool table. I smiled at one of the shifters as he accepted his portion of the bounty. The man stood taller than the others and looked like a teddy bear.
A surreal feeling blindsided me as I remembered he turned into an actual bear at times.
Everyone had been served except Thane and his ever-present bodyguard, Ian. I wasn’t angry at his request, but I felt violated by their interrogation earlier. Even though I’d agreed to let the Kindred leader use his mind reader to question me, I’d been embarrassed and uncomfortable.
By the distrustful look Ian gave my momma’s cookies, their invasion of my privacy wasn’t sufficient to gain their trust.
Thane looked at the treats, and appeared to debate trying one. His hesitation seemed impersonal, so I wasn’t offended. He intimidated me, but not in the terror-filled way my attackers had. I picked up a cookie with a napkin, mindful of the powdered sugar, and leaned forward to give him one.
Ian gave me a fright as he materialized between us and I almost dropped the treat. Of all the people here, he terrified me. Having him disappear and reappear two feet in front of my face solidified my fear.
“I’m sorry. Did you want one?” My voice squeaked as I lifted the pastry.
He examined my offering with disdain. My calf throbbed, and I was exhausted from the tortuous examination this morning. How dare he snub my mother’s recipe after I’d slaved away in the kitchen over them?
“All right. I’ve had enough of this. I let you test me, invade my brain and interrogate me as if I was a bloody terrorist. You don’t wanna eat my food? Fine.”
Ian looked shocked at my outburst. I was too embarrassed to look up and see how the others reacted. I threw the cookie back on the tray, picked up the rest, and turned on my heel. Ian popped up in my way before I climbed to the top of the stairs. If he hadn’t helped steady the dish, I would’ve dropped it.
Fear, rejection and anger made me reckless. “Don’t do that!”
I yanked the plate from his fingers and stormed into the kitchen.
“I’m sorry.” His voice was flat, like he’d been forced to suck it up and apologize.
Well, I wasn’t about to make it easy for him.
“Did Thane tell you to come up here? You know what, it doesn’t matter. You apologized. I accept. Now go away.”
Tears threatened to fall, and I wanted him gone before I couldn’t hold them back any longer. I set the tray on the counter and leaned my arms on the granite, feeling exhausted. Ian joined me and selected one of the cookies, tapping it to shake off the loose sugar. If he noticed my tear filled eyes, he kept it to himself, for which I was grateful. He was the last person I would take comfort from right now.
“You baked these with your mother. I don’t remember my own mother.”
He spoke with regret as he lifted the cookie to his nose and inhaled, but I wasn’t brave enough to pry. I fought the blush rising on my face, seeing him recreate the best memory I had of my momma before she died. I’d told her I’d never forget how she always smelled like this.
She’d begged me to savor the happy moments. It was the final time I’d cooked any of her favorite dishes. Since the day she’d been admitted into the hospital, I’d stopped cooking at all.
I’d forgotten how important making meals together had been to my family, especially my momma.
“Look. I know you guys have a million reasons to mistrust everyone who isn’t one of you. But you’ve seen my whole life today; every single embarrassment and heartache. Those memories were too personal to share with just anyone. Yet I did it so you’d know I’m not a threat to your people. If you can’t trust me after I’ve given you my all, fine. There’s nothing I can do about it. Why don’t you leave me alone, and I’ll stay out of your way?”
My breath stuttered in my chest, and I knew I was on the verge of tears. At some point in my tirade, Ian consumed his cookie. He watched me, not with any kind of romantic interest, but with understanding.
He gave me a little half bow. “I am sorry.”
His words were sincere this time, but I couldn’t speak past the lump in my throat, so I nodded. He turned back to the cookies, picked up another and bit into it. “These are good. Your moth
er must have been an exceptional woman.”
“She was.”
He seemed uncomfortable with the conversation, so I had mercy on him. “Why don’t you take this back down, and I’ll bring the rest?”
Ian grinned, and I joined him. If I wasn’t already attracted to two guys, and he didn’t scare me to death, maybe I would admit to myself he was sexy as hell. He was slender but wiry, and he radiated strength. He moved with grace, even lifting a tray full of pastries. But when he smiled, it lit up his face and I saw he was handsome underneath his serious exterior.
“Please join us, Ryleigh. I do not mean to upset you.”
“I will. Thank you, Ian.”
He slid another cookie off the plate before he left my sight. I could tell he wasn’t accustomed to making new friends. Yet he’d tried. With a small hopeful smile, I followed him down into the basement, bearing more treats.
Mimi was right; food was the way into these men’s hearts.
Chapter Fourteen
Lukas
“Let them work it out.” Thane stopped me from following Ryleigh and Ian up the stairs. I glowered at his hand on my arm. He didn’t release me.
“What did Ian say to her?” I spat.
She had had a rough morning. I’d been at the mercy of the mind reader before, and it was never a good experience. Knowing Thane and Ian had both linked to view her memories was enough to make me writhe with jealousy. No one had the right to invade my mate’s privacy, and yet, the process was necessary for her to gain their trust.
Darian stood next to us, also looking up the steps. So many things between us needed to be addressed. It would have to wait.
The man still hadn’t answered me.
“Thane? What did Ian say to her?” I demanded.
The hairs on his forearm rose with my fury, but he remained firm. “He said nothing. I think he frightens her. Do not worry so much. You know Ian as well as I do. He will warm up to your mate eventually. See, they already return.”
They intercepted Ian, taking a few pastries as the others converged. He hadn’t been the only one disgruntled when Ian chased off the woman and her treats. I smiled at her as she set down another full tray of cookies.
She looked between Darian and me, and I had to suppress my amusement at her confusion. I could reassure her; if I wasn’t certain doing so would scare her away. Like Darian, progress with Ryleigh must be made with care and in its proper time.
While my Dreams were necessary, they could also be a heavy burden.
“You guys watch Ancient Aliens? Seriously?” She exclaimed with a laugh.
I loved hearing her laughter. Jason had taken an instant liking to her. He was animated in the defense of his favorite program.
“Are you kidding? This stuff is awesome. Sometimes, they’re so close to the truth, it’s scary.” His expression widened, and she grinned. “Other times, they’re so far off the mark, but when they get it right…”
He pretended to shiver with goosebumps, and she leaned forward on the back of the couch, enjoying his melodramatic performance.
“Besides, I like the theories the guy with the crazy hair comes up with. Of all of them, he’s damn near accurate.”
Her eyes twinkled as they met mine. “I’ve always liked the show.”
I shrugged. “The evidence they’ve gathered is extensive. Throw in about two- thirds of the details from the most common myths around the world, and you’ve got us pegged.”
“Yeah, I see that.” Her attention returned to Jason as he bounced on the leather.
“You know, humans used to worship us. They once called us gods. And the Nephilim? Those were stories about half- bloods like me.”
I cuffed him on the shoulder hard enough to knock him off his pedestal. “Now, we call ourselves hybrids. But we’re all Intaran at our core, no matter how diluted the bloodline.”
“Mimi told me a little about your people.” She said. “So much of Earth’s history would be different if everyone knew about you. But I understand why you’d need to protect yourselves.”
If I’d been able to shield her from the interrogation, I would have. I walked around the sofa toward her. She looked too pale for my peace of mind, though a soft smile played about her lips.
“So, I get the whole werewolf myth now.” She glanced back at the group gathered around the pool table. “And witches, gods, and a few other legends make sense. But what about vampires?”
Jason’s nose wrinkled, and he turned to face her with a serious scowl. “Vampires come from the human psyche.”
“What do you mean?” She looked disappointed.
When I reached for her, she let me pull her into my arms. The warmth of her skin alarmed me. I held her as Jason continued his explanation.
“Humans call us monsters, but they’re the real demons. Every once in a while, some crackpot discovers our people and decides, ‘hey, their power must be in their blood!’ Vampire myths come from stories of these bastards capturing, torturing and drinking the blood of Intarans and their half breed cousins.”
“Okay, okay.” She smirked at him. “Not a fan of Twilight, I take it?”
“It’s disgusting, not romantic.” He snorted in disgust.
“What about the various cave paintings, carvings and other artifacts? There’s too much evidence to chalk up to primitive imagination.”
“Like any civilization, we have our dark moments.” She followed me away from Jason when he turned back to his program. “A handful of our ancestors took it upon themselves to embrace the legends if it suited them.”
“What about the elongated skulls and giant skeletons, and…” Ryleigh swayed against me, and I pushed her back to look at her in alarm. She wasn’t warm, she was feverish. Her eyes were unfocused, and she flinched as I placed my cool hand against her forehead.
“You’re burning up. When did this start?” I whispered.
“Earlier this morning. I’m just tired. I think I’ll go up and rest.”
She tried to leave, but her injured leg buckled under her and I caught her before she hit the floor. I ignored everyone’s curious stares as I carried her up the steps.
“Dammit, Lukas. I can walk. Put me down.”
“Not a chance. This is deeper than exhaustion. Is there anything else wrong?”
She stayed quiet for over a minute, but I didn’t press her. I climbed the next set of stairs up to her third story bedroom. She was light and fit in my arms so well she wasn’t a burden. I found I liked coming to her rescue if I got to hold her like this.
“The bite on my calf aches more today.” She admitted. “But Darian said I wouldn’t turn into a werewolf or something, so I thought it was healing too slowly.”
My grandmother waited by the door with a steaming kettle of hot water and the enhanced poultices. The special blend of magic and herbs would accelerate tissue repair and draw out the fever. “Bring her on in. I’ve got everything ready.”
I didn’t bother admonishing Mimi for letting Ryleigh get this bad. She would’ve interfered had things been worse, but not a moment before. Sometimes the necessity of keeping our Visions to ourselves bordered on ridiculous. And yet, knowing what I did about our future, I couldn’t help but feel grateful. I was given a chance to have what I’ve always wanted, starting with the wonderful woman in my arms.
Chapter Fifteen
Lukas
As soon as Mimi went down the hall, I returned to Ryleigh’s suite. For a moment, I paused outside and listened to her breathing. Part of me filled with hope, but I wasn’t sure if Lia could accept this life.
She might not want to stay at my side. I’d never force her to change her plans. It would be difficult, but I’d visit her overseas if I had to. I felt a strong pull to claim her as my own. Before I left, the door unlatched and she stood in front of me.
“Oh, Lukas.” She whispered as she rocked back on her heels. “You scared me.”
I looked down at her bare toes with a frown. The wound had been infected, b
ut the poultices already reduced the swelling. “You shouldn’t walk yet.”
She stepped back and hobbled to the loveseat to prevent me from carrying her again. I hid a smile as I followed her into the room.
“Actually, it feels much better now. Whatever your grandmother put in the water did the trick.”
We sat on the couch and I lifted her foot to examine the wounds. Faint pink lines marred the skin now, but the bite would be tender for a few days.
“I’ll wrap this for you, but you need to stay off your feet.” She opened her mouth to protest, and I scowled at her. “At least until tomorrow. Please?”
She nodded, but I could see the determined glint in her eyes. She had no intention whatsoever of listening. Her defiance both aggravated and intrigued me. As Thane’s second in command, it was rare for others not to defer to me. I found her resistance to my suggestions and lack of fear refreshing. Most humans sensed the other in me, and those of my world wouldn’t dare offend me because of my reputation and status. I made her uneasy, but she refused to let it control her.
“Did you need me to get something for you?” I helped her settle the blanket around her legs on the loveseat and reclined next to her.
“Hmm?” She blinked at me, and I realized she had been deep in thought. “Sorry, I was kinda mesmerized by the fire. I’ll miss this place when I leave.”
I hated it when she brought up her looming departure, but I was powerless to stop her. Even though I tried getting her to open up, and I could sense her growing attraction, she evaded her feelings. She was as stubborn as Darian when it came to matters of the heart.
For once, I wanted to throw caution to the wind and tell her about the Dreams I’d had about her for so long. Years before I’d ever met her, I’d fallen in love with her. But she didn’t feel the same.
If I scared her off now, I’d never have the relationship I’d Seen.
“Could I convince you to work for us instead?” Inspiration born of desperation gave me a solution. “The Kindred owns thousands of artifacts we need cataloged and with the vast computer databases available, there’s no reason why they shouldn’t be documented. Who knows what you’ll find? It’d take a lifetime to go through all the boxes down there.”
Beyond The Veil: A Paranormal & Magical Romance Boxed Set Page 134
