by Dannika Dark
My body trembled when his feathery kisses moved along my neck. I wanted to touch him, and feel his skin against my hands. That dark, heady scent he carried was attractive, and it subtly shifted with his moods.
“I can feel your energy,” he noticed. “It’s tremendous.”
“I won’t touch you,” I assured him, knowing I could throw a burst of energy that would undoubtedly drop the curtain on the moment. “I have it under control.”
He traced the line of my clavicle with this finger and kissed the corners of my mouth. “Not even if I ask? I want your fingerprints all over me like a crime scene.”
I clung to each word that fell from his lips like a spider to a web.
“Am I just prey to you?”
“Some things are worth chasing.”
“Some things can’t be caught.”
His finger outlined my jaw as if he were putting me to memory.
“I have spent a lifetime being chased by females, and I know what it means to run. There’s something different about you, Silver. You incite the hunter in me.”
My saddened eyes wandered up to his, and I made a promise I didn’t know if I could keep. “I’ll never love again, Logan. If that’s what you’re asking, then I won’t give it to a man that I can’t trust with my life and my heart. You kill without regret, and I never know from one minute to the next what your intentions are. I don’t want an indecisive man in my life any more than a controlling one.”
A torch lit behind those eyes, burning bright as he leaned in and whispered softly beside my ear. “Sweet little raven, dusted in sugar—I will possess your heart.”
Chapter 22
After returning to Cognito, we gathered in the living room with a bottle of wine, preparing to discuss the details. You could smell the anticipation in the air like chimney smoke on a winter’s night. Logan walked up to the fireplace, commanding everyone’s eye—everyone being my Ghuardian, Simon, Adam, and Remi. I didn’t know Remi very well, but I guessed that Justus was seeking advice over the Marco situation.
Remi was not a Mage, but a Gemini. They’re ancient immortals, and few exist. They have a dangerous streak triggered by negative emotions, so Remi appeared detached. Outside of the dragon tattoo on his neck, he didn’t appear menacing. His brown hair was unusually soft in appearance, but his eyes were the most fascinating thing about him; they shifted colors with the light. Justus warned me not to provoke him, and I took his advice. If my Ghuardian was even the slightest bit intimidated by him, then I knew to be respectful.
“Before we get started, there’s something I want to say,” Logan began.
I took a seat in a chair facing Adam. He was uninterested in what Logan had to say and tucked a bored fist against his jaw. I enjoyed a slow sip of wine, privately admiring the way Logan took command of the room as he rolled up the sleeves of his shirt.
“Silver is a remarkable person; you should commend her for the job she’s done. I was impressed by her eagerness to take risks. I will continue to offer my services per our agreement, and would like to extend that beyond this case, if the need arises.”
It was then that I noticed something was off with Logan. He wore confidence like an ensemble—straight back, head up, arms hung at his sides—whereas most men with insecurities hid their hands, and found places to scratch. When Logan folded his arms and lowered his chin, a flutter of nerves took over.
“I am announcing my intent to court Silver.”
Simon’s wine went down the wrong windpipe. While he was choking and gasping for breath in animated movements, Justus sat very still. The room grew warm, and he narrowed his eyes at Logan like missiles.
“Obviously, I don’t have your blessing, nor do I seek it. I’m not asking your permission, so there is no need for the drama. It’s my right to court whomever I wish. If there are other suitors, they can challenge me for the right of free competition; I will accept that challenge whenever it is given.”
Logan spoke to the room as a man of worth, a man who knew what he wanted, standing with proud shoulders and a lift of his chin.
Hell, I was flattered.
The odds weren’t in his favor, either. He was a man of questionable integrity, but I finally knew where I stood with him. Simon and Adam may have crushed on me, but not once did they declare their intentions for all to witness. Logan had a backbone, and I liked it.
I, on the other hand, sat with my mouth on the edge of the glass not saying yes, no, or hidey-ho. Justus was in a realm of pissed off as I’d never seen. Adam never acknowledged Logan. His dark, brooding eyes bore a hole through my skull, and I poured more wine down my throat.
“Now that we have the cat out of the bag,” Logan chuckled, “let’s discuss Marco.”
Justus rose from his seat. “You are not welcome in my house.”
“Be that as it may,” Logan countered, “I will still court her. I am aware this is not a preferred match—Mage and Chitah—but I will wait as long as it takes, Justus De Gradi. You don’t have to like me, but you’ll treat her with respect in my presence, despite how you feel.”
“You’re a Chitah. What could you want with a Mage?”
Logan’s tongue flashed across his lower lip and his eyes flicked over to mine. “I like a strong female.”
“Go to the gym; there are plenty of strong women there,” I blurted out.
I knew he liked me, but I was provoking him to see how much of that ground he was willing to stand.
Logan’s brows pinched together. “I find you most agreeable, Silver. Aside from the fact you stuffed me with enchiladas and then tried to kill me.”
“I think it was the other way around.”
He half smiled.
Logan snapped his fingers at Simon. “Don’t think I have forgotten you called her a tart, you arrogant prick.”
“What the bloody hell are you talking—” When Simon remembered the offhand remark he made on the phone the night of my abduction, he pressed his lips together and threw his hands up in defeat.
Logan turned his attention to Justus. “If you have an issue with this pairing, you will address it with me, not her. Don’t put a fracture in your relationship, because she needs a positive influence. As long as Silver lives under your roof, she must not feel bullied by her caregiver for a choice that is hers. You can only have so much control of her life, and you know it.”
Adam’s eyes were venomous. “Is this what you want?”
“Well I—”
“Do you realize what he is? What he is capable of? That a Chitah can—”
“Let her finish, Mage.” Logan stepped forward, and his angled features hardened with anger. “When you ask a question, do you want an answer, or are you just puffing out smoke? Allow her to speak. Do you understand me?” Logan flexed a hand at his side and I looked between the two, not sure whose side to take.
“Do not get all fucking territorial on me,” Adam barked. “You are not one of our kind. You have no right to stand there and stake your claim on her like a piece of property.”
“Why?” Logan asked, as a man losing patience. “Because you didn’t put your flag down first?”
Simon did a facepalm.
“Does he speak for you now?” Adam was hurt. I saw it in his eyes, but my guilt disintegrated with the tone of his voice. His language was a given, as I couldn’t imagine being in the service with Knox all those years and not having that kind of camaraderie, but I was exhausted from being on the defense.
I raised my hand. “Adam, please don’t do this. Not here.”
He thrust himself back in the chair and scraped his fingers through locks of brown hair, looking like an explosive ready to detonate.
The manner in which Logan watched him was alarming. His nostrils twitched as he pulled in a scent, and he stepped forward.
“Don’t turn this into a fight, Mr. Cross. Remember why we’re here.”
Logan looked at me unapologetically. “I have given my warning and if he interrupts you again, I will kn
ock him to the ground. Please, continue.”
“No one speaks for me, Adam. I make my own decisions, and I think it’s clear that I haven’t made any kind of decision tonight, except maybe to drink this wine to the bottom.”
Logan tucked his hands in his pockets and lowered his voice. “Perhaps he would like to challenge me to court you.”
Adam lowered his eyes to the floor like heavy weights.
I wasn’t sure what a challenge among Chitah entailed, but I had a feeling it didn’t involve arm-wrestling. Adam backed down, and I was a little disappointed. He was willing to lay down his life for my freedom, but unwilling to declare his feelings for me. It didn’t make sense. Yet, the more I thought about it, the more it did. It left me with a few questions that I decided to keep to myself, because I never did understand why he was so willing to become a Mage.
No challenge was made. Justus spoke privately with Remi, and for the rest of the evening, we discussed everything that happened on our trip.
Well, almost everything.
***
A few days crept by, and I was getting ready for my first real date in more than two years. I stared in the mirror feeling like a package waiting to be unwrapped. The tall black boots were expensive, and I nervously touched the edges of my short skirt. Even my ponytail revealed more skin than I was used to. I bought a pretty color of eyeliner that looked more like fairy dust, and decided it was my new favorite thing. The woman staring back at me in the mirror was ready for a night out on the town, but it wasn’t going to be with Logan.
During the drive, I caught Justus looking at me sideways as we sped through another intersection. He never worried about things like police radar, because an experienced Mage could project the right kind of energy to disable it.
He was apprehensive about letting me go, but trusted the word of a Chitah. Juicers were an epidemic, and I was the equivalent of an energy drink. His concern was justified, but I needed to reclaim my independence and start making choices for myself.
“You look nice,” he said, as a headlight splashed across the interior.
“Give yourself a pat on the back; you bought it. I really wish you didn’t keep filling my closet. I’m never going to be able to pay you back.”
“I would not take payment for something that is my duty.”
That’s what I liked about Justus; he would never admit that he enjoyed shopping for me. At first, I thought I wasn’t up to snuff and he was trying to change me. As it turns out, it was the only way he knew how to express his affection. Wearing one of his dresses was the equivalent of a hug.
Tonight we rode in the Mercedes, his second favorite to the Aston Martin. It was classy, stylish, and in mint condition. We rolled to a stop in front of a fire hydrant outside of Logan’s condo. It was nestled in a charming neighborhood with bright yellow lampposts near the sidewalk and small patches of grass.
“Stay out of trouble,” he said, as I got out of the car.
Impossible.
Once the car was out of sight, I spun on my heel and hurried up the street.
I discovered Nero’s name, but I was not permitted to be involved with the HALO investigation any further. I got the sense that Simon ran into a roadblock with finding reliable information on where he resided. On one visit, Simon got up to use the restroom and left his laptop open. I snooped through his files and found a few notes on Nero—including rumored hangouts. The one that stood out was a club called Hell; that sounded exactly like the kind of place Nero would frequent. Justus became preoccupied with another case, so I decided to take matters into my own hands. Maybe immortals felt like they had all the time in the world to get things done, but I was still on human time. I wasn’t about to let that man become irrelevant.
A few nights earlier, Logan called. He was a great conversationalist, and I enjoyed the playful banter between us. I sensed tension when he said he was going out with his brothers and his father would be meeting up with them. I didn’t know much about the relationship they had with their father, but I offered him reassurance. Opportunity presented itself on a platter, and I spun a lie so Justus wouldn’t raise a brow.
My heels tapped against the dirty pavement of a narrow sidewalk. When I finally glanced up, a glowing pitchfork marked the building I was looking for. Cue the mental eye roll. The club didn’t advertise their name. They didn’t need to.
I approached Hell with second thoughts; I suppose everyone does. The doorman held up the wall with his back as he scanned the crowd indifferently. His spiked collar made him look like a junkyard dog. The line was nothing but leather, latex, and leashes. Weak energy told me they were all human. They didn’t have a chance in hell at getting into a Breed club.
The doorman’s eyes lapped me up like a thirsty dog would a bowl of water on a hot summer day. He was a Mage, so I flared and gave him my best sultry smile. He chuckled and rubbed a meaty chin.
“They’re going to love you, sweets.”
When the door swung open, my throat went dry. The heat was the first thing that struck me. The second was a man being whipped as bystanders watched. The rest of the club was as ordinary as they come. I didn’t see any disturbing scenes like the one in front that set the tone for what type of place this really was. Black tables scattered across a blood red floor, and a pale blue light bounced off the glasses behind the bar. I ordered a vodka neat and scanned the crowd. It didn’t take long before a few persistent men approached me. I didn’t look anything like the other women in there, and it was drawing the wrong kind of crowd.
When I was ready to give up, a thick man in wide leather pants and a black jacket approached me. He sized me up and asked, “First timer? I’m Eli. I work here. What are you here for, and how can we pleasure you?”
I anchored my eyebrows. “An old acquaintance recommended this place; he gave it rave reviews, so I decided to check it out for myself.”
Eli was a meaty guy who looked like he could bench press a horse. Hell, the man looked like he ate them for breakfast.
“Back to my question: how can we pleasure you? Or is that your pleasure—being punished for disobedience?”
Was this guy serious?
A man walked by and offered a handful of colorful lollipops. I waved him off and he approached a few others who took one and went back to conversations.
“You should be polite and take what’s offered,” Eli said with a laugh. “It’s one of the only things you’ll get in this club for free.”
“I’m here for a few drinks,” I said, lifting my glass. “Just going to hang back and watch.”
“Good to know. I’ll give you the short tour, then. The stairs on the left lead to the dungeon, the ones on the right go to purgatory. Watch all you want Mage, but you will participate before you leave. Club rules.”
“No one told me that!” I was starting to get the full, horrific picture.
He laughed so hard that his eyes were brimming with tears. “I have to know the name of your friend who left out the only rule this club has.”
“Nero.”
Eli snapped out of his laugh and appraised me. “Yes, that sounds like Nero. Sick little bastard.”
“You know him?”
“He’s a regular.”
“Is he here tonight?” I scanned the crowd as Eli played with the chain hanging from his nipples. I wished I had brought Simon; he would have known how to behave.
“Unh-unh. Should I tell him that you’re looking for him?”
“No, don’t bother.”
Please god, don’t bother.
Eli grabbed my arm and yanked me out of the seat. I fought as he towed me down a long hallway, but he was too big. A burst of my energy wouldn’t do me any good against a Mage, not to mention that giving out samples of my Unique light would be foolish.
“Let me go!” I struggled, but he didn’t slow down. No one helped. I bumped into a Vampire who laughed, and leaned in with mild curiosity.
“Oooh, someone’s in trouble!” a tiny voice giggle
d. I glared at the pixie-sized girl with the short, white hair as Eli tossed me through an open door at the end of the hall and slammed it shut.
“Why are you asking about Nero?”
My eyes roamed across the wall of chains, wrist cuffs, and a wide assortment of whips. It was time for me to grow some balls. “I’m looking for information.”
“What position do you have in the Mageri? We don’t want trouble here.”
“None. This is personal.”
He scratched his chin. “Mmm, that makes it interesting, doesn’t it?” he murmured. Eli reached behind his back and slid the lock into place. “What kind of information? Perhaps I can help. I’m not partnered with that sonofabitch.”
“Do you know if he’s keeping any other Mage against their will?”
He tapped a finger against his pants. “You don’t look like the sort of girl who's ever visited one of these places before. Ever heard of the bartering system?” Eli pulled a leather whip from the wall and cracked the narrow spray of tails against his pants.
I jumped in my skin but kept my composure.
“Tit for tat. No one leaves this club without participating; that’s the rule. I could leave you to some of the twisted men out there,” he thumbed, “but I’m willing to trade information for a little fun. I’m curious to know exactly how many questions you can take.”
“I’d rather not,” I said, moving around him.
He held out his arm, but I didn’t get a sense that he was dangerous. Eli was just… persistent.
“This is your last chance; walk out that door and I won’t speak to you again about Nero. I can see you want answers. We both know you aren’t leaving here without feeling this whip on your back.”
“How do I know you have the answers I need?”
He ran a hand down his perspiring chest. “I used to work for him.”
I thought about it. It’s not as if I was a human—I could heal myself in the morning. “Fine,” I said reluctantly.
“Remove your shirt.” Eli smirked and held up two fingers. “We’ll keep this trade professional. Scouts honor.”
