Copyright © 2012 Peggy Martinez
Cover Art by Najla Qamber
www.najlaqamberdesigns.com
Formatting & design by Inkstain Interior Book Designing
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.
—For Omar
True love is waking up every morning and falling helplessly in love with the same person over and over. That is what I have with you.
I stood there with my hands on my hips trying to decide which was more disturbing—the fact that I’d just punched some idiot in the face right in the middle of Taco Hut and enjoyed it or that I’d done it while wearing a mini-sombrero and a name tag that read: “Hola! Mi nombre es Sage!”
I glanced up into the beet red face of the restaurant manager and then back down at the server who was trying to staunch the steady flow of blood streaming down the face of the guy I’d just decked. I shook my head. No way I’d be able to explain how I had overheard the guy bragging to his buddy on the phone that he’d gotten away with beating his girlfriend into an overnight hospital stay. My face flushed remembering the anger I’d felt when I heard him laugh about it. Unfortunately, I’d been on the other side of the restaurant at the time and no “normal” person should have been able to hear anything at all. I’m still trying to figure out why I have the occasional super hearing. Until I do, I probably need to learn to control my reaction to the things I hear.
To all the staff and customers of Taco Hut, it looked like I had picked the guy out at random and decided to go all psycho on his face. I guess I could have handled the situation a bit better…maybe. But, man, the look on his face when I’d walked up to him and whispered into his ear that I’d kill him if he ever touched another woman or even thought about hurting his girlfriend again was priceless. Punching that jack ass almost made me too happy. I could tell he believed me when I’d threatened him. Heck, I believed me too.
I snapped out of my thoughts when the manager, who had a large thumping vein protruding from his sweaty forehead, started walking in my direction. I crossed my arms over my chest and raised my chin.
“You’re welcome.” He came to an abrupt halt and his jaw came unhinged.
“Excuse me?” he asked incredulously.
“I said you’re welcome. No one knows it, but I just did society a huge favor by punching that piece of garbage out there.” His face turned an unattractive mottled shade of red and he pointed his short, meaty finger at me. I reached up to remove my beloved mini sombrero and he flinched. Jesus. What was the world coming to?
“I know I’m fired, so save your breath. I’ve already figured out I’m not cut out for the service industry.” I yanked the name tag off my shirt and slapped it on the counter next to the little sombrero. I was kind of sad to leave the sombrero behind. I walked out the front door and headed back to my apartment to change. I’d been on my new job for about forty-five minutes before I’d tapped into my warper powers, broken a guy’s nose, and been fired. I guess it could have been worse.
My fists connected to the target in quick, evenly-timed hits. Thwack. Thwack. Thwack. Sweat beaded my forehead and my shirt clung to my chest and back, but my breathing was even and my heart rate barely elevated.
“Good, Sage. Ready to call it a night? I’m pretty sure that last punch is going to leave a mark.” Matt rubbed his chest guard and a slightly crooked grin played on his lips. Crap. I hadn’t been paying attention. I was getting sloppy. It wasn’t like me to allow my powers to seep into my punches so easily and so forcefully. “Hey, I’m not really hurt, you know that, right?” I looked up into Matt’s concerned gaze and breathed in a steadying breath.
“I know. I’m sorry. I’ve just had a really crappy day.” I sighed.
“Oh, that’s right. You started a new job today, didn’t you?” he asked as he began removing his gear. I snorted and his brow shot up.
“That bad, huh?”
“You could say that. I broke a guy’s nose and got fired all in the first hour.” I took a long guzzle from my water bottle. His laugh caught me off guard, and I couldn’t help but smile when he had to wipe a tear from the corner of his eye. That’s me— freakin’ funny woman of the year.
“Oh man, why doesn’t that surprise me? I can imagine the whole thing, right down to the guy being twice your size.” I bristled at his tone and narrowed my eyes.
“I had a good reason, I snapped. He straightened and sobered a little, but he still couldn’t banish the smirk completely from his face.
“I’m sure you did. I’ve known you for how long now? Three months? You are the most intense woman I have ever met….”
“Do I detect a ‘but’ in that statement?” I asked as I walked over to Matt with my hands on my hips. His smirk slipped.
“It’s just that I’ve never seen any other side of you—your fun side…your silly side.” He shrugged. “I just think you need to loosen up a bit and learn to have some fun.”
“I know how to have fun, I said defiantly with a tilt of my chin. His face was a billboard advertising obvious doubt.
“Really? Then tell me what you do for fun, Sage.” I opened my mouth a second before he cut me off.
“And jogging and sparring don’t count,” he said. I gave him the evil eye. I couldn’t tell him that I hadn’t had the time or stomach for “fun” during the last three months. I’d spent every single day searching for Cerberus to no avail, visiting places that haunted me and kicking the crap out of thugs all over the city just to keep from thinking. Originally, I had gone out in search of vampires out of desperation, to try and see if I could find out if Cerberus was still around and to see if I could find out anything about the people I’d left behind in 1904: Travis Connely, Soren, and, of course, Aldwin. My chest contracted painfully. It still wasn’t any easier.
Instead of vampires, I’d run into an in-progress convenience store robbery while I was feeling frustrated, tired, and pissed. I didn’t hesitate. I’d snapped my hoodie up, walked in, time froze the whole store, grabbed the gun away from the idiot wielding it, and then unfroze time just as I pulled on enough of my power to knock him out cold. The store clerk was crying and screaming something in Japanese as I walked out of the store with my hoodie still in place. That had become my routine every weekend and sometimes through the week: look for vampires, instead find morons committing crimes, and kick their asses. I had even begun to wonder if I’d lost my ability to sense preternatural beings after I’d warped back. My “routine” kept my mind off the pain I’d buried inside myself and allowed me to expend some of my anger into a worth-while cause. Unfortunately, I had to quit searching for scum a few weeks back when a local newspaper ran an article about a street-smart vigilante roaming the night in downtown Charleston.
“Hey, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean anything by that, and I didn’t mean to pry.” He placed a hand on my shoulder and I flinched. He quickly removed his hand and ran it through his hair.
“No, you’re right. I don’t ever go out just to have fun.” I swallowed and smiled at him. His caring brown eyes searched my face before he shrugged.
“Well, you should go and hang out with me sometime. I happen to be going out with a group of friends tonight. You should come.” He grabbed his bag and headed toward the front door of the gym, pulling his keys out of his pocket. I grabbed my own bag and followed behin
d him.
“Okay. Where are we going, then?” Matt’s jaw dropped open and he came to a complete stop.
“You want to come?” he asked in amazement.
“Yes…Absolutely.” I nodded my head as my inner, very neglected, cheerleader gave me a pep talk. I could do this! Matt still hadn’t said anything. “Wait…you want me to come, right? Or did you just ask because you felt sorry for me…or maybe because you thought I’d say no?” I bit my lip. Shit, it had been a pity invite.
“No, no. I mean, yes. I want you to come. You just surprised me, that’s all.” A huge grin split his face, and I smiled back. This could be fun. I could do this.
Holy crap. I couldn’t do this. What was I thinking? I stood in front of my closet and hoped something would magically appear. Something I could wear to a club. I groaned. Matt had laughed his head off when he told me where we were going for some “fun.” I’m sure the horror I felt blazed on my face like a freakin’ neon sign. Club Strange was one of the most popular night clubs in all of South Carolina. It was a hip club known for catering to teens and adults alike. People came in droves to party there.
I gazed into my closet, willing something to pop out at me. Unfortunately, it worked. Tucked in the very back of my closet was a zippered garment bag from an upscale department store that I never shopped at. I’d forgotten all about it. I pushed all my winter clothing out of the way and pulled the bag out and laid it flat on my bed. The outfit had been a graduation present from one of the only friends I’d had in high school. Her parents were obscenely loaded. I unzipped the bag and sucked in a breath. It was silk & leather. It was terrifying. It was perfect.
I stood across the street from Club Strange and watched as dozens of people stood in line to gain entrance. A thumping beat vibrated from inside the club and for the hundredth time, I squashed the need to run screaming back to my apartment. The memory of another night not so different from this one rose up to haunt me. That night and time I had been standing outside of a Victorian home, wearing a beautiful silk ball gown and would unknowingly meet the vampire, Soren, who would eventually become an important part of my life. I blinked away the unwelcome memory and studied my reflection in a nearby store window. This time I was standing outside a Twenty-First Century night club, dressed in black leather pants, a long-sleeved, gold silk top that draped low across my chest and shoulders, and let’s not forget the three inch black leather boots that held my beloved dagger. A girl couldn’t be too careful.
I spotted Matt and quickly made my way across to his side of the street. His eyes were searching the crowd, quickly flickering over me dismissively. His eyes boomeranged back around to me, nearly popping out of his head. Geez, I guess that’s what I get for wearing workout clothes all the time.
“Hey, Matt.” I smiled breathlessly.
“Sage…you look…wow…you look great.” I beamed at him. I actually felt pretty great too. It’s amazing what getting dressed up, fixing your hair, and putting on some lip gloss will do for a girl.
“So, where are your friends?” I asked as I glanced around us.
“They’re already inside. I just came out to find you. I’m actually surprised you didn’t chicken out.” His devilish grin kept me from getting my panties in a bunch. Besides, I’d thought the same thing a few seconds ago.
After I received my “under 21” stamp and was VIP’d through the front entrance, I wondered who Matt knew to get the special treatment, but all thoughts were blasted from my mind once we got inside. The dark interior, bright flashing strobe lights, and loud, heart-pumping, music all tipped me into sensory overload. My heart began beating erratically and a fine mist of sweat broke out on my brow. I fumbled for Matt’s hand just as he pulled me close to speak into my ear.
“It will get better when we make it to our booth. I promise. Think you can make it there?” I looked up into his eyes, nodded once, and took a deep, cleansing breath. I tightened my hold on his hand as we made our way slowly to the other side of the club. When I finally slid into the booth that Matt indicated was ours, my legs still hadn’t stopped shaking. I scooted over to make room for Matt. He was right. The music and lights weren’t as over-powering where our booth was, and my entire body relaxed just a little. I glanced around the booth and then back at Matt, wondering where his group of friends was.
“They’re probably dancing.” He shrugged. A waiter appeared and took our orders for drinks—a Coke for me and a cocktail for Matt. I raised my eyebrow in question.
“I turned twenty-one about a week ago.” He didn’t seem to think it was a big deal. My mouth popped open. I should’ve known that, shouldn’t I have?
“It isn’t that big of a deal. Besides you always seemed so…preoccupied.”
I sat back in my seat deflated. Was that how I was now—too “preoccupied” to even notice when the only person I hung out with had a birthday? I closed my eyes, briefly letting the pounding of my heart and drumming of the music to infiltrate my senses.
“Hey, you okay?” I opened my eyes and smiled at Matt.
“Yeah, I’m good.” The waiter brought us our drinks, and after I’d taken a sip of my Coke, Matt switched our glasses and leaned close.
“I’m more of a beer type of guy. I ordered the fruity, girly drink for you.” He gave me a saucy wink and my grin grew wide and stupid. It had been way too long since that had happened. I sipped the fizzy, berry-flavored alcohol and moaned in pleasure. It was sinfully good, and I was beyond overdue the simple pleasure. Halfway through my cocktail, a pretty girl with a lip ring, short black hair tied into pig tails behind her ears, and blue highlights came bouncing up to the table.
“Matt, come dance with me! Chris is too drunk and Jen got pissed and caught a taxi home.” She stuck out her bottom lip, ring and all, and I laughed out loud. She was cute and sassy. Matt jumped, startled by the sound of my laugh.
“You should go dance with her, Matt. I’ll be here when you get back.” I gave his arm a little push, smiling the whole time.
“Sage, this is Trina.” I gave Trina a little finger wave and she grinned at me. I took another sip of my fruity concoction. Mellow was my middle name.
“I like her,” Trina announced with her head cocked to one side, studying me. I laughed again, and Matt gave me a worried glance.
“Matt, really, I’m fine. Go have some fun. Maybe I’ll meet you out there.” He had no choice. Trina was pulling on his arm, and I wasn’t helping one little bit. He turned around, but I waved him off. I didn’t need a babysitter, and I didn’t want him to miss out on any fun.
“I’ll be back,” he mouthed as he was being dragged off. I smiled and waved.
I sat there for a little while, finishing off my cocktail and feeling pretty great. My cheeks were flushed slightly and my body was more relaxed than it had been in months. I watched all people around me talking, laughing, dancing, and living their lives when something tweaked inside me. I berated myself for sitting in a dark corner like a coward while life happened all around me. I narrowed my eyes, took a deep breath, and got to my feet. I, of all people, knew how quickly time flew, and I’d be damned if I was going to let it pass me by. I took a single step and plowed right into the back of someone else leaving the booth next to mine. I snorted. Smooth move, Sage. The guy I’d nearly trampled in my “got-to-live-in-the-moment” haste flashed his angry, green eyes in my direction.
“What the hell?” he growled. The apology hanging on the tip of my tongue shriveled up instantly, and my wide, apologetic smile slipped into a cocky smirk. I rolled my eyes as his roamed the entire length of my body.
I stepped close enough to him to notice that he had spilled his drink on his black silk shirt when I’d bumped into him and that he wore expensive cologne. Another step closer and his eyes widened as I leaned in to whisper in his ear.
“Do you have an undershirt on?” He blinked, confused for a moment, than nodded when he realized what I was asking. “How about I dance with you as an apology?” His smile was quick a
nd easy. I backed up to allow him room to discard his ruined silk shirt. Once he was down to his black v-neck undershirt and black slacks, he took my hand, ready to head to the dance floor. I swallowed nervously, suddenly unsure of myself. I must have lost my mind. He tilted my chin up a fraction to look in my eyes.
“It’s just a dance, beautiful girl.” His wink sealed the deal, and I was gently pulled through a throng of people toward the mass of bodies moving in rhythm to a hypnotic beat. Mr. Green Eyes didn’t waste any time. He threw my arms around his neck, moved in close, and settled his hands on my waist. I stiffened for a fraction of a second before the beat and sensual swaying took my senses captive and carried away all my worries.
It’s funny how smack in the middle of so many people you can just let go of everything and allow music to transport you to a place of healing like nothing else can. That’s where I was—in a bubble where all my thoughts were completely shut off, where all my fears, and hurts, and worries were forgotten. Forgotten just for a single blessed moment. Nothing mattered in that bubble—only me, letting go with my hands above my head and my body swaying in time to music so loud it was impossible to distinguish the pulse of the beat from the pounding of my own heart. Too bad bubbles are so fragile.
A chilling breeze stirred the fine hairs on the nape of my neck and slid along my bare shoulders, effectively bursting my bubble illusion. I stiffened and suppressed the urge to swing around. I stole a glance around me and nervously put my hands back on my dance partner’s shoulders. It was much too warm, with way too many people packed onto the dance floor for any type of breeze to be present. I shook my head and continued dancing. I wondered for a second if I’d imagined it, but not even a half second later, I felt a frigid, lingering caress on my lower back through the silk of my blouse. I swung around, automatically crouching down to reach for my dagger. The only thing I found were the stares of nearby dancers, sweating as they kept dancing, despite the crazy girl staring them down. My emotions felt out of whack. There was no reason for me to feel the overwhelming shock and awe that was currently coursing through my body. My head spun with so many foreign sensations. I felt parched and decided I needed a drink. I turned to tell my dance partner that I needed to go, but he had already moved on and found a new dance partner. With a shrug, I left the dance floor. Easy come, easy go.
Relativity (A Sage Hannigan Time Warper Novel #2) Page 1
