Immortal Mayhem

by Elena Gray

  The lion had to be part of the music. I had a playlist on my phone with one of those spooky Halloween soundtracks. I played it every year to scare the kids when they came trick or treating. Hopefully, that’s all this was, because if I ran into a lion, I would literally pee my pants. But with the weirdness of this party, I could easily imagine someone walking around with a lion on a leash.

  I made it halfway around the room and there was still no sign of Trevor. No sign of the lion either, thankfully. I hoped Trevor hadn’t changed his mind and decided to stay home or left early. Why hadn’t I gotten his number?

  There wasn’t any harm in waiting another ten minutes. If he didn’t show by then, I was calling it a night. My feet were killing me in these heels and a cold draft kept blowing up my skirt.

  Draining the last of my zombie cocktail, I set it on the tray of a passing waiter. Like an idiot, I forgot it was like lightning in a glass, and now my throat was on fire. I swiped the tears that funneled out of my eyes as I stood there wheezing. Lucky for me, I had on waterproof mascara.

  Once I had a semblance of composure, I tipped my head back to watch the aerialists dangling from the ceiling. They must have been hooked up to invisible wires, because some looked like they were actually floating across the room. The effects were amazing. If this truly was a party and not a movie set, I had to make it a point to meet the hosts. If all of their parties were like this, I needed a second invite.

  A woman above me on the trapeze let go and arced through the air before clasping hands with the man across from her. She had to have incredible strength to be able to fling herself that far across the room.

  Scarlet fabric hung from the ceiling. A scantily clad woman began to wrap herself up in it like a mummy. I gasped when she spun down, hanging directly in front of me. I couldn’t stop myself from clapping. I had always wanted to try aerial silks, but a lot closer to the ground. Heights were something I avoided.

  Noticing that I was the only one clapping, I quickly dropped my hands. The woman winked at me before climbing back up. Why wasn’t anyone else as fascinated as I was? This kind of entertainment must be common at their parties. Cue the awkward girl moment again.

  I felt something wet on my leg as it began to work its way up my thigh. Glancing down, I found the largest dog I had ever seen. His nose was getting a little too familiar with me. I slid my hand down, wedging it between his snout and my skin. Probably not a good idea to stick my hand near his mouth, but if I didn’t stop him, he was going to be all up in my hoohah.

  The dog ignored my hand, bumping it out of the way so he could search higher. When he made contact with my underwear, I squealed. My hands gripped the sides of his face, trying to pull his head away. I felt my cheeks flush as our tug of war caught the attention of the people around me. I heard some chuckles and a catcall. I attempted to cross my legs, but he was already nose deep. This dog was definitely friendly.

  “At least buy a girl dinner first,” I grunted as I gave one last tug on his head.

  “Get you some, Cujo,” a guy chuckled as he approached with a group of his friends. This guy was massive. His muscles stretched his charcoal gray t-shirt to the point that I thought it would rip. His skin had a red hue to it, and his eyes were a lemon yellow with black rimming them. He had six-inch horns on his head that curled to the back. His friends wore similar costumes, though their skin was in varying shades of orange and red.

  The dog whipped his head out from under my skirt, turning his attention to the group of guys gathered in front of me. He bared his teeth and growled at the guy who spoke.

  Now that the dog’s head was free, I was able to get a better look at him. He must be some kind of hybrid dog, because he looked like a wolf—a very big wolf. He was completely covered in black fur, which at the moment was standing on end.

  For a second, he reminded me of the dog I’d seen at the restaurant the night Mike and I broke up. By the time I had looked for it when I got outside, it was gone.

  Could this be the same animal?

  Something about him touched me, and it wasn’t just his nose in my crotch either. He was eager for attention, but he also had a protective streak. Instinct had me running my fingers through his thick fur, trying to calm him down. I didn’t doubt that if provoked, this gentle giant would tear the horned guy apart.

  “Please tell me his name isn’t Cujo,” I said. “Why would anyone name him that?”

  Even though he stood higher than my waist, my gut told me he wouldn’t hurt me. Despite the way he’d sniffed at my lady bits, the way he pressed against my side proved that he was trying to guard me.

  Laughing, the guy shook his head. “Nah. That’s just what I call him. Sometimes he tends to act like a rabid dog.”

  I didn’t like this guy and wished he would go away. Obviously Midnight—my new name for my protector—didn’t care for this jackass either. Anyone that wasn’t a dog lover couldn’t be trusted. Come to think of it, Mike wasn’t a dog lover, either. Figured.

  My new furry friend took a step forward, his low growl vibrating my hand where it rested against his back. I would have pulled him away, except he didn’t have anything to grab onto. They probably didn’t make a collar big enough to fit his neck.

  Kneeling next to Midnight, I soothed him as best as I could. “Don’t waste your time on this jerk. He’s just jealous because you’re getting more action than him tonight.”

  The guys surrounding the vocal jackass began to laugh, punching their friend in the shoulder. One commented, “She’s got you there, Curtis.”

  I draped my arm across Midnight’s back. I didn’t know who I was protecting, him or Curtis. If this guy didn’t move on, he was going to become dinner. I continued to smooth Midnight’s fur as I whispered in his ear.

  Keeping his attention directed at Curtis, Midnight rubbed his face against mine. Somehow this dog had managed to steal my heart in less than five minutes.

  Curtis jabbed his finger at Midnight. “I can show you a better time than this mongrel. With that fiery red hair, you’re probably a real firecracker in bed.”

  This guy couldn’t take the hint that I wasn’t interested. Not to mention the fact that I had heard one variation or another of that same lame pickup line since I was in high school.

  I stood so that I was eye level with him and said, “Listen, Kyle—”

  “It’s Curtis,” he snarled.

  “Whatever. I think your time would be better spent researching original pick-up lines. Why don’t you and your buddies lock horns and see what you come up with.”

  A few of his friends chuckled. Curtis’s heated glare quickly silenced them. I didn’t think his skin could get any redder than it already was, but somehow he managed. If purposely forgetting his name didn’t piss him off, then I’m sure embarrassing him in front of his friends did.

  I turned to leave, but he wrapped his hand around my arm, yanking me back.

  Before I could pull away, Midnight snarled and clamped his jaws around Curtis’s wrist. He didn’t let go until I was free.

  Curtis whipped his bleeding arm back, clutching it to his chest.

  “You bit me,” Curtis whined. He pulled his other arm back, ready to throw a punch.

  This guy must be crazy if he thought he could win a fight against a hundred-plus-pound dog. Lucky for him, his friends held him back. Blood began to seep between his fingers, then dripped onto the floor.

  “This isn’t over, Cujo. I hope she’s worth it.”

  Curtis’s friends continued to drag him through the crowd. Hopefully, they were about to take him home. Somehow, I had managed to piss off two people tonight. I needed to find Trevor and get the hell out of there.

  Kneeling back down in front of Midnight, I took his face in my hands. “I really appreciate the chivalry, fella, but I think you may have gotten yourself in trouble.”

  He didn’t seem too worried as his tongue traveled up my cheek. I wiped his slobber away with the back of my hand and planted a kiss on the
top of his head.

  “I really wish I could take you home to be my personal guard dog.”

  His head dropped into my lap and I swear if he wasn’t a dog, he would be purring.

  “Come on,” I told him. “I need to find your owners and explain what happened.”

  I didn’t trust Curtis. I could see him twisting the story and filing a police report. I had no idea what he had against Midnight, but I wasn’t going to let Curtis do anything to hurt him. Maybe Trevor could help me find the owners. If I ever found Trevor.

  I hated to move Midnight, but the longer I sat there, the more time Curtis had to plot his revenge.

  “Why don’t you go find a corner to curl up in while I’m gone? Preferably, somewhere hidden.” I scratched him behind the ear and placed another kiss on his head.

  After another scratch and cuddle, I reluctantly stood up.

  “I’ll find you in a bit,” I said over my shoulder as I started to walk away. I didn’t make it one step when his nose bumped me from behind, nearly lifting me off the floor.

  Turning, I shook my finger at him. It was hard to keep a straight face while I scolded him. “Midnight, you need to stop putting your nose where it doesn’t belong. We need to have some boundaries or at least a first date.”

  Midnight cocked his head at me, then licked my hand before he stalked out of the room.

  Yup, this party was definitely strange.

  Chapter 4

  After the scene Curtis had made about Midnight, I thought for sure Trevor would have found me. Now that the crowd resumed whatever they were doing before, I realized the confrontation had eaten some of the time I’d promised to wait. Trevor’s ten minutes were up.

  Instead of leaving like I had originally planned, I went in search of the hosts of the party. They had to be around here somewhere. Weren’t they supposed to be making the rounds and thanking everyone for coming?

  I also needed to find Midnight’s owners. You couldn’t have a dog that size roaming around and not know where he came from.

  Across the room, I noticed a doorway that led to a different part of the house. It looked like more guests were filtering between the rooms. Trevor had to be in there. Where else could he be? The house was enormous, but they couldn’t possibly have all of the rooms open and available for guests.

  My main problem now was how to get across the room unnoticed. I’d drawn enough attention toward myself tonight. I really didn’t want to risk another awkward conversation. Crossing the dance floor might be the safest route, but it meant wedging through the people packed together. I didn’t feel like bumping and grinding with anyone. One wrong hip thrust and my costume would be toast.

  Just as I turned to take the route around the dance floor, the tempo of the music changed. The thrum of the base rolled over my skin. I began to sway to the music, feeling an invisible force luring me to the dance floor. It wouldn’t hurt to dance for a minute.

  Drifting through the throng of people, my hands lifted in the air as I twisted and turned to the beat. My hips swiveled and I closed my eyes, letting the rhythm of the music take control. A few people cheered me on as they cleared the way, permitting me to come further into the crowd.

  A hand snaked around my waist from behind while their pelvis rocked into me. I wanted to push them away, but my hands betrayed me and slid up and down my own body. I leaned back, my head resting against a firm chest. Warm lips worked their way down my neck, and each kiss burned my skin.

  I knew this was wrong, that I needed to leave, but my mind was too foggy to figure out why. Why would I want to leave, anyway? This stranger’s body against mine felt so good. Especially when my corset inched up and his hands skimmed my bare stomach. Warmth pooled at my core as I rubbed against him.

  My body burned, needing more. I wanted his hands between my thighs, working their way higher. I needed him to soothe the ache. I moaned when he slipped his fingers past the waistband of my skirt. Each sweep of his hand over my skin teased me with the promise of release.

  That zombie cocktail must have been stronger than I’d thought. I would never dance like this otherwise. I felt completely free and didn’t give a damn that anyone could see this guy dry humping me. What did I care? I would never see these people again.

  I continued to move my body against his. I had no idea what this guy looked like, and with magical hands like his, I needed to know. As I turned in his arms, my eyes began to feel heavy. It became a burden to hold them open. My head fell back and his arms tightened around me, keeping me from collapsing on the floor.

  Talk about embarrassing. A complete stranger was holding me up because I was too drunk to stand on my own. Oh well. If he was fine with it, so was I. Forcing my eyes to stay open, I found the most mesmerizing hazel eyes, haloed with a hint of red. His full lips were curved into a sexy smile that immediately left my panties wet.

  A sliver of doubt nudged at my mind. I slowed my movements, pressing my fingers against my temples. What was I forgetting?

  I tried to pull out of his arms, but they banded around me. I needed fresh air to clear the fuzziness in my head. Suddenly, the room pressed in around me.

  My sexy dance partner gripped my chin, forcing my eyes to meet his. The hazel color was replaced by burning flames. All thoughts left my mind except for his hypnotic gaze.

  “Don’t you want to dance with me?” His voice washed over me like a warm bath.

  My only response was a slow nod. Why wouldn’t I want to dance with him? There was no place else I wanted to be other than in his arms. Or even better, in his bed.

  His hand shifted from my chin to the back of my head. My eyes drifted closed as I leaned in toward his lips. Anticipation burned in me as I waited to feel his mouth covering mine.

  My lips met air as someone jerked me away. The vise-like grip on my arm was the only thing that steadied me.

  My eyes fluttered open to find a scowling woman standing in between me and Mr. Smexy. My body cried out at the loss of him. She needed to move out of my way, now.

  Her fingers snapped in my face. “Honey, snap out of it. This two-timing prick has been trying to seduce you.”

  I focused on the words she was saying. I knew they were important, but I was having a hard time processing them.

  “Sweetie,” the woman soothed. “If you walk away, his effect will wear off. His essence only works under a short range.”

  I blinked, confused.

  She shoved a drink in my hand and raised it to my lips. “Drink this. It will help clear your head.”

  Obeying for no other reason than I felt the need to appease her, I held the glass with shaking hands and took a few sips.

  The haze in the room began to clear.

  “What happened?” I asked once I found my voice.

  “This horny pig”—she jerked her thumb over her shoulder—“can’t keep it in his pants.”

  I looked from her to the guy behind her. I had no idea what was going on. I struggled to remember how the hell I’d ended up on the dance floor with a stranger. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what’s happening.”

  The woman turned, swinging her arm until her hand connected with Mr. Smexy’s face. “You promised that you would stop. No more seducing innocent women.”

  “Babe, I’m sorry.” He flung his arms out and shrugged with a baleful expression. “You know that I can’t help it.”

  “I’m tired of your excuses! You are supposed to be going to your meetings. Obviously, you’ve been skipping them.” Her frown smoothed when she glanced at me again. “Are you feeling better yet, honey? Thank the fates that I found you. I could smell his pheromones in the other room.”

  I shook my head, still not able to piece together what they were talking about. Somehow, I’d ended up in the middle of more drama. What the hell was going on with me tonight? I wasn’t sticking around to figure it out. Right now, leaving sounded like a great idea. Come to think of it, I had been on my way to do something.

  Taking another sip of
my drink, I gave the guy a loud burp, then pressed through the other dancers. I could still hear the woman yelling at the man, her loud voice carrying over the music.

  Sucked to be him tonight. Actually, it kinda sucked to be me right now. If this was any indication of the kind of dates Trevor and I would be going on, maybe I needed to reevaluate spending time with him. Even though this didn’t technically count as a first date since he was nowhere to be found. Of course, I would finally get the courage to do something out of my perfect little bubble, and then it would completely backfire on me.

  A dull ache began at the back of my head. I thought I’d only had one zombie cocktail, but at some point, I must have had more. I replayed the conversation between the woman and her boyfriend. Was he some sort of sex addict? Had he put something in my drink and that’s why everything was a blur?

  I tried to remember what we had done. Thankfully, she’d interrupted the kiss. Based on the damp condition of my underwear, it seemed like I hadn’t been far off from doing more with him. I’d never done anything like this before.

  Just like the woman had promised, the fog cleared from my head the farther I moved away from the dance floor. That revelation meant my drink hadn’t been spiked.

  There must have been some sort of incense filtering into the room that revved up everyone’s hormones. That would explain why everyone was practically having sex out there. Note to self. Stay away from the dance floor. Unless I’m with Trevor…

  Shit. That’s what I’d been on my way to do before I’d ended up in a compromising position with Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsy. The room I’d noticed earlier was closer than before. All I had to do was work my way through the rest of the crowd. Easy peasy.

  Wedging myself between the bodies shaking and grinding, I apologized to everyone I passed. Some were compliant and moved out of my way. Only one person complained, but at this point, I didn’t care. I needed some personal space. I was done being poked, rubbed, and pinched. I would do one more loop and then I was going home. This time I meant it.