Laughing, albeit not maliciously, Ryker smiled indulgently while fixing it for me. Then he offered his arm, and my cheeks burned. Still, I put mine through his and tensely allowed him to lead me through the halls. Chuckling, Ryker explained this was his private wing and the vampires here before were only allowed in to see me, after which they left his quarters. My shoulders relaxed while I sighed with relief, and he laughed under his breath. Hey, now, I didn’t need a bunch of possibly horny vampires staring at me while I walked around in a freaking towel. Who knows what might come of that? No, thank you.
Later, I sat in a chair before a mirror, waiting for the hair adoring someone. The masseuse was a vampire too, which frayed my nerves a little at first. However, she was kind and patiently explained everything she meant to do. I swear my back never felt this good in my life. Biting my lip, I kept my eyes down, not wanting to see how much of a mutt I was compared to the beauty that surrounded me. I sensed someone behind me, and my shoulders tensed, which earned me a chuckle.
“You’re perceptive,” a low voice intoned, and I shuddered. “Most vampires don’t notice me right away, let alone the humans.” Slowly, my chair turned, and I hesitantly raised my eyes only to quirk my brow with the beginning of a smile. While he still towered over me and had the same lethal unassuming build as the others, this man didn’t give me the predator vibe. He had the same gorgeous features that looked like they were carved from marble, but his eyes were softer. They were a beautiful jade green, and his hair was dishwater blond. He had it spiked on his head, which was part of what made me smile. I’m a sucker for spiked hair. He wore ripped jeans with a chain hanging on the right side, and his shirt was strategically ripped too. He reminded me of a punk rocker, complete with fingerless gloves and boots with spikes on the back of them. He was even wearing eyeliner, which made his eyes pop.
“I think I love you,” I told him on impulse, and he threw his head back to laugh. While his fangs were just as large and sharp as every other pair I’d seen, they didn’t make fear race along my spine.
“Well, bunny, I think I love you too. I’m Tyger. It’s not the name I was born with as a human, but it’s the one I received upon my rebirth. I’m a rarity, see, I can shift to a tiger if I so please. Vamps can’t shift, so I’m that amazing,” he stated with a grin. “Snow is around here somewhere too. She shifts to a snow leopard, but she’s actually cuddly. And we can’t forget Arctic, who shifts to an arctic fox. Wily little bastard, that one. But he will adore you. Some vamps are uppity because they’re old and stuffy, but the three of us will hang around when we can, all right? Plus, they think because they have fangs that makes them almighty. Pfft. Snow and I could literally eat them. We are shifters, love.”
“Is that why I’m not scared of you?” I mused aloud, “because you’re fuzzy?” Laughing, he shook his head and ruffled my hair.
“No, you’re not afraid of me because I’m not stupid. I know you’re an omega, so I’m not projecting violence like the idiots you’ve met so far. I’ve let you in, so you already know there’s nothing in me you need to fear. Some vampires don’t believe in omegas. They will try to hurt you when they believe no one is looking, albeit Ryker will go unholy on their asses. Idiots. See, some vamps believe they are above needing any comfort or help. Thus, they view omegas as an insult. They’re so wrapped up in themselves they cannot see they’re already lost. You might save them. If not, Snow and I will put them out of their misery. Vampires like that are not long from losing control and draining every human they see instead of only taking what they need when they feed. Selfish bastards. But enough of that for now, let’s give your hair some desperately needed love,” Tyger chuckled.
When I would have protested, he kissed my forehead, and I grumbled under my breath to his amusement. Humming, the man ran my hair through his fingers to check the ends, and I sighed. Quirking his brow, he waited, but I only shrugged, and he chuckled. Yeah, I cut my hair with school scissors. I would not waste money that could go towards tuition, food, or clothes on something I could do myself. So what if it’s a hack job?
Instead of turning the chair around, he moved behind it and smoothed my hair while I chewed my bottom lip. “I will only even out your uh ends and get rid of the few that split on you. Dare I ask how much you chopped off?” Tyger asked with laughter shaking his voice.
“About a guy inch,” I shrugged, and, after a moment, he gently tugged on a few strands of my hair until I leaned my head back to look at him. Quirking his brow, he waited for an explanation, and I shrugged. “What? Just because I haven’t gotten jiggy doesn’t mean I don’t read or hear about stuff. Guys don’t understand inches, so I cut off a guy’s inch worth of hair. It’s pretty self-explanatory,” I scoffed. He tried hard not to burst out laughing before indicating himself. “If you don’t know, I can’t help you. It goes against the code.” I didn’t know why I felt comfortable enough to be so sarcastic and sassy with him, but I liked it. Usually, I kept these sorts of thoughts to myself.
Laughing, Tyger nodded and ruffled my hair again, which I protested. When he hummed a haunting tune, I closed my eyes to hear it better. I felt Tyger messing with my hair, but couldn’t bring myself to look. Only once he gently tugged on my hair again did I open my eyes. I glanced at my hair to see he hadn’t lied, and I smiled with relief. Shaking his head, Tyger tapped my back between my shoulders, and I stood after sticking my tongue out at him. Laughing, he tilted his head to indicate I should follow him so, after shrugging, I did. It wasn’t like I wanted to stay in this room by myself, still only wrapped in a towel.
The next room we entered was full of clothes, and I turned around in a circle to stare at them with shock. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many clothes in my life, and I’ve worked in a few clothing stores. When I found Tyger, he was busy digging through a drawer, straightening after a moment with a satisfied smile. I feared that wasn’t good. For me. I backed away, hoping he wouldn’t notice. After rounding a corner, I turned around only to find Tyger standing in front of me with a quirked brow. Dammit. With a wicked grin, he shook out the bundle in his hands, and I took a step back. Oh, hell no.
“Oh, hell yes,” Tyger laughed, grabbing my arm before I could run. Help! A few minutes later, I smoothed the fabric for the fifteenth time while wondering why I was left in the care of an insane shifter. Sighing, I obediently pulled on the boots he placed in front of me, having already learned he wasn’t shy in the least and would dress me himself if he must. About the time he tugged my towel, I realized he was serious and agreed to wear whatever he wanted if he gave me privacy. So, now I wore a black long-sleeved dress with a corset top that left my shoulders and neck bare. It was very vampire-esque. The skirt was pleated and a high-low, which I liked. The back of it reached my ankles while the front brushed my knees. I raised my brow when the black leather boots Tyger gave me ended above my knees. Eh? I guess I said whatever so long as he gave me privacy, but still. At least they didn’t have a heel, since I’d either break it or my neck.
“You wear black well,” Tyger praised, and I glared at him. “Okay, for that, you get to wear eyeliner too.” My eyes widened, and I tried to run, but a cackling Tyger caught me around my middle with one arm and effortlessly picked me up. Bastard. So, now he’s twisted two strands of hair on either side of my head and clipped them together at the back, and he gleefully lined my eyes with black. I almost sarcastically asked if he had any black lipstick lying around but bit my tongue because he probably did. I felt like a doll.
“You are my doll,” Tyger agreed, and I turned my head to look at him, my cheeks heating. “And, yes, I happen to have black lipstick lying around, but, meh, I don’t think it will suit you.” Oh great, the insane shifter is in my head. Lovely. I hope he gets lost. Tyger burst out laughing, and I stuck my tongue out at him again, to which he responded by playfully snapping his teeth with a wicked grin.
Sighing, I warily stared at the shifter who Ryker left in control of my fate, and he chuckled, shaking his he
ad before offering me his arm with a gallant smile. I should imagine ancient people naked to torment him. Or should I save that for when I’m irritated? Hmm, decisions, decisions. Tyger glanced at me, and I smiled brightly in reply. With a snort, he led me to another room where Ryker sat at a grand table with another glass of wine. What took my breath away, however, was Matty seated at the opposite end, about five seats down. He didn’t look like he suffered and a silent sigh of relief left my lips. Ryker didn’t lie, which gave me hope for our future.
“You’re about to be unhappy, yet also excited,” Ryker mused. At first, I thought he was talking to me, but Matty, with a curious frown, looked around the room while Ryker stared at the wine he swirled within his glass. As soon as he saw me, Matty’s face lit up, followed by his expression crumbling. Ah. He feared me showing up here since we would both be ‘guests’ of the vampires. Were they covens? Or did they go with what bats are called since they are often associated with them? A colony, camp, or cloud? I believe cloud is only for when they’re flying, however. Yes, welcome to my cloud of vampires. Sounds like a line from a dream of heaven turned into a nightmare. Interesting. Now I want to draw that. Tyger snickered under his breath beside me, and I gently elbowed him with a slight smile.
“Hi, Matty,” I greeted, a lump forming in my throat when he looked like he might cry.
“You weren’t supposed to come here, Angel,” Matty sobbed, and I sighed. Stepping forward, I left Tyger’s side to kneel beside Matty’s chair, and he looked at his plate with a wobbling bottom lip.
“Matty, I will always come for you, whether I need to traverse hell or high water to reach you. You’re my baby brother, and I love you. You are the reason I find the strength to smile and face each day. Otherwise, I fear I would have given up long ago. So, yes, I am supposed to be here. Liam didn’t threaten me or you either, I came freely,” I told him with a gentle smile. I brushed his bangs back, and the next moment he was in my arms crying. “At least we can be together without fear here. So, see, it’s not all bad.”
“B-But they want to-” Matty began only to flinch when Tammy burst through the door. He bit off the end of his sentence, and I quirked my brow. What happened between them while they were here? Albeit, it wasn’t surprising that the vampires would try to drive a wedge between the pair. They had no need for Tammy. Well, none that were good.
“Angel,” Tammy breathed when she saw me, her expression darkening after a moment. Uh oh, what’s that about? “I see they captured you as well.” Captured? I suppose so, but also not at the same time. Liam gave me the option to come or not, so while I was sure I couldn’t leave, I wasn’t captured either.
“In a way,” I sighed after a moment. “I’m glad to see you’re healthy. Ryker assured me of that, but it’s still nice to see it for myself.” Tammy’s expression darkened, and I sighed inwardly. I feared she was acting perversely, and I didn’t know how much longer Ryker would tolerate it. Yes, I understood this wasn’t a desirable situation, but being a brat about it wouldn’t solve anything. In fact, it would only make it worse. Ryker was behaving graciously. At the very least, we should try to be thankful we weren’t suffering the treatment some of our kind would maliciously give.
“You believed and are thankful for that leech?” Tammy hissed, and I barely kept from wincing. A glance at Ryker showed his lips set in a firm line that looked like it might become a scowl at any moment. So, this was how she referred to him. Great. Way to have self-preservation instincts, Tammy. Sighing, I shook my head and looked at her pleadingly. Please, Tammy, don’t do anything stupid.
“Angel,” Matty tugged on my sleeve until I glanced at him. Poor sprout still had tears clinging to his lashes. “Angel, they want to drink from you.” I sighed silently, then smiled and ruffled his hair.
“I know, bud, it’s all right. We’ve got beds to sleep in, right?” I asked, thinking quickly to convince Matty it was fair. He nodded with a slight frown, and I chuckled. “Food in our bellies?” Another nod. “Clothes on our backs?” A slightly more hesitant nod while his brow scrunched. “And we haven’t had to pay for any of it. Nothing in life is free, Matty, there’s always a price somewhere. So, if sharing what I have naturally will aid our host and pay our way, then so be it. He’s not asking me to do anything I’m uncomfortable with. What’s the difference between providing a little blood versus working to make money?”
Biting his lip, Matty looked thoughtful, and I tilted my head to the side while waiting for either his agreement or objections. “It’s all right?” Matty asked quietly after a moment.
“Yes. I’ve agreed to it, Matty, so it’s fine,” I promised, and, after a moment, he sighed with relief. Not that I had a choice in the matter, nor did I ever agree to it. But if that slight lie kept Matty from stirring up trouble trying to play hero, then I’d tell it a thousand times. Matty was stubborn, and if he thought I might be in the slightest bit of danger, he would dig in his heels. Other than with my monster, but only because he knew I’d be even more stubborn. Thus, Matty refused to accept any other situation that threatened my health or safety. I adored my little brother and was awed by the depth of the love he felt for me.
“I told you before, Matty, I do not intend to harm your sister. She is a gift to me and mine, and I’ve watched her since the day she was born. The dogs tried to take her from me, but I have stepped in to reclaim what is mine. The last precious omega left in the hands of the mutts met a terrible fate. I am not about to let the same befall Angel,” Ryker explained in a patient voice. I sighed inwardly with relief, happy to hear that he understood Matty was still a mere boy. Sure, he understood more than some kids his age would, but less than others all the same. He tried, but sometimes he needed the adults surrounding him to remember he was only a child.
“He looked like me,” I added quietly, and Matty glanced at me. I shrugged in response, and my little brother looked thoughtful.
“Were you related?” Matty asked after a moment. “If you looked alike and were both omegas, do you share blood?” I smiled, shrugging again, and he bit his lip. Ah, poor kid watches me too much sometimes.
“I know the answer to that, whereas Angel, my little bunny, does not. Alas, I promised Jax, the omega I mentioned, that I wouldn’t tell her. If I cannot keep my word, how could you ever trust me?” Ryker murmured, and Matty nodded with his brow clearing. To be fair, that was a very logical statement.
“You don’t seem upset,” Matty whispered, and I softened, “so I won’t be upset either.” I smiled before indicating his chair, and he sighed, which was followed by a mutinous scowl. Fighting a laugh, I looked at Tyger, who watched Tammy with a dark scowl I did not like.
“Are you not going to eat, Matty?” Flinching, I stared at Liam in shock while trying to calm my racing heart. “You know you need to, else your sister will worry.” Well, yes, but you shouldn’t use me against him, either.
Narrowing my eyes, afraid of him or not, I intended to give the vampire a piece of my mind, but a glance at Ryker had me biting my tongue. His expression warned not to, for whatever reason. “Angel will respect my decision either way,” Matty replied haughtily, and I stifled a laugh. “I’ve told you before, Liam, I am eight, which means I am well on my way to becoming a man. Therefore, I can make my own decisions.” Liam sighed, glancing at me with a bashful smile, and I understood what Ryker meant before when he said Matty was far more likely to hurt Liam. The vampire appeared to have adopted him as his own.
“Matty, listen to Liam,” I scolded in a gentle voice, and he gave me another mutinous frown. Lowering my voice, I moved my lips beside his ear and whispered, “He sees you as a son.” Matty’s eyes widened, and he stared at me warily for a moment. I made sure to only focus on how happy I was that Liam wanted to keep Matty safe. It saddened me whenever I sensed someone wanted to adopt him because it felt like they could take him from me. But Matty needed a father figure in his life. Even though I didn’t know Liam, and I feared the vampire, I got the feeling he would be an ex
cellent one. With a trembling lip, Matty threw his arms around my neck and cried quietly. “Shh,” I murmured, “this is a wonderful thing. He can teach you things I cannot. Plus, he’s not trying to take you away, Matty. Liam’s trying to keep you safe in a house full of those who could hurt us if they choose. Therefore, give him a chance to plead his case. Then, after a suitable time has passed, we can discuss it and see how you feel about it. I doubt Liam is asking you to call him father or dad, nor is he demanding your obedience any more than I do. Sometimes we have to follow rules we dislike to remain healthy, hearty, and whole, hmm?”
After a few more minutes, Matty nodded with a soft sob, and I chuckled. He felt the lack of a father in our lives far more keenly than I had, I fear. I doubt it helped that our time together was sporadic. “I’ll try,” Matty promised, and I praised his bravery. Soon, my younger brother would regain his footing, and we’d have a stubborn little hoot on our hands. But, until then, I hoped Liam would continue to be patient and gentle. That Matty was unafraid to talk back told me Liam never once threatened him or raised his voice. Matty was sensitive to that, especially with men.
Another vampire entered the room, judging by his ethereal beauty. Ryker sighed when he saw him, indicating a seat beside Matty once our eyes met. Swallowing audibly, I convinced Matty he needed to take his place, noticing that Tammy watched us with pale cheeks and anger in her eyes. Oh boy. She crossed her arms, refusing to approach the table, and Ryker shrugged, moving to sit beside me. The new vampire with his bright blue hair and easy smile sat across from me, his soft gray eyes appearing to be almost sad.
Bouquet of Regret (Angel's Shifters Book 1) Page 22