by Kaye Draper
Grey stared at the door. He lifted a hand to touch his lips, still reeling from the fire that had engulfed him, and the strange, overwhelming buzz of energy that had leapt between them. Then, he finally found his voice. “Oh, God fucking damn it.”
Chapter 31
Arianna arched a brow at the siren sitting stiffly on her suede sofa. The self-proclaimed queen of the sirens possessed skin that was a pale, flawless white, but to Arianna she looked like a fish’s belly—like some creature who had been trapped in the depths too long. Arianna stroked a hand down her own sun-bronzed arm as if brushing off a bit of lint, calling attention to their differences.
“To what do I owe the distinct displeasure of your visit?” Arianna hated having another siren on her turf with every fiber of her DNA. Especially now. The inhabitants of the island were getting uppity, and the whole place reeked of that little half-breed as the youngling came into their powers. They would pay. Just as soon as she got this domineering piece of fillet out of her sight. What was the sirens' queen doing here?
Charmion laughed. “You act as if you are above us, but it is an act, playing house here on your frigid little island.”
Arianna crossed the room and draped herself across a plush chaise. She pretended to stifle a yawn. “It’s your act that’s tiring. Your ceremony, your silly rules, and your Gods-awful egos were exhausting...I couldn’t stand the boredom.”
Charmion glared. “You act like a queen on your pathetic, icy little berg. Give up your games. Give up the kleidí and we will give you a nice tropical island somewhere.” She softened her expression. “Come back to us. The humans are nothing. We are your family.”
Arianna studied her long, sharp nails, admiring the glossy sheen of her red polish. “No.”
Charmion clenched her fists, unable to force the matter on Arianna’s own turf. “Your stubbornness and lack of respect for your elders will get you killed one of these days.”
Arianna’s refusal was more than just stubbornness and lack of respect for authority. She found it interesting that the other sirens suddenly wanted this little island in the north, in uncultured America, of all places. Their interest alone made her determined not to give it to them.
The woman let out an indignant shriek that sent a shock of pain behind Arianna’s eyes, and one of the boat’s windows broke with a sharp crack.
Seconds later Arianna stood alone, watching the dark water outside the cracked window. Her anger was a simmering thing, and she needed somewhere to direct it. She stroked the glittering gem that lay hidden beneath her blouse. Her new pet had memories of the half-breed in his mind. Maybe she could use her current little pet to punish the annoying pest who was roaming her island.
Chapter 32
Grey stepped out on the edge of the stage, scared out of his gourd. The lights were intense, and he couldn’t see much of the crowd. It was disconcerting knowing there were so many people watching him. He was able to hear their voices, raised to a hum like a swarm of angry bumblebees, but he was unable to see faces in the sea of bodies below the stage. The auditorium was the biggest show they’d ever played, and it was nearly sold out. Halloween decorations littered the venue, a perfect match for Lucifer’s dark, edgy look. Grey smoothed a hand down the front of his tight black t-shirt with its smiling skull print. He simultaneously felt like he was going to throw up or start laughing.
Luca took the mic while the others went to their usual positions onstage, just like they’d rehearsed the day before. He held out a hand and the racket died down slightly, though you couldn’t call it quiet by any means. “Thanks for coming out tonight,” he purred into the mic. “We’ve got a treat for you.”
That was all the intro Grey got. He walked across the stage as Luca stepped back and the band struck their first chord. It was one of their songs—one Grey had helped create. He reached up and took the mic off the stand. His pulse thundered in his head, and he was having trouble catching his breath. Grey heard his cue coming and somehow just managed to gasp in enough oxygen to hit the first note strong.
All his fear vanished, replaced by euphoria. Singing with Luca and the rest of Lucifer was always an experience like no other. But being here, on stage, was like flying. His body felt electric. His voice poured out of him, and it was like giving away part of his soul. But he got more in return, bolstered up by the live, pulsing energy of the crowd.
Luca came across the stage as he played, taking up a stance behind Grey. They stood back-to-back during a dramatic riff in the music, Grey’s voice twining with Luca’s guitar, rising up as the bass and drum faded out. Grey could feel the chords vibrating through Luca and into himself, feeding him energy that he poured out into his song.
When the gig was over a couple hours later, the lights went down, and they exited the stage to a deafening roar of applause and shouting. George was waiting for them. He handed out bottles of water, the sides misty with condensation. “You sounded amazing,” he said, red-cheeked and jovial. His receding hairline was shiny with perspiration, and he pulled out a handkerchief to wipe it dry.
Luca grinned, rivers of sweat trickling down his temples, darkening the back and chest of his t-shirt. “God it’s hot out there!” He clapped Grey on the back and Grey looked up into his face, marveling at how Luca glowed with pure joy. Tendrils of silky black hair had escaped his ponytail and they clung to his lean cheeks and neck. A sort of wild energy radiated from him. “Great job tonight!”
Grey tried not to think about that disaster of a kiss. Luca hadn’t mentioned it since, and he acted just as…Luca…as ever. But at times like this, Grey had to check himself from demanding more. Grey’s entire body was buzzing like a live wire and he could imagine a few great ways to use all that energy. But he wouldn’t push. Clearly Luca wasn’t interested. Or, if he was, he wasn’t interested enough to risk destroying their friendship. Or the dynamics of the band.
Ethan came up between them from behind, looping his arms around their shoulders. “Wow. We are amazing!” He gave Grey’s neck a squeeze, and Grey shivered, that clawing thing inside him wanting…something…he didn’t understand.
Grey pushed Ethan off, wrinkling his nose. “Ugg…you stink.”
He didn’t. He smelled amazing. Like clean, energy-filled male exertion. Grey kind of wanted to lick his tattoos. Clearly, he was losing his damned mind.
The drummer let go of Grey with a laugh and stood rubbing his tired arms. He was wearing a clingy tank, his muscular arms exposed, and Grey tried not to notice the perfect definition under all that ink. Fuck, what was wrong with him tonight?
Matheus pushed by them, oblivious to Grey’s manic thoughts. “You don’t exactly smell like roses either, princess.”
Grey sneered at him, but it was hard to do. Even Matheus couldn’t maintain his broody attitude tonight. He gave Grey a wicked little smile that made Grey’s guts do a little flip-flop…thing…and shucked his t-shirt, revealing his ridiculously long torso and miles of pretty brown skin. Grey looked away, suddenly really interested in his water bottle. Luca stepped forward a little and turned to the side, ostensibly to talk to George, and Grey heard the unmistakable sound of a zipper. Ethan started rummaging around for his clothes too.
Grey pushed past his guardian. He was touched that Luca was trying to protect his feminine sensibilities, but it was a wasted gesture. Grey was a guy now. He wasn’t new to men’s rooms and gym lockers. If he wanted to be one of them, he was going to have to deal with it.
Though, usually he wasn’t so freaking tempted to ogle people.
Grey found his own duffel bag and pulled out a clean t-shirt and jeans. The clothes he was wearing were soaked, thanks to all the running around under the bright lights. The space was cramped, and Luca reached past him as Grey gripped the hem of his shirt and pulled it off. Grey turned to the side so Luca could reach his own stuff on the floor. Their eyes met in passing and Grey felt his face grow hot. He tossed his shirt aside and went to pull on the new one, hoping his blush would be hidden
under the heated flush of exertion. For fuck’s sake, it was going to be a giant pain in the ass if he got all flustered every time they all had to change together. It was a damned backstage changing area, not an orgy.
Ethan reached over and slapped Grey on the stomach, making him jump. “Holy cow Grey! How the heck are you so ripped?” His hand brushed over Grey’s abs and Grey clamped down on the little sigh that wanted out.
Grey twisted away from Ethan’s hand and let his shirt drop, covering his abs. Luca dropped his deodorant and Grey stooped to grab it from the floor at his feet. The guitarist gave him an unreadable look as he took it back, and Grey’s brain chose that precise moment to remind him he was kneeling in front of Luca’s crotch.
Thoughts. Images. So many, many things flashed in his head. Gods. Someone kill him now.
George arched an eyebrow at them from where he stood, waiting for them all to hurry up and get changed. “Maybe your next photo shoot should be shirtless,” he said, clearly having overheard Ethan’s commentary. “You guys are going to get a lot of attention from the girls on the mainland.” Thank fuck the manager didn’t look all pervy. He was just seeing assets—marketing tools and dollar signs. He glanced out into the hallway behind the stage. "I have a great feeling about this, guys. Things are building. You’ll see!"
“You really think so?” Grey quickly swapped out his nasty pants for some clean, dry jeans. It was awful to put on clean clothes without taking a shower first, but you do what you’ve gotta do. It didn’t seem to bother the rest of the guys.
Matheus rolled his eyes as he walked by, looking as purposefully above it all as always. Grey went to join him and George at the door, glancing back when Mat called to Luca. “Hey, earth to L. You coming or what? I wanna get this over with.”
Luca had been just standing there, spaced out. He pushed into motion and they headed out into the hall. His hand touched the small of Grey’s back in a possessive gesture that probably looked casual to the others. Grey knew what he was thinking though. He was seeing Grey as a girl—one surrounded by a bunch of hot, sweaty guys. Which was just freaking hilarious, since Luca was the one he’d kissed, and Luca was the one who’d run away in disgust. He glared over his shoulder at Luca and he dropped the hand as if he’d been burned.
Chapter 33
Grey followed Luca and George out of the backstage area and into a corridor that had been roped off for their use. Mat and Ethan followed close behind him, and he felt boxed in by the taller men. Despite their hasty wardrobe change, the band was still sweaty and ragged looking after the two hours they had just spent on stage. Luca’s dark hair had started to curl at the ends because of the humidity. But they all glowed with a sort of satisfied energy that made Grey’s heart ache.
Lucifer stood along the hall as their manager passed out fine tipped felt markers. Grey could hear voices and feminine laughter as security herded a group of fans down the hall toward them. It was surreal. He was a part of Lucifer! And he was about to meet his fans. His head spun. Luca patted him on the shoulder and leaned to whisper in his ear. “Don’t worry. We all know how you feel.”
Ethan overheard the exchange and grinned, bumping his shoulder into Grey’s. “Crazy, isn’t it? I never thought we’d be signing autographs.”
Grey nodded. Matheus leaned around Ethan and winked. “We’re all getting laid tonight!”
Grey forced himself to join in their laughter. Oh shit, the women. Lucifer had gotten special permission to allow female fans from the mainland to be admitted to the show tonight. Of course the guys would all be thinking about hooking up. And they’d probably expect Grey to feel the same way.
The first group reached them, and the fans made their way down the line, vibrating with excitement. Grey was surprised when a girl stopped in front of him, clutching a glossy photo of the band. He smiled at her, and she turned beet red. She tucked a strand of pale blond hair behind her ear and looked up at Grey with adoration. She was the tiniest little thing he’d ever seen, with big, limpid blue pools for eyes. He noticed her wristband and wondered how much she had paid for the chance to set foot on the quarantined island.
“Will you sign this, please?” she breathed. Grey took the photo and gestured for her to turn around. She did, and he braced the picture against her delicate shoulder. The signing thing was kind of last minute, and they weren’t really set up for it. She glanced back at Grey as he scrawled his name across the photo. “You’re just amazing, Grey. The first time I heard your voice, I almost died!”
Grey laughed in surprise. She spun back around, and he handed her the picture. “Thanks for coming,” he said with more confidence. It was so weird to have someone gushing over him like this. But awesome at the same time. It was cool that he could be part of something she enjoyed so much.
The girl stared at Grey for a minute, and Matheus cleared his throat, jolting her out of her adoration. “Sorry,” she said breathlessly. “You’re just so…well you’re amazing!” Then she shook Matheus’s hand and hurried along the corridor.
Grey shook his head. Ethan nudged him as he signed a guy’s CD cover. “You should have asked for her phone number man, she was cute! Or…do you only like guys? Sorry. I guess I just assumed you’re like Mat. My bad.”
Grey shook the hand of the next guy in line. “Thanks for coming out to see us,” he said warmly. The guy nodded and went on to talk to Matheus about the bass. “I’m not going to hit on some random girl just because she likes our music,” Grey mumbled, dodging the question, speaking just loud enough to be heard by his companions.
Matheus snorted. “Did you hit your head sometime tonight?” he muttered.
A bunch of giggling girls stopped in front of them. A buxom bleach-blond held up her camera and gave Luca a sultry look. “Can we get a picture of you guys together? Please?”
Luca laughed. George would probably outlaw it in the future, but the guitarist didn’t care about charging people for pictures. “Sure.” He put his arm around Grey and pulled him against his side as Ethan and Mat crowed close on the other side.
One of the girls gave a little squeal of excitement. “Oh my God you guys are so hot!”
Grey felt his face redden. They’d been drinking. He could smell the fumes from a distance. The girl with the camera tugged her tube top straight and leaned toward Luca. He withdrew his arm from around Grey’s shoulders and took the little slip of paper she held out to him.
“We’re in town until tomorrow afternoon,” she said with a wink. One of her friends teetered up to Grey on her platform heels and put her arm around his neck.
“I don’t mind a little group action,” she whispered into his ear. “You guys seem to get along really well.” She winked. Grey disentangled her from his person with a little more force than necessary, trying not to telegraph his disgust. The sooner George set up tables and roped things off for signings, the fucking better.
Matheus laughed, thoroughly enjoying Grey's discomfort. “What’s the matter, Grey? No girls. No group sex. You really can’t be that much of a prude.” He winked.
George stepped in and herded the tipsy fans on down the line, saving Grey from a reply. “Okay ladies, move along so everyone can get a turn to meet the band.”
Grey pushed his hair back out of his face, wondering if it was possible to blush so much you could never blush again. His feet hurt, and he was starting to get annoyed. The novelty of it all was wearing off real fast.
The next person to ask him for an autograph was a good-looking guy about Grey's age. He was with a friend, and they were super polite. Grey had almost let his guard down when the guy cleared his throat nervously and stepped a little closer. When Grey handed his signed band flyer back to him, their hands brushed. Grey stared at him in surprise when he found himself holding a folded scrap of paper. The guy gave Grey a shy smile and a nod, then moved off down the line.
Grey looked down at the phone number in his hand. Luca turned to say something to Mat, bumping into Grey’s arm. The little sli
p of paper fluttered to the ground. Grey heaved a mental sigh and let it go.
“Very nice little show.”
Grey's head snapped up automatically, but he forced himself to calmly go back to signing the photo in front of him. Steffen could wait. The girl in front of him, a trendy college student with big, dark eyes, winked and took the photo. “Thanks, Grey!”
Grey nodded, then turned to the next guy in line and beckoned him closer. “Want me to sign your forehead, Steff?”
The tall blond pushed his dark sunglasses up onto his head and ignored Grey completely, turning his attention to the other guys. “You poor idiots. It must really suck to be stuck here on this podunk little rock.”
The bandmates shared a glance. Steffen had that tanned and windblown look of someone who’d just crossed the ocean and spent time somewhere that wasn’t freezing. He handed Luca a plastic bag. “Let me know when you’re ready to get rid of the pipsqueak and I’ll let you in on my secret.” The ex-singer winked and disappeared into the crowd, whistling a tune.
After the concert, they all took a car back to the trendy townhouse provided by the record company—yet another startling thing that had happened this week, when the royalties started to roll in. Each of the band members had their own master suite. They shared a shiny, ultra-modern kitchen, a comfortable living area, and a well-equipped studio area. None of them had felt comfortable moving in permanently yet, but it was a convenient place to crash after a show, and it came in handy during the marathon writing and recording sessions that were rapidly becoming the norm. Grey was coming to think of the townhouse as a sort of sanctuary. No Rick, no school. It was a place where he could escape everything but music.
When they got back to the house, Luca dumped Steffen’s bag onto the couch. Ethan held up a t-shirt proclaiming I’m just a square from Delaware.