Redeemed In Shadows

by Tigris Eden

  Ding.

  The sound of the elevator signaling their arrival made him breathe easier. Xee walked past him but not before imparting a snide comment.

  “X-Lax will help with that.”

  The hell…what did he say to that?

  “With what?”

  “You look constipated.”

  Unable to respond to her remark, he sneered and shoved her forward with his shoulder as he walked past her into the reception area. So much for being the gentlemen. She was pushing his buttons and he was allowing it.

  What a bitch!

  “Ellie, can you please have Ms. Hale processed into the system? Have Belinda show her to her new quarters and Dietrich will take her to get her stuff from her apartment.”

  If she wasn’t afraid of him, she would definitely be cautious around D. He didn’t take shit from anyone. He was liable to pop her right upside her tiny little head if she kept talking shit.

  “No problem Gabe.” Ellie was all smiles when he talked to her, and he knew the Siren had feelings for him. He’d just been unable to reciprocate. He barely held in his cringe at the sound of her voice. She was hot, but her voice was ice-cold water on an already freezing day. There’d been one night he’d been drinking Elder Wine, drunk off his ass and horny as hell. Dravaggio’s receptionist had been more than willing to accommodate him, but the moment she spoke, his dick deflated and quite possibly shrank in size. It had been a challenge to his manhood, and after numerous awkward attempts to finish what he’d started, sex with her had failed.

  “Don’t forget,” he said looking at the newest member of the Shadow Unit. “We start first thing in the morning at four. Meet me in the common area and I will take you down. Wear something comfortable.”

  Before she could think of something catty to say, he turned on his heels and decided to take the stairs three at a time. If he walked away, he wouldn’t put his hands on her.

  Chapter 3

  “That douche totally needs an enema.” Micah said.

  Xee had to stop herself from laughing. She didn’t want to the Siren to think she was off in the head.

  “You are off in the head, but in a good way.” Micah pointed out.

  “Miss Hale, please follow me this way.” The receptionist stood and Xee watched, amazed at how awkward Ellie’s serpent body semi-stood, and slithered along the floor. To a human she would appear to be walking on two legs. She wondered if the members on the team saw her the way she did, or did they see the human version. She followed Ellie down the hall and watched as her dress suffered all kinds of abuse as it snagged and ripped as she slid along the floor. They really needed to get someone in to redo the flooring.

  “She’s kind of sexy.” Micah purred. Xee shuddered in revulsion. So not her scene, at least not a slithering woman. Give her someone who stood up straight with a nice ass and ample chest and curves, she could work with that. But a continuous long lanky ass female. That would be a big hell to the nah.

  “Not gonna happen Micah. Yvette is better than this one.” Yvette was a toothless Vampiri they’d dated for six months.

  “All of them can’t be dimes Xee.”

  What Yvette lacked in looks, she made up for in class and a great sense of humor. They’d been more like friends than lovers.

  “In here.”

  They both walked--well she walked--she receptionist slithered, into a brightly lit sterile room. The overhead lights flickered on and off like some dark interrogation room that you would see in a scary movie or noir film.

  “Ann will be here to ask you some questions. Adam will come and administer your shots and once you’re done with processing, Dietrich will take you to close out your apartment and provide you with a check to give to the office for breaking your lease should you need one.

  “Don’t have a lease, it’s month to month.”

  “Right,” Ellie responded, turning around and leaving the room. Somehow, the door shut behind her.

  “So weird.”

  “Totally,” she agreed.

  Xee turned in a circle before sitting in a chair. She faced the side of the room that held the two-way mirror. It really was an interrogation room. Even the chairs were uncomfortable. She’d sat in worse, the kind where wires held down both her wrists and ankles. That had been almost four years ago and she didn’t regret one moment of the events that took place right after her so-called, therapy.

  “Maybe, Ann is hot.”

  “Stop thinking with your dick Micah. We’re here to work, not to get laid.”

  “Kind of hard when we haven’t been laid in months.”

  “Well if you were nicer.”

  “Virgin.” Micah sneered.

  She’d been with plenty of women but never with a man, and wasn’t sure if she ever wanted to. She was equally attracted to men but couldn’t get past the initial kiss or make-out session. She was a twenty-four year old semi virgin, which wasn’t the norm, but it was normal for her. Attempting to be socially acceptable whether she wanted to be gay, straight, or bi-sexual, still made it hard for her to adjust, especially with her live-in Para-housed being an epic dick.

  The door opened and in walked a librarian type woman. Her hair was pinned up and she wore a three-piece suit complete with a pencil skirt and opened toed sling backs. She carried a manila folder and a cup of coffee. She was actually human.

  “Shit, she’s hot.”

  “Pipe down Micah.”

  The woman walked around to the other side of the table, sat her coffee down, and opened the manila folder before talking a seat across from Xee.

  “Ms. Hale, I’m Annabelle Mayburn. I’m the unit’s in house psychiatrist. All new employees are now being assessed for mental stability.”

  “Well, let me save you the trouble toots. I’m fucked in the head, spent most of my life locked away. I see dead people, oh and I currently host a soul named Micah, who happens to think you’re hot. I agree, and you pretty lady are one hundred percent human.”

  The doctor looked at Xee unfazed by her admission. She jotted down some notes, took a sip of her coffee, and calmly looked across the table as if this was a normal everyday occurrence.

  “I’m flattered by the compliment, Ms. Hale, but as your superior I don’t condone any of yours or Micah’s advances. I have your file here and I’m quite aware of your situation. I appreciate your honesty though.”

  Her situation? Xee pondered that for a moment as Ann quietly closed the file and took another sip of her coffee. Whatevs, she knew how to deal with people like Ann.

  “Anytime you want a closer look honey, you let us know.”

  That was Micah talking, not her. But since it was all out there, she couldn’t take it back. If Ann had been up for a little girl on girl action, Xee was all for it.

  “Working for the Unit is simple. You’re not a field agent but you will be in charge of maintaining the H.I.V.E and logistics for outbound missions. At times, you’ll be asked to accompany some of the team members, and for that reason, there will be extensive training. I’m sure Gabriel has already told you everyone lives here on base. You’ll get a weekly stipend for clothing, paid directly into your own bank account. If you don’t have one, I’m told they have an immortal bank on the grounds aptly named, Blood Binds & Contract, or BB &C as the guys call it. There is a cafeteria on the premises that can make anything and everything you can think of. Like any other job, you need to schedule your vacation time appropriately and make sure there is ample back up as your job is vital to the success of all missions. As for now, all recreational days have been cancelled until Dravaggio lifts the ban.”

  “So where do we sign?”

  Micah, again speaking.

  “I was under the impression you’d signed an agreement?” Ann asked.

  “I did, Micah is just making conversation.” Xee responded sitting back in her chair and eyeing Ann, waiting for the ball to drop. Anything was better than the two of them staring each other d
own.

  “Well then, I’ll just go and get Adam. He has your tracker and your vaccines. There are Lycans on the ground as well as a set of Ferals. Nevertheless, the vaccine is for some of the viruses that are housed here on the eighth floor in our bio room, and for your protection.”

  “Ooh, viral warfare.” Micah commented.

  Ann stood, grabbing her cup and the folder she brought with her. She did a polite head nod and was through the door without another word.

  “Well that was easy. Do you think she likes us? I bet we could get the panties in like two point five seconds.”

  “No, Micah! Now shut up.”

  She was about to stand and stretch when Adam walked in, or who she assumed was Adam. He was holding a small case similar to an eyeglass holder. He didn’t speak, just opened it pulling out three syringes. One had clear liquid, the other two a fluorescent yellow and blue.

  “This will burn slightly and leave your arm sore.”

  Adam was very clinical. When he came closer, she noticed his fangs. He was a Royal Vampiri, but he wasn’t from Degas’ house. All of House Deadcrest had silver tipped fangs. Vampiri’s looked just like humans did, because they were humans until they matured and went through their blood phase. Those that were Regs didn’t have fangs and those that did have fangs were descendants from demons.

  Xee turned and lifted her arm on the table. The first shot went through her veins like fire; the last two shots were cold as ice, which only made her arm feel hot and cold at the same time in a painful way. When he finished he turned and left without as much as a goodbye.

  “He was friendly.”

  “He was doing his job. Haven’t you heard? Less is more.”

  Standing, she twisted her arm trying to get her blood circulating when the door banged open. Xee turned around to be greeted by a huge ass chocolate brother. Did all the men come in extra-large here? He wasn’t bigger than the Angel was, but he was definitely meaner. He exuded badass, his arms completely covered in tats, and she could see a few peeking out of the neck of his shirt. Some were in color, but majority of them were black and were a perfect contrast to his somewhat darker skin. A rich brown with undertones of red that gave his skin a healthy glow. His hair was shaved close to his skull, laying in perfect waves. He screamed untouchable and by the looks of his pale white aura, he was a Walker. The perfect match to her Host.

  Walkers and Hosts were the exact opposite. Where she could house others, he could dwell in others. Walkers were notoriously known for being pranksters, but this dude looked far from the joking type.

  “Get your ass in gear girl. Let’s go and get your shit.”

  Immediately she felt a kinship to Dietrich. She knew in a way that he was just like her. Craved solitude and told it like it was.

  “Dietrich?”

  He looked down at her, not removing the shades and said, “Do I look like I want to be your homey? Let’s roll.”

  He turned and Xee grunted, but still grinned. They definitely would get along. She followed him to the front of the building, where he left her to grab his car. Things were definitely starting to go her way. She was gainfully employed, which translated to regular paychecks, and she was doing something that she loved. The sound of an engine roaring and bass booming grabbed her attention.

  Dietrich pulled up in a burnt orange sixty-eight Camaro SS with white wall tires. The hood of the car was black. Inside were black leather seats with an orange stripe down the middle. The windows were tinted a dark black and Xee could feel Snoops, “Drop it like it’s hot” all the way to her toes. The bass was that loud.

  Hell to the muthafucking yeah! She thought as walked towards the car. Opening the door to the car, the bass in the music thudded violently through her heart. It felt good and it gave her such a rush she couldn’t hide the smile on her face as she slid in. The inside smelled of warm vanilla and polished leather. She strapped in as Dietrich was taking off, both of them nodding their heads to the beat of the music. Dietrich pressed a button on the dash and out popped the coolest navigation system she’d ever seen. It was touch screen and voice activated. The Walker pulled out a piece of paper, punched in coordinates on the screen, then turned it her way to get the all clear and once she nodded, he punched the gas and they were off.

  She didn’t speak to him and he didn’t speak to her. There was nothing uncomfortable about the lack of communication. She found herself tilting her head back and lip singing the words to Snoops song.

  Bobbing her head to the beat she waited for her favorite verse, when it finally started both her and Dietrich rapped at the same time.

  They both kept going and the song played all the way to her apartment. When he cut the engine and placed both hands on the steering wheel, he continued to look straight ahead as he said, “You’re alright female.” She was more than alright, she was awesome. But that was okay with her. She didn’t need or want his approval.

  He stepped out of the car and made his way to the front of her ratty-ass apartment. No, scratch that, her ratchet ass apartment. The apartments were gated, but the electronic gate had been out of order since before she’d even moved in. It was half way opened to where anyone could get through. Down the drive were gigantic potholes guaranteed to bust the tires on any car. They walked all the way to the last set of buildings and Xee took the stairs two at a time with the Walker hot on her trail.

  “At least you’re on the third floor. Any of these assholes give you shit?” he growled, crowding the door and walking in first. He checked the one bedroom rattrap, cursed a few times before saying, “Grab what you need, and I’ll front you the rest back on base.”

  This did nothing but piss her off. She didn’t do handouts. Ever. When you took something from someone, they always wanted something in return.

  “I don’t need or want you feeling sorry for me.”

  Dietrich arched his brow.

  “Girl I don’t give a fuck, but your place is crawling with roaches. I’ve seen homeless people live better than you.”

  “So, I don’t care what you’ve seen. I don’t take handouts. I don’t want to owe you anything.”

  He smiled showing striking white teeth.

  “You’ll owe me, but not in the way you’re thinking. I don’t fuck new booty.”

  New booty. Who was he calling new booty?

  “Honey, just zip it. He’s right. We live in a shit hole.” Micah added.

  “Not bringing these fuckers back to base. Your shampoo, all your toiletries, gone. I’ll have new ones picked up for you, clothes too. Don’t want this shit anywhere near Faith or the other kids.

  Fuck! This was all she had. Her clothes weren’t that bad and she made sure her bathroom was clean. But if the Unit wanted to outfit her with new digs, should she really complain?

  Nope.

  “Fine, let me at least grab my iPod.”

  He nodded once and walked out of her apartment, slamming the door behind him. Xee went to her room, grabbed her iPod and looked around one last time. She hadn’t lived here long, but it had been long enough for her and Micah both to agree it was time for them to leave.

  

  

  Belinda ran down the hall barely making it to her quarters. The morning sickness wouldn’t let up and for reasons unknown, she was getting fat. Being this early in her pregnancy, she should still have a flat stomach and narrow hips, but her body had other plans. She was getting curvier, rounder. Dietrich was on his way back with Gabe’s replacement and the twins were training. Something she should be doing but couldn’t. Not now anyway. She’d give it a few more days and then she would need to have her father come down and check her out. Her jeans were fitting tight and although neither brother seemed to mind the extra weight, she did.

  Bells washed her hands after flushing the toilet and then brushed her teeth. There was a knock at the door and her best friend Jes was standing there with coffee cake.

  “I need to st
op eating.”

  Bells gave her a weak smile. The smell of coffee cake was turning her stomach.

  “You’re fine. You’re not even six weeks pregnant. You still have a ways to go.”

  Bells turned back toward the restroom and checked her face one more time.

  “Thanks. Came to tell you D is here with the new girl. She’s beautiful with pink hair and hardware just about everywhere, belly included, but she’s a little rough around the edges.”

  “No shit?”

  Jes winked and turned back the way she came. She was stuffing her mouth full of cake when she said, “I think Gabe and Dravaggio hired her for her looks. Ciao babe. Gonna go and round up Faith and Reece.”

  Great another female to spice up the Unit. She was all for that.

  

  Xee waited in the common area for Belinda. Dietrich dropped her in the front of the building and directed her to the second floor. After Bells showed her to her quarters, she was on her own until the morning. Which was totally fine with her. She craved the solitude.

  “Excited?”

  “A little. Glad to finally have a real job.”

  “Hell to the yes!” Micah cheered.

  The elevator opened and out walked the tallest amazon beauty Xee had ever seen. She was comfortably dressed in sweat pants and a Juicy tank top.

  “Hey there beautiful.” Xee heard herself say.

  Normally it took her awhile to warm up to people, but there was something about the woman that appealed to Xee on all levels.

  “You must be Xee, I’m Belinda.” The woman eyed her from head to toe smiling wide. “I love the tats and hardware.”

  Damn. Belinda was otherworldly beautiful. Her violet eyes smiling with kindness. Blue and red flames with notes of pink and orange trailed out behind her in ethereal wisps that trailed down past her hips. Her tank rode up on the sides and Xee could see the inking’s of a clawed bird that gripped the sides of her hips as if holding on for dear life. But when she looked closer, she could see the tattoo was actually moving, peeling its claws from her skin.