JWAG U NEED ME, RT?
I almost ignored it all together. Just a wild guess my foot. Smothering my phone under my thigh to keep from seeing it was pointless since it buzzed again making me jump up falling off the stainless steel countertop I was perched on.
A little BIRD talked CU 2nite BABE
I gave in and peeked. My blood boiled. I typed the text as fast as my nimble fingers would go. 4UR411 I DO NOT NEED U
I sent it. It needed more. DHYB
This was one of my favorites because I could just picture the receiver holding their breath. I hoped this one would.
CalmY I NEED U2 Hot4U
Calm myself? As if!
SYS
I hadn’t texted as much as Maze and Liz, but I knew enough after weeks with them. His Calm Yourself message was maddening, and See You Soon. He was just...ARG!
I hate texting language. I vowed to stop it altogether.
I didn’t have much time to cool down from my obvious grunting fit in front of the kitchen staff before Cas joined me. One of the ladies in the kitchen I’d seen but not greeted formally stood there with me. I asked about a snack she listed the contents of out of my added goodies requested by Cas. She buried her wrinkly face into the door of the fridge to look.
She slipped her head back out and squeezed her face up to the point her eyes looked closed and then suddenly flattened her Asian eyes back out to a scared look of surprise. Something behind me scared her.
I didn’t want to move. I already knew who it was anyway but wondered why this lady was scared.
He did his usual sneak up behind me act, but found that he couldn’t because I could feel him grab my waist seconds before with or without his stealthy thoughts. I loved it so much I faked knowing and let him capture me. He took me down to the ground and pinned me to the cold kitchen floor. I heard Claire gasp and exit fast with the other lady I just learned was Arlene.
Cas, you’re going to give her a heart attack.
“What is it giving you?”
“A back ache.”
“Liar.”
“You’re the one with the pants on fire mister attack me in the kitchen.”
He kissed me chastely and popped up holding his hand out. “As much as I’d love to make a comment back on that and play this out to find out where it might lead me, I will refrain. We have preparations for tonight.”
“I know.”
His eyebrow rose considerably. I felt way too short for a tall girl. I showed him the text. He frowned a lot as he erased them with fury in his fingertips.
Cas, ignore him. I do.
He nodded but I knew better.
“We will all meet at the warehouse. We are to take a weapon, but I packed all of yours. You will dress...” he looked off.
“What?”
He was afraid to say something, “Do you have any other clothes to practice in besides the black one your partial to? It’s too catty and tight.”
“Cas. That is me. Take it or leave it.”
His brow furrowed and then disappeared as fast, “You’re right. I want you just the way you are. It’s just...”
“I know, Cas. I know. But I am used to this. I’m glad you think so well of my cat suit that it affects you, but it’s not intended to call out to you or anyone else. It’s meant for my comfort. And since that’s the way I want it, it goes. The testosterone fights can stand aside for my needs.”
“And you realize what a distraction it is to me trying to defend you when our little group combines and forces me to throw them off of you. It makes me lose focus.”
“Wow! Love that actually.”
Kissa!
“Don’t you Kissa me in your head. I am me Cas and that’s that, take it or leave it.”
He smiled at my flailing arms and attempted anger at him. That made me even madder. I braced the counter to mimic a not so long ago event that happened in this very spot. He figured me out fast and the chase was on. He circled the counter. I climbed on top on all fours. He was faster. I turned this way and that dodging him. I was just about to make across and off the other end when he joined me on top of the counter. A gasp formed behind us as one of the house servants I didn’t know the name screamed in surprise and ran away. I let him catch me and throw me up against the wall across from the counter.
“You are going to scare off all your staff,” I laughed still torqued with the idea that he was trying to boss me.
“If they can’t handle a little cat and mouse, the door is open.”
CAS!
“Don’t you Cas me in your head. I fully intend to win this chase and no one will hinder me. You are mine only Kissa. I don’t share well with others.”
Oh, this I know. “Cas, I’m wearing what I want.”
“Final?”
“Final!”
“Then a request.” He didn’t seem to move so I worried it was a ruse to get me to mess up.
I raised my eyebrow at him for effect and a possible chance to get out of whatever he wanted.
“Meet me there one hour early. Then, we will go out afterward.” He stopped and I thought he was done but he added, “And bring clothes to wear out for a night of fun.”
Easy request. No problem. I nodded wondering what his idea of fun included other than picnics and saving baby birds. We’d not been on any real dates of what I’d consider normal dating procedures. All his dates usually consisted of fancy dinners and the royal treatment. We will see.
He relaxed and my eyes followed him over to the fridge. I watched him take a drink out of a carton. It looked like a milk carton. But...it wasn’t.
When he finished it off, I had to ask, “And that was oh so yummy.”
I thought I was yummy?
I slapped his chest. “Ow, woman. Save it for the ring,” his playful voice shining through.
“Are you eating breakfast with me or do I need to chase down a tasty little number and lay it out on the counter for you?”
Oh, oh, oh. His eyes went instant gold. “I think we both know that my tasty little number is not ready for that meal yet.”
Yet?
I saw his arms start to rise. I squealed rather loudly and ran. He purposefully didn’t catch me and let me close myself in my room because we needed to get ready. We laughed through the door frame at each other.
“I will get you my pretty...” he announced in a very badly done shrill female voice, “and you’re little dog too.”
I laughed and said I was heading to the shower. I walked away thinking the opposite of what I should. Yeah, and that dog has a name.
KISSA!
Sorry. Need the ring.
No you don’t. You just shouldn’t be thinking some things.
Cas. He is a dog. And I’m going to shake him down tonight to his level. He needs a good girl beating.
KISSA!
Alright. alright. Enough said. I was quiet for the rest of the afternoon. No noise. Nothing but silence.
Chapter Fifteen
Training is everything...
I asked Cas before he left if Granite was excused or not. He wanted to not say but I pressed the issue.
“Granite Black was relocated to the field for training again. Harrick will stand post now at night. I will protect during sleep.”
I didn’t say anything. He was just that. My protector.
Harrick was 100% Vampire to me. He had the pasty skin and dark protruding eyebrows like out of the story books. He kept a menacing look on his European features and I am almost positive he’s of some kind of Greek decent. He had an accent both times I heard him speak to Cas. I liked him though. He was good at “guarding” and that seemed to make Cas relax when he felt I was well looked after.
We arrived at the warehouse at three o’clock sharp. Cas laid out the weapons while I lined up the water bottles in the brand new refrigerator with one miscellaneous carton of synthetic A positive in the back top shelf. Aren’t I just the Suzy homemaker?
“You’ve changed your name Kissa?”<
br />
I giggled.
“Ready?”
“For what?”
“Private session.”
Oh, this I can’t miss. “And you will teach me something new?” I said sarcastically.
“Attempt anyway oh queenly one,” he scoffed.
I so didn’t care for the “queenly” comment and he knew it. We met in the middle of the room. No mats. No weapons counter. No gear.
“Next time I want jeans. You need to know it from every angle.”
“I think you’ve done just fine studying my angles.” Why was he allowed leather and not me?
He stepped back in ready stance, “Well, by all means. I shall study them some more.”
I hauled myself at him in a surprise attack. Unfortunately, he was ready. Fortunately, I was prepared back. I knew he’d fight me equally, but carefully. He stalked me like a determined demon. I did some kind of grapple hand trick that I learned from Cas last week. Having great strength and watching it build was awesome. Having greater strength and holding it back was exhilarating because I knew that I could do more if I wanted or had too.
He connected my fist to his and held on. I gripped tight enough to make a hard squeeze he couldn’t hold long and felt him release and take my hand behind my back. He tapped the floor and we broke for five. Two water bottles later, we were back at it again after only being here thirty minutes. I was enjoying the floor action rolling around. Both of us bore every expendable emotion into the manhandling especially since I was pretty sure he was boosting my confidence by letting me have the upper hand every time. I did let him best me twice. He knew my strength so I was in this for fun.
Neither of us sensed the intruder. Cas had me in a fold over like bear hug from the back with my arms twisted around me and his legs wrapped around my middle. He was laughing as loud as I was.
“My turn, gorgeous. I want a turn to roll in the proverbial hay and fold a few strategic parts around you.”
We both jumped to standing without the slightest seen movement while panting and staring down our peeping tom.
“Should you do that in the open for all to see, gorgeous?” Cord challenged.
“Enough Ryan.” Cas threw at him.
“None of your damn business.” I stormed my fury at him too. I unleashed the second I saw his smile lift on his top lip. “You’re,” I put both hands around his throat, “an”, I guessed right and caught his left hand in mine letting one hand free, “asshole.” I squeezed. I heard the first bone break and didn’t bother stopping. Without any of my own doing, I pressed into his neck harder. It was squeezing my own brain into a twisted ache and cutting off my air. I couldn’t stop it. It wouldn’t stop.
I heard a whisper in my ear, “Anastacia Anat, this is not your enemy. You will not hurt him.”
And like that, I let go. Cord choked out a cough or two and crawled over to the wall with one hand. He slouched against it, his hair falling in his face unlike his usual spiked up perfection. And just when I thought that would have taught him some manners, I thought wrong.
“Was that as good for you as it was for me?”
I was too far gone to acknowledge the rudeness. I couldn’t fathom what I’d just done. I’d used my power and not even tried like I was possessed with some inner female demon out to make sure her orders were followed. It wasn’t me.
Cas was on him fast, “Get a damn clue, dog. She doesn’t want your paws on her. Make this easier and be a gentleman if you can.”
“Her chariot ride will come.” Cord was moronic and demented.
“Lot of bull getting shot, dude. She knows we’re from the same court.”
“Same court?” I perked up allowing me to table the frightening topic of choking a man in my head. I was trying my very best to block the horror of what I’d done.
“Oops!” Cas shot at him.
Cord rolled his eyes, but I felt his fear build up fast.
“Talk Cord. Who are you?”
“Cord Ryan.” he said coolly and held his arms widespread. The freaky get freakier. His hand was completely healed.
I folded my fists up like I had on his neck earlier. He backed up and gave in, “Okay, okay. I am the son of Jake Ryan, the only human lieutenant in the Valkyrie armed unit.”
I thought he was a Were’s child.
“And,” Cas pressed. I felt Cas’ secret glances come across me several times when I checked on him.
“And the son of Hoover Ryan, owner of Hoover shipping yards on the gulf coast.”
My eyes went wide. My mind wider. My hand covered my mouth. “You’re the son of Hoover Shipyards? The Hoover Shipyards.” Is this the son I’m supposed to have married? Whoa!
He bowed, “The one and only.”
I couldn’t wrap my mind around it yet. I needed more answers. “How are you the son of two men?”
He rolled his ever-loving annoying eyes at me. “Haven’t you figured out princess that the world is a little more complicated than you thought? Quit accepting the spoon-fed facts of others.”
I spooned out my best “kill the dog” look I could muster. I started to say what I really wanted to say, but Cord pulled up a supposed “stop me in my tracks” smile that so was not going to work. He went for sympathy instead.
“My father, the lieutenant, was killed when I was a child. You’re father let me stay on in the court until Hoover saw me one day in the stables and hired me for the shipyards. Said he was my uncle’s cousin or something. I lived with him and was considered one of your intendeds until...”
“Until what?” I was apparently just plain stupid.
“Until I was bitten and taken to the Were faction court for the purpose of being trained for none other than you’re sidekick posse.”
“And the Luper Ryan you mentioned before?”
“One in the same. Luper Hoover Ryan. Unbecoming name, but who would challenge a Were lord. He said it would pass on to me saying it was “my time”. I’m not first generation blood related, so the Were’s have to have it officialized.” He held up the hand quotes to make his point.
Well, that’s just dandy. I watched him close enough to decide he wasn’t lying. “I don’t know what to say.”
“That’s a first,” came a voice behind us. Calum entered in full gear and Szar was on his heels.
“Gotta say sis, I agree on that one.” He was clapping. “Impressive Ryan. Applause for the one who managed to stump my sister’s sarcasm.”
“And you’re going to let bygones be bygones?” Cord asked me ignoring them as I did. Cord’s fear of telling me his big bad secret was coming back to haunt him but he was more afraid of my next reaction. I darted my eyes around at each of them. Any mutual maleness that was rising in the room unhinged me but I’d never show it. I softened my face and smiled just enough.
Szar piped in, “I’m guessing she knows the gory detail of once being in line to marry your sorry arse.”
“Shut up, Szar,” I snapped.
“Marry?” Calum stressed the word long dropping his upturned water bottle. Poor guy. Being a Hunter is not generally associated with gentleness. But the man before me was easily the most sensitive of Hunters I’d met.
“Oh, yes. Father intended for her to marry Ryan and make little Cord babies. She just made her own plans and picked a different superhero. The rest of us are screwed over to follow her every whim as it always seems to be with her.”
“Enough, brother. You have an affinity for being king of the most dumbass comments. You’re making this more than it is. If father had intentions he should have made it clearer. I made mine clear enough.”
“What’s that, sister?” he did his usually brotherly lean like he might attack me. I knew better.
“That I choose. No one tells me what to do.”
He laughed heartily and leaned back away. “Oh sister, I knew this royally. Which is why the room we stand in is so unequally balanced. You have to contend with the four of us and all four of us have to grovel at you next step and the
next. We.have.no.choice.” Szar gritted his teeth at me and walked farther away.
Did they not? “Then leave. I don’t need you.”
“Tell yourself that. In some distorted, mentally twisted way you do need all of us. Ask your precious Thorn if it pleases him to admit that? It’s sick really,” Cord clucked his tongue on the roof of his mouth. Cord’s taunting smile grew wider and his shoulders visibly relaxed. At least to me, the only observer other than Cas. “Yet here we all stand in awe of you. You’re still not what I expected.”
I willed my shoulders straight, but made myself stop and think, “You're right.”
Pin drop moment. The room stopped completely.
That inevitable Cord smirk found a place on his sweat drenched face, “Say it again, gorgeous.”
“In your dreams.” He had to make everything twisted. I’d rather eat my socks than say again what just came out of my mouth.
“Every night.”
“Does everything you say have to be vulgar?”
“It’s not vulgar if it involves you. You’re the sweetest wine in the vineyard.”
“Enough!” boomed Cas behind us. “We have work to do.”
“One day you’re gonna wish you changed your mind.”
“Cord, I’m already there.”
“No, but you will be.”
“Do you ever not have a comeback?” I challenged.
Does a donkey have a butt?
“Do you?”
I huffed and walked over to my weapons. Time for a little action.
Chapter Sixteen
...the peach was once a bitter almond.
“Throwing me the bird won’t solve your ineptness, Hunter.” Cord was relentless letting out a litany of curse words to make all aware of his aggravation.
I so did not care. “You think you’re good at everything.”
“Incidentally, I would really like to know what I have an affinity for since you’re dishing out opinions. Make sure you’re loud enough Thorn can hear it.”
“Trouble,” I mumbled away from him, but they both heard.
It was easy to see they were measuring each other up. Their eyes met like two pit bulls in a cage ready to fight. Both were undeniably strong, but Calum would win that fight in my opinion. Though one could not doubt Cord’s Were powered stealthy ability to move like a panther in a fight and come out underneath someone and free of their clutches only to come back with a whack to knock them out of their senses. Calum was stronger, but his bulk slowed him down compared to Cord. Maybe it would be a good study to see who would win. Neither did at the party that night, the only time I saw Cord fight.
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