“But you didn’t deny them either,” I pointed out. “Is that why Logan still has his soul.”
He leaned over until his face was inches from mine. “Don’t run from him, princess. No matter what that stubborn brother of mine tells you.”
The bathroom door opened and my elemental disappeared. Logan waltzed into the room with a towel wrapped around his waist. Water dripped from his still-wet hair and several drops rolled down his chest. The desire I’d tamped out earlier flared once again.
“I’ll be in the living room,” I said, trying not to run from my raging emotions and completely failing. Hadn’t Niyol just told me not to? So why didn’t I listen? Because I allowed myself to be lured into Kellen’s trap and I wasn’t keen on falling for it again. Which wasn’t really fair to Logan. Kellen had lied to me and manipulated me. He never pushed himself on me romantically or sexually, he’d always just hinted at having more later. Logan didn’t hide his need for me.
I plopped down on the sofa and cradled my head in my hands. I needed something to occupy my mind. Thinking about my confused emotions all the time made me grumpy and hungry. Coffee would be great.
Logan emerged from the bedroom a few minutes later fully clothed. I gawked at the blue jeans and gray button-down shirt. He’d pulled his long hair back into a ponytail and his earrings were gone.
“Close your mouth, princess,” he mumbled, heading for the door. “It’s not nice to stare.”
I snapped my mouth closed and smiled. “You clean up nicely,” I said. “I feel slightly underdressed.”
“It’s Marissa’s fault. She told me to dress in something not gothic.”
I rose from the sofa and followed him into the night.
“You don’t mean Marissa, as in wolf-shifter Marissa, do you?” I asked. She was the only one I knew, but it wasn’t an uncommon name.
“Yes.” He knelt and held out his hand, motioning for me to get on his back.
“We are running all the way to Reno?”
“No, only to the car,” he replied, then sped off into the dark.
Thank goodness. But that only gave me time to think about how Marissa was involved. I’d grown to like her during my short stay at Victor’s, and her girls were great. Letting them put blue tips on my white hair a couple weeks ago made me long for a sister I’d never have. Surely she wasn’t part of Jonathan’s group. She had a family at Victor’s lodge, and Jonathan’s crew were supposed to be outcasts. It was too much to think about, and I had a feeling everything was about to get even more confusing.
I slid off Logan’s back a few minutes later and squinted at the dilapidated building looming in front of us. It looked like an old auto repair shop, emphasis on ‘old.’
“How is this place still standing?” I asked.
“It’s deliberate,” Logan replied, inserting a key into a sturdy lock on the metal door. It swung open on silent hinges. “The metal siding was confiscated from buildings scheduled to be demolished, but it’s just an outer skin. The real siding beneath is fairly new and in excellent condition.”
I stopped just inside the door and he pushed it shut behind me, then flipped on the lights. My jaw dropped again. This man was full of surprises. A shiny, black Mustang occupied the center bay. Right next to it was a charcoal gray Ford Explorer. A long workbench covered the back wall with rows of tools, boxes and what I assumed were parts for the vehicles.
Logan’s chuckle brought me out of my stupor. “I’m shocked,” I said.
“Clearly.”
“You’re not worried about this being discovered?” I asked, running my hand along the Mustang’s fender.
“No, not really. The property is pretty far off the main road and the outside of the building looks even worse in broad daylight,” he replied, opening one of the many drawers beneath the workbench. “I also paid Kellen’s engineer to install similar safety measures over the garage doors as he used on the estate. Without windows, it’d be pretty hard for someone to break in.”
“Wow. So we’re taking the Mustang?” I really hoped we were. I knew next to nothing about cars, but even I recognized a Mustang. My foster father always talked about having more than his 1982 Ford Escort. Maybe he finally got one after he and my foster mom left me.
“No.” He dangled a set of keys from his fingers and smiled. “It’s too flashy.”
I didn’t hide my pout as he made his way towards the SUV. He opened the passenger door for me, still smiling.
“I promise to take you out in the Mustang,” he said, stepping in front of me at the last second and wrapping his free arm around my waist.
He leaned into me, his lips stopping inches from mine. He was giving me the option to back away. Damnit. I closed the distance between us and ran my fingers along his chest. His kiss was just like always, passionate and unchecked. He might have hidden the Mustang from me, but his emotions were on full display.
“Any more surprises today?” I asked, breaking away from him with effort.
“Yes,” he replied, that irritating smirk spreading across his face.
He pushed me into my seat and closed the door. He wasn’t getting away with that short answer. Kellen constantly did that to me, creating a trust barrier I wasn’t sure we could break down. Like we’d ever get past the fact that he tried to have me killed.
Logan hopped in the driver’s side and turned to me before I could speak. “We’ll talk about it on our way to Reno.”
The SUV’s engine rumbled to life, then the garage door in front of us rolled up, followed by the exterior door. He wasn’t kidding about having something similar to Kellen’s estate.
Once we were on the road, his headlights broke through the darkness. “I know you have a hundred or more questions, princess, but let’s start with tonight’s meeting.” He paused and glanced over at me, but I couldn’t see his expression in the dark. Wouldn’t it be great to have his night vision?
“Okay,” I said, when he didn’t continue. “Can I ask questions as we go?”
“Like I can stop you,” he replied. I imagined that stupid grin on his face and smiled. “Elaine, the woman who met us at the door, is Jonathan’s second in command. She’s been with him for a long time, longer than I have.”
“Wow! She doesn’t look that old,” I said, interrupting him.
“She’s a shifter. Their constantly healing bodies slow their aging. I trust her more than I do Jonathan, which is why I don’t hesitate to meet with her.” He tapped his fingers on the steering wheel as a car passed us. “I’m part of a four-person team. Two of the other three, I trust implicitly. The last one is a new addition and has yet to prove herself.”
I noticed a slight hitch in his voice and hoped he would elaborate. If not, I’d tuck that question away for later.
“Otto joined Jonathan just after I did. He’s also a mage-vampire, but his humanity is gone. Though, I believe he still harbors some hope of regaining his earth elemental. Apparently, their connection was strong and the pain of separation hasn’t diminished for him. Now that I know it’s equally painful for the element…” He paused again, and I wished I could see his expression. “Anyway, he is the unofficial leader of our team. Yun is a shifter and our scout. She’s very outgoing and boisterous for her size.” He looked over at me again. “As a matter of fact, she might be smaller than you. She frequently picks up the role of a child, who most people ignore. It works well for us.”
“And the last one?”
He sighed and I suspected he actually disliked the newest member.
“Fiona is also a mage-vampire. We rescued her two years ago, so she’s still very much a baby who struggles to control her basic needs. She has no humanity left, not even a desire to reconnect with her element.” His right hand slid off the steering wheel. “I need to talk to Otto. I don’t want her anywhere near you.”
“You think she’ll bite me?” I asked, trying not let my fear surface.
“Jonathan’s group works because there are no humans in it,” he
replied. “Vampires cannot feed off shifters.”
“Oh. And Fiona will be furious if she’s moved to another group because of me.” It wasn’t hard to make the connection.
“Furious doesn’t begin to describe it,” Logan mumbled. “I’m quite certain she’ll do everything in her power to keep from being transferred. She still seems to think she can manipulate Jonathan, and for some reason, he allows her to keep that misconception.”
His disgust floated through our bond. Was it for the woman or Jonathan’s lack of discipline with her? Maybe both.
“I’m sorry. Is there any way to avoid her for now?”
“That’s my plan, unless Elaine changes it for us,” he replied. “And don’t be sorry. I will always prefer your company over hers.”
A flurry of emotions assaulted me too quickly to sort, then they were gone again. Did he feel mine the same way? Did I want to know if he experienced all my indecision? Nope, not really.
I leaned my forehead against the window. I knew nothing about Logan’s world, but I had a feeling I was about to be thrown into it head first. As if the last month wasn’t hard enough. Going from being a nobody to overthrowing the leader of the North American mages tore my life apart. As much as I hated my life before, at least I hadn’t been worried about being hunted by vampires. I closed my eyes, enjoying the cool glass on my aching forehead. It hurt to think about the things I didn’t know were coming.
Chapter 4
I shouldn’t have been surprised by Logan’s hand on my thigh and his soft voice in my ear. I’d fallen asleep in the car, as usual. Apparently I couldn’t stay awake in a moving vehicle. I hated the ‘sleep button’ that seemed to sprout from my ass every time I got in the car. I never had that problem until I met Kellen and dove head first into this insanity.
“Come on, princess. Let’s get you some breakfast and coffee.”
Logan squeezed my thigh, his fingers wrapping halfway around my skinny leg. I’d managed to gain a little muscle during my two weeks of training, but not much.
“That sounds great,” I mumbled. “Which reminds me. I need to get a job. It’s not fair that you have to pay for food you’ll never eat.” I didn’t want to mention the clothes he bought me or the roof over my head.
“I don’t mind,” he said, waving a hand at me as we pulled into a fast food restaurant. “It feels good to be a little normal.”
“Regardless, if I’m going to stay with you, I need to contribute my half,” I said, waving back at him. “I refuse to be a freeloader.”
He chuckled and turned off the engine. “My house is paid for. So are the cars and garage. The only thing I spend money on is traveling and now food for you. I think I can afford it.” He hopped out and made his way around to my side, but I opened the door before he could and slid from the seat. “You can let me be a gentleman.”
“I could, but you don’t need to be subjected to the morning sun any longer than necessary,” I countered, crossing the parking lot.
Once inside one of my favorite two-thousand-calories-a-meal joints, I ordered a sausage biscuit, hash browns, and coffee, then grudgingly watched as Logan paid for it. It really shouldn’t bother me, but it did.
“I’m going to the ladies’ room,” I said as the cashier handed over his change.
“Make it quick.”
I pushed open the door to the ladies’ bathroom and froze. Memories of the bear I encountered in the last fast food restaurant were still fresh in my mind. Her hungry stare and aggressive stance once again made my skin break out in a cold sweat. Last time, I was supposed to be shopping with Kellen and ended up fighting with Victor. This time, I’d probably end up fighting with a vampire.
Great.
I hugged myself and shook off my fear, letting out the breath I’d been holding. The stalls were empty and the bathroom was nothing like the other one, mostly because this one was clean. I took care of business in record time anyway.
Logan met me at the restaurant’s exit a few minutes later and handed me a small bag of food and a large coffee.
“Thank you,” I said, letting him push open the door for me. “Where are we meeting Marissa?”
“You’ll see,” he replied as we crossed the parking lot. “We should be there in the next five minutes.” He opened the passenger door and held my coffee while I climbed in.
Less than five minutes later, we turned into a pricey neighborhood. I tried to eat my breakfast instead of gawking at the two-story homes on large lots lining the streets with their well-manicured landscaping.
“Wow,” I said, swallowing a bite of hash brown. “Should I ask who owns the house?”
“Jonathan,” Logan replied. “It’s one of many.”
He pulled into the driveway of a large Victorian style home covered in brown stone and white trim. Not a blue house as the code name implied. The garage door on the right automatically opened, and Logan guided the SUV in. Before it closed, the one on the left rolled up and a bright red motorcycle glided in beside us. It was much quieter than I expected. I could barely hear it over the SUV’s engine.
I hopped out, not waiting for Logan, and rushed to the motorbike. Marissa pulled off her helmet, revealing the hot pink hair I’d grown to love.
“AJ!” she called out, setting her helmet on the leather seat and pulling me into a crushing hug. “Logan didn’t tell me you were coming with him.” She loosened her grip but didn’t let go, holding me out at arm’s length. “If both of you need a makeover, I need to change my strategy. My girls will be disappointed that I’m covering their work of art.” Her gaze drifted from me to Logan and changed to a scowl. “You should’ve told me.”
“You know I couldn’t,” Logan said, making his way to the door leading into the house.
She huffed, then winked at me. I didn’t realize how much I missed her winks and her smile. “At least he didn’t wear all black,” she whispered. “It gives me ideas.” A wide grin spread across her face. “A really good idea.”
I almost felt bad for Logan as we followed him into the house, secretly hoping we weren’t coming out of this with fluorescent hair. Last time was fun, and I liked my blue tips, but I suspected we needed something to help us blend in, not stand out.
I tried not to ogle the salon we walked into. I’d expected a mudroom, washroom, or even a short hall leading into the magnificent home, not the elaborate hair salon in front of me. The room was easily the size of Logan’s house. Four salon chairs graced one side, with two washing stations on the other. Several stainless-steel shelving units carried every hair product imaginable.
“Take a seat,” Marissa said, waving her hand at us. “You’re lucky I adjust so easily, Logan. Or maybe not. You won’t like what I have planned for you, but I think AJ will.” She turned her back to us and started gathering boxes and bottles in her arms. I had no idea what any of it was.
I sat in the nearest chair and swiveled around to face Logan. His deep frown and drawn eyebrows contrasted his flushed cheeks, making me smile. I didn’t realize vampires could blush.
“Is that anticipation or irritation?” I asked quietly.
He glanced at me and his expression softened. “Her girls get their taste in fashion from their mother. She tries to blame her pink hair on them, but she loves it.”
“You will not walk out of here with pink hair,” Marissa said, dropping her supplies on the counter between me and Logan. “First, I need to spray AJ with a self-tanner. While it’s drying, Logan will lose the long locks.” She pulled the elastic band from his hair with a smile. “Any last words?”
“You’re evil,” Logan muttered.
I suppressed my grin. Was he really that attached to his current look? He seemed to be easing out of the all black wardrobe without any dramatics.
“Yeah, yeah, whatever,” Marissa continued. “I think Logan will get dark brown, so it isn’t immediately obvious when it starts to grow out.” She turned to me with a mischievous grin. “You’re getting a dark blonde, but rather than
spiking it, we’re curling it.”
I wasn’t sure how to feel about that, but since I’d never had any style to begin with, I couldn’t knock it.
“Come on, let’s get you naked and tanned,” Marissa said, digging through the dozens of bottles on the counter.
I looked past her and met Logan’s gaze. He shook his head and closed his eyes, but not before I saw the red ring blooming around the edges. I wanted to ask if he was okay, but I didn’t want to draw attention. So I kept quiet.
“Here it is,” Marissa quipped. “The lightest color we have. I’ll try to keep it off Logan’s truck.”
My vampire’s eyes snapped open, thankfully back to their normal color. Was it desire that prompted the change? Or did he need to eat? I slid off my chair and followed Marissa back into the garage. He hadn’t left me in three days, which meant he hadn’t eaten. How long could he go without?
Marissa positioned me in the far corner away from the vehicles and had me strip down to my bra and panties.
“I contemplated dressing you up as a boy, but I have a better idea,” she said, shaking the can of spray on sunshine. “Lift up your arms.”
I did as she asked and she went to work.
“You two will be a couple from very wealthy families. You’ll need a new wardrobe, but I hear you needed that anyway.” She moved around behind me and I frowned.
“I can’t afford new clothes,” I argued. “My bank account was empty when this whole thing started and I’ve done nothing to replenish it.”
“There’s no need to worry about that,” she said, shaking the can again. “Logan’ll need a new wardrobe too, so you can shop together. I’m giving you the name of someone who will take care of everything.”
I sighed and let my arms droop. I didn’t want to owe him anymore. Marissa stopped spraying and moved around in front of me.
“Don’t do that,” she ordered, putting her hands on her hips. “Kellen and Logan threw your life into chaos. The least they can do is buy you new clothes. They owe you, not the other way around.”
Vampire's Crucible Page 3