Wicked After Dark: 20 Steamy Paranormal Tales of Dragons, Vampires, Werewolves, Shifters, Witches, Angels, Demons, Fey, and More

by Mina Carter

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  THE NEXT SEVERAL days Jane took on the mission of steering clear of Sebastian. She found that task quite easy, because he had been gone for three days straight and then stayed holed up in his house for the rest of the week. Jane wasn't sure if Elizabeth was still there or not, but it was unlike Sebastian to go about ignoring her.

  By Friday, Jane's depressed mood had worsened. Sebastian clearly wasn't the person she thought he was. And she hated feeling sad and depressed when he was clearly living it up with a hot blonde in his house.

  Ashley, after finishing up with a customer on the café side, walked over. "Jane, you need to turn that frown upside down."

  Jane sighed. "I can't."

  "Come out with me tonight. There's a cover band playing at the bar down the street. It will be fun. We can drink and dance and meet hot guys that will make you forget all about what's-his-name." She grinned. "Did I mention there will be drinking?"

  An idle smile played over Jane's lips. "Yeah, I think you did mention it."

  "Say you'll go with me tonight."

  "I don't know," Jane said, unsure.

  Ashley clasped her hands together in front of her. "PPlleeaassee!" she begged, while doing her best sad puppy dog look with her bottom lip pouted.

  Jane considered Ashley's invitation. It would be nice to get out and do something out of her normal routine, and anything that would take her mind off Sebastian sounded fantastic. "Okay. I guess it wouldn't hurt to go out and have a few drinks." Her and Ashley were definitely well overdue for a girls' night out.

  Ashley jumped up and down. "Yes! You won't regret it. It will be such a great time. I promise!"

  "What time does the band start?"

  "I think at nine. Do you want to meet around eight?"

  "Sure. Eight it is."

  * * *

  Jane sat at the bar with Ashley. Ashley was on her third drink compared to Jane's first. "What is this called again?" Jane asked, motioning towards the fruity mixed drinks in front of them.

  "I forget, but I like to call it blackout."

  Jane groaned. "I don't like the sound of that."

  Ashley smiled. "Lighten up, Jane. After a few more of these, you'll love them. I promise!"

  "Yeah, you keep making promises," Jane muttered.

  "Hey, at least this is keeping your mind off of you-know-who."

  She smiled. "Well, it was until you mentioned it."

  Ashley scowled. "Keep drinking. That drink will make you forget what day of the week it is."

  Jane glanced at the back of the bar where a band was getting set up and sound checking their equipment. "Is this band any good?" she asked.

  Ashley nodded. "Yeah. They are really good. I think you'll like them."

  Jane was nearly finished with her second drink when the lights in the bar dimmed and the band began to play. The first song was "1979" by The Smashing Pumpkins. Jane was pleasantly surprised how great the band was despite playing in a small bar. She looked at Ashley. "They are good," she commented.

  Ashley grinned. "I told you." She leaned closer and said, "I'm just happy to see you having a good time. You have been so down the past few days." She stared at Jane's empty glass. "You ready for some shots?"

  "No," Jane protested. "I don't think I'll be doing any of those tonight."

  Ashley frowned. "Well, if you change your mind, let me know."

  I won't, Jane thought. The bartender brought another drink, and she handed him money. She took a long drink from the straw. Ashley was right --- they did taste better the more you drank.

  Ashley turned toward Jane, but her eyes quickly shot to the entrance. "Oh my god," she said.

  "What?" Jane asked, concerned.

  Ashley leaned in so that Jane could hear her above the music. "Sebastian just walked in."

  Jane followed Ashley's gaze towards the front door of the bar. Sebastian was dressed casually in faded, ripped jeans and a dark blue polo shirt. He looked hot, and Jane had to tear her gaze away from him before he saw her.

  "Are you going to say hi to him?" Ashley asked.

  Jane shook her head. "I'm not going to out of my way to talk to someone who ignores me," she muttered. She grasped her drink, pushed the straw aside and downed it quickly.

  "Whoa!" Ashley gasped.

  Jane motioned to the bartender. "Another, please."

  Ashley eyed her scrupulously. "Are you okay?"

  "I don't know," she whispered so that Ashley couldn't hear. "What did you say about shots?" she asked loudly.

  Ashley smiled. "That's what I want to hear!" She motioned for the bartender and said, "Two shots of tequila." A few moments later, two shot glasses were sitting in front of them.

  Jane grasped the shot glass and threw her head back as she chugged the strong liquid. The alcohol burned her throat, and she grimaced at the taste. "Another round," she said quickly to the bartender.

  "Jane, maybe you should slow down," Ashley warned.

  "I'm just getting started," Jane responded.

  The bartender brought another round of shots, and Jane downed the next one. The more she drank, the better she felt. It was hard to not focus on Sebastian and everything going on with him, and she liked the fact that she could forget about him even if it was for only one night.

  The band started to play "Everlong" by the Foo Fighters.

  "I love this song," Ashley said. "Let's go dance!" she yelled over the loud music.

  Jane stood up and wobbled on her heels. She gripped the bar for support.

  "Are you sure you're okay?" Ashley asked, concerned.

  Jane nodded. "I'm fine." Ashley grabbed Jane's hand and led her out onto the dance floor. The dance floor was illuminated by flashing white, green, red and blue lights.

  The effects of the alcohol were slowly taking over her body as they danced. "Not that you care," Ashley said, "but Sebastian is sitting at a table in the corner of the bar, and he is totally staring at you."

  Jane glanced at the direction Ashley had indicated. Sebastian was sitting at a small round table. His blue eyes bore into her as she stared at him. She quickly closed her eyes and turned back to her friend.

  "I need another drink," Jane said to Ashley before retreating back to the bar. She sat down, and the bartender was quick to bring her another drink. She sipped the liquor.

  The leader singer of the band said, "We're going to play a song by request. This is for Jane." The band started to play "Jane Says" by Jane's Addiction.

  She looked out into the crowd, and Ashley gave her a wave and smiled. Jane rolled her eyes. She watched as a good-looking guy took Ashley's hand and led her into the middle of the dance floor. Jane smiled. Her eyes darted to the corner of the bar where Sebastian was, but he was no longer there.

  "Hello, Jane," said a voice.

  She turned in her seat to see Sebastian sitting next to her. A part of her wanted to turn and leave, but she stayed in her seat. "I didn't know you came to this bar," she said.

  "I don't."

  She stared at him. "Then what are you doing here?"

  "I came here to see you," he confessed.

  Jane wanted to tell him so many things, but nothing sounded right in her head. She took another swig of her drink instead. She placed a hand to her forehead. Her mind was so fuzzy, and it was hard for her to focus. She realized at that moment why Ashley liked to call the drink blackout.

  "How much have you had to drink?" Sebastian asked with a tone that suggested he was angry.

  Jane looked at him. "Why do you care?"

  She watched as he closed his eyes and clenched his strong jaw. "I'm sorry I've been so distant this past week," he said.

  "Distant? You've been completely nonexistent," Jane snapped.

  He nodded once in agreement. "You're right."

  "Did your sister leave yet?" she asked, anxiously awaiting his response.

  "Yes, she left today." He leaned in close to her. "My sister can be extremely overprotective and catty, and I
didn't think you deserved to deal with that."

  Jane stared at him in disbelief. He was blatantly lying to her face. She stood quickly.

  "Where are you going?" he asked, standing as well.

  "I'm leaving," she said. When she turned away, Sebastian grabbed her arm. She looked down at his grip. "Don't touch me!" she spat, shaking off his grasp.

  Ashley was still dancing with the same guy, so Jane decided to just slip out without bothering her. With shaky legs, she made her way to the door. As she stepped out, she lost her balance and went crashing toward the pavement. But she didn't fall. Someone had caught her. Sebastian's strong hands gripped her waist. She looked up into his eyes. "What are you doing, Sebastian?" she asked, her words slurring.

  "Saving you from eating concrete," he mumbled, angrily.

  He was holding her close and staring at her with his intense eyes. She felt her anger start to falter, but she wanted to be angry with him. She didn't want to forgive him. Jane wriggled out of his grasp and walked away from him and in the direction of her house.

  "Let me walk you home," he said, reaching for her.

  "Don't," she said defensively, stepping away from him. "I don't need your help."

  Sebastian ran a hand through his hair. "What is your problem?" he asked, the frustration thick in his voice.

  She stared into blue eyes and struggled to not get lost in them. "I saw you kissing Elizabeth." She closed her eyes tightly, forcing herself not to cry. "I take it she isn't your sister."

  Sebastian balled his hands at his sides. "Jane," he started.

  She didn't let him finish. "You lied to me, Sebastian." She walked past him, brushing into his arm.

  "You saw her kiss me, but did you see me push her away?" he called.

  She stopped walking and turned to him. "You pushed her away?"

  He nodded.

  Jane sighed. She wished she had seen that part. But the fact of the matter was simple --- he had lied to her more than once.

  Sebastian stepped towards her. "You're right. She's not my sister."

  "Then what is she to you?"

  "I guess you would call her an ex-girlfriend." He sighed. "It was a very long time ago."

  Jane put her hand against a brick wall of a building to steady herself as she attempted to grasp the situation before her. "So your ex-girlfriend was living in your house for almost two weeks, and you're going to tell me you didn't touch her."

  "That is exactly what I'm telling you," he said.

  Jane's vision blurred with hot tears as she pushed away from the wall and walked towards her house once more. "I don't believe you."

  "Jane, wait!" Sebastian said, catching up to her once again. He stopped her and put his hands around her waist once again. "It's complicated, Jane. I can't explain everything to you right now, but I'm asking you to trust me. Yes, I lied about her being my sister, but that is all. I'm not lying about anything else." He stared into her eyes. "You don't understand who she is and what she is capable of. You have to understand that I lied to protect you. I didn't want her to hurt you."

  Jane released a shaky breath. "How could she have possibly hurt me more than you already have?" she asked before walking away from him.

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  "EARTH TO JANE," Ashley said while waving her hand in front of Jane's face.

  Jane blinked. "I'm sorry. What were you saying?"

  "I was telling you about that guy from last night."

  “What's his name again?" she asked.

  "Gavin."

  Jane attempted to appear interested, but she was so tired from the night before. Everything that had happened with Sebastian was still running through her mind, and it had kept her awake into the wee hours of the morning. She was thankful that she opened the store a little later on Saturdays and that it would be a short day.

  Ashley sighed loudly. "Are you listening at all?"

  Jane grimaced. "I'm sorry. I'm just so tired."

  "Did you and Sebastian have a long night?" Ashley asked, smiling widely. "I saw you two leave the bar together."

  "And that's where the night ended --- on the sidewalk in front of the bar," Jane said.

  "Oh," Ashley said with a disappointed tone. "Want to talk about it?"

  "Not really." She frowned. "I just don't think I can trust him."

  "Trust is a big thing in a relationship."

  Jane nodded. "Tell me about it." She walked over to the café and poured herself a cup of coffee. "So are you going to see Gavin again?"

  "I think so. He's really nice."

  Jane smiled. Ashley was on cloud nine, and Jane was happy for her.

  The bell above the door rang, and Matt walked in. He was in his police uniform. His eyes scanned the store until they rested upon Jane. His lips were in a tight line, and Jane instantly knew something was wrong.

  Ashley must have sensed the vibe too, because she quickly mumbled, “I think I’ll go stock some shelves.”

  Matt nodded at Ashley as he walked past her. “Jane,” he said.

  “Matt, what’s wrong?”

  “A friend of mine told me he saw you leave the bar last night with Sebastian.” He hesitated. “I think we need to talk.”

  Jane grimaced. She hadn't accepted Matt's proposal or the ring, and yet he was constantly acting as if they were already engaged. She didn't want to lead Matt on, but she didn't know how to make it any clearer to him that she didn't love him without spelling it out and most likely hurting his feelings. “Sebastian was there at the bar, and he left at the same time that I did.”

  Matt eyed her scrupulously. “And that’s it?”

  “That’s it,” she said, confidently.

  She could see him instantly relax. “I was worried about you. That’s all. I mean, after what I showed you…” his voice trailed off. “I just thought you would be more careful around him,” he added quickly.

  Jane stared down at the floor. Matt had been right to warn her. She had a feeling Sebastian had more than a few skeletons in his closet, and not all of them were ex-girlfriends. “I am being careful,” she insisted.

  “Good. I’m glad to hear that.” He glanced at his watch. “Hey, I got to get back to work.” He pulled her in for a quick hug. “I’ll talk to you later.”

  “Bye, Matt,” she said, watching him leave. Then she slowly sank down into one of the chairs. She didn't think it would be possible, but she felt even more emotionally exhausted.

  “That looked intense,” Ashley said, sitting across from Jane. “Everything okay?”

  Jane sighed. “Yeah. Matt is just being a little overprotective.” She folded her arms across her chest. “I feel so guilty. I mean, Matt has been there for me for the past couple of years. He helped me through a lot of things after Jack died. I don’t think I would have made it without him.” Matt had been there for her every step of the way, and she felt deep down like she owed him. But she also had her own happiness to consider.

  “Do you love Matt?” Ashley asked, bluntly.

  Jane was taken aback by the question. She didn’t think she had ever thought about the question when it came to Matt. “I do love him,” she responded, truthfully.

  “But you’re not in love with him,” Ashley decided.

  Jane shook her head. “No, I don’t think I am. It’s not that Matt isn’t a great guy. He is. It’s just that it’s hard for me to be close to him when he looks and reminds me so much of Jack.”

  “That’s understandable.” Ashley reached across the table and patted Jane’s hand. “But one day you’ll have to make a choice. Either you’re going to marry Matt, or you’re going to let him move on with his life just as you will move on with yours.”

  Ashley’s words stayed with Jane through the rest of the day. And as she closed her eyes that night to go to sleep, the words haunted her dreams.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  JANE AWOKE WITH a start in the middle of the night. Something had disturbed her sleep, but what had it been? She glanced at the clock. It
was a little after two in the morning.

  Creak.

  The floorboards outside her bedroom door creaked. She sat straight up in bed and held her breath. The room was pitch black except for the blue illuminated numbers on the alarm clock. Perhaps the house was just settling, she told herself.

  Creak.

  Her heart hammered hard against her ribcage as her fingers clumsily reached for the phone on the nightstand. Before she could find the receiver, her bedroom door burst open.

  She scrambled out of her bed and ran to the window facing Sebastian's house. She ripped open the curtains. His bedroom was dark. He was asleep. Hastily, she tried to open the window so that she could scream over to him, but a set of hands were pulling her away from the window. She was roughly tossed back onto the bed.

  She stared up at the man, who was now illuminated from the moonlight shining in the window. He was tall and was wearing a black ski mask on his face. “What do you want?" she demanded.

  The beam from the flashlight in his hand skimmed down her body. "Lovely," he said with a deep, gravely voice.

  "If you want money, it's in my purse!" she exclaimed.

  "I'm not here for money," he responded.

  Jane felt an icy chill run up and down her spine that kept her frozen in place. Her only instinct was to call out for help and pray that someone would hear her cries. "Help! Help me!" she screamed.

  "No one's gonna hear you," he hissed.

  He grabbed one of her ankles and pulled her towards him. Jane screamed and kicked, and one of her kicks made contact with his ribs. He let out a whoosh of air and cursed, dropping his flashlight. "I'm going to make you pay for that, bitch," he said through gritted teeth.

  He pounced on top of her, pinning her to the mattress with all of his weight. Jane fought to breathe and raised her hands to fight him off. He grasped her wrists with one hand and held them above her head. With his free hand, his rough, calloused fingers brushed her cheek and continued down her throat and stopped at the lacy trim of her nightgown. "I'm gonna have fun with you," he whispered against her ear.