Night Lurks

by Amber Lynn

  The task of taking care of Tommy has the effect Alex was looking for. I am a little worn out from it and I think I will be better able to focus on finding Sebastian without killing everyone in my way.

  “It was harder than you thought it would be,” Alex says coming closer, but still keeping his distance. I am covered in all sorts of stuff I wouldn't want to touch either. “Mentally, I mean, not physically.”

  “Yeah. For some reason when it came down to it, I realized taking a life isn't always all it is cracked up to be. He needed killing and I knew I had to do it, but death is so final.”

  “It shouldn't be easy. Over the years, I have learned that myself. Sometimes we just have to do what needs doing. Let's get you in a shower before we meet up with the others. As scary as you look covered in blood, I don't think that is the right message we need to send to Alan right now.”

  “You are right. My arm could probably use a sling for a couple of minutes while it heals,” I reply and try to lift it up. It doesn't move like I want and just hangs there. “Yup, definitely need a little something for it.”

  “Come on, my big, bad fighter. We will get you straightened out,” He says and takes my good arm to lead me out of the dungeon. I would say I hope to not be down here again anytime soon, but I know we have Alan hanging out somewhere down here, so I expect to be visiting within the hour.

  Chapter 4

  A reaping I will go

  “We may need to bypass Sebastian getting to take a shower with you before me. I don’t know that you will be able to wash all of the blood off with one hand,” Alex says as he helps me out of my shirt. He does it very gently and I am grateful for the thought.

  “It will have to be his punishment for being kidnapped because I agree with your assessment,” I reply and shimmy out of my pants one handed. We have made it to my bedroom and I refused to answer any questions as we past Jake, Jonas, Walt, and Clyde sitting in the living area. Alex may have mumbled something about talking later, but I wasn't really paying attention.

  Will is still resting peacefully in bed. I am glad to see my little trip didn't cause him any further problems. He is already stuck with me as his sire; I don't think his life can get any more screwed up.

  “It only took your body forty-five minutes to push out the bullet the last time you were shot, so the arm should heal quickly. I don't think there is anything seriously severed in there. We just have to wait for the tendons to finish their knitting party.” He starts removing his own garments and within seconds, he is naked before me. If he could put clothes back on just as quickly, he would make a great quick-change artist.

  My eyes are instantly drawn to the part of him that is saluting me. Wow. Oddly enough, for being a wolf, Alex doesn't have a lick of hair on him. I have seen him shirtless before and I guess I was stuck staring at his abs. I didn't notice his lack of chest hair. His bare nether region makes me aware of the rest of it. It also makes my mind drift into my dirty corridor. I hope that there is enough soap left after we get the blood washed off to take care of my brain as well.

  “This is about getting you cleaned up. I have mentioned before that I cannot help being stiff around you, but I know we aren't going to do anything about that issue right now. Even if you wanted to, we have to worry about getting Sebastian back,” he says and quickly lifts me up to carry me into the bathroom. I have always thought he was joking about the whole being erect whenever he is around me line, but that wood don't lie. I really hope at some point it manages to relax. Otherwise, that has to be really painful.

  “I can still admire the artwork while we are coming up with a game plan. Do you shave everything yourself?” I ask really enjoying the feel of skin on skin, even through the muck coating my body.

  “No. Hair just doesn't grow anywhere other than my head. I don't know why and I know it isn't a common wolf trait.” He sets me down under the showerhead and turns the knob to get the water flowing.

  “Cold,” I screech as it starts hitting my back. It quickly warms up to a nice soothing heat. I divert my eyes from the hunk of man flesh before me and watch pink liquid swirl at my feet. The water doesn't seem to be clearing up.

  “Lean your head back just a little and we will get your hair started,” Alex suggests as he grabs a bottle of shampoo.

  I follow orders and use my left hand to rake my fingers through my tresses. He walks over with his hands soaped up and starts working my hair into a lather. Standing as close as he is his baby maker brushes up against my stomach and I remember a time where I would have jumped back at the simplest touch.

  Now, I am actually holding my hands, or hand since one is currently decommissioned, securely at my side to keep from reaching out and starting something we won't be able to finish. I know it wouldn't take long to get him off, but we really should do it properly. A quick hand job for him and enhanced phone sex for me won't cut it anymore.

  “I love you, Killer, and if you weren't covered in blood and we weren't in the middle of a crisis we would be doing it up against the shower wall as we speak. I figure it is an after battle high or your hormones gearing up for our mating that is making you think with your little brain for once,” Alex says as he tilts my head back to rinse the shampoo out. He makes quick work of it while I close my eyes and enjoy. Once that is done, he grabs a washcloth and the soap and starts scrubbing the rest of my body. He takes the clinical approach and doesn't linger or caress anywhere too much.

  “If I am already this horny, I am afraid to see what I am going to be like as the time gets even closer. You guys are going to have to lock me in the closet. Ever since me and Sebastian started down this new adventure in the bedroom, I have been antsy. It isn't right.”

  “I am sure we will find a way to take your itch away later. For now, turn around so I can soap your back,” he replies spinning me slowly. “So, no comment on me saying the three hated words vocally and with meaning?”

  “They aren't hated. We just haven't exchanged them. I have kind of thought them, but I want them to come from my lips naturally, not prompted. Give it a couple of days and you might get lucky.”

  “That is good news. I am afraid I might have found some bad news, though.” He rings out the washcloth and then starts tracing his fingers on my back.

  “Did Tommy leave some messed up scars back there?” I ask trying to move my head around to get a look. It is already carved up. I don't think a few more marks will really matter.

  “Not exactly. I have seen you naked a few times and I am pretty sure this is new.” He reaches around to turn off the water and quickly finds a towel for me.

  I do a quick dry job with my one hand and his help. Wanting to see my back, I jump out of the shower and hurry to the mirror. With my back facing it, I take in the craziest tattoo I have ever seen.

  “What is that?” I ask and I am pretty sure my eyes are about to jump out of their sockets.

  Crisscrossing the span of my entire back are two giant scythes. They have gnarly wooden shafts and wicked looking blades with a skull on the back of each of them. If it didn't just magically appear on my back, I would consider it cool.

  “I don't believe reaper scythes are something I have seen materialize on a body before. This would be a moment I would turn to Sebastian for an explanation, but I don’t think we are going to get one from that quarter,” Alex says as he meets my eyes in the mirror.

  “Actually, that is kind of funny,” Ben says emerging from the doorway. He looks at my back in the mirror and then takes a second to take in Alex's still completely naked body.

  “Jealous?” I ask when he has had his fill.

  “You are a lucky girl. You have two masterpieces for your taking. If you ever get bored with them, let me know,” Ben says with a little wink. “As far as the new markings, you must have been a busy girl after I left. I am pretty sure that I specifically requested that you not go on a killing spree. The scythes mark you as a reaper, like me. You have to kill at least one hundred and twenty-three people to g
et the distinction. Not that it will actually mean anything for you. Your path doesn't lead you towards the Underworld, even with the mark.”

  “First, keep your eyes on your own property. Alex is mine,” I say. “Second, you have said that I wasn't a demon. Why would I get a demon marking?” His number of kills quote seems a little low to me, but it might be accurate. I thought I was closer to two hundred.

  “You aren't and no other female has ever received the mark. You probably pinged on Lucifer's radar though, so expect a visit. It will probably end up being a long recruitment speech, but nothing will really come from it. The Great Ruler of Hell should figure out what is up with you and decide to not waste any breath, but you never know.”

  “I really don't need a visit from the King of Hell. Anyway I can bypass the niceties?” I still don't understand what is really going on. It seems like my life is growing in complexity, yet again.

  “Now that is a funny joke,” Ben says laughing at whatever I said that amuses him. “The visit will happen. How long ago did the mark appear?”

  “I don't know. It wasn't there before my shower, right, Alex?”

  “Not that I have seen,” he replies. He has added a towel around his waist while I was focused on Ben. I guess he didn't like the eyes the demon was giving him. I cannot say I blame him. “You killed Tommy about thirty minutes ago. I am guessing that is the death that threw you over the limit. Unless stepping on spiders counts. She might have done that on the way up.”

  “Nah. Bugs don't. Animals do, but they are on a different pay grade. I figure you have less than twenty-four hours. The Great Ruler loves giving the recruitment speech.”

  “Whatever. I will just have to deal with it when it happens. I need to get dressed, so we can get on with our Sebastian hunt,” I push Ben out of the way and head to my closet. Alex joins me a few seconds later after grabbing some clothes out of his drawer. Poor Ben doesn't get another free show.

  “Hey, why do you have a baby vampire sleeping in your bed?” Ben says keeping a conversation going while I maneuver into some pants. My right arm does seem to be capable of moving now, but it isn't back to one hundred percent. Ben must have missed Will when he came to find us however many hours ago he last popped into my bedroom.

  “Because it is Sunday and I was bored.”

  “Bored in the sense that you banged him into dream world, or you made him?”

  “I haven't called you yet for a romp in the sack, so what do you think?” Alex is assisting me with my shirt, making my voice just a bit muffled.

  “I don't know. You said Sebastian was away for the weekend and fresh meat here isn't too hard on the eyes. Maybe you and wolfy were getting freaky.”

  “Seriously? Ben you are weird.” I walk out of the closet with Alex on my heels. “Will is the newest addition to my family. I happen to be his sire.”

  “So Clyde has a little brother. I am sure he loves that,” Ben says still staring at the bed. What is up with him tonight? I think he is trying to steal my man candy. Not that Will would actually be considered that, but still, I am his sire.

  “Why are you so interested in my men folk?” I ask putting words to my aggravation.

  “I have watched from afar for the past few weeks as you have gotten closer to your two mates, but you have yet to take a liking to me. I figure it is because they are committed to just you and I wasn't tied down in that fashion. In order to get on your good side, I have given up all other women. I am not sure how you feel about male partners, so I am gauging your reaction to me checking out men. So far, I am guessing you aren't going to go for it.”

  I really want to pretend those words did not leave his lips. “You can sleep with anyone you want. You being monogamous with me is not going to change the fact that I don't want kids. If I remember correctly, that is the only reason you want to sleep with me in the first place. If you want to have a giant orgy with females, males, and penguins, you aren't going to get any complaints from me. There might be some calls from animal rights activists, though. I would prefer to not hear any of the details, but how you live your life is your own business.”

  “Dang it. Still didn't make you jealous. I will just have to keep working at it. For right now though, I have a little bit of news on your succubus hunt and your newest son is waking up.”

  Sure enough, Will's eyes pop open and immediately focus in on me. It is times like these that I wish I had the ability to make myself invisible. From the look in Will's eyes, I would say he has a lot of questions, none of which I will be able to help him with. It really is sad that all the helpful vampires are downstairs at the moment. They would be very useful in this situation. For now, I am stuck trying to make do. Wish me luck because I am going to need it.

  Chapter 5

  Welcome to your new life

  “How long have I been out?” Will asks as I make my way over to the bed. “I thought you said I was going to die. I don't feel dead.”

  Crap. It doesn't sound like he remembers everything that happened. This might turn out to be a big shock to his system. He didn't seem wary of paranorms before, so maybe it won't be too bad. I am glad to see his eyes look normal and not like a vampire starving for some blood. Him being hungry for blood would only add to the confusion.

  “He does know you turned him into a vampire, doesn't he?” Ben asks taking all my good thoughts of giving the news to Will slowly and flushing them right down the drain.

  “Of course I know that. I am not a total idiot. Who is the crazy guy, Nyx? I haven't seen him with your entourage before,” Will says sitting up and leaning back against the headboard. “I don't think I like him as well as the others.” I wasn't aware he really knew the others well enough to make that decision. He has spent only a few hours with them while he was conscious and for the most part my guys weren't allowed to talk because we were shooting scenes in a movie.

  “You do know you are a vampire?” I ask just wanting to make sure. He nods his head and gives me his megawatt actor's smile. The change hasn't affected his pearly whites one bit. “Thank God.” I let out a large exhale of air.

  “Whoa. We are able to actually say ‘God’. I thought that was a big vampire no-no. If we can say His name, does that mean crosses don't ward us off?”

  “This is one of the hazards of turning a human into a paranorm, Buttercup. They don't have a lick of sense when it comes to these things. I can even say God's name and I am a demon. Aren't you hungry new blood?” Ben asks moving closer to the bed to smack Will's foot.

  “Am I supposed to be?” he questions keeping his gaze stuck on me.

  I hate when people stare. That is going to have to be one of his first lessons. Closely followed by what little Being a Vampire 101 I have been able to pick up. At this point, I have learned quite a bit about vampires, but none of it has really applied to me, so I have chosen to ignore it and use the brain space it was taking up for other purposes. “How would I know?”

  “Well, the guy over there said he was a demon and I know your boyfriend there is a wolf, that leaves you as being the vampire in the room with all the knowledge,” Will responds.

  “Then we are screwed because I have no idea. I wasn't a turned vampire and vampire creation is on the week five lesson plan. I am only on week one.” I still don't feel sorry about turning the guy, but he is going to be in for a rude awakening if he wants answers from me.

  “Okay, I can say for sure that I don't feel hungry. I don't think. That is why I originally said something about not feeling dead. I feel more alive than I have ever felt. There is this mad energy coursing through my body. It makes me want to jump and skip and leap and climb tall mountains. And look, I don't even have a hole in my chest anymore,” he exclaims as he lifts his shirt to reveal unblemished skin.

  “Someone put a little too much whiskey in his cocktail,” Ben says with a sideways glance and a tilt of his head. “If he isn't hungry, your blood has something to do with it because baby vamps always wake up wanting a nice succulent hum
an neck.”

  “Sebastian is semi-worried that he might only be able to feed from me.”

  “You have discussed your child with him already? Fresh meat cannot be that old and fangy mate was taken probably pretty close to the time of conception. If you have a direct connection with him, why don't you just ask him where he is at?” Ben's eyes have gone to the red slits that indicate he is angry or contemplating something.

  “He has walled me off,” I reply through gritted teeth. “Now that we have discovered that Will isn't going to go on a killing spree, why don't you tell us what news you had on the succubus? I would like to get Sebastian back as quickly as possible.”

  “You sure? You seem to be easily distracted,” Ben says and is met with my you are really ticking me off face. I have been getting off track, but my thoughts are focused now. “Fine. I heard Candy has been hanging out at a demon club accessible from here in the city. I thought we might go over and check it out.”

  “Can't you just tell me the name of the club and let us go take a look?” I ask not really wanting to spend more time with Ben. I can sometimes deal with him in small doses, but right now doesn’t seem to be one of those times.

  “Best if I accompany you on this one, Buttercup. I may be able to throw your scent off enough that the others won't figure out what you are.”

  I forgot about that little detail, followed closely by another detail I have been overlooking. “Hey, the Collective's database contained a summoning name for Candace. Can't I just summon her to us and beat the location out of her?”

  “First, if it said Krindlecane, I wouldn't be calling that name out. Candy thought it would be funny to use that as her name, when in fact, it is the summoning name of a really gross slime demon. Believe me; you don't want Bert showing up. Not only that, but I don't think you will know what to do with Candy when you two finally meet in the flesh. If I am there as an intermediary, I am hoping to be able to talk her out of causing you any great harm. She is supposed to serve me after all.”