by Dannika Dark
“He behaves like a predator.”
“Oh, like Knox doesn’t look at you like dessert?”
Sunny snorted. “That’s totally different. Obviously, we’re having this conversation because you like him. We’ve been friends for years and I know after Brandon that you’d never let any man in your life that was toxic. You barely let the maintenance man in.” She inserted a thoughtful pause. “He’ll come to his senses.”
“Maybe I don’t want him to.” I curled up in the leather chair by the fireplace and tried to tuck my cold feet beneath me. “I always knew this wouldn’t work out between us, but he was so damn insistent on going through the whole courting thing. I was starting to think that maybe he was different, but this proves me wrong. I just don’t want it to end on this note.”
Sunny sighed with a hum in her voice. “And they say women are complicated. Maybe it’s good that you got him jealous; a man needs to feel the burn of jealousy to know that he isn’t your only option.”
“You don’t give a compelling argument, Sunny. He’s a grown man ignoring my calls. I guess I misjudged him.”
“That’s just your mean side talking,” she said. “I know you better than that. Why don’t you just go see him?”
“Why don’t I write ‘stalker’ on my forehead while I’m at it? The old Sunny would have told me to cut my losses before I got all dickwhipped.”
“On second thought, you’re right. He needs to man up or get lost.”
“I want that on a T-shirt.”
“To wear at your wedding?” she suggested.
I laughed at the mental image and Sunny sighed dramatically.
“Silver, I’ve watched you go through some traumatic stuff. I never have the right words for this kind of stuff, but you deserve happiness even more than I do. What I think doesn’t matter because up until now, he’s treated you good. You’ve never looked happier. I’ll support you no matter what you decide.”
“Thanks for the pep talk, Sunshine. I have to go.”
“Me, too. I’m helping Knox shop around for a custom suit. I can’t wait to see him in something besides those tight shirts.”
“Why does Knox need a suit?”
“We got the invitation, silly.”
I sat up. “For what?”
“To the party, and I’m so there.”
“What party?”
I looked over at Simon, who was leaning against the doorway with a loose grin on his face. He whispered, “I hope the suit King Kong will be wearing is not his birthday suit; that’s not the surprise I had in mind.”
“Your first year of being a Mage is a big deal,” Sunny said exuberantly. “That was a fancy birthday invitation—gold embossing and everything.”
Simon waggled an eyebrow and I sensed a conspiracy brewing.
“You’re a dead man,” I mouthed at him. He shrugged and disappeared down the hall to the study. Having a few celebratory drinks was one thing, but a party with balloons, cake, and singing made my anxiety level go up. Birthdays were never a big deal in my life, but Sunny always made the waiters sing when she took me out.
“At least there’s enough time for me to find a present and buy a new outfit,” she said. “Who else is coming?”
“The pope, so be sure that you dress appropriate.”
“You’re going to thank me for stepping in to volunteer my services; men never plan these things right. It’s going to be beautiful. You just wait. Call me again if you need to talk.”
I capitulated, making her agree not to decorate with balloons or streamers. Some battles weren’t worth putting on all the armor for.
***
“It shouldn’t be this hard to make a decision.”
I tapped my fingers on the glass counter and watched Finn with amusement. His eyes flicked indecisively over the colorful display of candy. I tucked the movie tickets in my black pants and shrugged at the cashier.
Finn moved his finger hesitantly in circles. “I think I want the um, the uh…”
“He’ll take the chocolate-covered raisins, the malt balls, and the sour candy in the big bag,” I said, slapping the money on the counter. I weaved my fingers through his shaggy brown hair. “It’s okay, Finn. This is your first time, so let’s just pig out.”
Finn had lived a sheltered life, sold by his father and passed off from one man to the next, never allowed in public because owning a Shifter was illegal. Finn was clueless when it came to the modern world, outside of what he’d learned on the computer. He could tell you all about the geography of the Middle East but didn’t know how to use a gumball machine.
He was mesmerized by the smell of buttered popcorn, the dazzling display of the marquee, and the concession stand. In many ways, Finn reminded me of a toddler. I watched him experience the most basic things for the first time.
He had been badly beaten most of his life and Logan cautioned that his animal was unpredictable. We kept a close watch on him in public to make sure that he didn’t lose control when overstimulated or frightened.
Nero had branded the letter N on Finn’s arm as a reminder that he was nothing more than property. Finn didn’t like wearing shirts that let it show, so Logan bought him mid-length sleeves. Remembering how he looked in that cell—bloody and lifeless—made my blood boil. No one deserved to be treated that way.
Despite my rift with Logan, Finn would never feel neglected as a result. He was so excited when I invited him to the movies that he hung up the phone before I could tell him the start time. Justus came along and when the car eased up to the building, I peered out the window, hoping to see Logan, but Finn was sitting alone on the stoop, playing with a yo-yo.
I looked over my shoulder. “Ghuardian, can you go in and save our seats? Find something close to the middle; I need to grab some popcorn.”
Justus wore loose denims and a casual black jacket over a white v-neck. Only I knew how much that ensemble cost him. He walked with a confident swagger down the hall and a woman passing him almost dropped her popcorn to steal a lingering look at the over six-foot male with a shaved head. Justus was built tough, and even without his charm would have earned the stares. Little did she know that she was ogling an immortal.
Finn tapped his shoe nervously against the floor as he watched everyone get their drinks at the self-serve soda machines. When it was his turn, he poured every flavor available into his cup. My God, that kid was going to be sick. I could only laugh.
“Finn, let’s sit down for a few minutes.” We walked to a dimly lit area.
“What about Justus?”
I chuckled as we set our food on the table and took a seat. “He’ll probably be asleep by the time we get in there; he’s not really into movies. I don’t have to be escorted at all times in a Breed place, but he has to come along when I’m anywhere else.”
“He just left you.”
“Justus doesn’t have to hold my hand in public; he just needs to be in proximity. Most of the time he wanders off with some hussy, but he can still pick up on my light.”
“What do you mean by that?”
I shrugged. “I’m not sure how he does it; it’s just something he can do. I have to put out a lot of energy; otherwise, it blends in with the crowd. Only for emergencies,” I said. “It’s how he found me once.”
“How long do you have to live with him?”
I shrugged. “Until the sands of time fade or he gets tired of my ass.”
We both laughed.
“I’m betting on the latter,” he said, grinning wide. Finn had an elfin smile that was innocent and mischievous. His bright hazel eyes soaked in the world and he grew his brown hair long enough to cover up the tips of his ears—even though the hair curled curl up at the ends.
“I don’t know what the average is. Justus told me that some live with their Creators or Ghuardians for a year while others need a hundred. Please shoot me if we’re having this conversation in fifty years.”
“I’ve never been to a movie—thanks for asking me.�
�� Finn lifted his eyes, distracted by the neon signs. It was one of the older theaters in town and looked magnificent with red carpeting, posters trimmed in white bulbs, and theater ushers dressed in red hats.
“I think you’ll like this one. It’s supposed to be a good comedy.”
Finn was still insecure about his ears sticking out a little. I watched him scraping his hair over them with his fingers. Someone must have picked on him growing up, but I thought it gave him character. He was also trying out a new style. Tonight it was knee-length cargo pants with a baseball hat turned backward. I made him take the hat off inside. Maybe it was old-fashioned, but I’d rather get him off to the right start. When we entered the theater, Finn held the door open for a woman and her two rambunctious children. I didn’t have to ask him to do it, but his fascination with families was clear. The wistful look in his eyes watching a mother hugging her child was heartbreaking.
“Can we stay out here?” he asked. “I’m having fun.”
I smirked and tossed a piece of popcorn at him. Finn stuck out his tongue and caught it with a wide smile.
“Silver, can I ask something without you getting mad?”
“It’s scientifically impossible for me to be mad at you,” I assured him.
He slurped the soda through the straw, watching me observantly. The flavors rolled around on his tongue and he looked uncertain. “Don’t you like Logan?”
I eased back in my chair and stared at my lap. “I do, but sometimes that’s not enough.”
“He really likes you. Logan’s a cool guy, but too serious. With you, he’s different and I don’t know… smiles a lot.” Finn pulled his straw in and out of the cup, producing an annoying screech. “Levi dropped by a few days ago.”
My ears perked up because of the manner in which he said it.
“Logan was really pissed off about something,” Finn said, looking at the poster on the wall. “I guessed you two had a fight, but I didn’t hear what they were talking about until I walked in the kitchen and Levi was convincing him to go to the Gathering. The next morning, Logan disappeared for a couple of days and Levi stayed over. He’s funny as hell; I like that cat.”
“What were they saying about the Gathering?”
He peeled open the box of chocolates. “Levi wanted to find his future pony and said that sometimes other Breeds turn up as invited guests.”
“Pony?”
“It’s an inside Shifter joke,” he said proudly.
I laughed internally because Finn probably didn’t have a clue what the punch line meant.
“I think you should go to the Gathering,” he said. “Leo can get you some tickets.”
“Why would I want to?”
“What better way to make up than the one place everyone goes to find love?” Finn suggested with an innocent look.
“God, you’re just as bad as a chick flick.” I hurled popcorn at his face and he retaliated. A few pieces clung to my hair as I ducked, sick with laughter.
A throat cleared and we guiltily looked up. Justus slid in the seat beside me and pulled a piece of popcorn from my hair.
“I heard about the attack,” Finn began. “Nero, huh?”
Justus dropped his large meat hooks in my bag of popcorn and took out a fistful. “Did you hear about Silver’s bravery and the lives that were saved? That was the most important part of the story.”
We hadn’t spoken about my pulling the sword, but I think my heart blushed when his words touched my ears. The bond between us had grown stronger, and since that night, it was as pronounced as the color on a flower.
“Leo mentioned that.” Finn shook his head and his eyes darted between us. He was getting over his issues with eye contact, but when he was uncomfortable with a topic, he fell back into the old routine.
My eyes darted to Justus and I smirked. “And I always thought I was the biggest pain in my Ghuardian’s side.”
A close-lipped smile stretched across his face. It pushed deep lines into his cheeks and brightened his blue eyes. It was nice to see Justus that way—sometimes he was wound too tight.
“Why didn’t you save our seats and wait for us?” I asked him.
Justus slipped his arm behind me. “Do you need an answer as to why I cannot sit in a room with two hundred women?”
The thought made me giggle at the virtual sex lottery we created with the vacant chairs beside him. He liked attention, but only on his terms. It irritated him when we were in normal places outside of the clubs. Otherwise, Justus had no problem parading his charm around like a beacon.
“Don’t worry; I’ll protect you if a love riot breaks out.” I grabbed my purse and we all got up. “Let’s go before Finn misses all the lame previews.”
Justus walked ahead of us and our pace slowed to a stroll.
“Do you want me to give Logan a message?” Finn asked in a quiet voice.
“No, you aren’t the messenger. When me and you hang out it’s just me and you, okay?”
He stuck his tongue in the popcorn bag and pulled a few pieces into his mouth. “I think you should talk to Logan. He’s ruined without you.”
I froze in the hall near one of the posters of a futuristic man holding a laser gun.
Ruined. That was a strong word and knotted my stomach.
“Sorry.”
“It’s fine,” I said, dragging my feet along the red carpet. “Something happened and he’s too stubborn to face me and talk about it. Maybe I was in the wrong, but I don’t know if I can salvage what’s left of this.”
“Lame. Quit making excuses; it won’t kill you to talk to him. I’ll call Leo for some tickets. Go or don’t, but I owe you one.”
“You don’t owe me a damn thing, kid.” I rubbed my fist over the top of his head and he laughed. I loved to hear it because it was higher than his natural voice—and genuine. “We’re square.”
He pulled away and gathered up his armload of goodies before they tumbled to the ground. Finn struggled with physical affection and therefore I constantly showered him with it. He liked it but just didn’t know how to react. No one ever showed him love and Logan wasn’t exactly affectionate with anyone other than me.
My heart stopped when I shifted the drinks around in my arms and looked up. The Chitah with the Mohawk was leaning against the wall by room number fifteen. He was dressed in black and didn’t move a muscle. He also didn’t bother to hide his golden eyes with sunglasses, and they bore into me like an arrow.
Maybe it was the look of fear, or shock, but Finn saw a change in my body language and he turned to face the Chitah.
“You got a problem?” Finn said in sharp, clear words. I lightly gasped at the aggressive shift in his voice.
The Chitah pointed two fingers at his eyes and then at me—a clear message that he was following me.
That single, unspoken gesture set Finn off.
The next thing I knew, popcorn showered the floor. Finn shifted so fast that I didn’t have time to react.
“Finn, no!” The drinks fell from my arms and splashed on my shoes.
A ferocious red wolf with large ears stood between me and the Chitah. His lips peeled back and he snarled, showing off all his sharp teeth.
“Tell your mutt to back off,” he growled. Chitahs were fearless and watching him back away from the wolf surprised me. Finn’s wolf pawed the carpet and snarled, intimidating the Chitah who was walking slowly toward the exit sign.
“Look mommy, a doggy!” a little girl shouted. A flurry of panicked voices sprang up from behind and my heart began to race.
“Finn,” I whispered harshly. We weren’t supposed to use our gifts in public, but I was certain that no one had seen him shift.
The Chitah paced backward and his eyes darted up to mine. The moment his sharp teeth descended, Finn’s wolf lunged. The Chitah tore out of the building, shoving open the exit door and disappearing into the parking lot.
I released a breath and bent over with my hands on my knees—shaking.
Jus
tus must have felt my energy increase because two seconds later the theater door flew open. He surveyed the mess of popcorn and the wolf standing beside a pile of clothes.
Logan had warned me about Finn’s animal being volatile, but I didn’t think twice when I kneeled down and grabbed a fistful of his fur. He’d protected me in Nero’s compound and I trusted him enough that I showed no fear.
“Don’t let him shift back,” Justus whispered harshly.
The wolf lifted his chin and whined before letting out a snort.
“It’s okay, Finn. We’ll do the movie another night.”
Chapter 13
A steady techno beat thumped against the seat cushions of the two-seater Maserati. My ass vibrated until I lost all feeling.
“Definite improvement, Simon,” I said, turning down the music. “It’s so you. Never thought I’d see the day you would give up the muscle car.”
“I haven’t sold it just yet. Side work for the Mageri was not on my agenda, so I raised my asking price. You sure you want to do this?”
“Maybe you should just drop me off.”
He smiled and clicked his tongue piercing against his teeth. “I have a feeling this will be more entertaining than a monster-movie marathon. I need at least three drinks before you get us tossed out.”
“Speaking of tossed out, you never mentioned why you left England to come here. What happened?” I asked.
He groaned and turned the steering wheel. “I stuck my nose where it clearly didn’t belong.”
“Up the skirt of a high-ranking official?”
“Officials are nothing but an official pain in the arse. There’s always an ulterior motive. I prefer to stay out of politics. There are rather unsavory details that—Oh, balls.”
“What?”
“I left the bubble gum at the flat.”
Typical Simon, always changing the topic when it came to his past. I played with the zipper of my oversized black hoodie, which belonged to Justus.
The engine purred as we sped up a long road to the Gathering—a three-day social extravaganza. It was a Chitah affair, but the invitation allowed us full access. I decided to take Finn up on his offer and confront Logan myself, even if it meant ending it between us. I was a girl who needed closure.