Corrupt Cravings
Page 13
“Of course. What would you like?”
“Well, I don’t know. A sandwich will work.” He hadn’t ever really had a cooked meal before. He hated restaurants, and he’d grown up all on his own, traveling from pack to pack since he was fourteen years old. Hell, he wasn’t even sure who his parents were. The alpha of the pack in San Antonio had been the one to take care of him since his earliest memories. Even then, he’d never been given an answer to who birthed him.
“A sandwich, you’re kidding, right? I mean, we just had a sandwich. Wouldn’t you like steak or chicken, or something else besides lunch meat?”
“Never really cared too much for food, I guess. It fills the void, nothing more. There are more important things.”
“Hell, I want chicken if you’re offering.”
Donavon shot his glance to Aaron. “She was asking me. My mate, remember?” He shrugged. “Chicken’s good, I guess.”
Marcella nodded. “Well, I need to go to the store and buy groceries.”
“Hey, can we get some fruit while we’re there, or maybe some of those little chocolate cakes? Do you know how to bake, Marcella? Oh, I’d love some cookies.”
“Aaron!” Donavon sat his glass down and gave his best man a quizzical glance as if to say, “What the hell are you doing?”
“Sorry.” Aaron looked down, a sad expression on his face.
“Don’t be sorry.” He watched Marcella give him a dirty look as she went over to Aaron. “I’ll make you some cookies. Chocolate chip or oatmeal?” She smiled. “How about both?”
“Really?” Donavon sighed as his friend looked liked he’d won the lottery.
“Yes, really. And there’s also another surprise. I want to make something extra special for my mate.”
Donavon took a step forward. “You want to make me something, more than dinner?”
“Yes. I think you’re going to like it.”
Tingling raced through Donavon’s body. His heart was positively fluttering. “No one has ever made me anything before. You don’t have to. Really. I feel bad enough that you have to cook.”
“I like to cook.” Marcella’s face fell for the first time since they started the conversation. “My mother taught me well. We used to cook together all the time. Growing up, she used to make a special dessert that’s not common around here. I’d like to make it for you.”
The pain she seemed to be experiencing cut through his heart. Walking over, he held her, trying his best to give her comfort.
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. She wouldn’t want me getting upset over this. So.” She pulled back and looked into Donavon’s face. “Shall we take a trip to the store?”
“Guess I won’t be calling shotgun anymore.”
Both he and Marcella looked at Aaron.
“Don’t even think about it.” Marcella laughed.
“It was worth a try.”
Donavon let Marcy go. “I’ll just go get dressed.” He looked between them, not sure whether he still trusted what he’d been told. Walking into the room, he threw on a pair of baggy jeans and a long-sleeved shirt to cover the tattoos on his arms. Sliding on his shoes, he noticed they were both waiting by the front door when he entered.
It didn’t take long to walk over to his SUV, which was parked in front of the main house. A few glances were thrown their way as they climbed in, but he ignored them. Turning down South Park Mexican, one of his favorite rappers, he headed out of the long drive.
“I need to call Luis and let him know where we’re going. This shouldn’t take long.” Donavon flipped open his phone, hitting his alpha’s number.
“What’s up? Where you headed?” The leader’s tone sounded annoyed. Donavon was guessing it had to do with him not informing him in person. Or it could have been about the whole Marcella situation? There was no doubt in his mind that it had taken a lot for Luis not to have blown his head off like he knew the alpha wanted to do. If it wasn’t for Donavon’s gifts, then he’d have been dead a long time ago.
“We’re headed to the grocery store. You need anything?”
“What the fuck would I need from there?”
Donavon hissed. “I don’t know. I just thought I’d be nice and ask.”
“Save it. I’ll see you when you get here. And you better be back, or else.”
“We’ll be back. Don’t you worry about that.”
He hung up the phone and groaned in frustration. Damn, this shit was getting old. No one said anything as he turned up the rap music. He felt so lost. Fucking mind-fucked was what he was. Problems and potential troubles plagued his every waking moment.
Turning into the parking lot, he parked as far from anyone as possible, which still was a pain in the ass since the damn place was packed. Walking around, he opened Marcella’s door and draped his arm around her as they headed toward the store. People laughed and walked past him, and he watched them curiously. He’d never really been out anywhere like this before. Avoiding humans was something he’d done at all costs.
“Do you realize how much we stick out? You guys are like thick giants compared to everyone else. Twice as thick as normal men, if I do say so.”
Marcella’s words hit home. Damn, he was looking at everyone, but he’d neglected to see that they were actually staring back.
“Maybe we should come out more. Look at all the females.”
“Women,” Marcella corrected Aaron. “It’s nice to refer to them as women, not females. You’re talking like a wolf, wolf.”
Aaron laughed. “That’s because it’s what I am.”
“Not in public, you’re not.” Donavon gave him a serious look and his friend’s smile melted off.
Marcy grabbed a cart, and he watched, fascinated as she pushed it. The smallest things were really getting to him, and it was stupid. Shit, it was just a fucking grocery cart.
“We’ll hit the vegetable section first and go from there.”
Aaron’s face twisted as he looked up at Donavon. He, himself, couldn’t keep the repulsive expression off his face.
“What? Are you both kids? Don’t tell me you don’t like vegetables.”
Both men looked at each other again. Neither of them said a word.
“Good. Vegetables it is.” A smug expression crossed her face as she entered the section and began putting everything she saw in the basket. As she reached for Brussels sprouts, Donavon waved his hand.
“Please. Not those. Anything else I think I can stomach, but those smell really bad.”
“Fine.” She smiled sweetly and grabbed some squash. He groaned and watched as the side of Aaron’s lip lifted in disgust. Shit. He should have insisted on the damn sandwiches.
They went down every single aisle, and as they approached the long line at the checkout, Donavon stared at the overflowing cart.
“I really hope we have room for all of this. Maybe we could put some of it back.”
“My vote’s for the vegetables,” Aaron whispered.
Marcella shrugged. “What doesn’t fit, I’ll cook tonight. Whatever is left over you can give to the pack. I’m sure they’ll appreciate it.”
Donavon looked at the cabbage and cringed. “Yeah, they’re going to love it.”
After an argument between the cashier and a senior citizen for an expired coupon, a screaming fit from a toddler, and endless gossip from the women in front of them, they finally were leaving the store. Donavon was sure he’d never seen anything like it. He was practically shaking as they approached his car. Him, the big bad wolf, scared off by the everyday consumer. It was laughable.
Grabbing a handful of groceries each, he and Aaron both loaded up the bags at record speed. He couldn’t wait to get the hell out of there.
“Well, well, who let the dogs out?”
Donavon’s eyes rolled to the back of his head as his wolf exploded in a fury inside of him. Turning, he saw three vampires, all wearing dark clothes and shades, standing not ten feet away.
“You better keep w
alking before I turn you into lunch.”
“It sure beats what’s on the menu,” Aaron said, stepping next to him.
A vampire with green, spiky-hair came forward. “Be our guests. We’d drain you before you could shift.”
Marcella stepped from around him, and he quickly pushed her back.
“What do we have here? Pretty little thing, isn’t she, Nayla?”
A blonde girl nodded. “She is. I want to taste her.”
Donavon growled low in his throat. “You touch my mate and I’ll tear you to shreds.”
Marcella stepped around him again, and he quickly pulled her back.
“Please. Let me speak to them.” Marcella’s eyes pleaded to him.
“Hell no. Get in the car.”
“No.” She turned to them, and the vampires stared at her as she silently looked at them. He watched, feeling uneasiness prickling his skin.
“What do you wish to speak to us about, sugar?” The blonde took a step closer, and it took all of his control not to rip her throat out. The way she eyed Marcella definitely said she wanted to do more than just drink her blood.
“Who is your master?” Marcella said softly.
The green-haired guy laughed. “Like we would tell you.”
Donavon couldn’t stop his face from looking down to search hers. The fact that she would even think or care to ask that question made his mind kick into overdrive with questions.
“Is it Ambrose? Is he your master?”
“Who told you that?” At the tone of the green-haired vampire, Donavon jerked his gaze up. They all stood there, extremely stiff for being so confident not seconds before. Donavon knew all hell was about to break loose.
“Ambrose…he’s” Marcella paused and looked up at him, and then she tried to get even closer to the vampires. “He’s a dear friend of mine. Have you had contact with him lately? Do you know his position and where he stands?”
“I talked to him this morning,” the green-haired guy said quietly. “We know everything.”
She actually smiled. Donavon couldn’t fucking believe it. “I’m Marcella. It’s nice to meet you all.”
“You’re…her? Oh my God,” Nayla whispered. All three of them collapsed to their knees, bowing their heads.
Donavon’s hand fell from Marcella’s arm in shock.
“Rise, please.” His mate rushed toward them, falling to the ground to be level with their bodies. He couldn’t speak, couldn’t move. What in the hell was going on? Alarms went off in his head, and he pushed them away. No. He couldn’t dare let himself consider what his mind so clearly knew.
“We were invited to go stay with Ambrose. Our clan was told you were up this way, but we couldn’t believe it.”
“And here I am.” Marcella smiled at them, standing as they did. “Tell your people to feel free to make themselves at home. Ambrose will be pleased to see all of you arrive. And I would be most delighted with whoever decides to go.”
“We’re so sorry about this.”
“What are your names?” Marcella asked the green-haired guy.
“I’m Nexius, that’s my twin Nayla, and the quiet one is Drake.”
“Well, Nexius, if you do indeed go, you have to know that antagonizing fights won’t be tolerated. We’ll all have to fight someday, but until then, we prepare.”
“Of course.”
Donavon watched him bow again. He looked at his mate like a stranger. Who was she, really? And how in the hell did she get the praise of a vampire master?
“I must go.” She glanced at Donavon nervously. “Tell Ambrose my phone is broken, but all is well.”
They dropped in unison and piled into a two-door sports car. Aaron quietly got in the SUV as Marcella turned and looked at the ground. She remained quiet while she passed him and got in. Donavon stood in the parking lot, feeling completely bewildered. After a few seconds, he shook his head and climbed in. The remaining trip back didn’t prove to get any better. He figured they were all too shocked to speak.
Parking in front of the small guest house, Donavon popped open the back and turned off the car. They all unloaded the groceries, and he watched as Marcella began putting the food away.
“Aaron and I have to go speak with Luis. I have a gun under my pillow if something happens. I’d really feel better if you kept it in the kitchen with you.”
“I’ll be fine. Go ahead and go.”
Donavon adjusted the Glock at his lower back. Kissing her forehead, he nodded for Aaron to follow. If shit was going to go down, he needed his friend to stand guard and get Marcella out in case anything happened. Damn, he was really starting to think he needed details on the plan those two had been discussing.
Chapter 9
Nemmy led the way through the brush, saying every curse word he could think of. He might have been an angel, but even they sinned from time to time. Stepping over a fallen branch, he nearly tripped as his foot slid into a small hole.
“You’re usually quieter than this. A bit impatient, are we?”
“Caspius, spare me. I have to see if this is where she’s staying. It’s the only place where the power is coming from. My guess is that this little house isn’t a fucking house at all.”
“Couldn’t we have just taken the damn road? If it is her place, you know they’re going to detect us no matter where we come from.”
Damn, Caspius did have a point, but they were almost there, anyway. “Just keep going. There’s not that much further to go.”
“You know you’re buying me a new pair of boots, right? These are scratched to shit.”
Nemmy didn’t answer as he broke into the clearing. The small, red brick house looked like any other home in the area, but he couldn’t ignore the power coming from within. Either a Wiccan was cooking up one hell of a spell, or they’d just hit the jackpot.
“You want to go up and ring the doorbell or just stand here and take in the view of the goldfish swimming around the pond?”
Catching a glimpse of the actual small, manmade pond, Nemmy rolled his eyes. He took in the expensive car in the driveway and cringed at the pitchfork logo. That alone was almost a dead giveaway. It reminded him of Samael. Was the demon master here? Surely not. “What do I say if she answers?”
“Get real. We both know that’s not going to happen. She’s guarded better than the pearly gates themselves. I guarantee one of her men will answer, if not an army of them.”
Damn, he knew that, but he couldn’t think knowing she could possibly be so close. “Maybe I should just go and knock.”
“Or we could be smart and come up with a plan before jumping the gun.”
Nemmy’s mouth opened and then closed. Turning his attention back to the house, he mindlessly shook his head. “I can’t leave without knowing. If one of her men opens the door, then she’s definitely alive. I have to see.”
“I understand completely, but shouldn’t we stay out of view? We could throw something toward the house. It’ll either break a window or bounce off of their invisible shield. Either way, I guarantee an alarm will go off.”
Nemmy smiled. “Let’s do this.” He looked down, searching the ground. Besides brush and twigs, no rocks were in view. Sighing, he grabbed his knife. Damn, it was his favorite. At least he could get another one. He flashed the thing to Caspius. “Not quite the message I wanted to send, but here goes.”
The weapon left his hand, cutting through the air like silk. As the blade stuck into the invisible shield, a ripple waved down the illumination. A great fortress flashed into view, and Nemmy felt the air leave his lungs. He could barely hear himself whisper over his pounding heart.
“She lives.”
* * * *
The sound of the door shutting had Marcella spinning around. Running to the window, she watched as Donavon and Aaron walked a good twenty yards away and paused, starting a conversation. Turning into her collector, she materialized a new phone and immediately called Ambrose’s number.
“Marcella?”
“They just called. Are you okay?”
“I’m good. I promise. How are things there?”
Marcella continued to stare out of the window. Donavon was walking toward the main house as Aaron leaned against a tree. Confused, she kept her eye on him.
“Things are okay. We’ve been training. Everyone’s a bit restless with you being away, but we’re managing.”
“Good. I’m glad. There’s no telling how long this is going to take. I’m trying with him, but it’s going to be a while. Maybe a week or two. Hell, it might be longer. I’ve got to get him more stable before I bring him and Aaron back.”
“Wait. Who is Aaron?”
“Donavon’s best man. He’s had dreams, too. Somehow he’s linked to us. I think he’s part of Dominic’s army.”
“Well, he should be pleased. Maybe he’ll recognize him.”
“I hope so because I don’t. Anyway, is Dom or Jason by you?”
“Jason is. Dom went to go check something with the alarms. He said it wouldn’t take long.”
Marcella watched Aaron kick at the ground as he studied the area around him. She frowned and looked around at some men off in the distance playing with their guns.
“Babe! How are you?”
“Oh, how I missed your voice, Jason. I’m good. How are you?”
“Same ‘ol, same ‘ol. You know me. I’m always good, even when I’m bad.”
Marcella laughed and shook her head. “Yes, you are. Jason, I wasn’t going to do this, but can I ask you a favor?”
“Anything, babe, just name it.”
“I need you.” He paused, and she felt herself grow nervous.
“You want me there with you?”
“My succubus came out earlier, and I had to trick Donavon. I was so close to being busted. I need you here in case she comes again. She was far from being sated.”