`No.' Mason moved towards Rose. `We're, done.'
Mason stood close to Rose as Tashia put a hand on the girl's shoulder. `So, little girl, you have all the makings of a fine potential Bloodells: arrogant, narrow-minded and…' As he sniffed her, Renee moved to his side.
`No, you smell too good,' he said. `They would just drain you and, if you survived, it would only be as their toy to fuck and feed on.'
`Oh,' Rose withered and stepped back.
Mason glanced at Lilly. `If you spent more time learning from Renee, and less time trying to prove that you're better than her, you might stand a chance.'
`A chance?' Lilly slipped into the room. `Bloodells have never come here. This country is off limits.'
`Mmm, it is so,' Tashia raised an eyebrow as Renee nudged Mason.
`Not any more. After tonight we will know more.' Renee said, taking Mason's hand in hers and making sure Rose saw. `Love what you've done with your hair.'
`Fu—' Rose went white as Tashia's long fingers dug deep into her shoulder.
`Let's go.' Mason glanced down but didn't pull away.
`Later, then,' Tashia said, grinning at Renee.
Renee gave Rose one last look as Mason pulled the door open. `Stay out of my face, Flowers, or next time I'll tear yours off.' Renee smiled, showing her new, razor-sharp teeth.
Tashia pushed the Flowers girl further into the toilets.
Renee couldn't resist looking back as the door was closing. Her smile widened as Rose threw up on the floor.
`I've never held another woman's hand before, other than Ruth's I mean,' Mason slowed, looking down.
She rubbed her thumb on the back of his hand. `I've never had a man hold mine before.'
`What?'
`Long story. Here.' She went through the door into the club, hoping he hadn't seen her blush. The music washed over her as Mason stood with her. He must like me, she thought.
`You're not like Nikki?' he asked, scanning the club.
`Goddess, no,' she said shaking her head. `Where is she?' Pain shot up her arm as Mason's grip crunched the bones in her hand. His skin cooled in her hand.
`Damn it. Didn't waste any time, did they?'
Renee couldn't speak. Ruth and Nikki lay entwined on the stage as the crowd moved as one to the music. Energy filled the club, pulsing out from the stage.
Renee felt it come; his anger bit into her hand as Mason morphed into Butcher.
`Mason, no!' She pulled him in and wrapped her arms around him. Butcher's twisted face filled her vision; hard flesh expanded against her. `Stop! Don't let him control you!'
`No!' His flesh warmed as Butcher's face faded. `It hurts.' He spasmed as hard flesh rippled across him. Hot and cold pressed against her. `I don't know why that happened.' Mason moved in her arms. `You can let me go.'
`Maybe.' She interlaced her fingers behind him. `Kiss me.'
`What?'
`Kiss,' Renee tightened her grip on him., `me.'
`I…don't think—'
`You want to,' she said, resting her brow against his. Gold flecks moved in his eyes and she smiled as his hands rested on her hips. Strong thumbs caressed her exposed skin.
`Renee,' Mason whispered, wetting his lips. `I haven't kissed another, since I met Ruth. It never felt right to do so.'
`And now?' She waited.
Mason didn't say anything. His body pressed hot against hers as another pulse of energy washed over them. The crowd moaned in delight.
`Close your eyes.'
`Why?' He slid his hands around her, fingers touching the skin of her lower back. `You going to bite me now?' Mason swayed with the music and Renee moved with him.
His hands are clammy, she thought. He's nervous. I make him nervous. Good.
`No,' she said, moving her face closer. He glanced at her lips. `I've never met anyone like you, Mason. I don't care about who or what we are right now.'
She pressed her hips against him and his hands dropped lower, holding her buttocks. Renee ran her hands up his back to his shoulders. `Close your eyes.'
`You're dangerous,' he said, tilting his head, torn between her eyes and lips. `But—'
Renee kissed him. His taste exploded into her mouth as Mason let her in. She felt the blue static sizzle across them again. Her eyes closed as Mason wrapped his arms around her, tasting her, as the room grew hot around them.
She felt it, wanted to have him.
Heat and noise roared around her. It didn't matter to her. All that did was his lips on hers, his flesh against hers. Two words screamed in Renee's mind as darkness washed over her.
He's mine.
CHAPTER 11
Tashia leaned against the door, savouring the sensation of having seen Renee as her true self.
`She's Huntress!' Rose yelled at her. `How is that possible? She's not even a full-blood.'
`Hmm, careful, child.' Tashia frowned at the short, hairless girl stinking of vomit. `I would use this time to make yourself presentable instead of irritating another who might not have the same restraint as Renee showed.'
`Rose, please, let me help.' Lilly wiped her face with a towel.
`And you!' Rose smacked Lilly's hand away. `You made treaty with her House. How could you?'
`Lilly is of age. Her word holds true. Treaty has been made.' Tashia wrinkled her nose at the stench coming off Rose. `Clean yourself up, child. You reek.'
`Goddess!' Rose snatched the wet towel from Lilly's hand and began to clean her face. `What a fucking nightmare.'
`Hmm, a somewhat self-inflicted one, child.' Tashia crossed her arms and watched Rose. The girl irritated her. `Why would you deliberately provoke the Magi at her own ceremony, let alone when the night was already dangerous with Butcher and his wife present?'
`His wife?' Lilly started. `You mean Ruth,' she glanced at Rose, `the one Nikki holds so close, is Butcher's wife?'
`Huh,' Rose snorted. `So Butcher's wife likes to fuck Darkells. Irony.'
`Child,' Tashia drawled, letting her gift seep out into her words. `Curb your words. There is more to what you see. Ruth is blessed by Gaia. A treaty now stands between the House of Eleanor and the Douglas clan, brokered by Gaia herself.'
Rose went white and looked away. She turned on the tap to rinse her head.
Lilly frowned. `Now, that makes sense.'
`What does?' Tashia found herself liking the tall blonde girl.
`When we were out there, Nikki and Ruth mentioned Gaia.'
`Go on,' Tashia moved closer.
Rose spat blood and stood up, raking fingers through her now-sparse hair. `What are you on about?'
`Shut up,' Tashia glared at her. `What did you hear, Lilly?'
Lilly glanced at Rose. `Well, Ruth and Nikki talked about Gaia and Mason. Apparently, Gaia has her own name for Butcher.'
`Her own name?' Tashia's skin tingled.
`Yes.' Lilly twitched under Tashia's stare. `Gaia comes to Ruth in her dreams.'
`Hmm, Gaia's touch is strong in her then.' Tashia watched Lilly swallow. Why was she suddenly nervous? `You reek of fear, child. I will not punish you for talking about this.'
`No. It's not that.' Lilly rubbed her face.
Tashia's senses heightened: something was happening in the club. `Then what, child?' she asked, only half-listening as the walls around her hummed with energy.
`Gaia calls him Hunter.'
`What?' Her focus snapped back to Lilly.
`So what?' Rose threw her hands up. `Only now we know Gaia really hates us.'
Tashia touched Lilly on the face. `Are you sure, child? You didn't mishear her words?'
`No, Ruth said Gaia always calls him Hunter, and he likes it.'
The floor suddenly shuddered and dust filled the air. `Shield yourselves, children!' Tashia ripped the bathroom door open and smoke billowed along the access corridor. `This I did not see.'
`What the hell?' Rose yelled, her gift flaring.
Tashia waited until Lilly had called her own gift. `Run! Do no
t stop until you are safe!' She turned and ran up the corridor towards the entry to the club.
`Safe from what?' Rose yelled behind her.
Tashia smashed the door in. Smoke and flames boiled the air.
`Goddess, what is that?' Rose staggered back into Lilly.
`This is what happens when a Hunter and a Huntress connect. Now go.' Tashia dived into the chaos of fire and uncontrolled energy towards a single figure standing against the ball of expanding energy.
`Ancient one, we cannot control it!' Ivy screamed, falling to her knees, her hands black with energy. `It will consume us all.'
`Get Ivy out,' Tashia ordered Rose, as she dashed past, her clothes smouldering. Chunks of concrete fell around them.
Tashia ignored the debris, her eyes on the mass of energy tearing the club apart.
Lilly grabbed her arm. `Tashia, let's go!'
`Flee, child.' She let her power surge. Repressed for centuries, it hungered to be free. `You will die if you stay.' Tashia felt her body begin to grow.
`Goddess, protect us.' Lilly turned and ran.
Tashia released her true form as Lilly disappeared up the stairs. She looked down at the ball of energy and smiled. `Trust you to break all the rules my little Huntress.'
Tashia reached out and touched the energy ball. `Time for you to behave.' She focused as the blue energy raced up her arms. `Back you go, back to your family.'
The energy quivered and tore slabs of concrete off the walls. She staggered under its power.
`Yes.' Tashia let the ancient black energy of her gift wash out of her. `You're stronger than me, but I have the discipline.'
She snarled at the challenge burning in her hands, `BEHAVE!'
Darkness exploded from her and the blue energy shrank back to its source.
`Hmm,' Tashia looked down as static lingered on Mason and Renee. `No more surprises, please, you two.' She staggered and let her body flow back into her preferred shape. `I don't think I can handle any more tonight.'
`You're unharmed.' Lilly appeared beside her. `I've never seen… whatever that was.'
`Hmm,' Tashia nodded and looked around the empty club. `Last to leave and the first back in. Wouldn't have picked you for such a courageous one.'
`We have to move. The humans will come and ask questions about them. Even I know who he is and they will too.' Lilly pointed at Mason.
`You always so organised?' Tashia went over to Renee, touching her with great care.
Lilly squatted beside her, taking care to not touch Mason. `They did this?'
`Yes, child.' Tashia slipped her arms under Renee and lifted her, cradling her. `Bring Ruth with you and come back for Nikki . I will handle Mason.'
`Yes, Tashia.' She edged away from Mason and went to Ruth and Nikki. `His wife is very beautiful.'
Tashia smiled as Lilly picked Ruth up. `I suspect in more ways than one. Come.' Tashia moved outside quickly, with Lilly close behind, slipping unseen past confused patrons and the injured. Fire flickered ahead through the trees and Tashia slowed, ignoring the stares of gathered Darkells.
`Here, take her.' Tashia slipped Renee into Miekia's arms. `We'll be back.' She turned, scanning the sea of faces.
Ivy sat on the sand with Rose tending to her. She nodded. `I will heal. Go.'
Lilly put Ruth down near Ivy. `I'm ready.'
`Come, then.' Tashia ran, stopping at the tree line.
`We're too late,' Lilly gasped beside her. `They're going into the club.'
Tashia took her hand. `Move with me — don't let go until we're inside.' She called a gift she had not used for a very long time. It took great focus for her, to make her pocket of the world slow.
Lilly's hand tightened in hers. `How is this possible?'
Tashia moved towards the club entrance, past the frozen crowd. `Don't touch anyone. It will pull them out of it.'
`Understood,' Lilly muttered, sliding around a security guard.
Inside the club, two firemen were checking Mason and Nikki.
`What will happen when we pick them up? Will we be revealed?' Lilly asked.
`Yes.' Tashia took a deep breath. Her body ached from the energy she was using. `I am taxed Lilly, far too much. You will need to create a diversion to cover our exit.' She squatted, eyeing Mason's bulk. `Can you do this for me, Lilly?'
Lilly nodded. `I can. Thank you for trusting me.'
Tashia nodded as her body screamed at her. `Do it now. I cannot hold them anymore.' She took Mason's arm and the world moved around her.
`What?' a voice stuttered behind her.
`Sorry about this,' Lilly said.
`Who...?'
Tashia looked up at Lilly's eyes, filled with white energy. The girl's mouth opened and the air shattered.
Tashia just managed to shield her ears as the firemen fell beside her. Lilly's energy filled the club and then vanished into a cool, welcoming darkness.
`We've got a few minutes before they wake up.' Lilly scooped Nikki up.
`A Sonik?' Tashia strained as she lifted Mason, his weight far more than expected. `Curse it, he's unnaturally heavy. Still being stubborn even while unconscious.'
Ivy appeared beside her. `Let me help. You're exhausted.' She put Mason's arm over her shoulder and Tashia sighed in relief as she shared the weight.
`Blessing to you, Ivy.'
`Ready.' Lilly, with Nikki in her arms, joined them.
`Well done, Sister Lilly.' Ivy nodded at her as they moved off. `You've surpassed Rose tonight.'
Tashia tried to smile but her face was numb. Her legs ached as they climbed the stairs, stepping over prone bodies.
`Let me go first in case some remain conscious.' Lilly moved past them and disappeared from sight.
`Hmm, the night is full of surprises,' Tashia said, panting.
`Yes.' Ivy shouldered more of Mason's weight and Tashia sagged against the wall. `He's heavy because of his strong connection with Gaia?'
`Perhaps. I don't know why.' She winced as Lilly unleashed her Sonik gift a second time. `She is powerful.'
`A surprise to me as well. She has never displayed such strength before.'
`All clear. Come on.' Lilly waved them up.
`Go, child, we will follow,' Ivy said sagging under Mason's weight. Tashia braced herself as they moved.
`Have you still the skills to fight, Ivy, using your gifts?'
`Such things have not been done for centuries.'
`I feel such times are upon us again.' Tashia moved quicker as they reached the trees. Sirens and shouting erupted in the resort.
Ivy nodded at Mason. `Has he brought the danger to our shores?'
`Not sure, but he has the ability to defend his family against our enemy, the Bloodells.' Tashia could see the fire ahead. `Do I have your support, sister? If my Magi does not awaken before the ceremony, in time to speak, I believe the Douglases are meant to attend. Some will not agree.'
`You ask a lot.' Ivy slowed down and Tashia matched her pace. `I have never agreed with the House of Eleanor's politics.' Ivy lugged Mason onto her shoulder. `Yet here I stand with Butcher on my shoulder and you by my side, as it was in the wars.'
`Hmm. The words of an old warrior from the House of Flowers.' Tashia grinned at her. `You feel it too? A fight is coming.'
`Stop smiling. You already know the answer.' Ivy shook her head. `You have my support.'
`You brought him here?' Rose met them at the edge of the clearing. `A monster!'
`Shut up and get out of the way,' Ivy snapped.
`This is insane.' Rose stepped aside and followed. `We should not have him here.'
`That is not for you to decide, child.' Tashia lowered Mason beside Renee. Her legs were burning and the ache dug into her back.
`Fuck this!' A pink glow began to form around Rose's hands, then lashed out at Mason.
Tashia turned. `Stop, you fool!'
Too late. She fell back with Ivy as blue energy streamed out of Mason, responding to Rose's attack.
`
Rose. No!' Lilly shouted as Rose was hurled, screaming, into the darkness.
`Go help her, Lilly,' Ivy said, looking towards the cry of agony coming from the trees. `Make sure she's calmed down before you bring her here. Sonik her if you have to.'
`Yes, sister.' Lilly grinned and vanished into the night.
`I like her more and more,' Tashia said, turning to Miekia as she hugged her.
`I was so worried about you.' Miekia's firm hug made Tashia wince.
`Easy, little one. I'm sore.'
`You're hurt, then?' She ran a hand over Tashia's arms and back.
`Not really. Relax. I simply haven't used some gifts for so long I'm unaccustomed to their drain.'
`And you call me old.' Ivy squatted beside Nikki, touching her face. `They're unharmed.'
`I couldn't awaken them.' Miekia joined Ivy. `It's like they're cloaked in some thick energy that doesn't respond to our gifts.'
`Cushioned in Gaia's touch,' Tashia said, looking down on them. `A strange mix, this Huntress and her Hunter.'
`What?' Ivy stood up and stepped back. `That's not possible. Tell me there's not an alpha here on the island as well.'
Tashia frowned. How could she have forgotten that? Damn it. She reached out, seeking the mind of an alpha.
`None here.' She relaxed. `That's all we would need tonight.'
`They're waking!' Miekia leapt up and backed away.
Tashia moved between her and the four on the sand. The others shuffled back, fear tainting the air.
Deep down, Tashia found her powers again. Her hands tingled with an ancient defensive gift.
Just in case.
Mason could smell a campfire. He moved and the warm darkness that cloaked him began to melt away. He felt soft sand under him.
Traces of strawberries and spice swirled in his mouth. Renee. She'd kissed him.
`Mason?' Hands rested on his arm. Ruth.
`Uh-huh,' he drawled. Eyes still closed, he didn't try to move. He could hear many heartbeats so close. Renee's beat loud beside him. `What happened?'
`You kissed Renee.' Ruth squeezed his arm again. He heard the worry in her voice but her heartbeat said she was excited. `Are you okay?'
Mason pushed his sense of hearing down so the cacophony of heartbeats faded.
`I'm sorry.' He opened an eye. Ruth and Renee sat beside him, watching. Fire flickered, making the shadows move around them. He felt disorientated. `Where are we?'
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