Darlings of Paranormal Romance (Anthology)

by Chrissy Peebles

  “Partly.” He grabbed a pair of black sunglasses from the consul separating our seats. Obviously, he didn’t feel like elaborating.

  I opened my mouth to ask more questions, like why he wasn’t there anymore, but decided not to push him when he reached over and tapped the cover of the paperback.

  Half asleep, an hour later, the truck slowed. I yawned and glanced out the window, then did a double take. My breath caught. I popped forward in my seat. The familiar urban neighborhood…houses. “Are you crazy? What the hell are we doing here?”

  Aiden tightened his grip on the steering wheel, refusing to meet my gaze. “Just a side stop.”

  Chapter 11

  Skyler dropped the basketball, mouth agape. He glanced back at Joshua, who stood beneath the hoop looking just as stunned. When Skyler finally managed to shut his trap, he grinned and sprinted toward Aiden’s truck.

  Oh, here we go.

  Pushing the door open to meet my best friend, I glared back at Aiden, hoping I intimidated the crap out of him. Hell would be waiting, in the form of me, when we left this house. I loved Skyler, sure, but I didn’t feel like being whipped into a verbal frenzy. He’d bring up everything—things I’d die before talking about. Hence the reason I hadn’t returned his calls. Now I’d have to explain myself, and I didn’t even have time to muster up a good lie.

  Skyler grabbed me from the truck before my feet hit the ground and pulled me into a strangle hold. He spun me around like we were in some cheesy old movie. “What gives? You don’t call, you don’t text. I thought you were pissed at me.”

  “No.” My voice was muffled against his chest. “Just been busy.”

  “Busy? Don’t you sit home every day?”

  I wiggled down his lean, six-foot-four frame until my feet touched the cement. “Yeah, thanks for the reminder.”

  His brow furrowed and he grabbed my chin. “Your eyes. They look—”

  I jerked my head away. “Bad. I know. So does the rest of me.” I hardly had any makeup on and my once cute designer clothes looked like they were bought at a garage sale. The result of having two outfits over the last three weeks.

  “That’s not what I was gonna say.” He frowned.

  Aiden’s low voice came from behind me. “How’re you, Skyler?”

  Skyler tore his gaze from me, his grin sliding back into place. “Great, now. I missed my little Tay.” He rumpled my hair.

  “I know. I’ve been taking the phone calls.”

  I’d never asked him to play receptionist;. I just didn’t want to talk to anyone.

  Joshua strode forward, his happy smile turned small and sympathetic. No doubt getting ready to ask that question: “How’re you holding up, Tay?” The words were forming in his mouth. My stomach churned at the thought. People used to think I was tough and witty. Now everyone worried I’d go crazy and throw myself off a cliff. I had my dignity to save, starting here.

  I tilted my head. “That’s the slowest I’ve seen you move. Forty’s gonna be tough on you, old man.”

  Joshua beamed like he’d witnessed a resurrection. “Watch it, girl, I’d hate for this old man to embarrass you.” He pulled me into a hug. I closed my eyes, feeling his familiar embrace. It almost felt like I was hugging—

  No, no. Don’t go there, Taylee! I stepped away, silently inhaling.

  Joshua studied me. The corners of his lips fell as the tip of his finger traced below my eye.

  Great. Even Joshua noticed the Zombie resemblance.

  With a nod, Joshua motioned Aiden toward the beige, river-rock house. They walked away. I was unable to shake the weirdness of Joshua without Delmari. Skyler and I followed them. Could Aiden take the spot of Joshua’s best friend?

  Skyler knocked me out of my thoughts, talking about basketball tryouts.

  “My dad’ll be flying back around Thanksgiving so he can meet with the scouts.” He rolled his eyes. “He’s determined to be at every game. Not easily done when you live six states away.”

  Yeah, but the prick would push back court dates and pull all the strings a manipulating Drea lawyer could to be there.

  “I’m sure he’ll manage.” I stepped over piles of clothes to his unmade bed.

  “So…how’s the new place?” There was reluctance in his voice as he shut the door.

  I shrugged. “Fine, I guess. Not the White House, that’s for sure.” Skyler’s house could fit three of my houses inside it. Then again, the Authority provided my home—not my rich father. They also paid Aiden’s salary because I didn’t have a family or income.

  “So, why don’t you come live with me? There’s plenty of room for you and Aiden here. We could go to school together and…”

  Just sitting in Skyler’s room made the continual, dull ache in my chest throb. Everything looked the same. Pictures of us from the time we were two years old tucked in and taped to his mirror. Over and over I reminded myself to breathe. No way could I live here. Happy memories surrounded me, reminding me the best days of my life were gone.

  “Daddy would love that.”

  Skyler lay next to me, placing both hands behind his head. “He doesn’t have a choice. Talk to Aiden—” His eyes widened and he sat up. “What the heck happened to your wrist?”

  I was glad for the subject change but not so happy about where it went. “Aiden rammed into me. It was an accident…I think.”

  He reached out and took it, examining it like he had X-ray vision. “What’d you do?”

  What did I do? Why was it always my fault? “Nothing…it’s a long story. Don’t worry about it. So, doing anything fun tonight?”

  “Why?” His eyes brightened, ridding his earlier concern. Mission accomplished. “You staying here?”

  “I don’t think so. We’re headed to Portland.”

  “For what?”

  I lay back, rolled to my stomach and rested my chin on his chest. The Kember flashed in my mind. I didn’t dare tell Skyler. He’d try and talk me out of it. “Aiden promised if I read this book, he’d take me there.”

  He coughed in surprise. “You did it? I figured you’d tell him what he could go do to himself.”

  “Yeah, well, I gotta walk the line. Ian’ll lock me up like some crazy if I don’t.” The words slipped and I turned away, resting the side of my face on his chest. Skyler and I hadn’t talked since the funeral incident. I’d bash my head against the wall if he brought it up now.

  He laughed under his breath. It sounded totally off. “You were tired and upset. Nothing’s wrong with you. Got it? Everyone understands.”

  Everyone? Fantastic. Nothing like a “let’s talk Taylee” gossip party.

  Skyler’s hand swept my cheek as he brushed the hair from my face. With long gentle strokes, he continued to run his fingers though the length of it, not even trying to downplay his obsession with the softness. “Did you hear about Camille Whitmore?”

  “The blonde whore you dated forever ago?”

  “She’s missing,” he whispered. “Her whole family’s gone, and all their Kembers were killed two nights ago.”

  I lifted my head to look at him. A strand of hair fell from his fingers. “Missing? Wh—How?”

  He swallowed hard. “Rygons probably. Joshua heard officials in that area found the Kembers’ bodies, but the Dreas weren’t anywhere. This is secondhand, though. The Authority hasn’t released any information yet.”

  I stared blankly. Sure Camille and I had our differences. Okay, who was I fooling? I hated the bitch, but still, she didn’t deserve to be kidnapped. “Rygons don’t take Dreas. Dead or alive.” They might drag them a few hundred yards, depending on where the attack occurred, but their bodies were always found.

  He propped himself up on his elbows. “I know. It’s probably a rumor. You know how they fly around in our world. Just promise you’ll be careful and keep out of trouble.”

  I rolled my eyes. “This coming from you?”

  He chuckled and leaned his forehead against mine. “Hey, I only get in the trouble
you get me into.”

  “Yeah, but if we were both like you, we’d look both ways and still never cross the street.”

  Skyler pulled back, keeping his face inches from mine. “Well, someone’s gotta try and save you from your reckless ambitions.” His brown goo-goo eyes sparkled as they set on my lips. We’d kissed a few times but never been on a boyfriend-girlfriend status or had anything intimate. Our friendship was too important to risk losing. Sometimes he needed reminding.

  I blew in his face.

  Blinking, he jerked back and snapped out of Skyler-land.

  I stuck my tongue out and jumped from the bed as his shoe connected with my butt. “Come on, Homeless Girl. Let’s get you some new clothes.” He chuckled.

  After buying two black suitcases and stuffing them with outfits, I went on and bought the makeup I obviously needed: powder, blush, mascara, eye liner. Tonight, I’d transform from a zombie into a seventeen-year-old girl. By two o’clock, Aiden and I were back on the road, bad music and all.

  With only twenty-five pages left in the bird book, the truck started to slow. I set the paperback down and peered out the window. Crystal blue water stretched as far as the eye could see. White capped waves rushed onto the shore in rhythmic patterns. Lush green forests and rocky cliffs lined the sandy beach.

  I extended my legs out in front of me and scooted forward on the seat. “Why do we live in Oakridge again?”

  “Most of these seaside towns are tourist attractions. We need to stay low-key.”

  Not my specialty. “So, no drinking screwdrivers or table dancing?” I shot him a mischievous smile.

  He just shook his head.

  We continued toward town, passing old buildings and parallel-parked cars. Swarms of people strolled down the sidewalks, entering and exiting little shops. After a moment, Aiden pulled into a parking lot. A huge wooden sign with orange letters read: Sea Side Motel.

  Aiden slung his duffle bag over his shoulder and picked up both my suitcases as I stepped out of the truck. The salty sea breeze blew little strands of hair in my face, carrying the scents of salt and coconut oil. I shifted my gaze out to the rolling waves before following Aiden through the glass doors.

  “Welcome!” A blonde girl jumped from a chair and skipped to the front desk. Her smile stretched clear back to her ears and her voice was so cheery, I wanted to smack her for the sole reason of ruining her blissful mood. “Do you have a reservation?”

  “No.” Aiden set the bags at our feet and reached in his back pocket, pulling out a leather wallet.

  She clicked her tongue and typed something in the computer. “You’re in luck. We have one room left. How many nights will you be staying?”

  I looked around the room, confused. “Is something going on this weekend?”

  “The Governor’s birthday,” Aiden replied.

  “Um…okay. Who cares?”

  The receptionist’s mouth dropped. “Every year he throws a huge bash in Portland. It’s only the biggest event in Oregon.” She reached down, pulled a flyer from a drawer and handed it to Aiden. “Every motel within thirty miles is usually filled by this time of day, so you stopped in the right town.” She snatched it back and flipped it over. She pointed to a big star. “We’re here in—”

  It hit me like a bag of cinderblocks. So hard it knocked me breathless. “What the hell.” I smacked Aiden’s arm. “You said you were taking me to Portland.”

  Veins in his hands surfaced as he gripped his wallet. “Wait a minute and I’ll explain.”

  I fell for his trap. Thinking back, he never actually said we were going to Portland. How dense could I be? He’d never take me there, and maybe if I would’ve looked past his mind-blowing biceps, I would’ve seen this coming. “Explain what? How you lied to get me to shut up?”

  He glanced at the gawking girl, who finally lost her smile, and then back at me. “I didn’t lie to you. Calm down.” He handed the girl a credit card.

  I narrowed my eyes. “Calm down? “You lied! You were—”

  “Enough.” A glint of danger sounded in his voice, something that told me I’d regret it if I didn’t drop it.

  The receptionist stared down, refusing to make eye contact with either of us, and slid a yellow slip across the counter. “Please sign here, Mr. Oltman.” When he did, she handed us a key. “E-Enjoy your stay.”

  Aiden nodded. “Thank you.”

  He picked up our bags and exited the building. I followed only because he had everything I owned and the keys to the truck.

  Still seething, I turned a corner and rammed into his chest. I staggered backward, but luckily he didn’t knock me down this time.

  “If my intent wasn’t to help you,” Aiden motioned toward me, “why would I spend an entire day walking through a forest for someone who may not exist? Why would I pay someone to come down here and then travel all this way? Did it ever occur to you I’m trying to help you?”

  Peering down, I twisted the toe of my shoe on the cement. I’d never thought of that. “Um, uh…”

  “If we’re going to do this, you have to trust me.” Again, his tone had an edge to it. “You have to be confident enough in me to know I’m going to do everything in my power to help you and keep you safe. I’m on your side. I’m never going to lie to you. I’m never going to deceive you.”

  I didn’t say anything, or rather, I couldn’t. Words escaped me. He had done a lot for me. More than most would’ve. A huge part of me knew he was right about everything, but it was against my hard-headed nature to admit it so quickly.

  He turned toward room number fifteen, slid the key card in the slot and pushed the door open.

  “You’ve gotta be freakin’ kidding me.”

  Chapter 12

  Sure the room appeared nice and cozy with light blue walls and tan-colored carpet. It had all the accommodations most motels did: a desk, TV—hey—even a fridge. But what that smiling whore forgot to mention was the bed. Yes, bed. As in one.

  “We should saran wrap her car.”

  “It’s the last room they have.” Aiden kicked the door closed then dropped our bags off to the side of the room. “I’m sure we can get a cot. I’ll call for one when we get back.”

  Sitting on top of the desk, I leaned my head against the wall and placed my feet on the chair. “Would this be the point in time where I get the ‘explanation’?”

  He pulled out a fresh black shirt from his bag and shook it. “We’re not staying in Portland because I don’t want to be there any longer than a few hours. Enough people should be around so you don’t stick out, but you still need to be cautious. Rygons thrive in crowds.” He zipped his bag closed and turned to face me. “Last year we received a call down at Portland after seven people were reported missing. They weren’t Dreas, luckily, but the evidence of Rygon attacks were everywhere. Two hours after examining the area, we found the victims’ bodies massacred.” His intense eyes bored into mine.

  “You’re not telling me this for shits and giggles.”

  “I’m telling you this because Rygons are dangerous, but a rogue Kember is lethal. You can barge in and get yourself killed, but how does that help us catch him? How does that avenge Delmari? If you die, Delmari died in vain.”

  A sharp pain shot through my core. I clasped my hand over my chest, unable to breathe. My nails cut into my skin. Warm liquid trickled onto my fingers, slowly abating the pressure and inner pain.

  Half-falling in an attempt to get off the desk, I knocked the phone and lamp to the floor and headed to the bathroom.

  “Taylee—”

  The slamming door cut off his voice. I sucked in a jagged breath. Delmari died in vain. I sat against the shower wall, clenching my fists, fighting the sting in my eyes. Crying did nothing. It didn’t help. Settling the score would be the only cure.

  Aiden knocked lightly. “I didn’t mean to upset—”

  “I’m fine. Just getting changed.”

  He sighed. The door cracked open, and my bag slid across the til
e.

  Inhaling deeply, I squeezed my eyes closed and heaved myself up off the floor. Get dressed. Get your makeup on and get a freakin’ grip. If I allowed myself the time to stop and think, I’d always be on the floor. I had to keep plowing forward.

  I tied the strings of my maroon tight-fitted halter top around my neck and then dragged a small section of hair down my neck, covering the red, wet marks I’d inflicted on my chest. The scratches weren’t deep or anything, but definitely apparent.

  When I walked back into the room, Aiden eyed me. “Where’s the wrap for your hand?”

  I refused to meet his gaze. “Throws off the outfit.” I bent my wrist a few times and shrugged. “Plus, I popped some Ibuprofen. It doesn’t even hurt now.”

  He’d changed into a new black shirt, as well. This one fit slightly tighter, showing off his awesome arms and chest. Black, really? He wore the color every day. Maybe he liked the Goth get-up. I, for one, thought green would look good on him. Yes, definitely green. It’d bring out his eyes—stop thinking about him.

  Plus, any more points in his “good looks” area and I’d be acting like…well, this.

  “Ready?” I pulled my black jacket off the bed. Irritation, though directed toward myself, rang through my tone.

  “Let’s go.” He strode toward the door.

  Hundreds of people roamed the streets of Portland. I sat forward, palms on the dash, checking everything out. You’d think we’d driven straight into an amusement park. Bright golden lights strung from pole to pole, illuminating the darkness. The annoying, slightly creepy, sounds of fair music and games echoed in the distance.

  We drove around for fifteen minutes, looking for a parking place. Finally, in an alleyway, we found a spot.

  Aiden stood outside my door. With his hand on the handle, he stared into space; probably listening to…I didn’t know: Whatever there was to listen to in dark, musty alleyways. I grabbed my jacket from the backseat as he opened the door.

  “We should be fine. Rygons may sense you, but they’ll stay low-key. I’m sure you’re not the only Drea here tonight.”

  “So, stay out of dark, narrow alleyways, right?” I jumped down from the truck and peered around.