by J. L. McCoy
“Still,” he frowned down at me, “I don’t like it.”
“I appreciate the concern, big guy,” I managed a small smile as I put my hand on his chest. “I’m going to say hi to Lochlan, Aoife, and Aziza and get a drink. You want anything?”
“I’m going with you so I’ll drink whatever you’re having. I don’t want you out of my sight.”
I nodded my head and knew there was no talking him out of being my shadow, so I headed over to the bar. Lochlan and Aoife looked relieved to see me and I took the barstool a Dark One had just vacated.
“Good ta see ya’, feek!” Lochlan grinned as he looked me over. “Ya’ doin’ good?”
“Considering the circumstances,” I shrugged one shoulder. “Looks like we have a full house tonight.”
“Aye,” Lochlan nodded his head and glanced at the Dark One sitting next to me out of the corner of his eye.
“I’m so glad you’re home!” Aoife sighed as she slid in front of me and used her hip to bump Lochlan out of the way. “These boys are starting to get on my last nerve.”
“Ye’ve been on ours for years, dear sister,” Lochlan growled under his breath as he went to help another customer.
“I’ll remember that next time you want me to cover for you so you can go get laid,” Aoife pursed her lips then looked back at me. “What can I get you to drink?”
“Two Irish whiskeys, please,” I sighed, motioning my head to Hagan behind me so she knew one was for him.
Aoife smiled and turned to fill my order as the guy next to me spoke up. “Hello, sister,” he smiled as he fully tuned to me. “You must have just arrived back in Austin.”
“I’m not your sister,” I frowned distastefully at him.
“That’s not what I hear,” he smiled slyly. “It seems you’ll be joining the Dark race soon. Well, at least that’s the word on the street.”
“Hate to tell you, dude, but the word is wrong,” I scoffed as I turned my attention back to Aoife and watched her pour my drink.
“Hate to tell YOU, sister, but it’s more right than you know,” he growled as he put his drink down on the bar. It seemed like he was itching for a fight and I wasn’t biting.
A deep, guttural growl sounded behind me and VIP suddenly went eerily quiet as everyone watched our exchange. Before Hagan could growl again, I slid off the barstool as Aoife delivered the two glasses. Taking them in one hand, I grabbed Hagan’s shirt with the other and pulled him toward the PVIP tables, the only available tables on the second floor.
Chapter Sixteen
Familiar, high pitched laughter drew my attention just then and my stomach sunk. I’d recognize that annoying trill anywhere. Lola Finch, my murdered ex-boyfriend’s half-sister and massive pain in my ass, was sitting with a group of Dark Ones and thankfully, she hadn’t seen me yet.
I turned around and tried to go the other way, but her voice stopped me. “Well, well, well,” she drawled with venom, “If it isn’t the bitch who murdered my brother.”
WHAT?! Hagan steadied me as her words sunk in and I turned around to face her. “I didn’t murder Jesse. Who told you that?” I asked, swallowing thickly.
“My new friends here,” she smiled evilly at me. “They said they used to be friends with a guy named Martin and that you murdered him too, you psychotic bitch.”
Unfortunately, I remembered Martin well. He was the Dark One who had helped Amun kidnap and torture me when I was human. She was right about me murdering him, but I didn’t kill Jesse; Martin did that.
A hush fell over VIP as Lola stood up from her table. The Dark Ones she was sitting with were smirking and they looked intrigued by the potential chick fight.
“I didn’t kill your brother, Lola,” I said, handing the drinks to Hagan. I wanted my hands free just in case I needed to defend myself. “Their friend Martin did.”
“Lies,” she narrowed her eyes at me as she threw her long blond hair over her shoulder. My eyes zeroed in on three sets of fang marks on her neck. The Dark Ones had been feeding from her. How long has she known them? The better question was how long had she known about vampires? “That’s all you know how to do is lie, Skye. You lied about my brother coming to see you, you lied about him going to New York; you lied the whole time. You murdered my brother and tried to hide it, but the truth always comes out eventually, skank!”
“Those friends of yours are just using you, Lola,” I said gently. I don’t know why I cared that she was being fed on, but I did. Maybe it was my past with her brother that made me want to protect her, I don’t know, but I did…even though she was a nasty, foul-mouthed bitch, she didn’t deserved to be used as a pawn in some Dark game. “It’s true, I lied about Jesse but it was only to protect you from the truth and that is that Martin killed Jesse, decapitated him, and left his severed head in my car for me to find the next day.”
Lola paled visibly as she squeezed her eyes shut, no doubt envisioning the gruesome sight I just described. “Shut the fuck up!” she screamed loudly before she took a deep breath and started laughing. “You’re going to pay for what you did him.”
“Sit down,” one of the Dark Ones next to her growled and she looked down at him with a mixture of shock and anger. I guess she wasn’t expecting them to talk to her that way, but she should have. They didn’t care one snit about her.
When Lola didn’t move, the Dark One grabbed her wrist and roughly pulled her back down on the couch. She gasped in pain and cradled her wrist to her chest when he finally let go.
“Don’t touch her again, Dark One,” I growled, taking a step toward them.
“What the fuck do you care what I do with her?” he chuckled. “She wants to see you dead, Hybrid.”
“I don’t care,” I seethed, meeting his eyes and refusing to back down. Lola or no Lola, I wasn’t going to allow a vampire to treat a human like that in Archer’s club. “You will not lay a hand on her again. Not here.”
“Mind your own business you nosy, half-breed vampire slut,” Lola sneered up at me. “Oh yeah, I know all about you now. You can’t hide anything from me for long, Skye. And, I can take care of myself so you can just fuck off.”
“Yes, I can see that,” I said motioning to her already bruising arm. “You’re doing such a bang up job of it-”
“Watch your mouth, filthy human,” one of the other Dark Ones at the table growled at Lola, cutting me off. “I grow tired of you. Insult our sister again and I’ll cut out your tongue.”
I made a disgusted face and looked back at Hagan questioningly. “What the hell is wrong with everyone tonight? Did someone put something in the Kool-Aid?”
“We were told that you planned on renouncing the Day Walkers and joining our race,” the one who grabbed Lola answered.
“That’s complete bullshit,” I scoffed, folding my arms under my chest. “I don’t know where you guys are getting your information, but it’s incorrect. I am a Day Walker and always will be. Why would I renounce what I am? That’s ludicrous.”
“You will join us soon enough,” the man smiled mysteriously. “Mark my words, Hybrid.”
“Are you trying to threaten me?” I asked, fisting my hands down at my sides.
“I would strongly advise against it, Dark One,” Hagan said from behind me. “She’s stronger, faster, and far more deadly than even you can imagine.”
“The child doesn’t scare me,” he laughed.
“Then you’re incredibly stupid,” Hagan shook his head.
“Is there a problem here, gentlemen?” Archer asked, suddenly appearing at my side.
“No problems here, Day Walker,” the man smiled as he held his hands out. “We were just saying hello to our new sister.”
“I’m not your fucking sister!” I growled, getting angrier by the second.
“Hagan, why don’t you escort Skye to a table,” Archer said calmly. “She’s had a long flight and could probably use a drink.”
“Aye, sir,” Hagan said, grabbing my arm and pulling me away.
/> I stared at the table of men over my shoulder and memorized their faces. I had a sneaking suspicion I’d be seeing them again, sooner rather than later.
“What the hell is wrong with everyone tonight?” I asked, plopping down at one of the PVIP tables.
“I think you’d better fill me in on exactly what went down with Atticus in Boston,” Hagan said seriously as he rested his forearms on the table top in front of me. “It seems they really think you’re joining them.”
“I’m not,” I shook my head. “I called Atticus tonight and told him myself. Well, I told Corvus actually. He answered Atticus’ phone.”
Hagan pursed his lips and waited for me to begin the recount of events. When I was done, he sighed and sat back in the booth. “I don’t like it. I don’t like this whole damn situation. I told Ruarc there would be too much attention on you. Now you’ve got Dark Ones gunning for you to join them.”
“I saw Ruarc in Boston and he said details of my abilities getting out was inevitable. Something about it being too sensational for someone to keep to themselves. At least no one seems to know yet that the sword can kill me, well aside from the men there that night.”
“Ruarc was right,” Archer sighed as he took a seat beside me. “No one would have been able to keep you a secret for long. Some in the brotherhood are still unsure about where your loyalties will ultimately lie.”
“What more do I have to do to prove myself to them? I was willing to die so that Amun would. If that doesn’t tell them I’m a Day Walker, I don’t know what will.”
“Don’t let it bother you,” Hagan said, leaning toward me a little. “Some are just scared of change. There has never been another like you in history. Things are changing and they are just old fashioned. Don’t take it to heart, Morrison.”
I thought about what he said and nodded my head after a few seconds. “What was that all about?” I asked Archer, motioning with my head to the table of Dark Ones and Lola. “Everyone’s talking about me joining Atticus but you were there when I called Corvus and told him no.”
“Maybe word hasn’t gotten back to them yet,” Hagan suggested.
“Maybe they don’t care that she said no,” Archer whispered as he cocked an eyebrow at Hagan.
Hagan took a deep breath in through his nose and stared at Archer as he tried to have a silent conversation with him. “Do you think they’ll try to take her again?” he asked. “We should arm her and put the word out that if any Dark One touches her again it’s a declaration of war. I’ll go to war for her, Archer…in a heartbeat. You know I will.”
“Uh…Hagan?” I timidly shrugged one shoulder, almost apologetically, as I looked up at him from under my lashes. “I can hear you.” If I had been human, Hagan’s statement would have made me blush a bright shade of red.
Hagan’s eyes got round and he immediately looked down at the table. I think he was a bit embarrassed that I’d heard something he obviously didn’t want me to. “Maybe warn a guy next time, dheartháir?”
“Hagan, Skye drank from me and can now read minds,” Archer smirked as he raised my glass to him and finished it.
“Yeah thanks,” Hagan rolled his eyes and shook his head. “Back to business, brother. What do you want to do about our little problem?”
“What can we do?” he sighed as he put his arm on the back of the booth and stretched out. “Wanting her and getting her are two completely different things. We can’t move against an entire race just for wanting my mate. Now if they make a play for her again, that’s a different story.”
“I’m not going to sit back and play nice if I’m taken,” I crossed my arms under my chest. “Atticus knows this.” They grunted their skepticism and I continued, “Look, he gave me a choice guys and it’s not like they were rude to me or anything. The colony was very welcoming and…polite even. I honestly don’t think things will escalate. This shit going around the bar, it’s just talk and wishful thinking. I really think Atticus and Corvus want to remain on good terms. Maybe the Dark Ones are all here tonight because they heard I was joining them. When they find out I’m not, I’m sure they’ll all go back to wherever they came from.”
“Let’s hope you’re right, Morrison,” Hagan shook his head and downed his glass.
Don’t Cha by the Pussycat Dolls started playing in Archer’s pants and I cocked an eyebrow at him and fought an amused grin. “Is there something you need to tell me?”
“Trey,” Archer pinched the bridge of his nose, sighed, and shook his head as he dug around in his pocket. “I had him pick you up a new cell phone today.” He handed it to me like it was on fire and I chuckled as I answered it. Seems my Archer wasn’t a Pussycat Dolls fan.
“Skye, is that you?” a growl sounded on the other end and I smiled.
“Hey, Dean! Long time, no talk. What’s up, hon?”
“Do you know where Archer is? I’ve been calling him for the last hour and his cell keeps going straight to voice mail. We’ve got a problem.”
My eyes found Archer’s as my brow furrowed. “He’s right here. Is everything okay? Did something happen?” Dean and Archer weren’t exactly friends so his calling meant something was definitely up.
“It’s nothing you need to worry your beautiful head about, babe,” Dean said a little gentler. “We’ve just got a bit of a situation at my shop. Can you put the bloodsucker on? We’ll talk later, toots, I promise.”
I frowned, really worried now as I agreed and handed the phone to Archer. I watched as Archer listened to Dean and the frown on his face grew from annoyed to pissed off.
“When?” he barked into the phone followed by short pauses. “How many? He said what? Hell no!” Archer growled fiercely then and I watched his eye color begin to fade with anger. “Careful, dog. That’s your only pass with me. You’re lucky my mate likes you.”
“No fighting, boys,” I tsked loud enough for both of them to hear. “Don’t make me spank you.”
Dean must have said something saucy because Archer growled again as his fangs lowered. “Over my dead body, mutt.” I rolled my eyes and shook my head. Dean was always poking the bear.
“We’ll be there in ten minutes,” Archer barked then handed me back the phone. I ended the call and locked the touch screen.
“What’s going on at Tricky Dic’s?” I asked as I grabbed onto his arm.
“Dark Ones,” Archer spoke in my head. “Dean’s got several groups hanging around the bar. Don’t say anything out loud, just get up and have Hagan take you out back. I don’t want us drawing the attention of the Dark Ones in the club. I’ll meet you outside in a minute. I need to make a call.”
I pursed my lips unhappily and nodded my head. “What the hell is going on, Archer? I thought vamps stayed out of werewolf establishments.”
“They do, baby,” he said as he leaned over and gently kissed my lips. “I’ve got a bad feeling about this.” I watched as he got up and made his way over to his office stairwell and disappear behind the private door.
“Care to fill me in, Morrison?” Hagan asked, his brow furrowed with worry as well.
“Let’s take a walk,” I smiled tightly and he nodded his head in understanding as he got up and put his hand at the small of my back, escorting me out of VIP and down the stairs. As soon as we were in the employee parking lot, I looked around to make sure it was empty and then turned to Hagan.
“Which car did you take today?”
Hagan dug into his pants pocket and brought out the Audi R8 keys. “Pádraig wanted the Escalade. Aoife and Lochlan rode with him and Trey.”
“It’ll be a tight fit, but it will have to do,” I sighed, running my fingers through my hair. “We need to get our asses over to Tricky Dic’s. Dean’s got company.”
Hagan frowned as he walked with me to the Audi. “You’re kidding, right? Don’t tell me Dark Ones are there too.”
“Yep. And there are more than a few.”
Hagan stopped walking and looked thoughtfully at the ground. I was just about to
ask him what was wrong when his head popped up and he gave me the strangest look. “They’re making a power play.”
“A what?” I asked, thoroughly confused.
“A power play,” Archer said softly behind me and I jumped. I hadn’t even heard him approach.
“It’s the only explanation, dheartháir,” Hagan nodded. “Why else would any vampire walk into a wolf’s den?”
“They’re making a statement,” Archer cocked his head to the side, “and using Cruz to do it.”
“Okay,” I sighed, holding my hand up, “I’m lost. Would someone care to fill me in?”
Archer held his hand up and Hagan threw him the keys. “Get in, baby,” Archer commanded as he hit the unlock button. “I’ll explain on the way.”
I waited for Hagan to slide into the passenger seat then I sat down on his lap and closed the door. Archer started the R8 and gunned it as he took off down the alleyway.
“Dark Ones, hell most vampires for that matter, stay away from wolves at all costs,” Archer explained as he down shifted and railed around the corner. “Them being at The Mausoleum is one thing, but showing up at Dean’s speaks volumes. Vamps know to stay away from there. Dean does not like us and everyone knows it, even the Dark Ones. He only tolerates me because of you, Skye.”
“And vice versa,” Hagan growled lowly.
“So what’s this shit about a power play?” I asked, grabbing on to Hagan as Archer blazed around another corner. “And where’s the fire, baby? You’re doing sixty in a thirty-five. Are you trying to get a ticket?”
“No cop in this city is going to give me a ticket, babe,” Archer chuckled. “I’m friends with the mayor.”
“He’s a vampire too?” I gasped.
“No,” he chuckled again. “He’s human. But I helped him out of a sticky situation last year and we’ve been friendly ever since.”
“I don’t think I want to know,” I groaned as we crossed the Congress Avenue Bridge.
“Text Dean and tell him we’re coming in the back door,” Archer said as he passed Tricky Dic’s and took a right on the next street. “I don’t want the Dark Ones to know we’re here.”