Forbidden, Tempted Series (Book 1)

by Selene Charles

  “You really suck, Cain.”

  “You should know better than to trust a monster.” He winked.

  Winked!

  She wanted to squeal like a fan girl. Her insides were having a massive riot, and wings fluttered in her throat.

  Flint wasn’t sure this new him was any better than the old him. If he kept it up, being nice, she’d fall hard and fast. And she wasn’t sure giving her heart to something like him was good for her health.

  “Here.” He took the packages off her lap, then tore open the bag that held the candy. “They taste a little stale, but otherwise, they’re decent.”

  She eyed the thing like he was trying to hand her a chunk of kryptonite.

  He had really nice lips, especially when he smiled.

  “Don’t believe me?” He sounded mock outraged.

  “My taste buds still haven’t recovered.”

  He popped a piece of candy in his mouth and chewed. “See. No problem.”

  Deliberating, she twisted her lips. He popped another one in his mouth, hard jaw working as he crunched it down.

  “I’m gonna finish them all, princess, and when I do, you can’t complain.” He took another one out.

  She snatched the hard green candy from his hand and swallowed it. He was right, it wasn’t bad. So long as you considered stale chocolate a delicacy. Shrugging, Flint took the bag out of his hand and nibbled on the last few.

  “So I can climb faster, run harder,” she mused. “Will this be permanent?”

  He leaned back. “Honestly, I’m not sure. I’ve still got Eli trying to find out whatever else he can on you. But you’re special. One of a kind.”

  She knew he didn’t mean it the way she wanted to take it, but that didn’t stop the flush from spreading up her neck.

  “There’s a dance next week,” she said, toying with the frayed edge of the now-empty bag. “You going?”

  “Homecoming?” He shook his head. “I don’t dance.”

  “Yeah, me either.” She gave a nervous laugh, wishing she hadn’t said anything. Of course he wouldn’t go, not Cain. She could never picture him in a tux and bow tie. Though her stomach gave a flip when she tried.

  “What do you do most nights?”

  He inhaled deeply, his entire body seeming relaxed. Uptight Cain was sexy, relaxed Cain... sexy as Jaime Fraser on his wedding night.

  “I hunt hive. Though lately most of my leads have dried up.” His lips twisted with disgust.

  “Does Adam know you’ve told me all this stuff?”

  He glanced at her from out the corner of his blue eye. “Yeah.”

  “Was he mad?”

  “What’s he gonna do about it? You know too much, saw too much. At this point you were more of a liability not knowing. It was either tell you or kill you.”

  She really hated that it bothered her when he said things like that. Just because he’d told her secrets about his world didn’t mean he liked her, didn’t mean he had any motive other than what he’d already admitted to earlier. The hive was following her and with no new leads, she was his last chance at finding more information.

  “So why didn’t you kill me?” she grumped. “Seems like it would have solved all your—”

  He snatched her hand as she swung it in frustration, squeezing it tightly but gently. “Never say that.”

  Heart pounding so violently in her chest that she could taste adrenaline on her tongue, she nibbled her bottom lip. Kiss me, Cain. If those words mean what I think they mean. Then freaking just do it already...

  The air between them was charged, electric, sparking so hot that she felt it like tiny little pulses rubbing against her skin.

  But rather than lean in, he let her go.

  Rubbing her temple, she frowned. “It’s getting late. I really need to get back and start working on my pile of homework.”

  His jaw clenched. “Yeah, all right.”

  Leaving there was the hardest thing she’d done all day. When she and Cain went to his bunker, it was like nothing and no one else existed. It was a happy place for her, a place where she got to see him as something other than a douche who existed solely to make her life miserable.

  They were almost to the car when she suddenly smelled sour milk. She turned on her heel and dragged another shot of air deep into her lungs.

  “What are you doing?” Cain was by her side in a second.

  She looked at him. “Don’t you smell it?”

  He sniffed. “Smell what?”

  How couldn’t he smell it? It was thick and cloying, coating her lungs and nostrils. Like the nasty smell that came from opening an empty bottle of milk that’d been sitting under the sun for a couple of days. Flint started walking, following the smell like it was a beacon.

  “What do you smell, princess?”

  “Cain, you don’t keep milk stashed down there, do you?”

  He cocked his head. “Are they here?” His voice had grown deep, his eyes starting to glow with pinpricks of molten heat.

  The wind whipped through her hair, tugging the ends around her face and into her mouth. She spit it out. There were so many smells tangled up in the air. The sharp tang of rotting leaves, the nutty scent of seeds, Cain’s powerful piney smell, and faintly, a thread of milk.

  She scanned the trees as she walked, tracking the scent like a bloodhound, knowing when she veered too far off because she’d lose the trace. Finally the smell ended a hundred yards back from the bunker, behind the large base of a poplar tree. She touched the rough bark, leaning in to take a whiff.

  “One of them was here.”

  “Where did it go?” he growled and she looked at him, shaking her head.

  Flint walked around the tree, off several feet in either direction and then shrugged. “It disappears from the tree.”

  Cain stood still, peering through the thick gloom of night, and in that moment she did experience a thrill of fear. He was Cain, but he was bigger. He’d grown; the muscles on his arms looked stronger, thicker.

  There was a scratchy quality to his voice when he said, “Let’s go.”

  Once in the car, Flint asked, “Were they following me?”

  He shifted gears. “Probably.”

  “Why? Do you think they saw me climbing that tree?”

  Cain looked at her for a long moment. There was something in his eyes, an undecipherable meaning in them, then he shuttered them as if throwing up an invisible wall. He turned on the main road leading back home and didn’t speak to her again.

  It seemed like time flew by, and before she knew it they were back at the circus, walking up to his trailer. Immediately she spied a small figure sitting on his stoop.

  Layla eyed her son hard, then with a loud sigh turned to Flint. “I kind of figured you’d be with him. Your father was looking for you between shows.”

  She bit her lip, glancing at Cain as he continued on up to his trailer. He didn’t look back or say anything, just walked inside and shut the door.

  Her heart sank. Why was it the second they left the bunker, he turned into a guy she could barely tolerate?

  “I’m sorry,” she mumbled.

  Layla clapped her hands on Flint’s shoulders and gave them a gentle squeeze. “I covered for you. It was the least I could do after what you did for me.”

  “What did I do?” she asked, confused.

  The good side of Layla’s lips turned up. “You saved me that day, Flint. I’m only sorry you were injured in the process. If it hadn’t been for you though...” Her eyes took on a faraway look before she shuddered. “Just, thank you.”

  Flint nodded, wrapping her arms around herself.

  “Did you leave anything in Cain’s trailer?” Layla glanced at the silver bullet.

  She nodded. “Yes.”

  “Why don’t you go get it? I don’t think it’s smart for you to stay with him tonight, he seemed a little... aggravated.”

  Flint wasn’t sure whether Layla knew that he’d already told her who he really was. But
just in case, she nodded. Walking up to the door, she knocked lightly, feeling weirdly abandoned. Like she’d done something to piss him off.

  Which was highly irrational and annoying.

  He opened the door, her black bag in his hand.

  Jutting out her jaw, she muttered, “Thanks,” and snatched it.

  Cain flicked a glance at his mother. He’d changed. He was wearing a black sweater and jeans now, and he’d pulled the hood over his head and the sunglasses were back on.

  She wanted to ask him if he could actually even see in the dark with them on but thought better of it. He stepped outside, closing the door behind him.

  Acutely aware that his mother was standing right behind them, she jumped back, even though the heat of his body had been welcoming and thrilling.

  “Tell Adam I’m going hunting,” he said, and she wasn’t sure, but she thought maybe he glanced at her before walking off and leaving them alone.

  Flint stared long after he’d disappeared.

  “Cain hasn’t always been like that. I hope you know that,” Layla said, as if apologizing for her son. “He’s different now, but I still think, deep down, he’s the same kid I raised.”

  Yeah, a murdering demon spawn, she thought mutinously, still thoroughly aggravated at him for giving her the silent treatment on the way home.

  They walked through rows of food vendors, the thick smell of sausage and onions tickling Flint’s nose and making her stomach growl in response.

  “You hungry?” Layla asked.

  “I’m always hungry,” Flint muttered, wondering if this desperate need for food would ever fade.

  Layla went up to the vendor, lifted two fingers, and returned a second later with a silver-wrapped hot dog. “On the house. Though don’t tell Adam. Bottom line and all that.” She winked.

  Flint smiled, eagerly accepting the meal. She was just taking a bite of the oily goodness when Layla spoke.

  “You know, I think he likes you too.”

  “Who?” Her heart sped up, knowing full well who she meant but needing to hear the words anyway.

  Layla smiled. “Cain. I’ve never seen him...” She paused, eyes distant and faraway, then with a sigh, she smiled.

  Never seen him what! Flint wanted to scream but forced herself to chew and swallow.

  “Anyway, I know someone who wants to see you.” Layla gestured for Flint to follow her.

  A minute later, they were at a white camper trailer lifted up on stilts. Layla knocked, and a second later a sleepy-eyed Abel opened the door. He had his shirt off and was wearing nothing but a pair of checkered sleep pants. Scratching his cast, he stepped back, giving her a quick flash of dimple.

  “Hey there, beautiful.” He grinned. “You missed me?”

  She snorted. “As if.”

  Layla clapped her hand on Flint’s shoulder. “Why don’t you two hang out for a bit? I’ll send Rhi and Ja over soon as their routine is done. If you want, I can ask Marco if he’ll whip up one of his famous pizzas for you.”

  “Yes!” Both Flint and Abel cried out at the same time and then laughed.

  “You got it.” Layla waved and then slinked back into the crowd that was still going strong, even well past midnight.

  “Your mom’s so cool,” Flint said, glancing back at her.

  Abel stepped back and flicked on a lamp. “It doesn’t bother you that she’s all burned?”

  “Well, that was blunt.” Flint walked inside and dropped her bag on a small table. “And no, not anymore. I like her.”

  He ran his hand over his head and gave a loud yawn before saying, “Well, that’s good. She’s been kind of different lately though. Happier. Nice to see her that way. When Adam’s out of town she’s not like that. I think she likes you.”

  His smile was shy.

  Never good with compliments, Flint shrugged it off. “It’s kind of late. Were you asleep?”

  “Naw, can’t sleep when the monkeys are caterwauling out there.”

  The shrill sound of claps and screams punctuated his words.

  “Does it bother you?” She sat on the foot of his bed. “Living like this? This is the first circus I’ve ever been at that has their shows so late at night.”

  He walked over to a small cooler and grabbed a bottle of water. “Want one?”

  She shook her head.

  Abel took a sip and then said, “Used to. But after a while the sounds sort of grow on you.” He sat down beside her.

  Which, there weren’t a lot of places to sit in his place, but it felt weird sitting on the same bed with him. He leaned over, snatched a faded red shirt off the floor, and pulled it on.

  But not before Flint noticed his bird chest didn’t seem quite so birdy tonight.

  She wondered how close he was to turning.

  “Saw you with Cain earlier,” he whispered, picking at the paper wrapper on his bottle.

  “Oh?” She picked up her bag, unzipping it and pretending to look inside for something.

  He turned toward her. “What did you guys do today when you ditched school?”

  He sounded hurt and she didn’t have a clue what to tell him.

  “Isn’t he the one that went bat guano when I hijacked you that day?” His brown eyes were alive with curiosity.

  She pressed her lips tight. “He just wanted to talk.”

  “About what? About what a douchebag he is with you?” He clenched his jaw.

  Flint grabbed her chem book and pulled it out, opening it on her lap. She laughed. “Not really.”

  “Then what?” He pressed his palm over the book, forcing her to look him in the eye. “He goes from ignoring you, yelling at you, and you’re cool with this?”

  He was angry and looking at her with questions in his eyes. She could tell that the situation had been bothering him all day.

  Sighing, Flint shook her head. “Honestly, I have zero clue what goes through your brother’s head more than half the time.” Truth. “I wasn’t feeling good today.” Truth. “He... he just wanted to talk. I’m pretty sure I’m well on my way to failing chem, my dad is dating someone here, I was a wreck. He saw me, and that’s all.”

  Again truth.

  “Really? He only wanted to talk? Douche bag Cain?”

  “Yup.” She popped the p sound and started doodling on the corner of her book.

  Lielielielie, her conscience screamed as heat tracked up her neck. She was a terrible liar and wondered that a scarlet letter hadn’t magically appeared on her face.

  She never got to hear his response because a knock sounded a second before Layla’s head popped in. “I come bearing gifts.”

  The smell of pepperoni, cheese, and red sauce made her stomach growl. Abel took the box from his mom’s hands, and with another wave, she was gone.

  He opened the box and they both dived in. Flint gasped as the cheese seared her tongue, scalding the sensitive skin instantly.

  Then the door was flung open and a very sweaty Janet and Rhiannon walked in. They waved, glanced at the pizza, and then crowded onto the small bed.

  Abel grinned. “I could get used to this.” He waggled his brows.

  “Ew.” Rhiannon grabbed his navy pillow and tossed it at his head. “Gross.”

  “Pizza. I’m starving.” Janet groaned and snatched up a slice.

  Flint couldn’t help but stare at her.

  Her skin looked just as firm and supple as this morning, there were no strange markings crawling up her arms, down her legs... Now that the show was over, she’d replaced her contacts with her familiar, funky cat’s-eye glasses. Lime-green ones this time. Her long, silky hair was drawn back in a tight ponytail.

  She looked normal.

  As if feeling Flint’s stare, Janet looked back. She chewed her pizza thoughtfully.

  “Oh shoot, Rhi,” Janet said, setting her half-eaten slice back in the box. “I forgot my book bag in my trailer. Can you get it?” Her smile was sugar sweet.

  Rhiannon turned big blue eyes on Flint, a strange lo
ok filtered on her face. A flash of something... almost like guilt. “Yeah, sure,” she said. “Abel, come with me?” She scooted off the bed, her pink tutu fluffing up around her hips as she scuttled off.

  Abel looked put out, chewing on the crust and staring at all three of them as if they’d gone crazy. “This is my trailer.”

  Rhiannon rolled her eyes and fluffed her blond hair. “Stop whining, you know you’ve been dying to hang out with me all night.”

  “Oh please,” he growled, but she yanked his wrist, and after he reached for another slice, they were out the door.

  As soon as they were gone, Janet turned around. “We don’t have much time. I’m sorry.”

  It seemed ridiculous that Janet was apologizing. “Ja, no, you didn’t do...”

  “No. Yes, I did.” She cut her hand through the air. “Cain told me you saw Rhiannon that night.”

  “You saw Cain?”

  She nodded. “Just before I got here. You shouldn’t have seen that. That’s why I was following you. I didn’t realize you had a window in that bathroom.”

  Ja was staring at her pink tights.

  Looking at her, remembering her quick plea that she loved manga and Sam, it was hard to imagine that what she’d seen Rhiannon do, Janet could too. Because she looked so human.

  “Can you show me?” Flint asked.

  She jerked her face up. “You want to see?”

  “Yeah.” Flint shrugged. “I’m curious. It was dark that night and I still have a hard time believing that you can turn into that.”

  Janet’s face screwed up, as if she wanted to laugh but realized it might not be the right moment. “Well, since you asked.” She touched her wrist, or rather the golden bracelet on her wrist. “You remember asking about the markings on my bracelet?”

  Flint nodded.

  Janet glanced over her shoulder, at the still-open door. Quickly jumping off the bed, she shut the door and then returned to Flint’s side. “The markings are actually magical runes. This bracelet is spelled to help me retain form. Without it, I’d be a big blob of shadow.”

  Flint grabbed her wrist, holding the bracelet up to the light. “No joke?”

  “Uh uh.” Janet smiled. “Rhi wears the same thing around her neck.”

  A bronze sheen illumined the markings on the cuff. Now that Flint realized they were runes and not just strange markings, she saw they did actually seem to have a similar pattern, like something you’d see inscribed on a runic slab. Not that she was big into that sort of thing, but she’d seen books now and then.