Adrenalize

by Trina M. Lee

  Sensing the sudden change in my demeanor, Arrow jumped in to field the question. “Spike and I met at the Battle of the Bands event back in our hometown. We started as rivals, as the best love stories go, and eventually we realized there was more to it than that. This girl is my everything. None of this would be worth doing if she wasn’t here doing it with me.”

  Both Marilyn and I stared at Arrow. Her with a kind of envious awe and me with an embarrassed but satisfied blush. He’d always been so open about us right from the start. More than I’d ever been. Right then I was reminded of just how much he’d come to mean to me. I’d promised to fight for him no matter what stood against us. And there were many people who stood against us. Not for a minute did I question or regret that pledge.

  “That’s incredibly sweet,” Marilyn said, checking a little stack of cards in her lap that contained various notes. “So it’s serious then? Do you see marriage in your future? Nothing quite like a rock ’n’ roll wedding, am I right?”

  She dropped every word like a seed being carefully planted. As if she tried to sew doubt where there was none. My pulse sped up. Were these questions standard, or was I just paranoid?

  Because Arrow hadn’t surprised me enough already, he blurted, “I’d marry Spike today if she’d let me. But ultimately it wouldn’t make what we have mean any more that it does right now.”

  A shocked laugh spilled from me. “You’re crazy, you know that?”

  Arrow merely lifted a brow and winked. I felt it all the way to the tips of my toes. So much so that Marilyn’s next comment didn’t even bother me.

  “That’s adorable. Although I’m sure some of our subscribers will be disappointed to learn that you’re off the market, Arrow. Since we started featuring Molly’s Chamber on our channel, there’s been an overwhelming amount of fan feedback.”

  Arrow played the polite professional as expected. However, he gave off an air of boredom as if her feeble efforts to attract his interest were something he’d seen time and again. Indeed he had. Usually from the women back home. No doubt Arrow would draw this kind of female attention anywhere he went. It wasn’t just because he was crazy hot. It was his darkness.

  “We certainly appreciate all of your support. I know the other guys would thank you if they were here. We don’t take any of our fans for granted. It takes a special kind of badass to like what we do. It’s been a blast getting out here on the road to play for and meet so many of you.” So easily Arrow steered the conversation back to the tour, including Crimson Sin and how our latest single had squeaked onto one of the top rock charts when it debuted.

  Marilyn allowed me to promote my band and talk about our time on the tour, but when she chose to follow it up by asking about Jett’s fight, I sighed with barely stifled irritation.

  “Honestly, you’d have to talk to Jett about that. Sometimes a girl can only take so much, you know? You hear the same shit every day, and eventually you have to slap a bitch.” With a shrug, I sat back as much as I comfortably could in the cheap folding chair and crossed my legs, one foot bouncing. I could be nice and professional too, but I was about done taking Marilyn’s crap.

  Over her shoulder something caught my eye. A dark-haired man, a shock of white slashing through it, walking amongst the crowd that passed in both directions to and from the stage. My heart jumped and I sat up straighter.

  Gripping the flimsy plastic arms of the chair, I prepared to launch myself out of it. It couldn’t be.

  No, it definitely could be. Alarm caused my entire body to grow hot. Would Flint dare to accost me here? In such a public place.

  Marilyn said something about how many more dates we had left on this tour run. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Arrow look at me for an answer, but when he saw that I was clearly distracted he hurriedly gave one. His gaze followed mine though, on alert now that he knew something had triggered me.

  “I’m sorry, Marilyn. You’ve been lovely, but we really have to take off.” Not looking for a response, I was up and out of there without waiting for Arrow.

  Scanning the ocean of heads, I tried fervently to spot the man. He moved between people, getting further away. Not once did he glance back in my direction so I could see his face.

  Arrow joined me. Grasping my hand, he let me pull him along through the throng.

  “Maybe I got a little too much sun today, but I could’ve sworn Flint just walked by.” Squeezing between a few teenage girls who wouldn’t move out of the way in time, I was almost jerked to a stop when they began to crowd around Arrow.

  With a tight smile that was anything but apologetic, I said, “Sorry, girls, but he’s all mine right now,” and kept moving. Arrow had no choice but to keep up with me or risk falling on his face and being dragged along behind.

  “That was crazy hot,” he observed, sounding impressed. “I like it when you’re territorial.”

  “I’m not territorial,” I protested, giving him a playful nudge with my shoulder. “I’m in a hurry.”

  Arrow’s sexy snicker put a crack in my armor. “You are so obvious. I dig it.”

  By the time we finally burst into a small clearing among the crowd, it became apparent that whoever he was, I’d lost him. “Fuck. Shit. Dammit. I swear that was him. Is he stalking me? Is he just trying to fuck with me?”

  Imploringly, I looked to Arrow, finding uncertainty in his pretty hazel eyes. “I don’t know, doll. We knew there was a chance he would retaliate. Until he actually makes a move, you cannot let him get inside your head. Besides, we have bigger problems. Like interviewers trying to stir up shit between us.”

  Arrow pulled me against him and pressed a soft kiss to my lips. Although my mind should have been in it, I couldn’t help but want to keep glancing about for any sign of the Dragon King. I had stabbed him in the eye with the Midnight Star and stolen back a precious angel stone. It would be crazier if he didn’t come after me.

  “Yeah,” I muttered, “screw Marilyn. I’m not falling for another one of these duo interviews. If anyone else asks, tell them to get bent.”

  With one hand Arrow gently chucked me under the chin. With the other he tucked a lock of hair behind my ear. “So is this a bad time to discuss nephilim nuptials? Hell, if anything gets the Brotherhood up our asses, it would be that.”

  Knowing he was joking didn’t really make it any easier to swallow. Experience had taught me to be wary of commitment. I loved Arrow, and as much as I had grown through my fears because of him, marriage talk was definitely still grounds for wariness.

  “Shit, relax, Spike. I’m kidding. I mean, I was telling the truth when I said I’d marry you in a heartbeat, but we probably couldn’t even if we wanted to. And we’re nowhere near there anyway. Don’t sweat it, ok, my little commitment phobe?” Slinging his arm around me, Arrow guided me out of the crowd. “Just for funsies though, who do you think would be the first person to stand up and protest at our wedding? Cinder? Koda?”

  “Marilyn,” I said with a laugh.

  Arrow’s sexy chuckle brought a playful smile to my face. He guided us away from the grounds, toward the buses. Just as well. I was ready for a break.

  Despite how carefree I should have felt living my dream with the people I loved most, I couldn’t help but look back over my shoulder as we went.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  WHEN THE FOLLOWING morning brought with it the news of another death, I wasn’t nearly as surprised as one might expect. Not only had there been another body discovered, but it had been found right behind our tour bus. Somebody had killed the guy while Jett and Sam slept in the back lounge. Or maybe they’d just dumped him there. Either way, I didn’t doubt for a minute that this was supernatural.

  Much like the first time, we poured off the bus to check out the situation, trying to get a glimpse before the police hustled us away. They already had the body surrounded with police tape. There was no way to get any closer than the front door of our bus where Jordan appeared to usher us right back onto it.

  �
��It’s looking like another overdose,” Jordan said, following us onto the bus and closing the door. He shoved around the bus, checking to make sure the windows were closed and nobody gawked out. “Let’s just stay out of the way and let the authorities do their job. I hope I don’t have to tell any of you how serious this is. The use of heavy narcotics will not be tolerated on this tour. I’m going to assume that won’t be a problem for any of you. If it is, do us all a favor and get yourself some help before you end up dead.”

  Not a guy of the most eloquent nature, Jordan said what needed to be said without any sugar coating. As harsh as he could be, I appreciated that about him. At least he was genuine.

  Nobody said a word. If anyone was tempted to look at another person with accusation or pointed effect of any kind, they all resisted. Arrow certainly wasn’t the only person in this bus using. And while I appreciated Jordan’s sentiment and agreed completely, I knew this wasn’t an overdose. This was murder of the paranormal kind. Deep in my bones I knew it.

  Jordan barked a few last-minute instructions regarding our asses getting to where they needed to be on time. Then he left us to it.

  I caught Jett’s eye and nodded my head toward the back lounge. Leaning in close, I murmured softly into Arrow’s ear, “Grab Rowen and come to the back.”

  A few minutes later the four of us were speaking in hushed tones with the back lounge door closed and music playing loudly from Jett’s phone.

  “This wasn’t drugs,” I insisted, looking at each of them in turn. “Something supernatural is going on here. But I’m not sure what. Is it a message for us? Something completely unrelated?”

  Jett openly and unabashedly peered out the window at the cops. “They’re treating it like this is all very routine. Whatever it is, they do think it’s an overdose, but seeing as this guy also has some pretty gray hair, I think you’re onto something Spike.”

  “What about the vampire?” Rowen gestured toward the window in the direction of Atticus’s bus. “Could it be him?”

  I shook my head, chewing a dry patch on my bottom lip. “I already asked him. He pretty much laughed in my face about it. I really don’t think it’s him, and he didn’t seem to give a shit about who it is or what’s going on.”

  The four of us glanced uncertainly at each other. Arrow pulled the beanie hat off his head and rubbed a hand through his thick black hair. That motion alone was enough to make me pause and marvel. “Obviously it’s somebody on tour with us. A musician. Road crew. Nobody here has picked up any otherworldly vibes from anybody outside the vampire?”

  Not one of us had anything to offer. It was head shakes all around. With unease slithering around inside me, I said, “I thought I saw Flint last night. In the crowd. I didn’t get a good look at him, so I’m not entirely sure. Dude was gone before I could catch up to him. I don’t know if this is related to the bodies, but we need to all be on guard. Just in case.”

  “Screw that son of a bitch.” Jett’s hand went to her throat, and she rubbed it with a slight shudder. Probably remembering the collar Flint had put around her neck.

  “What about Blue?” Rowen suggested. “He’s a shady piece of shit, and he seems like the type to prey on people. Should we be looking a little closer in his direction?”

  It wasn’t a bad idea. I didn’t trust Blue for a second. It wouldn’t surprise me in the least to discover that maybe his sinister intentions ran deeper than we realized.

  Arrow leaned back against the couch. “There’s an afterparty every night on his bus. It’s loaded with drugs, booze, and women. Maybe it draws these guys in, the ones being found dead. I’ll check it out tonight after the show.” After cramming his beanie back onto his head, he plucked a cigarette from the pack in his pocket.

  As he placed the smoke between his lips, I plucked it free and broke it in half. “I’m not sure any of us should let ourselves get caught alone right now. Not until we know what’s going on.”

  With a groan Arrow snatched the broken pieces from me, studying them before tossing them into the small garbage can in the corner. “Dammit, I knew you were going to do that. I’m down to three a day. Chill out, girl.”

  Since we’d started training harder back home with Cinder, I’d been a bit of a pain in the ass about getting Arrow to quit smoking. I’d given up the habit myself, and though it hadn’t been easy, it had definitely been for the best. Although admittedly I could get a little annoying about it at times.

  Arrow and I shared a laugh. It was just another of the things we shared that Rowen wasn’t part of. He squirmed awkwardly where he sat on the opposite end of the small couch. Whether he tried to hide it or not, I don’t think the jealousy that burned in his eyes could have been suppressed.

  “I need a coffee.” Letting the long front piece of his messy hawk fall into his eyes, Rowen rose and reached for the door. “Let’s regroup and touch base about this later. Everyone stay safe today, ok?”

  He didn’t hesitate or wait for our reply. Being crammed on a bus with his brother and his ex-girlfriend who were now a thing was bothering Rowen. Hell, it was bothering me too. This strained disquiet between us felt wrong.

  “Well all right then,” Jett observed quietly. “He can’t even stand to look at the two of you together. Poor bastard.”

  “Jett,” I admonished, my voice low and hushed as I watched Rowen in the kitchen through the open lounge door.

  I heard Paul say something snarky about our secret meeting in the back but didn’t catch Rowen’s reply. With a sigh, I sank back into the couch and squeezed my eyes shut. We had a stacked day ahead of us and a murderer on tour. I couldn’t carry the burden of Rowen’s emotions. Either he and I would come to a place where we could be ok with each other again, or we wouldn’t. But I couldn’t let myself think about that right now.

  DESPITE THE ROCKY START to the day the rest of it had gone exceptionally well. We played a tight set to a crowd that sang along. Nothing blew my mind like seeing strangers sing our songs. It gave me a surreal, need-to-pinch-myself sensation.

  Even Jett kept it together. She rocked a little harder and screamed a little louder than usual. With one killer on the loose on this tour, we needed her to keep the beast under wraps.

  When the sun set and the afterparties started, Arrow and Rowen together had gone to the party erupting out of Blue’s bus. Jett and Sam hung out with me, but I knew they’d rather be alone. Tash and Rubi went back to our bus to make phone calls home to families and boyfriends. In order to give Sam and Jett some privacy, I joined the girls on the bus and waited to hear something from either of the guys.

  As the evening went on, I grew increasingly impatient. Nursing a beer, I did everything from check email to tidying the bus to finally busying myself with putting Arrow’s and my blankets in the back lounge. It was ours tonight.

  When the clock crept past midnight and neither of them had returned nor had I heard anything, I decided to go in search of them. The thought of stepping foot anywhere near Blue’s bus left a bad taste in my mouth. What if he was bad news and something had gone wrong?

  Briefly I considered calling Jett to ask her to come with. However, I couldn’t allow Blue to think he intimidated me so much that I was afraid to face him alone. After checking my phone one last time and finding nothing, I slipped my shoes on and left the bus.

  It wasn’t hard to find the party bus. Although people went in and out of several buses, only Blue’s had enough music pumping to rival a dance club. People stood in groups outside his bus along with a continuous flow in and out. As I approached, it became clear there were far more women than men at this party.

  Next to Blue’s bus, the vampire’s bus was dark and quiet. Yet I suspected he was inside. Interesting guy, no doubt. Not our killer though.

  Hesitation gripped me as I drew closer to Blue’s bus. I didn’t want to see him, didn’t want to deal with him in any manner. But I needed to find Arrow. Ignoring the groupies who looked me over as if I were competition, I shoved by and clim
bed the steps into the bus.

  Immediately a choking cloud of smoke slapped me in the face. That heavy combination of marijuana and cigarettes had me wrinkling my nose in distaste. Voices shouted over each other and the music, which seemed to be coming from a stereo system in the front lounge. Blue’s bus was similar to ours with a few slight differences. Instead of two couches like we had, there was just the one but additional seating in the larger kitchen area.

  Around a table meant for four, seven people had crammed in. The table was littered with bottles, glasses, and thinly cut lines of cocaine. I had arrived right in time to watch my paramour lean over a line with a rolled-up twenty.

  At the table with Arrow sat Blue and five groupie girls, all clamoring for the attention of the two of them. Rowen was nowhere in sight.

  Arrow raised his head, laughing at something the woman next to him said. She leaned in close to swipe the twenty from his hand, pressing her pushed-up breasts against his arm. My pulse raced. He wasn’t doing anything wrong, but I saw the temptation everywhere and wondered how long anyone in this industry could resist that.

  The plan had been for him to come here and scope Blue out. Not get loaded and entertain groupies with him. It burned me up inside, and I hated so much that it did. I knew I was entitled to my feelings, but I also knew they weren’t wrong. No woman would want her man here doing any of this without her. And yet, we were still so new. I didn’t know what the future had in store for us. Maybe it wasn’t my place to demand that Arrow give up this kind of behavior.

  Everything in me that loved and wanted him was repulsed by everything I saw. I couldn’t change him and I didn’t want to. Seeing him in his element, high as hell on blow and female attention, it hurt. So much so that I almost turned around to leave. But he felt my gaze upon him, and those hazel eyes landed on me, freezing me in place.

  Arrow’s lips started to curve into a grin, but it faltered when he took in my expression. He said something to the woman crammed in next to him and barely waited before he all but shoved her out of the way so he could escape the table. Blue turned to see what had gotten such a reaction out of him. Finding me standing near the door looking tragically disgusted, Blue erupted into a vicious grin.