by Trina M. Lee
Suddenly, they sprang apart but slowly circled one another like caged animals. Arys licked a drop of blood from the corner of his bottom lip and beckoned to Shaz with both hands. He grinned with the worst wickedness.
“Come on, pup, is that all you got?”
“You’d like to think so.” Shaz’ voice was growly, and the rage emanating from him was almost hot in its intensity.
“I have had enough of this male bullshit!” I yelled, overwhelmed at how fast I was ready to take a strip out of both of them. Fangs and claws accompanied my instinct to leap in to the fray and physically make this stop.
“Come on now, Alexa,” Arys spoke to me but stared into Shaz with a mocking smirk. “Don’t tell me you’re so naïve as to never have guessed this day would come.”
“You are both acting like children.” My spine buzzed as power raced through me in accordance to my emotions. I struggled not to actively tap and use it.
Shaz shifted from foot to foot, like a fighter that can’t wait for the next round. A fine line of crimson trickled down the side of his face. It instantly drew my eye.
“He’s right,” Shaz conceded. “This was inevitable. So, let me kick his ass and get it over with. It’s time this useless vampire learned his place.”
Arys’ left fist shot out so fast, Shaz never had a chance to block. He took the hit firm in the nose, which instantly produced another rush of blood. He never paused in his reaction as he followed up by blocking the next punch and delivering a solid temple blow with his elbow. I couldn’t watch this anymore.
“Oh my God!” Kylarai burst through the patio door, her dark hair hanging in wet chunks. “I thought I heard a fight.” She took one look at me standing uncertainly aside and did a double take. “What are you doing? Stop this nonsense.”
Before I could reply, she’d stepped into the action. Shocked turned to impressed as she grabbed Shaz by the back of the neck, using a pressure point to bring him to his knees. With the other hand, she gave Arys a shove that sent him stumbling, arms flailing in an attempt to stay on his feet. Feeling successfully pathetic, I threw up a barrier between them, a wall of power that was as good as concrete with the right energy feeding it.
Kylarai’s eyes blazed wolf in the moonlight. “If you two idiots want to kill each other, go right ahead. But, get the hell off our property first. I will smash your skulls together before I let you assholes disrupt our quiet neighborhood.” She cast her predatory gaze over each of them in turn. “Now, make like good little boys and beat it before I have to remove you myself.”
Shaz didn’t even look up from where he kneeled on the grass. He clenched his clawed hands into fists, drawing blood from his palms. Arys stared defiantly at Kylarai but never dared to speak a word against her.
Her eyes came to land on me, flashing with an irritated fury. “You really need to deal with this crap.”
I tried to swallow, but my throat was dry. This was my fault. She was totally right. I nodded, but nothing came out when I opened my mouth.
Arys huffed and walked up to my energy barrier, dissolving it with a touch. I gawked at him incredulously. It seemed that this sharing of power was becoming quite the double-edged sword. Pulling a silver key ring from his pocket, he flipped through the keys until he got to the one he wanted.
As he approached me, I sensed both Shaz and Ky stiffen. Arys paid them no attention. His right eye was black and swollen; blood oozed from a gash on his lower lip.
My heart sunk. I couldn’t believe these dumbasses beat each other because of me.
The mystifying vampire looked down at me from his six-foot-four frame, a fire smoldering in his eyes. In a sudden motion, he practically slapped the key into my palm.
“I’ll expect you at dawn.” His voice was low and rough. “If you don’t show, I’ll be back tomorrow night. And, it won’t be pleasant for either of us.”
It wasn’t so much the threat that he uttered as much as it was the drowning black of his pupils. His eyes, more black now than blue, glittered with the driving force of the undead. Hunger for blood, power and control swam in those inky orbs, and I felt my defense die.
“I’ll be there,” I heard myself say. The urge to lick the blood from his lip was stronger than I was.
As I reached for him, he embraced me just long enough to press his lips to mine in a mind-shattering kiss. The bloody smear he left on my mouth was tantalizing, causing me to crave him like an addiction.
Before I could say or do anything, he turned on his heel and stalked from the yard.
Only the sound of the gate that led to the front street indicated his exit.
I looked at Ky, expecting a motherly scolding. When she saw my defeated expression, she shrugged and went back in the house. Shaz remained where he was, and I went to him, dropping to my knees and taking his face gently in my hands.
He tried to resist at first but gave up when I wouldn’t be deterred. The gash in his eyebrow was ugly and looked like it might actually scar. It should heal quickly though it continued to ooze slowly. The blood from his nose was drying and flaky. Looking into his battered face was gut wrenching, and the guilt ate at me like a disease.
“Don’t baby me, Alexa.” He swiped half-heartedly at me but allowed me to look closely at the ugly facial injuries.
“What were you thinking you were going to do to him?” I asked gently, hoping he didn’t take offense. “I mean, what if he had fought dirty and bled you dry?”
He looked up suddenly as if I’d slapped him. A slow smile spread across his youthful face, chilling me in its intensity with those razor sharp fangs. The length and ferocity of them looked so wrong in Shaz’ twenty-three-year-old face.
“There are a lot of viable possibilities when it comes to how I may bite it. But, it will never be by the hand of that goddamn vampire.” His tone ended on a low growl. “Mark my words.”
The energy he exuded was extremely aggressive, especially for Shaz. It tantalized my wild side, sending a shot of adrenaline through me. At the same time, when paired with his glazed predator’s eyes blinking at me, I was also a little anxious.
“You scared the hell out of me.” I searched him for a sign that he wasn’t out of his mind. “Don’t ever call him out like that again. I can’t watch you two kill each other.
Please, don’t make me.”
His touch was soft when he reached to brush the hair out of my face. I leaned in to the warmth of his fingers as he stroked the outline of my lower lip.
“Don’t worry about it. We just needed to blow off steam. I doubt either of us is really intent on killing the other. Yet.” The way he said it did nothing to fool me. I was starting to think that if he had the opportunity to see Arys in ashes, he wouldn’t hesitate to make it happen.
“So, how about that run, hmm?” There was a glint of the wolf within Shaz when he grinned and winked a bruised eye at me. The true beast inside was so much more than the soft, sensitive Shaz that I was used to. It was strong in him now, pressing the surface.
“Are you sure you’re up to it?” Looking at his injuries was more painful to me than they were to him. He seemed oblivious.
His t-shirt hit the ground, quickly followed by his jeans. “I’ve never felt the wolf in my blood as deliciously as I do right this moment. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
He stood against the night sky and stretched. I allowed myself a moment to take in his hard, nude body before accepting his offered hand.
My pulse raced and my face felt flush when he pulled me against him, biting my bottom lip. That act of dominance sent an excited thrill to the tips of my toes.
Shaz certainly had a tendency to get a little extra attitude going on when Arys had been around. But, this cocky edge was new. Though I found it intriguing, I also found it frightening.
“You’re all pumped up from that fight. Which I’m sorry about, by the way. It shouldn’t have come to that.” I motioned for him to unlace the back of my corset, which he was more than happy to do.
“Don’t apologize. I’m looking forward to next time.” His breath came hot against the back of my neck, and I trembled slightly as the corset slipped free. The night air was soothing despite the fall chill.
Shaz made as if to cup my breasts, but I turned swiftly, capturing his hands in my own.
“Now, now,” I said, stepping back to shimmy out of my pants. “Don’t let the testosterone make all of your decisions. Do me a favor and don’t let Arys get to you so much. I think it just empowers him.”
Shaz made a sound low in his throat but didn’t respond. His eyes followed my naked silhouette, hungrily and possessively. Even as he reached for me again, his fingers lengthened into massive claws. The change continued until his body was a mass of fur. In less time than it takes to blink, he was the most beautiful, white wolf.
“I’ll give you a head start.” I nodded to the stretch of field behind the house. A kilometer beyond that, the forest began, and with it, the tree that we always raced to. I was nearly undefeated every time.
His tongue lolled out, and he wore a look of serious contemplation. No sooner had I embraced the change and gone to my knees than Shaz shot past me, through the back gate and into the field beyond.
As the Were energy rolled over me, there was the briefest moment of agonizing pain as bones shifted and reformed, then sudden splendor on four feet. I gave a great shake and a stretch before bounding after the flash of white in the distance.
Chapter Four
I had come to count on watching the sunrise with Shaz almost every day. Those rare mornings that we do not run together feel strangely incomplete. As the sun broke over the horizon, we sipped hot coffee on the back patio.
I knew that Arys would be watching the clock tick until I got there, but I was in no immediate rush. The key to his house was in my pocket where I’d dropped it upon getting dressed into fresh clothing. Leaning against Shaz where we sat on the top step, I almost wished that I could trade Kylarai vampires. Facing Kale would have been easier than dealing with arrogant, domineering Arys.
“You’d better go soon.” Shaz didn’t look too enthused, but since our run, he had lightened up considerably. “I never thought I’d hear myself tell you to go to that bastard.
But, you should go. Find out what the deal is with The Wicked Kiss. And, next time you want to walk into a nest of vampires, I’m going with you.”
I smiled as his words warmed my heart. He never even attempted to discourage me from going back like most men would, Arys included. Instead, he offered to face potential danger alongside me rather than tell me what to do. It was just one more thing that set him apart from the rest.
“You know you’re the greatest, right?” I nudged his ticklish spot with my elbow, and he squirmed.
“Yes, but keep telling me.” With a laugh, he ruffled my hair so that it fell haphazardly around my face. It was something I detested, and I bit my lip in an attempt to resist flicking him in the nose.
“You don’t have to leave.” I pushed his hand away and finger-combed the red and blonde tangles. “I won’t be long … if you want to wait.”
His face softened as he reached to twist a red strand of my hair between his fingers.
“Normally I would, but you shouldn’t rush on my account. I think I’m going to head home and catch some Z’s.”
I studied the broken railing where it lay in pieces on the grass. I wondered if either of the fools planned to fix it.
“Alright, well, call me later.” I paused, thoughtful. “Jez and I are going shopping for Halloween costumes later this week. What do you think I should be?”
He raised an eyebrow and grinned. “Playboy bunny. And, I’ll be Hef.”
I laughed outright at that. “You’re in dreamland, honey. I wasn’t thinking along the lines of something that skimpy.”
“But, it’s Halloween!” He protested as he rose to go and pulled me up with him.
“Oh, I’ll be back at some point to fix that railing. You can model it for me then.”
“It won’t be what you’re thinking.” I promised, ignoring the mischievous wink I received.
I followed him to the bottom step. He produced a set of keys on a Chevy keychain before leaning in to kiss me. “I’ll see you later. If that vampire gets out of hand, punch him in the eye for me.”
“Scout’s honor.” I pulled him in for one more embrace, lingering just a little.
After he had let himself out of the yard, I turned to go back in the house through the patio door. Kylarai was leaning on the kitchen counter with an anxious expression on her finely featured face.
“What’s wrong Ky? You know, you don’t have to go to Kale. Not if you don’t want to.”
She held her coffee cup in a white knuckled grip. It wouldn’t be the first mug she’d broken that way. “But if I don’t? What then?”
“What do you mean? He's a big boy. He’ll get over it if you don’t show. He may not even be expecting you.” I went to the sink, depositing our coffee cups before reaching into my pocket to touch the small key. “I’d trade you vampires if I could.”
She laughed bitterly and grabbed her cell phone from the top of the microwave. “I’d love to go tear a strip out of Arys for you. Especially since you won’t do it.”
“I will, too!” I protested, looking at her sharply.
“Oh please,” she scoffed. “You let that one get away with too much. And, he damn well knows it.”
It was no secret that, though Kylarai and Arys were on good acquaintance terms, she didn’t understand why I bothered with him when I had Shaz. She also didn’t understand that I needed him. It might be the way a junkie needs a fix, but it was undying and inescapable. It was as much a part of me as the need for water or air.
“Bah humbug,” I muttered, sticking my tongue out at her. I received an eye roll and a middle finger in response.
“I’m going to get moving. If you don’t hear from me by noon, send a search party.”
“Very funny.” I grabbed my shoulder bag and keys and turned to follow her down the hall. “I’ll walk out with you. I think I’m more likely to need the search party.”
I slipped a pair of casual sandals on my bare feet and locked the front door behind us. Ky’s Escalade chirped as she disarmed it with the key fob. I flinched in response; my nerves, already jittery.
I gave her a wave as she backed out of the garage and onto the street. Double checking my bag for things like my phone and wallet was my way of stalling because I really didn’t want to do anything but curl up in bed for a few hours. I’d been awake almost twenty-four hours.
I was also embarrassed that I couldn’t even follow my own advice. I’d told Ky not to go if she didn’t want to, yet here I was screwing around because I wanted to put off more dramatics with my vampire.
* * * *
“I didn’t think you were going to show.” Arys lounged in a comfy leather La-Z-Boy chair, clad in a black robe made of the softest fleece. It was dark in the living room. Heavy curtains sealed every side of the window, effectively eliminating any trace of sunlight. The only light came from the glow of the TV. The news played with the volume low.
“You would have liked that, wouldn’t you?” I crossed my arms and gave him a sly smile. “A reason to come storming over again to trash some other part of my house? I wasn’t willing to take that chance.”
His dark gaze followed my movements as I crossed the span of the room, purposely taking the easy chair across from him rather than the couch beside him. His jaw clenched and unclenched, and I knew that he wanted to say something. I figured I would get it out of him easier if I let it come naturally. Prodding would get me nowhere.
The energy rolling off him was heated, like he had been nursing a low-level anger while waiting to see if I’d come. It was tantalizing, teasing me with the promise of bigger things. I had half a mind to crawl up on his recliner chair and straddle him beneath me.
The challenging expression on his handsome face only en
hanced the urge.
“I suppose I should apologize for tearing your railing off. But, I’m not apologizing for smacking the wolf pup. He had it coming.” He studied me when he spoke, as if awaiting my protest.
“You both had it coming. I hope you each got it out of your systems because if it happens again, I’m stepping in.” The veiled threat wasn’t missed by Arys who grinned as if enticed by it. “I’ll be doing a little skull bashing. And, enjoying it.”
“I look forward to it.” His broad grin flashed fangs, and a shiver crawled up my spine in response.
His bruised eye was rimmed purple, and the cut on his lip was like a target that drew me. I was dying to nibble that soft tender spot, knowing that it would hurt and that he would love it.
“I’m serious Arys. I won’t allow you to take another shot at Shaz without having to take one at me, too.” My smile faded, and we stared at each other like the adversities that I sometimes felt we were.
He looked absolutely vicious when he bared his teeth and said, “You are so dramatic.”
I laughed outright then, long and hard, with as much melodrama as I could muster.
“Spare me the hypocrisy, love. Drama is a lifestyle as far as you are concerned.”
“Don’t pretend you don’t love it.” He purred like a cat, beckoning me with a finger.
My senses were blazing as they grew in intensity. The light dab of cologne Arys liked to wear invited me to get closer so that I could breathe in the heady scent of him. I resisted the instinctual need to go to him.
After the last few months, I’d gotten used to the power driven needs and urges, though there were parts that I would never get used to. I knew when the energy was the driving force and when it was worth fighting or giving in. I wasn’t giving in this time.