by Susan Illene
He let go of me. “You’re not the only one who doesn’t like to see dead children.”
“What is this between us exactly?” I asked.
“A cessation of hostilities.” I could hear the humor in his voice.
“Don’t tell me you’re going to insist on negotiating a peace treaty next.”
“I’ve already got a show of good faith coming into the airport in a few hours.” He ran his fingers through my hair. “If you conduct yourself properly tonight, there could be more to come.”
I laughed. “Somehow, I think your idea of proper and mine are two different things. What is the show of good faith?”
“You’ll have to wait and see.”
“I knew you’d say that.” I glanced down. “You know it’s not going to be easy to forget the past.”
“If it’s any consolation,” he said. “You’re the first sensor I’ve managed to get beyond my inclination to kill in a long time.”
I cocked my head. “What did change your attitude toward me?”
He lifted a brow. “I believe it started with how you looked the first time I saw you covered with your enemies’ blood.”
I jerked the door open and stepped through. He followed close behind.
“Lucas, only you would say something like that—and it isn’t the whole truth.”
“No, it isn’t,” he replied, “but it doesn’t change the fact it’s true.”
I shook my head. “You’re so depraved.”
And I’d deny to my dying breath that a part of me enjoyed that about him.
Chapter Twenty-three
We arrived at the airport a little over an hour after dark. I leaned against the side of the car while we waited for the plane to taxi around to us. My senses had already told me who was on board. He’d flown Aniya out.
I looked over at Lucas. “What made you bring her here?”
“She’s your best friend, isn’t she?” he asked.
“Yeah, but I’m guessing you didn’t bring my best friend into a demon danger zone just because of that.”
He gazed off in the distance. “Micah needed a date. I thought you might prefer her over some of his other options.”
My eyes widened. “She agreed to this?”
“When we contacted her several days ago it didn’t take much convincing. She worries about you.”
I looked down at the ground. “She’s going to notice your bite mark on me, isn’t she?”
“Yes,” he said.
“Why’d you do it?”
His hand brushed my hair. “I’m surprised you’re just now asking me that.”
“It’s called denial,” I said, pushing his hand away. “If you don’t acknowledge something, then it can’t exist.”
He sighed. “I didn’t plan to bite you that night.”
The plane had almost reached us. “Then why did you?”
A long silence stretched. I began to think he wouldn’t answer before they finished getting the stairs set up with the plane. When his hands gripped my shoulders and turned me toward him, I almost resisted. The look in his eyes stopped me.
“I think of you as mine, Melena. I have for awhile now. Anytime a man comes near you I have to resist the urge to rip his head off. You have no idea the control it’s taken for me to stay away during your string of dates with human men recently. The only reason they’re still alive is because you didn’t let it go too far with them. When the opportunity to put a claiming mark on you arose, I did it without thinking.” He caressed my cheek. “You can only imagine my surprise when it stuck.”
Okay, his confession was romantic in a creepy kind of way. “I didn’t know what I was accepting.”
“In the deepest part of your mind, you knew and accepted it,” he said. “That’s what counts or it wouldn’t have worked.”
I frowned. “I’m still not happy about it.”
“I know,” he said, taking a step back.
Aniya and one of the guards who’d escorted me when I flew here walked toward us. She’d left her black hair flowing down her back so it fluttered in the breeze. The moonlight made her look almost mystical with its beams causing her olive skin to appear almost translucent. She’d kept her clothes simple with jeans and a sweater, but both were formfitting. I’d always envied Aniya’s much larger chest. No one with a waist that small should have a bust that large. Even the stoic man at her side kept casting glances in her direction.
Despite the confidence in her step, though, her eyes still reflected a certain amount of insecurity. She still had a little more growing to do as a vampire. Nik was keeping her on a tight leash so far, but I imagined the wild side she’d only let out occasionally as a human would come out more as she grew into her new status.
When Aniya reached within twenty feet of us her eyes widened. She shot an accusing look at Lucas. “What did you do to her?”
I really wish I could sense what everyone else was sensing. This was the first time supernaturals could pick up on something I couldn’t—aside from what their enhanced vision, hearing, and smelling could do for them.
“What do you think I did to her?” He put a hand on my shoulder. “As you can see, she is still in one piece. I’ve found I prefer her that way.”
I was trying really hard to keep a straight face. This could have been awkward, but somehow Lucas managed to turn the tables. I could feel the humor coming off of him, though not a bit of it showed in his expression.
Aniya’s mouth gaped open. It took her a second and then she was stomping up toward me and pulling the neckline of my shirt aside. “He bit you. It feels like a claiming mark. What does that mean, Mel?”
“Um, that I need to buy more scarves?” I asked. It was up to me to keep the levity going now. Lucas had turned tense as soon as Aniya grabbed my shirt. Surely it didn’t bother him for me to be close to my best friend?
“That’s not funny,” she said, rubbing a finger over the slightly raised fang marks. “Do you have any idea how strong these feel to me? It’s like a big ‘keep away’ sign with his signature on it. I didn’t know this was possible.”
“Yeah, well, that makes two of us.” I pulled away from her. “We have to get going if we’re gonna be ready for the party in time.”
“Fine, but we’re not done talking about this.”
~~~
As it turned out, Aeson had a professional hair dresser in his employ as well as a fashion designer. Tracy was a human woman who he’d taken under his wing after witnessing her ex-husband beat the crap out of her in a bar parking lot. The cambion was apparently quite the philanthropist and acquired a lot of his people through unfortunate circumstances. I got to hear all about it while she alternated between styling my hair and Aniya’s.
My best friend had been unusually quiet during the process. I’d half expected her to grill me as soon as we got out of ear shot of Lucas, but instead she’d hardly said a word. She sat woodenly the whole time while we got our facials, manicures, and final fittings. Her emotions were a mixed bag of anxiety and sadness.
“Hey, Niya. Is something wrong?” I asked, looking at her through the mirror since Tracy was flat ironing my hair. She’d pinched me the last time I’d moved too much.
It took two more times of calling to Aniya before she looked up. “What?”
“Are you okay?”
She rubbed her face. “I’m fine.”
“No, you’re not. Just talk to me.”
“You’ll just get upset.”
“Say it anyway.” I gave her a stern glare through the mirror.
“Um, well.” She stared at her lap. “Lisette is staying with me right now.”
“What?” I sat up straighter. Tracy pinched my shoulder hard, making me wince. “Since when?”
A guilty expression crossed Aniya’s face. “I might have told her you were leaving town for awhile. She flew up as soon as you were gone.”
“She’s still mad.” I slumped in my chair. Tracy yanked me back up where she wanted me. If
the stylist hadn’t been doing such an impressive job making my auburn hair look sleek and shiny, I might have punched her. We’d decided to leave it down so it could help to cover the fang marks.
“Mel, you did have Nik compel her against her will. She came to help and you had a vampire she doesn’t know force her to leave town. She has a right to be angry.”
Now it was my turn to feel guilty. “Sometimes we have to do difficult things for the greater good. She would have been in danger if she stayed. I had enough on my plate trying to rescue you without having to worry about her too.”
“I know.” She gave me a sympathetic smile. “But I can see her side of things as well.”
Sometimes it was hard not to be bitter about choices I made back then. All I’d wanted was to come to Fairbanks, find Aniya, and bring her back home to California. Nothing had gone like I’d hoped. To save her, I’d had to give up almost everything else I cared about, most especially the anonymity that had protected me for years and my other best friend.
Now days most of the people around me hated me and the few who didn’t wanted something. I was stuck trying to stop a demon possession problem without a real clue what I was doing and a whole lot of guilt every time someone died. If I could save lives in the end it might make it worth the trouble, but I still didn’t know if I could do that.
Pressure beat at my skull. As soon as Tracy finished with my hair and moved back over to Aniya I pulled off the smock and headed to the bathroom. I couldn’t let anyone see me upset. Not that I planned to cry or anything—that would ruin my make-up—but if I could spend a few minutes alone it would help. Plus it was a safe place from cats. Aeson had assured me they were all locked away, but I’d been keeping an eye out since I’d arrived.
I parked myself on the counter after locking the door and sat there taking deep, controlling breaths. When you’re empathic, you have to learn to not let other people’s emotions affect you too much and the same trick can be used when your own feelings overwhelm you. I visualized the box where I put all the things that hurt or bothered me and shoved the latest ones into it.
Once they were locked inside, I left the bathroom and headed over to see the designer. Vincent hadn’t needed to do anything more to the dress other than one minor alteration, so I knew it should be ready. The man could work magic, and I meant that literally. He was a warlock and not afraid to use his powers to create fashionable masterpieces. After seeing some of his other work, I had no doubt he could climb the designer charts if he wanted.
The thirty-something man smiled when I came into the room. He had fair skin and sandy blond hair pulled back with a ponytail holder. Two assistants worked over sewing machines finishing other outfits I assumed would be worn that night. It was ten o’clock already. Lucas and I had to head to the restaurant early since we were part of the primary security team.
“Come,” Vincent said, pointing to a spot in the middle of the floor. “Stand here and remove all your clothes.” I’d learned during the fitting that this man expected his clients to have absolutely no shame. He took pride in his work and wanted his creations fitting just right.
I blushed as soon as I removed my underwear. One of Tracy’s assistants had given me a Brazilian wax job so I was completely bare now. Vincent didn’t bat an eyelash. He handed me a pair of black silk thongs to put on and grabbed the torsolette next. It was a different one than I’d tried on the night before. He’d decided that one didn’t do the job well enough. The one he pulled tight on me now required help to get on and off. Thank God I had Aniya around to handle it after the party.
Lucas and Micah walked in the room just as the designer was cinching up the top part of the laces. My breasts were pushed up high with my nipples barely covered. It took all my control not to grab something off the nearby rack to cover up with when a particular pair of golden eyes found me. Lucas looked his fill before glancing over at the designer who now held out my dress. I could have sworn he purposely let me feel the jealousy that hit him at seeing another man so close. If he’d been hiding it before, he wasn’t bothering to now.
Willing Lucas’ eyes to stay locked with mine, I let Vincent pull the dress up my body and adjust the fit. No one else was aware of how close the nephilim was to violence. Even Micah acted as if nothing was wrong while he worked with an assistant to get into his own suit.
I knew Lucas hadn’t told me about his jealousy issue as some casual piece of information. Men like him did not reveal any weakness without a purpose. He’d been warning me. Let no other man—or woman for that matter—touch me in any kind of sexual way if I valued their life. I’d given him just a little too much and now he couldn’t hold himself back any more. Had I thought I had too many problems? Now the biggest one of them all was staring at me. One wrong move and a body would be hitting the floor.
Chapter Twenty-four
Kristen greeted me and Lucas when we arrived at the restaurant. She wore a black cocktail dress and strappy heels that clicked on the tiled floor as she walked up. Her eyes widened as she got closer and her gaze shot to the bite mark on my neck. My hair covered it, but that clearly didn’t matter for any sup nearby.
I grabbed Lucas’ arm. “You do realize every time I get that reaction from someone it gives me an almost uncontrollable urge to shoot you, right?”
He waved Kristen off and lifted a brow at me. “Would that make you feel better?”
“No, because it won’t change anything. I’ll keep getting those looks until everyone gets used to it.”
“Then own it,” he said. “You shouldn’t care what people think.”
“Easy for you to say since you aren’t marked.” Then an insane thought came to my mind. “Is it possible for me to give you one?”
At least then I could feel like we were equal on some level.
He lifted his brow. “Would you want to give me one?”
“Just curious.”
“I’ve never heard of anyone without fangs giving one,” he said. “I wouldn’t allow you to do it anyway.”
“Why?” I asked.
“It is forbidden for a mortal to drink nephilim blood. If you were to swallow even a small amount, your heavenly helpers would arrive soon after to destroy you. I won’t allow you to take that risk.”
I opened my mouth to ask why, but he shook his head.
“No. Even discussing it is not a good idea.”
I looked away. “Fine, but it just proves the point we aren’t meant to be together. Even our blood is bad for each other.”
He put a hand at my waist and guided me toward Kristen. “Forbidden fruit always tastes the sweetest, Melena.”
I gritted my jaw and focused on my surroundings. There were ten witches and warlocks inside the restaurant—about average for a coven. Several of them were running around getting a buffet ready on the far side of the room. I sensed the others were in the back. The overall mood among them was nervous, but that could have been for any number of reasons. Lucas had told me earlier that several guests flew in from other parts of the country to attend. This had to be a big deal for them.
I exchanged greetings with Kristen when we reached her. Her body felt tense when we hugged. Was she worried about the demons?
“I’ll allow you five minutes with your friend,” Lucas said. “I must speak with the guards outside.”
As soon as he walked away, heading back outside, Kristen relaxed several degrees.
“What have you done to him, Melena?” she asked.
I frowned. “What do you mean?”
“I could have sworn his eyes were shooting daggers at me while we hugged. He’s not the friendliest man in the world, but this is extreme even for him.”
“How long have you known him?” I asked. It had never occurred to me she would know him all that well.
“He’s been visiting Aeson’s home at least once every couple of months for the last few years since I’ve been here. About six months ago he started staying there most of the time until he got that ca
bin.”
I glanced back at the entrance where Lucas had disappeared. He’d never told me where he went when he wasn’t around. I’d figured he lived somewhere like New York or L.A. since he wore business attire a lot, but it had never occurred to me he might have settled in Alaska.
“You mean he’s been staying here full time since August?” I asked, returning my attention to Kristen.
“Well, yeah.” She gave me a confused look. “Sometimes we don’t see him for a week or two, but other than that he’s been around here most of the time. You didn’t know that?”
I sighed. “Getting information out of that man is an exercise in patience. I asked him a long time ago where he lived and got a less than pleasant response. It never seemed worth the effort to ask again.”
She shook her head. “He’s not one of those guys who likes to talk about themselves, but I still don’t get what you did to rile him up so much.”
I threw my hands in the air. “I didn’t do anything. Lucas has been getting more difficult every day since he bit me.”
“Hmm.” She tapped her chin. “Not that this is any of my business, but have you been holding out on him?”
“What do you mean?”
She didn’t answer until a nearby warlock made his way past us into the kitchen. Then she leaned closer to me. “Have you been denying him sex lately?” she whispered.
Now I was glancing around to make sure no one overheard us. “No, we’ve never had sex.”
Her jaw dropped. “You can’t be serious. I’m amazed the claiming mark stuck if you haven’t gone that far.”
I could sense Lucas heading back and indicated as much to her. She nodded her understanding. “I can’t give in to him like that,” I whispered.
She let out a sigh of exasperation. “Melena, you accepted his mark—you’re going to have to accept him. Anything less is just cruel.”
“That’s not fair,” I whispered furiously. “I didn’t even know what he was doing when he did it.”
“Doesn’t matter,” she said. “It’s too late to back out now.”