by Owens, C. M.
Chapter 1
Starting over
I stare out at the churning winds dancing carelessly on the sands of the ground just outside the Hershian walls. I keep thinking Hale is going to do as he claimed to have done the last time.
He told me he sat outside the walls and hoped I would see him. It’s possible that was just a load of shit he spilled out when he was still enamored by me.
It still doesn’t make sense why he acted so in love, and then ran off after the phone call. Why work so incredibly hard to get me? Why wait until I was his to give up?
“Perhaps I should move your office up here. I think you spend every free second you have on this rooftop,” Nicholas laughs out while stripping me of my solitude.
I smile as I turn to face him, and I give a casual shrug to hide my true turmoil.
“I enjoy the fresh air, and it’s not like I’ve had too much free time in the three weeks I’ve been here. You weren’t kidding about staying busy next to the border,” I snicker out.
“I know. It’s certainly a task, but thanks to you, our conviction rate has sky rocketed. I’m thoroughly impressed, and you have no idea how thankful I am to have you here.”
“I’m happy to be somewhere I’m needed. It’s been an excellent distraction,” I sigh out while turning my attention back on the dry, empty lands shielded by the tinted sky.
“The humans hate the fact the sky stays tinted so much because of my kind, but it keeps them safe too. The uranium wasn’t filtered in the early days, and too much of it ripped holes in the ozone which freed those dangerous rays far too much. They’re lucky we needed the sky to be dimmed, otherwise, they would have to hide in darkness.”
I smile lightly at his defensiveness, and I lean back as I turn back around to face him.
“I never complain about the tinted sky, so you don’t have to defend your ancestors’ reasoning.”
“Technically, they’re your ancestors too,” he adds, and my smile disappears.
“This place is so different I almost forget how many full bloods hate my kind. How did you create such a Utopia where everyone gets a long so well?” I sigh while staring down at the hybrid children playing with full blood kids in the courtyards.
“It wasn’t easy, but we’re small. Membership here isn’t promised until you’ve proven yourself unbiased. If anyone treats a hybrid as someone less than themselves, they are dismissed, banished, and never welcome back.
“The hybrid kids here still refer to themselves as the forgotten, but it’s simply because they were abandoned. As far as their treatment, they have hybrid teachers who know and understand the needs and emotions of hybrid young ones. I recently got a grant that will allow for the school to be cushioned, and various extra curricular activities will be added.”
I smile a little at his eagerness to assure me of the fair treatment I’ve already witnessed with my own eyes. His soft eyes are sweet and generous as he does his best to make me feel at home here.
“You don’t have to sell it to me, Captain. I’ve never seen a place try as hard as this one does. I also notice you don’t segregate the humans from the full bloods. It shows you’re giving your kind the respect they’ve earned as well. It’s all refreshing, and I really like it here. Is that why you were at Seminole? To ask for a grant?”
He smiles as he leans over the wall to rest his elbows, and he stares down at the laughing children straight below.
“Yes. There has been a motion that passed recently to install better schools with better emotional building skills for hybrids. I went to be the first to take on the task outside of the Seminole. As a matter of fact, you probably know the man who put forth all the work to get the motion to the United community. He’s the captain of the Seminole. I think his name is Hale Banner,” he murmurs naively.
My stomach flip flops with incredulous turmoil as Hale’s name is said aloud for the first time in three weeks. Tears threaten to expose my broken heart I haven’t revealed to anyone here.
“I don’t know him as well as you might think,” I mumble.
He starts to say something about my vague remark when his phone rings. He smiles very large as he looks at the number, and then he holds it to his ear before turning his back to me.
“Hey, Angel.”
“Hey, Daddy. Where are you? I have something I want to show you.”
“I’m on the rooftop of the interrogation tower. Come on up,” he says so sweetly, and I smile lightly at the endearing tone he uses with her.
“Be right there,” she giggles out, and then he laughs while hanging up his phone.
“I’ve been here three weeks, and I’ve yet to meet your daughter.”
He smiles a proud father’s grin before saying, “Well that’s about to change. She’s apparently rather excited about something.”
Suddenly I see the almost white hair of a girl who doesn’t look like the small girl from the picture he carries in his ride. She’s at least sixteen, and she’s stunningly beautiful. Her speed is phenomenal this early on in her life, and she swishes over to throw her arms around her dad.
“Someone’s in a good mood,” he chuckles out.
“They’re coming, Daddy. All of them are coming,” she squeals out, and she hands him a pile of invitations where so many have circled yes.
“That’s excellent. I told you that you would have plenty of people show up.”
She shrieks out her delight, and then he hands her his credit card.
“Go buy more food. I don’t think you’ll have enough now that you have every teen in the compound showing up.”
She squeals even louder as she takes his card, and then she jumps on him to hug him again. He laughs at her ridiculously high excitement level, and then he motions to me.
“Angelica, this is Araya Crush.”
I smile, and her mouth drops open. The second my eyes meet hers, my jaw almost unhinges.
She’s a hybrid! What the hell!
Her young age disturbs the scent that won’t be more pronounced until after her change, but her eyes give her away very easily.
He smiles at me before giving me a wink, and then she rushes over to hug me. I’m startled, and I barely pat her back in response to her overly affectionate actions. Hybrids don’t act like this with strangers. What the fuck?
“I’ve been dying to meet you,” she gushes while pulling back. “You have to come to my party tonight. My dad is throwing me the best eighteenth birthday party ever. Please say you’ll be there. I want everyone to meet the hybrid queen of interrogation.”
“Um… yeah…” I stumble out, and she starts her high pitch squealing even more vigorously.
Holy nails on a chalkboard, this girl is giddy. Too giddy to be a hybrid.
“That’s awesome. I have to go buy several things now that so many are coming, but I’ll see you there. Wear something casual dressy,” she giggles out, and then she hugs Nicholas one last time before running back down the stairs.
“Wow,” I gasp.
“Yeah. She’s very long-winded,” he jokes.
“Why didn’t you tell me she’s a hybrid?”
“It never came up,” he says innocently, his shoulders rising in a shrug while his mouth turns up with a playful smirk.
“That explains a lot. I don’t know if I’ve ever met a full blood who cared for their hybrid child.”
“Now you have. I didn’t bleed her mother’s vein because I wanted the taste. Delightful as it was, I did it to save her life. Angela, Angel’s mother, was dying of cancer like many of the humans due to the overexposure of radiation. She had the gene, and I got the permission due to my rank. She’s still suffering through the worst parts of the change in the underground transformation facility, but in a few years she’ll be able t
o meet her daughter.”
“Do you think she’ll still want to meet her?” I ask hesitantly, and his eyes sting from my rude question. “I’m sorry. That was crossing the line.”
“Your life has led you to believe the worst in us. I understand your question, and I hope I’m right when I say she’ll want to be in Angelica’s life. I started calling her Angel for short because that’s what she is. She isn’t tainted by the cruel realities this world can dish out to so many like her. I hope Angela still loves me when she walks out, and I believe she and I can be the parents Angel will need during her change in a few more years.”
“Love? You two were in love?” I gasp.
“I know. I’m just all kinds of crazy. I’m a full blood who fell in love with a human. I changed her, and then I kept our hybrid daughter. I know it’s irrational, but I want us to be a family. I want it to set a new precedent for my kind and the hybrid children we produce with our willing human transformers.”
“That’s actually pretty incredible,” I murmur in awed disbelief, and then the sound of a motorcycle revving its engine draws my attention.
My stomach flip flops once again, only this time is excitement mixed with fear. Hale loves motorcycles, and if it’s him, I don’t know what I’ll do.
The jet black ride is laced with chrome touches, and the leather jacket is trimmed with blood red touches. The sleek, onyx helmet covers the face I’m terrified to see. The bike has red flames tattooing the sides, and it sounds like a gallantly purring dragon as it awaits permission to enter.
The mystery man looks up, and he gives a cocky wave in my direction which almost causes my knees to give out until I see Nicholas waving back. I sigh in relief and disappointment as the bike passes through the gate.
“Who’s that?” I ask curiously, while playing as if it’s of no real interest to me - even though I’m dying to know.
“Oh, it’s a new field captain who just transferred. He’s a full blood, but he was once engaged to a hybrid. I think that’ll help him fit in rather well since we have several species minglers here. His name is-”
“Brazen Mordel?” I say with a smirk, my eyes moving back down to the full blood piece of wonder.
“Yeah. You know him?” he asks curiously.
“You could say that,” I vaguely reply.
I see Brazen below taking off his helmet before disappearing into the building we’re standing atop.
“I’m glad you know him. It’s hard to come into a new compound where you don’t know anyone. He’s a great addition. The rumor is he can shoot a nail out of someone’s hand from seven-hundred feet away. I’m not sure why he specifically requested this place as his new base, but it’s great for us. Now we have a sharp shooter and the best interrogator in the network,” he gloats, and I smirk as I see Brazen strutting across the rooftop.
He salutes Nicholas very casually while continuing his mission to me, and I grin foolishly the closer he gets.
“Captain Mordel. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you. I think you already know Ms.-”
Nicholas stops short when Brazen grips me at the waist and jerks me to his body before delivering the most passionate kiss. I smile against his lips while returning the kiss, and I feel his lips turning up in a smile as well while backing away.
“Never mind,” Nicholas chuckles out. “I see the two are very well acquainted.”
“You could say that,” Brazen playfully responds, and it makes me smile to hear how alike our answers were.
“Well then. I suppose you’ll have a date now for the party tonight. I’ll leave you two alone to get reacquainted, and I’ll see you later,” Nicholas murmurs through his grinning lips, and then he heads down.
“How did you find me?” I muse.
“Clay,” he says casually while propping up on the side of the wall. “He approved my transfer, but I had to do a three week detail on some mongrels who caused a scene just down the road. I thought it was going to take forever to get here, but I’m finally holding you again.”
He pulls me to him, and his lips find mine again. I almost allow the kiss to continue, and then I pull back.
“I’m not doing this to you, Brazen. I left you once already for Hale, and it’s not fair to you. I’m not over him, and until I have closure, I don’t know if I ever will be. I need to know why he left me. That’s where I went wrong last time - our story paused instead of ending.”
“Get your damn closure and come back to me then,” he seduces, and then his lips take mine despite my objections.
His touch feels so good now that it has been so long since I felt anyone desiring me. I withdraw once more while rolling my eyes, and he takes my hand in his.
“You can help me find my new place, and then you can tell me about this party we’re going to,” he murmurs very cockily. “You know I love a good party. Perhaps we’ll get you a little tipsy, and then you can stop acting so uptight.”
I laugh for numerous reasons in his flawed planning, and then I lean against him as his arm wraps around my shoulders.
“I know you love parties, but there’s not going to be any alcohol.”
“No booze? What the hell kind of dud party is this?” he grumbles.
“An eighteen-year-old girl’s birthday party,” I giggle out, and he rolls his eyes while letting an embarrassed grin spread over his face.
“Wow. I suppose getting you tipsy might be a little inappropriate then. We can just do that at the after party at my new place. We’ll call it a house-warming party,” he smolders, and I roll my eyes again.
“I just told you I can’t-”
“I just transferred to the smallest compound in the United to be with you. Do you really think I give a damn how hard you fight me? I’m going to be with you. Like I said, get your closure. There’s nothing stopping us from having fun in the meantime.”
His hand grabs my ass, and he jerks my hips to meet his while we’re standing on the staircase. The cooling scent of his breath sends those chills down my body.
“Fire and ice, baby. You know what we can do, and there’s so many things I’ve been wanting to do to you.”
I shiver slightly from his tantalizing promise, and suddenly I feel the wall of the stairwell against my back as my legs wrap around his waist. His lips devour mine, and I feel the throbbing starting.
“Stop,” I mutter, and then I grip his hair when he slams me into the other side of the wall.
His hips grind into mine, and I’m starting to worry we’re about to fuck right here and now. I can’t though. I’m still in love with Hale - even though the love I have for Brazen still lingers as well.
“Brazen, please stop. I’m not ready,” I whimper while forcing him back.
He presses his forehead against mine, and his trembling breath still pants its refreshing flow against my heated skin.
“I understand. I’m not done trying yet. Show me to my place, please. It’s supposed to be in the east quadrant.”
His smile is deviously adorable, and I let him hold my hand as I read the paper with his apartment number. I roll my eyes yet again when I see how close his place is to mine.
“What?” he chuckles out.
“You’re literally two doors down and across the hall from me. Unbelievable.”
“Perfect,” he seduces. “That means I’ll have plenty of opportunities to run into my new neighbor.
“So Clay told you where I was? I’m surprised you bothered to ask,” I say to change the subject.
“Actually, I didn’t have to. He called me when I was running through the list of United compounds trying to find out who to call first, and he told me you were here. I was a little surprised, but then he also told me he’d approve my transfer right away if I wanted to come join you. I was hoping you put him up to it,” he murmurs expectantly.
“I didn’t, but I’m glad you’re here. It’s nice to see a familiar face, but that doesn’t mean we’re going to start fucking,” I crudely rattle out, and he starts laughing wil
dly.
“Not yet maybe, but don’t rule it out all together. I can be rather persuasive.”
I stifle my girly grin, and we head down the east corridor so I can show him his room.
“Where’s all your stuff?” I muse.
“I had it brought over last week. I’m surprised you didn’t notice.”
“I’ve been swamped with interrogations here. I’ve barely spent any time in my own place. Today is the first slow day we’ve had.”
“Well, I suppose I’ll be visiting the box a great deal while living here then.”
I smile lightly while ushering him to the door, and he grabs my hand in his before opening it to reveal the rather large accommodations.
“I forget how much better captains get paid than interrogators,” I grumble, and he smiles smugly while motioning for me to join him by the double windows.
“This view is what I wanted. I like the open sands from up high. It holds that horizon beauty front and center, and it’s damn good for a sexy backdrop.”
I laugh at his joking remark, and he pulls me into the kitchen as he checks to make sure he has everything.
“You brought pots and pans?” I giggle.
“I have to be able to cook for you when you start staying here in the captain’s accommodations,” he says leadingly, his eyes smiling, and I have to stifle my grin which proves to be insuppressible.
“You’re incorrigible.”
“You’re not getting away from me. Just be warned. I’m rather relentless when it comes to keeping my girl.”
He gives me a quick peck on the cheek, and then I hear the shower running after he disappears into the bedroom.
“I’ll see you in a little while. I have to go get ready,” I call to the open doorway, and I start to leave when I feel his arms around my waist turning me around.
His lips press against mine, and I feel my shirt being unbuttoned as his erection digs into me. I fight momentarily, and then I give in when the insanity takes me over. I feel my shirt being stripped off, and I feel his cool, smooth skin pressing against me as my legs wrap around him once more.
I hear the running water getting closer as he carries me into the bathroom, and I finally snap out of my moment of weakness. I jump free from his hips as the steamy room intensifies the feelings of desire I’m trying to fight.