“Seriously?” He was biting his lip trying not to laugh.
“What?” I looked down my nose at him and scowled.
He shook his head at me and kept moving.
Muffled music greeted us when we reached the stairway to Dump. A small cloud of cigarette smoke wafted out the door as we walked inside. It was crowded tonight. Every table was full, and there were people standing beside the battered wooden bar. I looked around but didn’t see any blond bitches so I guess our informant wasn’t there yet. RockHard! was in the middle of a song. Tonight the bass player was strutting around in a kilt. Huh. That was different. I nibbled on a fingernail while I pondered the mysteries of the Scottish kilt. Several women were watching with hypnotized eyes as the kilt swung back and forth to the rhythm of the song. I grinned around my hand as I remembered the age old question.
Sean casually leaned against the wall near a subwoofer. I casually leaned against him. This spot gave us the best vantage point for watching the door. He pretended to enjoy the band and occasionally nuzzled me or did something else obviously affectionate in case anyone was looking. As far as anyone knew, we were just two young people out for a good time. Why we chose Dump for it is a mystery someone should have questioned. I envied Sean’s ability to multi-task. He was completely focused on the door while idly running one hand up and down my thigh. He was taut and hot against me. He practically vibrated with suppressed energy. I had asked him about these physical changes at the penthouse today. He shrugged and said it was part of their bodies’ preparation for combat. The flight or fight response was stronger in the Primani body so every physical change was magnified.
“Flight response?” I prodded.
He scoffed, “Yeah, but we don’t use that one. Primani never run from a fight.”
After an hour or so, the door opened and in walked the blonde. She was a tall woman with hair that fell in a straight line to her shoulders. Based on the shadowy roots, I assumed the color wasn’t hers. She was wearing tight black jeans with vinyl boots and a fitted black vinyl coat that came to her knees. She looked like a licorice stick.
Sean ran his lips across my ear. Little jolts of electricity trickled from my neck to my toes. I involuntarily arched against him like a cat, my fingers curling into the hair at the nape of his neck. Still nibbling on me, he purred, “Focus, darlin’! It’s just for show.” He raised a lazy hand, and the blonde moved our direction. It was time to get to work.
Much, much later that night, I stood on the balcony, mesmerized. The lights of the city sparkled and winked for as far as my eyes could see. It was the witching hour, and I was in a mystical mood. Determined to get a leash on my new psychic abilities, I was secretly experimenting whenever I was alone. Right now, I was attempting to see into the building across from ours. It would be useful if I could sense people or demons this way. I had a theory but needed to gather more data. Pushing away all thoughts, I inhaled slowly, deeply. I visualized my mind as a large airy room that was empty of everything but delicate cream walls. It was my blank canvas. My mind was drifting towards the closest window when warm arms wrapped around me. Images of him filled my entire mental room. With a small sense of satisfaction, I realized I had felt him coming. Not just a person coming, but I knew without doubt, that it was Sean.
“Come here, beautiful.” Standing behind me, he fitted me against his erection and lifted my hair to expose my neck. As his tongue stroked the tender skin, I arched against him, wanting only to be closer, to be naked beside him.
His skin was so hot that I peeled off the blanket I was wrapped in. Underneath I wore only a pair of black yoga pants and a pale silk tank. He swept his tongue along my collarbone and up my throat, and I began to burn… literally. Suddenly feverish, my skin prickled with sweat. My head swam oddly. It wasn’t just the effect of his kisses. This feeling was new. I turned into his arms. Gripping my face in one hand, he kissed me with an urgency that startled me. My heart was skipping beats. I couldn’t seem to breathe right. Lights danced behind my eyes. I tried to pull back, but an odd sense of connection made me stop. I pressed my forehead against his. My heart was still pounding erratically. Without a word, Sean held up our linked hands.
“You’re burning up!” He smiled crookedly as he wiped a bead of sweat off the side of my face.
“Something’s changed. I feel different.” I pulled his hand over and kissed a palm. I rested my chin on our hands and caught my breath.
“You’re changing. It’s you that’s different. It’s been happening for a while. You haven’t noticed until now?”
“I don’t understand.”
“That makes two of us!” He pulled me down to sit beside him. “I wish I knew, but I don’t. I tried to ask Alex, but he didn’t know either. You, love, are uncharted territory for us.”
I pondered this for a minute, and asked, “So what now?”
“Well, we watch and see. There’s no doubt you’re a part of us, Mica. Somehow, you’ve become connected to us, and I think your destiny is woven into ours… and mine, I hope. We don’t have all the answers. But I think you’re changing physically because of the changes in your brain. You’re tapping into new areas… it seems reasonable to me.”
That sort of made sense… I’m using different parts of my brain to use these new abilities, so maybe that’s triggered other changes. Hmmm. That doesn’t really explain the physical connection I felt to Sean just now…
“Do you think I have a halo now?” I perked up at the thought and waited for him to laugh at me.
To my surprise, he didn’t laugh at all. Instead, he looked thoughtful. “I don’t think so. Angels have halos, love. I think you’re something else entirely. I’m stumped.”
“Sean…” I groped for the right words while idly twisting my locket.
I cleared my throat and tried again. “Sean, are you okay? I mean, you’ve been stressed, and sometimes I see you staring into space. You seem worried… and sad. Can’t I help?”
He was silent for so long I didn’t think he was going to answer me. Then he walked over to the edge of the balcony. His back was rigid as he stared into the darkness. The breeze ruffled his hair; the vulnerable skin at the nape of his neck gleamed faintly in the moonlight. I wanted to wrap my arms around him and soothe him, but he wouldn’t want it. Instead, I waited with my blanket wrapped around me. Eventually, he let out a breath and started to talk.
“I’m afraid. For the first time in my life, I’m afraid. I don’t know how to stop feeling this way, and it’s making me crazy.” He turned with pain clouding his eyes.
“Fear is a healthy reaction to near-death experiences,” I observed carefully.
“Not for us! Primani fear nothing! Look at who we are! Why would I be afraid?” He rolled his shoulders and pushed away from the wall.
“What’s changed then?”
“You! You’re the change… we are the change. You and I are… something I can’t even explain to myself. I feel such a connection with you, to you, that I know in my heart is right.” Instantly, he was in front of me with my hands in his. He held up our joined hands again. “Do you not see it? We are more than just chemistry or even love. We are something extraordinary.”
Like a mirage, my fingers shimmered and melted into his as if we were one person. He wiggled our hands. The strange image was gone, and we were just two people holding hands again.
“I’ve been seeing that more and more here in the city. When we touch… sometimes I see it.” He scratched absently at the dark stubble on his jaw. “Things are speeding up… our connection is growing, your intuition is getting stronger, your body’s changing… I don’t question these things. I believe in predestination. These changes have a purpose, and you and I are meant to be together. I have no doubts about that. But I worry. I’m afraid for you… for us.”
I listened to his heart beating. “It’s the dream, isn’t it?”
He pulled away and frowned. “I told you I don’t dream.”
“You did. But
that doesn’t mean it’s true.”
The dawn came too early the next morning. I didn’t want to get out of bed, but the insistent pounding on my door kept me from going back to sleep. What was wrong now? All right, all right already! I yanked on a robe and yanked open the door.
“You look like hell. And since I’ve actually been there, I can say that with conviction.”
“And I was just starting to like you too.”
Killian bowed at the waist, and said, “If it pleases the princess, we’re about to have a meeting with Alex. If you can fit it into your schedule, your presence was requested.” The familiar scowl was present, but there was a little gleam in his eye. Was he getting a sense of humor? No one would believe it.
Straightening, he added, “Dani might.” He turned and sauntered off.
Chapter 22: Demons and Drummers
“HOLY SHIT, it’s freezing out here!” I bounced on my toes trying to keep the blood from icing up in them. My earlier excitement about going out was history as I pressed myself against the brick wall of a flower shop. It was closed and the security lights were on. I looked at Mickey and rubbed my hands together. It was almost time to get moving. Damn, it’s cold! Still bouncing, I studied the opposite corner and tried to spot our targets. I was looking for someone who looked like a dangerous criminal. Alex said they would look suspicious, and I would recognize them. Well, that wasn’t too helpful. Based on the general appearance of almost every man in my line of sight, I was surrounded by them. I peered more closely at two standing closest to us.
“It’s in the eyes. Look at their eyes,” Dec advised quietly. He was supposed to be my protection, and I was glad he was here. I stepped closer to him until I could feel his body heat. At least I wouldn’t freeze to death, though I could lose several important digits.
He was dressed in faded jeans and a heavy jacket, but I knew he didn’t really need it. He was trying to blend in. With his California blond hair and perpetual tan, he looked more like a tourist than I did. He was all business tonight though. He was in pure soldier-mode and wasn’t joking around at all. I missed his sunny smile. I sighed and checked my watch again.
“It’s time,” I said. He nodded and took my hand.
We were meeting the others at Dump but had detoured to check out a lead. As far as I could tell, the lead was a dead end. I didn’t see anyone suspicious here. Dec’s eyes were constantly moving as he led us down one street and then another. As we rounded the last corner, I pinched his arm and nudged him to the left. A man stood in the shadow of a dumpster. He stepped back out of the dim glow of the streetlight. He made no move to bother us though. We kept walking like we knew where we were going. Just two people hitting the bar on the way home from work…
There were three more men standing in the shadows ahead of us. All of them were positioned so they could see a clear view of the alley and the bar. Sentries? That seemed likely. I forced my face to stay blank. I was starting to get a bad feeling about this. As we walked directly in front of one man, he followed us with dark eyes. I had a sudden urge to run into the bar, slamming the door behind me. The sharp pang of adrenaline made me clench my jaw.
Dec whispered, “Easy, darlin’. We’re okay.” He helped me down the icy steps into the stuffy warmth of Dump.
Sean and Killian were nowhere to be seen. It was pretty crowded though so I did a second walk around to be sure. RockHard! was playing again, and Missy waved at me with a smile. The crowd was helping them with the chorus of an old Billy Idol song. Singing along too, I made my way to the wall opposite the door and found a clean-ish place to wait. Dec took his time wandering around the room as if he was looking for someone. Eventually he made it to my spot and pretended to watch the band.
“Was it this crowded in here last week? Do you recognize anyone?”
I considered the little groups of customers and answered, “Yeah, I recognize a lot of them. But the two young guys by the door and the skinhead by the bathroom are new.”
The door flew open, and two more men strode inside. Alarm bells clanged in my head. These two were definitely dangerous. They studied the crowd with the intensity of a couple of predators. The taller of the two had a big crooked nose and deep set eyes that radiated impatience as he looked around. His thick black hair was slicked back. He reminded me of a mob enforcer from the movies. The shorter one had greasy red hair that he desperately combed across his head. He had mean little eyes and coldly assessed the room. Both looked like killers to me. But the redhead looked like a nutcase too.
The steady beat of drums brought me back to reality, and I smiled up at Dec as Missy spoke for women everywhere with her cover of Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep.” Under her spell, I sang along under my breath. I squawked in alarm a few minutes later when a familiar voice hissed in my ear.
“I could have killed you just now.” Something hard pressed against my kidney, and I froze. He spun me around, dragging me closer so he could yell at me without everyone hearing. I was off balance and struggled to get my feet back on the floor. He held me still with one arm, and I went rigid. Whispering furiously, he read me the riot act. Didn’t we just talk about danger? What was I thinking? I needed to focus on why we’re here. I needed to be aware of my front and my back, especially my back.
“I came right up to you and you didn’t even sense me. Any of these guys could slide a blade in you without anyone seeing a thing. You’d be dead in seconds. You’re not here to enjoy the band tonight, sweetheart!” He pressed his nose against mine during this last comment.
Furious, I aimed a knee at his crotch just as Dec intervened. He stopped my leg in mid-swing and plastered a smile on his face.
Between his teeth he said, “Do you two idiots want to attract any more attention?” He playfully shoved our heads together and ordered, “Kiss and make up. And you better make it convincing or we’re going to have more company than we can handle. Do it!”
To the general audience he shrugged, and said loudly, “My brother’s a little jealous sometimes.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the skinhead watching us with a gleam in his eye. He nodded and started to get up. Self-preservation overrode my anger, and I threw my arms around Sean’s neck and pasted my mouth against his. Startled, he nearly dropped me so I wrapped my legs around his waist. I kissed him with such passion that he finally dragged his mouth away to breathe.
“Good God, woman! Are you trying to kill me?” The pain on his face was funny.
I forced a sappy smile and pressed my cheek against his pounding heart. It was satisfying to feel the effects of my efforts. I hoped he was suffering.
“I hope you enjoyed that. It might be the last one you get for a while.” I unwrapped myself and made a show of sliding down his body as I put my feet on the floor.
Killian chose that exact moment to spot us. Even from across the room, I could see the tightening of his mouth and the angry crease between his eyes. Maybe someone could just shoot me now?
“Is it not what I think this time?” he ground out as he glared at the two of us. To my surprise, Sean turned pink. Dec chuckled and reminded us that we had work to do.
I looked at my Mickey Mouse watch again. It was 10:00. Surely things should be happening by now? We’d been here for two hours and nothing interesting has happened. I was so tense my neck hurt again. The skinhead kept looking our direction, and it was making me nervous. Worse, he kept looking at Sean. Something was wrong. I strained to hear the voices around us. I thought I’d heard something… There was something… strange. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but something was different. I leaned up to tell Sean, and he stood listening to something I couldn’t hear. Finally he swore softly and uncoiled himself from his chair. After telling me to stay put, he went to find the others. I was left alone again. That strange feeling wouldn’t go away, and I wasn’t able to make sense of it. Instead, I got more tense and twitchy with nerves. I fondled my locket and chewed on my lip. Thankful for the gun hidden inside, I played
with my purse strap.
What if this was all wrong? What if we didn’t have the right information? We could be sitting in a trap. We could all get killed. Why can’t I see anything? What good were psychic abilities if I couldn’t help anyone with them? I wish I knew more. As if on cue, the band started to play my absolutely least favorite song in the entire universe: “Don’t Stop Believin’ .” I hated this song. Could things get any worse? As Missy belted out the first lines, I rolled my eyes at the ceiling. Really?
Just then a commotion by the bar drew my attention. Several men were arguing with Mob Guy and Red Hair. There were three against two. The music was too loud to hear what was said, but the Mob Guy’s expression clearly said, “Bring it!”
Skinhead was halfway out of his seat as the two young guys I’d seen earlier hustled over to join Mob Guy. Sean and Killian were on the opposite side watching the fight start. Like most men there, they kept out of it. Where’s Dec? I searched for him but didn’t see him. No one else seemed too interested in the fight, and the band kept playing. But the atmosphere changed when another man came through the door. He projected an air of evil that stopped everyone’s conversations. He was flanked by several others who had that same air of evil around them. That earlier feeling of dread smashed into me again. I hadn’t seen him come over, but Dec was now standing in front of me. Like Sean and Killian, he’d switched into full combat mode. Waves of heat flowed from him. I was afraid to look at his eyes. I started to take a step forward.
The Lost Soul Trilogy (Primani Book 5) Page 22