Shadows of the Past

by Brandy L Rivers

  “Then if you don’t mind, I’ll meet you there and say my piece before she gets to you.”

  Hayden shook his head. “Go ten minutes early, so it doesn’t look like I put you up to it.”

  “Good idea, and I am sorry I treated her like a criminal.”

  “Just don’t do it again. Now go on.” Hayden nodded toward the door.

  * * * *

  “So, this is Clint. Just ignore what comes out of his mouth.” Fallon shot the werewolf a warning glance. “And Clint, she’s meaner than I am, so don’t hit on her. She’s not interested.”

  Amethyst had to hold in the laugh. Only Fallon would flat out lie to a werewolf enforcer and manage to get away with it. Of course, Fallon had already warned her about how hands on the guy could be.

  Clint pouted at Amethyst. “You aren’t? Are you taken?”

  Amethyst narrowed her eyes, trying to be stern when she really just wanted to giggle. He was sexy in a college boy sort of way with his short, stylish brown hair, alluring green eyes, and confident smile that brought out his dimples.

  She wasn’t interested yet, but she had a feeling he could tempt her.

  Putting steel in her tone, for Fallon’s sake, she informed him, “Not taken, but I’m not interested, so keep your paws to yourself. Remember, I’ll be holding sharp objects near sensitive areas.”

  “I like pain.” He grinned lasciviously.

  Rolling her eyes, she nodded to the chair. “It’s just your nipples, and I guarantee I can make it so you won’t like it if you’re a complete moron.”

  “Trust me, she will. So behave.” Fallon pointed her finger at him before she left.

  Clint took his shirt off and hopped up onto the chair with a sigh. “I’ll behave, but I must say you are very pretty and look so innocent that I can’t help wanting to corrupt you.”

  Amethyst felt her eyes widen. “Innocent?” Usually her facial piercings and inhuman shade of hair earned her funny looks and gave the exact opposite impression. She shook her head. “Innocent?”

  He nodded. There was a twinkle in his eyes. “Maybe that’s the wrong word. Maybe pure.”

  “Well, I’m neither.” She smirked, and couldn’t help noticing he was really nice to look at. All long lean muscle. “And you can’t corrupt me. So just close your eyes, and behave, because I will hurt you in a very unpleasant way.”

  Pouting, he closed his eyes. “I won’t even look, so I won’t be tempted to put my foot in my mouth.” And somehow, that was kind of sweet.

  She giggled and his breath stuttered. Amethyst kept herself quiet, and just went on with the piercing. He was right, he liked the pain because he was hard before she got the needle through the first nipple, and he groaned in a way that was totally pornographic.

  That was when she shut off her imagination and locked up her libido. She wasn’t ready to explore any naked fun time with anyone just yet.

  Except, she couldn’t help imagining that big sweet sheriff who couldn’t keep his eyes off her the night before. Mmm, so yummy, and she just knew he’d be better without clothes. The fact that he felt he needed to protect her was a total bummer though.

  Right, she needed to pay attention to piercing the really edible werewolf who kept making those delicious noises as she worked. Normally the way his muscles jumped at her touch, and the way he groaned would be enough to make her crave a little attention, but not this time.

  She was too busy craving the attention from Sheriff Eyeball who was probably way too much for little Amethyst to handle.

  By the time she had the second ring in place Clint looked up at her with pure lust. That should have been enough to make her body respond. She was a nymph, it came with the territory and that was usually embarrassing in front of any wereanimal who could smell desire.

  There was no twinge of lust, no hint of need, nothing. What’s wrong with me?

  He probably couldn’t help his wolfish grin. “I’m behaving.” He sat up, and his muscled abdomen rippled. She turned away as he moved to the mirror while she cleaned up.

  Amethyst looked back and caught him playing his fingers over his nipples, and an aroused gasp left his mouth. That look in his eyes would have made her ache for him any other time.

  Worry crept in. Was she broken after Carl? She forced those questions away.

  “All right,” she said. “You’ve had enough fun. Now get going because I don’t want to know what you’re going to do. Really, I don’t.”

  He chuckled. “When I see you at the bar, because I know you’ll be there eventually, I’ll buy you a drink or few. I even promise to behave then.” With a wink, he started for the door. “Good bye, my lovely gem.”

  Clint really was sweet, in a twisted sort of way. She didn’t see why Fallon made him out to be such a bad guy. Well, there was the fact that he was a total masochist. She had always been curious about that scene.

  She smiled back at him. “Bye Clint.”

  He took a step into the hall before he turned back with a wave, and a sexy little grin.

  Her phone rang, and she saw Paavo’s name. “Hey, big brother.”

  “You didn’t call when you got there,” he chided. “I had to call the shop to set up an appointment with you. You’ll be piercing Mathis and me tomorrow.” She squeezed her eyes shut and waited, praying he wouldn’t make her pierce something too intimate. It was her brother and his lover… icky. “Don’t worry, we just want matching earrings. Nothing further south, and it’s a good excuse to see my little sis. So don’t argue.”

  “I won’t, just bring me something sweet. Please.”

  “Of course. And I have a question.”

  “What?” She sighed.

  “I hear you finally used your gifts to get rid of that piece of shit loser.” There was heat in his words, but only because he probably had a good idea of what she did.

  “Who told you?” she whispered.

  “Gabriel mentioned it. Said you raced out of the shop talking about finally sleeping with Carl to get rid of him, and then he goes and kills himself. Something’s fishy about that.”

  Her guilt rolled back in, and she tugged at her hair. “I just gave him a suggestion to not want to be anywhere near me. That he didn’t want me. Geez, Paavo, he didn’t even love me, he just wanted to own me, but I didn’t kill him.”

  “I know, sweetie, that’s why I warned you about him. I’m proud of you, though he better not have hurt you because I will find a necromancer to bring him back just so I can kill him all over again.”

  She could just imagine Paavo taking his frustrations out on a freshly summoned Zombie. The image made her cringe. “He didn’t hurt me. It just hurt to see his reaction when he ran out of the apartment.”

  “I am sorry about that, but I’m glad it’s over. I’ll let you get back to work. See you tomorrow.”

  “Bye.” She hung up and walked to the front. Officer Simons was right there. She nearly ran into him.

  Gulping, she backed up, but he looked so wounded at her reaction that she smiled up at him, or tried too. It was a pretty weak attempt.

  Simons swallowed hard and blurted out an apology, “I just wanted to come in and tell you in person how sorry I am. I shouldn’t have dragged you in. I won’t do it again. I hope you don’t hate me.” Her fear drifted away, and her heart melted a little.

  “It’s okay. I hope things work out for you. Maybe not how you want, but for the best, and I hope you see that. You really didn’t hurt me. I’m fine.”

  “I bruised your arm, I must have. I probably had those cuffs too tight because you couldn’t hold still in them.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I really am sorry that I took my shitty mood out on you.”

  She displayed her arms. “No harm, no foul. I appreciate the apology, but I’m fine.”

  “Good. Have a nice night.” He nodded slightly and left with a little wave that just looked silly from the giant of a man.

  “He cuffed you?” Tomahawk whispered angrily as he came up behind her. She
just closed her eyes. “He really cuffed you? Was it too tight?”

  She sighed and glanced over at Tomahawk who leaned against the opposite wall. “No, but you could say that I’m allergic to some metals.”

  “Is that why all of your jewelry is platinum?”

  She nodded. “Yeah, and I know some Fae don’t have that problem, but I do. Sort of like wolves with silver, and since I pierce so many wereanimals, I chose platinum. I can handle silver, gold, platinum and some others. It’s not like I can’t touch anything, and it’s not usually immediate, so it’s not that big of a deal.”

  He scratched his jaw. “That’s why you have special tools?”

  “Yup.” She leaned in and whispered, “Just keep it to yourself. I don’t tell everyone that.”

  “Don’t worry kiddo. Your secret is safe with me.”

  Her eyes narrowed at Tomahawk. “I’m an adult, thank you.”

  “You’re still younger than me, sweetheart.”

  * * * *

  Amethyst stood at the end of the hall, laughing at whatever Tomahawk was going on about. Her smile was radiant and genuine, and Hayden could feel her warmth from outside, where he was looking in at her.

  “She sure is pretty,” Brody said softly, but it still startled him. When was the last time he was startled? That woman in there was a distraction, but in all the best ways.

  “Beautiful, actually.” Hayden smiled and then scowled at Brody. “And why have you noticed?”

  “Hey, asshole, I have eyeballs.” Brody glared at him and Hayden grunted. “Please, Fallon is the only woman for me. So get your panties out of a wad.”

  “Right, sorry.” Hayden shook his head. “I know better, really I do. She’s just…,” mine. It was the only word that came to mind but that was ridiculous. She wasn’t. She would hardly look at him just yet. “She’s…,” mine. Shit, what in the Abyss am I thinking?

  “Been there, done that.” Brody chuckled. “We better get in there, before they notice us out here. She already labeled you Sheriff Eyeball.”

  Hayden snorted, but Brody had a point. He let out a sigh and pushed his way into the shop. Her gaze met his and a smile stretched across his face.

  “Good afternoon, Hayden. Tom was just telling me about how you chopped apart a bunch of rabid werecats a few weeks back. I’m impressed.”

  He actually blushed for the first time in several hundred years. “Um, thank you.” He ignored the nervousness creeping through him. “How was your day?”

  “Good, busy, but good. Apparently I tamed a beast.” She giggled.

  The corners of his mouth tugged down, but he couldn’t fight back the frown. “Who?” Had someone already swept her off her feet? If so, he was going to crush them. He forced a deep calming breath that did shit to alleviate the sudden possessive streak.

  Tomahawk rolled his eyes in annoyance, “Clint went all pussycat on her. He only mildly flirted, and you know how he is. It was sickeningly sweet, in a fucked up way. He was just about purring as he rubbed his fingers over his nipples, just after she pierced them. And he didn’t even come on to her when it was obvious he would have pounced on her if she gave him any inclination she was interested.”

  Amethyst’s hands landed on her hips as she glared up at Tom. “I didn’t watch. Clint took me at my word when I told him I wasn’t interested. He even offered to buy me a drink and not hit on me.”

  Still, Hayden wanted to clock the pervy bastard for even thinking about Amethyst.

  Tom turned to Hayden with a smirk. “It’s actually amazing because he so wanted a piece,” Tom teased and she blushed. “He did, you can’t deny it. He just about came when you got the needle in him.”

  She threw her hands up. “So what? I’m not interested.” She pursed her lips at Tom before looking back at Hayden. “You ready? I hear I’m just doing your ear.”

  Damn, he loved that haughty attitude. There wasn’t much he wouldn’t let her do. He did want to get to know her though, not scare her off, so he just nodded and followed her back.

  Hayden took a seat. Both of his ears were already pierced, one small hoop in each lobe. Now he wanted to add one to his cartilage.

  “Adam says you brought your own jewelry. Can I see it?” She leaned against the counter and he had the sudden desire to kneel before her, push her skirt up and devour her until she came apart. He just bet she would taste sweet and savory like her scent.

  “My brother sent them to me. They’ve been sitting on my dresser for a year.” He handed the package her way with a shrug. “They’re enchanted. Fae enchantments, and both are silver so they should have no effect on you.”

  She smiled. “I wear gloves. It’s the law, but thanks. You just want one? Or both?”

  “I don’t really want both ears done.”

  “I kind of want to put them just a bit apart, right here,” she touched where he wanted the earring and he felt her magic against his skin. Soothing warmth washed through him. “I can just do one if you want. It’s up to you, but I wouldn’t want to waste the enchantment.”

  “Sounds good. I trust you.” He smiled up at her and she blushed again.

  “Just give me a minute to set up. I have a feeling you’re a tough guy who won’t have a problem with the needle, and you won’t go all gooey either.”

  His teeth gnashed together. “Please tell me Clint didn’t do anything inappropriate.”

  She giggled. “No. He really wasn’t that bad.” One shoulder lifted in a shrug. “I think Fallon scared him.”

  “Or you tamed the beast,” he muttered.

  One eyebrow rose. “Fine, whatever.”

  She came up beside him and rubbed the spot on his ear gently. Hayden couldn’t help but sit back and relax as he breathed in slowly and let his breath out easily. All he could smell was her sweet, savory scent, like sterquan fruit, which were always his favorite growing up. They grew on trees with violet flowers, and were found near bodies of water. There was a grove behind his childhood home.

  A couple minutes later, she murmured, “All done.”

  He opened his eyes and she pulled her hand away as she turned around. He instantly missed her touch.

  One purple brow arched as she looked over her shoulder at him. “Feel okay? Look okay?”

  Had he lost some time? He never even felt it, and yet, she was destroying the piercing needles. He remembered the time passing, gentle massaging along the shell of his ear, her smell and his steady breathing, but no piercing. Damn, she was good.

  He mentally shook himself and went to look in the mirror. It did look good. “It’s perfect. I didn’t even feel it. I expected something.”

  “Oh, it was nothing.” She glanced away, her face coloring.

  “That is one incredible talent.”

  “Like I said,” Fallon added from the door, “I didn’t feel any of the piercings she did. She’s just that good.”

  He nodded, and turned back to Amethyst who stood across the room, silently watching him. She was so much more relaxed than she had been the night before.

  “Are you coming out with everyone tonight?” he asked, hoping so.

  “Fallon convinced me to.” She chewed her juicy bottom lip. “There are a couple of things I need to do first, but I’ll be there. See you later.” She started for the door, and he wanted to stop her, but he didn’t. Tonight he planned to get a little closer.

  “See you later, Amethyst.”

  The door shut and Brody’s brow wrinkled as his gaze swung back to Hayden. “No pain at all? She really that good?”

  He nodded. “Yeah, I didn’t even feel it. She’s really that good.” Hayden felt the cartilage around his ear. It was honestly completely healed. He could have done it with a thought but she did it herself. “They feel like they’ve been in forever.”

  “I think she likes you.” Fallon winked. “She doesn’t do that for everyone. Though, she should have for Clint. He enjoyed the pain a little too well.”

  “I thought they all said he behaved,” H
ayden frowned.

  “Oh, he did, but he still enjoyed the pain.”

  * * * *

  Zack ducked into Edenton’s Best Diner. He still couldn’t believe that bitch threw him out. He slumped into a booth.

  A pretty redhead with dark makeup walked over. Her eyes were narrowed, but her mouth was curved into a fake smile. “Afternoon. What can I get you?”

  With a smirk, he glanced back down, and flipped through the menu. He ordered a burger with fries. The second he was done, she stalked off. He half wondered what she’d heard because he could feel her anger and hate bubbling from deep within.

  Chaos was already sweeping through Edenton, and Zack couldn’t be happier with the way things were spinning out of control.

  The chimes rang, but he didn’t bother to look back. He could feel the anxiety pouring off of Stacey as she hurried over and fell into the booth across from him.

  “Why?” she whined. “Why did you make me do it? You ruined my life.”

  “Make you?” Zack scoffed. “Make you? That’s a strong accusation, and not at all how it went down, sweetheart. I opened that dark little part of you that wants all the best things. Your desire was already there, if anything I freed you to do what you wish. You wanted a taste of something better than your shitty little domestic life.”

  “You’re a piece of work,” she sputtered.

  “And you’re a lousy lay.”

  She gasped, her hand flying to her mouth before she shot out of the booth and ran out the door. So much dark emotion flowed off of her, it was a feast. Stacey climbed into her minivan and tore out of the parking lot.

  Scalding liquid splashed down his face, shoulders and into his lap. He screeched as his attention snapped up to the waitress who wore a scowl. “Get. Out. Now.”

  “Come on, I was just having a little fun,” he quipped and tried to push her into a frenzy. His will bounced off some sort of ward.

  One brow rose as she lifted the second coffee pot. “And I’ll have a little more when I dump this pot all over you if you don’t get your ass out of that booth and out of the café now.”