Lilith Mercury, Werewolf Hunter Series (Boxed Set, Books 1-3)

by Tracey H. Kitts

  “Fine.” Marco sighed dejectedly.

  “Well, if we’re gonna go, we’d better beat it, I mean we’d better get going,” Luther laughed.

  Marco snarled in his direction and Luther announced as he ran down the stairs, “I’ll have the car waiting out front.”

  “I’m sorry,” Marco said softly.

  “It’s all right,” I said as I put my heels back on.

  “I didn’t mean to embarrass you.”

  “You didn’t,” I laughed. “If anyone else had walked in, yes, I’d be embarrassed. But not Luther. I’ve known him for too long, and know too many stupid things he’s done.”

  Marco looked relieved. “To be continued,” he said with a smile as he helped me to my feet.

  My knees were still a little weak as I walked through the door at the far end of the apartment to Marco’s bathroom. I admired the large bed on my way through his room and figured I should hurry up before he joined me. If he caught me in the bedroom, we’d never make it to The Dread Moon.

  After freshening up and cooling off, I walked out of the bathroom to find Marco waiting by the door with a smile.

  “I should probably brush my teeth before going out,” he said with a grin.

  I walked back over to the fire to wait for him while I blushed dark enough to match the red velvet blanket.

  The ride to the club was surprisingly not tense. I felt closer to Marco after our shared, though interrupted intimacy. The night was clear and bright. We spent most of the time looking out the windows at the sky, while Marco pointed out different star formations.

  Our arrival was greeted with flashing cameras and a swarm of reporters who were immediately held back by several buff-looking bodyguards. I must have looked as miserable as I felt at the prospect of facing the media again. Marco squeezed my hand comfortingly and said, “We’ll try to walk fast.”

  He traded places with me so that he could get out first. Luckily, the windows were tinted dark enough that no one could see him crawl over me. Once the crowd was secured again behind a velvet rope, he opened the door and put on a happy face for the press.

  He extended a hand to me and as soon as I stood up someone shouted, “How does it feel to be the first Hunter to shag a werewolf?”

  I laughed, and it was a wicked sound that made the people closest to me shiver. “Who says I’m the first?” I replied smoothly.

  “That doesn’t answer the question,” Lola said as she pushed her way to the front of the crowd.

  Just looking at her was enough to put my blood pressure through the roof. What was it going to take to make this woman go away? Enough was enough. I’d had more than my fill of trying to act nice just because other people were watching. “Let them watch,” I thought. “Maybe it will discourage the next Lola wannabe.”

  What I hadn’t planned on was my thoughts passing to Marco. I was still holding his hand and I could feel him stiffen just before I said, “Well, why don’t you tell us how it feels to be the first person to give a biker a blow job on the front page of the paper?” I taunted.

  “She’s right,” someone else yelled. “Who are you to judge?”

  The crowd erupted in shouted questions and insults. I managed to hear someone call Lola a slut before Marco called for silence.

  “Please,” he said loudly, and the crowd began to calm. “I’m sure none of us enjoys having our private lives on display. My business with Lilith Mercury is my own, and it is intensely private.”

  The crowd seemed to take his statement for the threat it was and quieted down for us to enter the building.

  *****

  After several drinks I noticed Kat on the dance floor. I had seated myself at the bar while Marco made a point to speak to people. Even though Lola had been put in her place, I was livid. How dare that bitch even speak to me? I was watching Kat attempt to look happy while Luther stopped to talk to her. Poor Kat, it was obvious she was acting. Marco’s warm hand on my shoulder made me jump.

  “Poor Kat,” he said, echoing my thoughts.

  “Yeah, she’s trying.”

  Kathryn had improved since her breakup with Charles and seemed to be enjoying herself. Anyone who didn’t know her would think so, but I could tell she still missed him.

  “You want me to go hit the bitch?” Wauneta the bartender asked.

  “Excuse me?” Marco said as he looked at us both.

  “Oh, not Kat,” I laughed. “I was just telling Wauneta about Lola.”

  Wauneta was yet another acquaintance I’d made from rescuing someone. I found her last summer in a parking lot surrounded by several men intent on raping her. She was beginning to change when I found her. Though I did most of the work, between the two of us, the men were put in their place: six feet under.

  Marco then laughed at the suggestion, but didn’t object.

  “If the opportunity ever presents itself.” I smiled sadistically, and Wauneta returned the look with unmistakable relish.

  The rest of the evening wasn’t so bad, and my mood improved drastically after dancing with Marco. Overall, I had a really good time. It was one thirty in the morning when I told Marco, I had to get some sleep. He kept another car at the club besides the limo Luther had driven us in. We were attempting to sneak out the back door when we were swarmed once again with reporters. At the front of the group was Lola. As she opened her mouth to speak, a big black fist came flying over my shoulder and busted her right in the mouth.

  “How dare you give my boyfriend a blow job you dirty slut!” Wauneta yelled as Luther pretended to restrain her. Marco and I, who knew the biker had nothing to do with the bartender, fought back tears of laughter. We seized the opportunity, and escaped to his car. Once the door closed, we both erupted with laughter.

  “I should give her a raise,” he chuckled.

  “Yeah, I’ll be sure to send her a thank you.”

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Once we arrived at my house, Marco walked me to the door. When he kissed me goodnight, the exhaustion that had filled my body only moments before was replaced with desire.

  “I’m exhausted,” I moaned.

  “I know,” he said softly. His dark eyes sparkled with mischief as he said, “Get some sleep, Red. We’ll continue this later.”

  After watching Marco’s taillights fade into the distance, I went back in the house, and up the stairs. My shoes were left by the door, the dress made it to the foot of the bed, and the suction cup bra was peeled off as I entered the bathroom. Apparently, I’d left my lace panties back at Marco’s apartment. The warm shower seemed to relax me further, and I stumbled when I reached for my towel.

  A few minutes later, I staggered into the bedroom, pulled on my favorite pair of silk pjs and went to crawl in the bed. When I turned around, I found Dracula reclining against my pillows, and smiling at me as if he’d just done something wicked. He was still wearing the stunning outfit he had worn to see the council. It was a shame I couldn’t do to him the things that came to mind. He was wearing black dress pants that fit tight enough to show off his physique. The deep red of his shirt, seemed to blaze against the black, and complemented his hair. I also noticed he hadn’t bothered to remove his knee-high boots before stretching himself across my clean sheets.

  “How long have you been here?” I asked.

  “Long, enough,” he purred. He held out his arms to me, and I snuggled up against him.

  “How did it go?”

  “Very well, I think.”

  “I told Marco you were moving out,” I admitted reluctantly.

  “I thought you would. I take it he had no objections?”

  “No,” I said with a half-hearted laugh.

  “Since I will be leaving tomorrow evening, I wish to give you something. That is, if you can stay awake for a few more minutes?”

  I sat up as he removed a piece of what looked like parchment paper from the inside pocket of his long black coat.

  “If you ever need to talk to me, you can write me a note.”


  He smiled sadly as I reached for the paper. However, he did not immediately release the parchment. He moved to hand it to me, but instead he held my hand for just a moment longer than necessary.

  “How does it work exactly?” I asked.

  “Whatever you write here,” he began as he took out another piece of paper, “will appear here. Once I have read your message, or you have read mine, you just shake the paper like so,” he said and wiggled the parchment slightly, “and the words will erase themselves, so you can respond. Unless, you do not have much to say, and we can just keep talking for a while on the same page.”

  “Okay,” I yawned. “You and I seem to be on the same page a lot, so that shouldn’t be a problem.”

  He smiled at me while he got up to place the paper on my writing desk. I hated to spend my last night with Dracula sleeping, but I was so tired. I watched him change, and couldn’t help smiling at the fact that our pajamas matched. I scooted out of the way so he could turn down the covers, and hugged back up against him with a sigh.

  “I’ll miss having someone to sleep with,” I said as I breathed in his familiar cologne.

  “Oh, I do not think you will have a problem convincing your werewolf to take my place.”

  I rephrased the comment and said, “It’s you I’ll miss, not just a warm body beside me.”

  “Then rest, my angel. I wish for nothing more than to spend my last night watching you sleep.”

  His words seemed to pierce my heart. Maybe I was just tired, or maybe I had become more attached to Dracula than I wanted to admit.

  *****

  Tuesday morning found me in an almost solemn mood. With Luther and Dracula both gone, I felt strangely alone. Of course, I still had Alek, but we didn’t sleep together. He was good company when we spoke, but I still felt like something was missing.

  I opened the door, thinking that the fresh cool air would help to wake me up, and found a dozen red roses waiting on my welcome mat. I picked up the card with a smile and read: Don’t get any ideas, Red. This still doesn’t count as conversation. Happy Valentine’s Day, Marco.

  I carried them to the table with a smile and wondered if Wauneta had received my thank you note with the chocolates I’d sent. I started making French toast about the time Alek came in the kitchen.

  “Well, the werewolf’s a romantic, is he?” he said with a sarcastic smile.

  “Shut up, Alek.”

  “Yes,” he drawled, “and a Happy Valentine’s Day to you also.”

  With that, Alek began to boil water for his morning tea while I went back to cooking. I’d hardly gotten started for the second time before Marco called. He wanted to be sure I’d gotten the roses.

  “I hope you don’t mind,” he added, “but I had some sent to Kat from both of us.”

  “That’s sweet, thank you.”

  What he didn’t tell me until a few minutes later was, they were being personally delivered by Judas, the wereleopard. As it so happens, Judas was in the process of putting himself through college when he was attacked last year by Dr. Williams.

  “And what exactly is his day job?” I inquired.

  “He’s a stripper,” Marco said quietly, but I could hear the smile in his voice.

  “You sent my best friend a stripping wereleopard for Valentine’s Day?” I laughed.

  “It’s the thought that counts,” he said sarcastically. “Besides, I didn’t tell him to take anything off.”

  We hung up about the time breakfast was ready, and I met Alek’s knowing smile across the table.

  “What?”

  “You’re in love with him,” he said softly. I couldn’t think of a reply. I kept questioning what I felt for Marco, but the more I was near him, I didn’t have to wonder. “You don’t have to respond,” Alek said kindly. “It’s really none of my business anyway.”

  He got up to fix his tea and I tried not to think too much about what he’d just said.

  *****

  That afternoon I took a nap on the couch and woke up with the strangest feeling. I felt like I should go down to the transporter. It was so bizarre, I didn’t know what else to do. Besides, if I didn’t go, the feeling would bother me the rest of the day. I was halfway down the long staircase before I realized this would be my first trip to the lab since Alfred had moved out. I felt strangely numb as I opened the door and looked around at the bare room. The room was large, and with nothing to obstruct my view, I could see a piece of paper lying on the transporter.

  I walked forward and removed the handwritten page from the tiles.

  Dear Lilith,

  I know that we are not involved, but I cannot get you off of my mind. I have seen, felt, and have knowledge of things that I choose not to forget. Who among your friends knows you more intimately than I? They’ve not seen the side of you that I have. I feel as if a spell has been cast upon me. You must know how much I want you, and in spite of myself, cannot seem to let you go. You don’t have to respond to this letter. I’ve been up all night, and I had to say something.

  I apologize, because I’m sure this will catch you off guard. We never have to speak of this lapse of conscience and reason of mine. Not to mention pride. I am often reminded of the “Golden Rule.” You know, do unto others, and all that rot. It has kept me from doing some really stupid things in my life. It has also reminded me how stupid I was after doing others. I cannot change the past. My only defense is stupidity. I never expected to love you.

  Thank you, for allowing me to know things that I had no right to ask. Please allow a stupid old fool his jealousy, and if you can, forgive me. You will remain a familiar smile, and a constant fantasy.

  Love,

  Alfred

  As I read the note, I walked over to where his desk used to be, sat down on the floor, and cried. I will miss Alfred until the last breath leaves my body, and this world no longer has to put up with me.

  Alek found me with my forehead resting against my knees and took the letter from my hand.

  “Fool,” he mumbled as he glanced at the letter before folding it in half.

  When I went to wipe my face I realized I had cried until my eyes were swollen.

  “Come on,” he said gently, putting an arm around me. “You can’t sit down here in the cold.”

  Alek was wearing a long red robe embroidered with gold, and he wrapped it around my shoulders as he hugged me tightly against his side.

  “Is there anything I can do?” he asked.

  “You can give me a dream.” I sniffed and wiped more tears.

  “Are you sure that’s what you want?” he asked.

  I put my arm around Alek’s waist as he led me back up the stairs and said, “Come on Mr. Sandman, show me what you’ve got.”

  I had been in the lab crying long enough that dusk had fallen by the time I got back upstairs. Alek hesitated at the foot of the stairs, but I pulled him with me to my room.

  “Is that all you think I’m good for?” he teased. “Putting you to bed?”

  I gave him back his robe, and left him waiting while I changed into a scruffy old pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt. I felt like shit, and my appearance probably reflected it. Alek was reclined on top of the covers against the pillows, and pulled back the sheets as I approached. As I looked up I realized he had spread stardust on my ceiling. I was still staring up at the artificial heavens when he asked, “What kind of dream would you like to have?”

  “Anything, except my own tonight,” I said sadly. “I’m tired, but I’m afraid to go to sleep,” I confessed.

  We went through the same process as before, and I invited Alek into my mind. He appeared with his flowing red robe and took my hand. “Since you do not wish to have your own dreams, with your permission, I will give you one of mine.”

  He stretched out his hand, and the scenery began to form around us as if a canvas were being painted by an invisible hand. It took me a moment to recognize the woods surrounding the Council Tower. A young man was leaving the back of
the building. He was tall and slender, dressed in black. My heart gave a leap at the sight of a younger version of Alek Ambrose. Alek was still good looking in my opinion, but a few years ago, he may have looked even better. It was night, and we followed him through the dark woods. Here and there a flicker of light could be seen as a swarm of fairies flew past.

  There was a glow in the distance, and I knew it was coming from the lake. The lake that resides in the council woods is surrounded by moon flowers. These strange purple blooms only open at night, and give off a soft glow, much like tiny purple lanterns. They surround the lake, making it the ideal place to swim at night. As we moved closer, laughter could be heard, and we slowed our pace, so as not to disturb whoever was there.

  As the younger Alek drew closer to the noise, he parted the bushes blocking his view, and we both looked over his shoulder. I had a feeling what I would be witnessing, but nothing could have prepared me for the sight of Julius Blight naked again after all these years. He was on the far side of the lake from where we stood, his beautiful porcelain skin appeared almost luminous in the faint light, and my heart beat faster. I remembered how impressed I had been with his beauty. The scars from his vicious werewolf attack could not be seen from where we were, so there was nothing to mar his perfection. He stretched out his long angelic wings and with very little effort swooped down in front of where I stood.

  It was strange to see a younger version of myself standing across the lake. My hair was longer, and in my opinion, I was thinner. I had just slid out of my leather bodysuit and was removing whatever had held back my hair. Like amber fire, the shoulder length mass glowed under the soft light. Julius ran his fingers through my hair and kissed me. I blushed as I remembered how much I had enjoyed that kiss. According to my recollection, nothing more embarrassing happened that night. My scars were also not visible from a distance in the dim light. For the first time, I got to see what I might have been like, had the awful scars and the infection they carried not become a part of my life. I longed for the image I saw to be true, to not be a ruined beauty. I smiled as I watched Julius lounging in the grass with his sketchbook while I stretched out across a large rock. I lay there, smiling and laughing, perched like a mermaid while he brought the image to life on paper.