“Hey,” I said, as the car stopped.
“What are you doing out here?” Declan asked.
“Getting ready to catch Asshole Andy,” Kelly said from the back seat.
Declan looked at Marla and me with an expression that clearly said, “Who the hell is that?”
“Andy is—”
“No, who is she?” Declan pointed to the backseat.
“Declan, this is my friend Kelly,” Marla said. “Kelly, this is the alpha of the Forbidden Pack, Declan O’Malley.”
Peering into the back seat, Declan said, “Hi, Kelly. I take it you’re also—”
“A vampire,” Kelly said. “Yep.”
“She’s also rude,” I mouthed for Declan’s benefit.
He chuckled. “Why does your car smell like the coroner?”
I shook my head. “I don’t think you want to know.”
“He’s not in the boot, if that’s what you’re asking,” Kelly said. “We merely liberated some body bags.”
“You’re right,” Declan said, patting the car door a couple of times. “I don’t want to know. Call me if you need help, but otherwise, keep everyone at the B&B out of it.”
“Gotcha,” I said, and Marla and Kelly echoed me.
Declan wandered off, and we continued until I saw the opening to the clearing I’d found earlier.
“This is the place,” I said.
We all climbed from the car. I popped the trunk and Kelly lifted out the first body bag before unzipping it.
“All right, load ‘er up,” Kelly said.
Marla and I filled each of the bags while Kelly held them open, then we zipped them up.
“See, the plush animals are perfectly snug,” Kelly said. “I think they’re even happy in there.”
I took a deep, fortifying breath. Then I looked at Marla. This was worth it, with Marla’s life in the balance. I’d do anything to save her. When all of this trouble was over, I’d like to stay here in Forbidden if she’d have me. My home base could be anywhere, and it felt right for it to be with her.
We dragged the bags to my clearing and spread them out.
“Isn’t he going to be suspicious?” I asked. “A bunch of random body bags in the forest?”
“Trust me,” Marla said, “this guy won’t ask questions.”
I trusted her.
Once Marla and Kelly were happy with the body bag placement, we stepped back and admired the work.
“Time to make them stinky!” Kelly said. “Although I highly doubt that any witch’s spell could be as effective as actual, rotting body parts.”
“Let’s go,” I said, hoping Kelly would opt to stay behind and guard the body bags.
No such luck.
After we piled into the car, I said, “Just tell me where to go.”
Marla tapped at her phone and the smooth voice of the navigational robot started giving me directions. It only took us about fifteen minutes to drive to a little house.
“This is Brody and Pearl’s place,” Marla said. “They’re super nice, especially Pearl. Brody’s a bit...feral.”
“Feral?” Kelly said in alarm.
“He’s a practical joker,” Marla said.
“Ah,” Kelly said. “All right, then.”
As we got out of the car, two women came not from the house, but from a large food truck parked to the side of it.
“Marla!” they called in unison, and pulled my mate into a hug. It was a change from when I’d last seen Cordelia with Marla, but Marla rolled with the affection, sending me a surprised expression over her shoulder.
I wasn’t surprised they greeted her with enthusiasm; it was hard not to love Marla.
Marla made the introductions, and Kelly and I both shook hands with Pearl and Cordelia. Pearl’s red hair was short, and she had multiple piercings lining her earlobes that reminded me of Marla’s. Cordelia’s strawberry blond hair was tied at the nape of her neck with a ribbon, and her dark blue scarf matched her eyes.
“Where’s Brody?” Kelly asked, looking around the neatly-kept yard. There was a dusting of frost on the grass, and all the bushes had been pruned back for winter. The trees were bare, but I imagined the nice shade they’d offer during spring and summer.
“Brody’s packing,” Pearl said with a smile. “We got married last month, and now we’re going on an extended honeymoon. There’s still a lot to do to get ready, with the shop and the garden and everything. We’ll be leaving in a few days.”
“Congratulations on your marriage,” I said.
“Thanks.” She beamed. “It was small, just our family and friends going out to dinner after a courthouse ceremony. So now, we’re going to Costa Rica for a few months, to travel around the country.”
“Leaving destruction in your wake,” Cordelia said with a wink.
“Brody’s going to be on his best behavior,” Pearl said, laughing. To Marla, Kelly, and me, she said, “Cordelia’s a little salty because Brody pranked her last week.”
“His revenge juice isn’t a prank,” Cordelia muttered. “It’s a crime.”
Marla looked like she was going to ask about this, but Pearl clapped her hands.
“Anyway,” Pearl said, “you wanted a spell to make things stink?”
“Wait...did you say we can make stink? With magic?” Cordelia asked.
Pearl nodded. “Yep. It’s an easy enough spell.”
“Is it strong?” Cordelia asked.
“Very. It won’t stop stinking until the spell is over. Super potent.”
“Let’s make an extra batch,” Cordelia said, her face savage.
“Wait, why?” Pearl asked.
“The revenge juice,” Cordelia said. “It requires revenge. So let me know when you won’t be around Brody for a bit.”
“But we’re going on a honeymoon, leaving tomorrow.”
“I can be patient.” Cordelia grinned.
“Note to self,” Marla whispered to me, “never get on Cordelia’s bad side.”
Kelly waved her arms in the air. “Hello? Stink spell? We have an evil vampire to defeat.”
“Right,” Pearl said. “I’ve already gathered the herbs. Just enough for what you’ll need tonight. Cordelia, you’re on your own with your revenge stink spell on my husband, sorry.”
“All’s fair in love and stink,” Cordelia said.
Pearl set up the spell right in the middle of the gravel driveway, tracing a circle and placing a copper pot in the middle. Into the pot went bits of plants, dust, and other stuff I didn’t have a hope of trying to name. Then, she lit a candle and chanted. As she worked, Cordelia took notes in a little booklet, her pencil moving furiously as she watched and recorded everything Pearl did.
After a few minutes of chanting, Pearl stopped and clapped her hands. A small mushroom cloud of purple light exploded from the copper spell pot, and an unholy stench came with it.
“Bloody hell, what have you done?” Kelly exclaimed. “Make it stop!”
For once, I agreed with Kelly. The odor was a mix of decaying flesh, sewage left out in the sun, rotting dairy products, and skunk. Marla choked before simply holding her nose and mouth closed. Kelly took her hint and did the same. Pearl and Cordelia were dry-heaving, and I was struggling not to gag.
Pearl clapped her hands again while saying a word I didn’t catch, and the stench cleared.
“We can’t use this,” Marla said. “We can’t even be near it.”
“You can control the strength,” Pearl said. “I had no idea the baseline power was so high.”
She took us through a brief lesson on how to control the spell, which involved the Latin word “fetor” and clapping our hands. How loud we spoke and clapped would have a direct effect on the spell’s strength.
“So, we’re gonna whisper and just tap our palms together,” Marla told me with a wink.
I nodded. “Yep.”
After that, Pearl handed Marla a tiny crystal. “The spell’s in there. Good luck!”
“Wait, hold
up,” Kelly said. “We also wanted a proximity alarm. For when someone approaches our trap?”
“Oh, that’s right,” Pearl said.
“I’m heading up there now. It’ll be quick,” Cordelia said, pulling a set of car keys from her pocket.
“Here are your alarms,” Cordelia continued, offering three rings in her palm. “You have to be wearing them for them to work.”
They were the cheap, plastic kind that came from those quarter machines that dropped little toys or pieces of candy, and each one bore a hot pink “gem.”
“What about the cat clock?” I asked.
Cordelia nodded. “I thought having these babies be portable would be better than a clock or other stationary item. Then you won’t have to stay in one spot, babysitting your trap.”
“Besides, men look good in big, pink diamonds,” Kelly said, reaching for one and putting it on her hand.
Marla took the next ring and admired it before sliding it onto her third finger. “It’s shiny and colorful and beautiful. I love it.”
I wondered if she’d feel the same way about an engagement ring. No, shut up. It was too soon to be talking about marriage.
But I wanted that, with her.
“Grayson, here’s yours,” she said, putting the last one onto my pinky, where it stopped before the middle knuckle. “This crystal will be the catalyst for setting off your alarms. When someone gets close to the stinky spell—once it’s triggered—your rings will start screaming.”
“Screaming?” Kelly asked.
“Yep,” Cordelia said. “So, maybe don’t try to visit a crowded place until after you catch your bad guy.”
We thanked Pearl, then drove back to the woods with Cordelia following us in her own car. We set up the proximity and stink spells and quickly backed away so as not to inhale the stink or set off our alarms.
“This will be fun,” Kelly said.
Marla and I exchanged a look. “Fun” was doubtful.
But then Marla looked hopefully at Kelly. “Is that...a prophecy of some kind?”
“Nope,” Kelly said. “I simply have faith in this. Anyway, love, I need to grab a bite. You want to join me?”
By “grab a bite,” I didn’t think she meant go for a burger. Marla shook her head. “I’m good. You go ahead, though. Let’s all meet back at the B&B tomorrow—unless our alarms go off tonight. Feel free to stay at my place.”
Heat filled my chest when she sneaked a glance toward me. Kelly was taking off, and Marla and I would finally be alone together again.
Kelly let out a sound of disgust. “You two are going to fuck, aren’t you?”
“Is that a prophecy?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Oh, shut it,” she said, before stomping away.
“What’d I say?” I asked Marla.
She grinned up at me and took my hand. “You two will be friends soon enough, I just know it. No prophecy necessary.”
I seriously doubted her prediction, but that was okay. We drove back to the B&B, which would only take about two minutes. Staying there was a solid plan—we’d be close enough to the trap when Andy showed up that we could get to him before he realized the bodies were fake.
In the car, she took my hand and moved it along her thigh. I toyed with the edge of her skirt, lifting the hem higher and higher while I traced random lines over her skin.
“Higher,” she whispered, with a gentle tug on my wrist.
Her mouth fell open and she let out a soft moan when I touched the edge of her panties and I pressed my finger beneath the fabric, feeling her wet desire.
“Can’t wait to get inside...and get you inside me,” Marla whispered, a mischievous look in her eyes, as I parked the car in the B&B driveway.
We hurried in through the front door and waved quickly at Declan and Daphne, who sat curled up together in the living room, watching a movie. There was no time for proper greetings—my woman wanted me and I was eager to get her alone.
Once we were in my room, our clothes came off. She yanked at my shirt and pants with vampire speed, and I tugged her free of her skirt and sweater just as quickly. Then, naked, chests heaving, we faced each other.
“On the bed,” I told her.
She smirked while she sauntered over, wiggling her ass. Then she sat primly, with her legs crossed. “Like this?”
I was on her in seconds, pressing her back, nudging her thighs open with my knee. “Marla,” I breathed. “I love you.”
Her eyes got big, just like they had the last time I’d said it. But this time, she smiled wide enough that I caught a glimpse of her fangs.
I gathered her in my arms, nestled my cock against her folds. “You don’t have to say it—”
“No. I know I don’t have to say it, but I’m tired of telling myself otherwise,” she said. “I love you too, Grayson.”
We showed that love, our bodies twining, reaching new heights. And at the apex, I gave her my neck and let her take my blood as well as my heart and soul.
13
Marla
Eyes closed, I stretched. The sheets felt luxuriously silky, instead of scratchy and cheap. Natural light hit my face, even though my black-out curtains kept my bedroom dark.
This was not my room. This was not my bed.
My eyes flew open. With a quick look around the room, I remembered where I was—Forbidden Bed and Breakfast. This was Grayson’s room, Grayson’s bed, and I was naked between his sheets. Given the situation, I was surprised to see Grayson wasn’t here with me.
I stretched, hopped out of bed, and took a fast shower. After drying off, I gathered my clothes from around the room. Pantsless and with my shirt halfway over my head, I heard the door open. I turned slowly, peeking through my shirt’s neck hole, and hoping it was Grayson coming in and not someone else.
“You’re awake.” Grayson’s baritone voice did naughty things to my insides. He backed up against the door, softly snapping it shut. His dark hair was mussed like he’d just run his fingers through it, and his eyes glimmered with amusement as he looked me over. He held a tray aloft.
“Yep.” I slipped on my shirt and pulled up my skirt. “What time is it?”
“Four or so,” he said.
“What? Why didn’t you wake me?” We’d slept through the whole day almost. Kelly should have been here by now. I knew for sure she wasn’t, or she’d be in here giving Grayson shit. If we had been expecting anyone else to return, I would have worried. But this was Kelly. It would have been more surprising if she’d come back when we’d agreed.
“You looked peaceful. I like watching you sleep.” He noticed me noticing his tray. “I didn’t know if you can eat food, or if you can, whether or not you like to.”
“So you brought me something just in case?”
“I did.”
He came over and set the tray on the bed. We sat down together. The tray held a thick slice of bread, some cheese, and a pile of berries.
“I can eat, but I tend not to enjoy it. It doesn’t taste like anything to me anymore.” And then I had an idea. “You eat it and describe it to me.”
He leaned back on his elbow and grinned. I followed his lead and leaned back, too. Then I grabbed a berry and held it to his lips.
He opened his mouth, and took the fruit between his teeth. He closed his mouth, and I watched him chew.
“Tart,” he said. “A hint of sweetness.”
“What else?” I asked.
“Juicy flesh, bitter seeds.”
“Juicy flesh?” I raised my brows and shot him a look.
“Mm-hmm,” he said.
I chucked and broke off a piece of the bread. It was moist and crumbly with little flecks of brown in it and large chunks of some kind of nut.
Grayson jolted upright. His jaw tightened and his eyes went hard. “Kelly’s here.”
He must have smelled her. Shifters and their noses.
It seemed like something was wrong beyond the fact that the two of them didn’t particularly care for
each other. I asked, “That’s good, isn’t it?”
He shook his head. “Something’s not right. I think she’s hurt.”
We hurried outside. Worry crept through my limbs. What if she’d run into Andy in the night without me?
From the porch, I scanned the mostly empty lot of guests’ cars and the winding dirt road beyond. There was no one, and not in the side yards either. The landscape was still except for the rustle of leaves in the trees.
“This way,” Grayson said and offered me his hand.
I took it and we ran across the yard toward the woods. If I wasn’t mistaken, it was the direction of town.
A frosty gust of wind bit at my legs, exposed below the hem of my skirt. I shivered and squeezed Grayson’s hand and clenched my teeth so they wouldn’t chatter. “How far?” I asked.
“Almost there.”
As soon as he said it, I saw her. She was leaning against a tree, trying to hold herself up.
“Kelly!” I let go of Grayson and hurried over to her.
She hugged her arm to her chest like it was wounded. Her eyes were sunken in, and she looked paler than death.
“What happened?” Grayson asked.
She kept her eyes on me and turned her arm, revealing long, deep gashes across her forearm. The wounds weren’t red like they should have been. They were black, and whatever kind of poison in them seemed to be creeping up through her veins, if the black lines on her neck were any indication.
“Talk to me, Kelly,” I said. “What did Andy do to you?”
“Will blood heal her?” Grayson asked.
“I don’t know. It would help with the wound,” I said. “But the poison...I’ve never seen anything like this before.”
“I prepared for this,” Kelly said through gritted teeth. She reached into her back pocket with her good arm. “I picked this up before I first arrived in Forbidden. It’s why it took me so long to get here.”
She held out a little glass container with a yellowed label. I plucked it from her palm and looked it over.
Bane Balm.
The label and the instructions were handwritten.
Billionaires and Bodybags: Forbidden Fangs, Book 1 Page 10