by C. M. Owens
"Nothing that changes anything. I really don't want to talk about Amy."
His eyes burn against her back, and I'm sure she can feel his glare. She's either enjoying his attention or avoiding his scowl. Either way, I'm sick of his eyes being on her.
"How about showing your girlfriend some attention and forgetting about your ex."
His eyes fall on me as he sighs. "She's not my damn ex."
If you say so.
"Then stop worrying about her. Let's enjoy the night."
As someone cuts the lights up a little, I notice something that had averted my attention earlier. Blood stains his shirt in various places.
"What happened? Are you bleeding?" I panic.
He drops his gaze and his eyes widen as he lets a few curse words flow out under his breath. It's obvious he didn't expect me to overhear his swearing, since he said them so low, and then he starts walking toward his room.
I follow him quickly, still waiting for a response.
"Kane," I prompt.
"It's not mine," he says, finally easing the knot tensed in my stomach.
"Whose is it?"
I shut the door behind me as he strips off his shirt. The light stains don't reach his skin, and I sigh in relief when I see it really isn't his.
"There was a hurt girl with a bloody... nose. I helped her out. I didn't realize it had gotten on this shirt, too."
"Too? Did you have on another shirt?"
He ignores me, but I quickly drop my inquisition when I see the divine lines of his body calling to me. Without noticing my gaze on him, he starts rifling through his closet for another shirt.
He finally catches my scandalous eyes and my lip clutched between my teeth, and a dark grin appears on his beautiful face.
"Feeling the weight of a few weeks?" he teases, though it's obvious he's just as turned on as I am right now.
"A little."
Just as he's about to make his way toward me, a loud crashing sound breaks free on the other side of the door. He rushes out with me on his heels to go investigate.
Amy is standing over the blond I saw draped around Kane earlier. The pretty girl has a bloody mouth, a reddened eye and a swollen lip. Her body is a tangled mess of disaster as she lies unconsciously on the ground.
The music halts and the lights come on quickly.
"What the fuck?" Kane scolds, his arms angrily flailing to emphasize his fury.
"I told you she better not taunt me again. I don't deal with that female drama shit."
My ass. That's all she fucking does is start drama.
"Amy, you can't-" Kane stops short of whatever he was going to say as his hands go through his hair.
Sierra walks up, and Deke joins her to scoop the limp girl off the floor.
"Crank the tunes back up. It's not like it's the first time someone has gotten laid out in here." Deke laughs, but his eyes narrow at Amy as if he's silently scolding her.
The sound kicks back in, and Amy goes so far as to wink at Kane. My fists clench at my sides as I hold my breath.
I'm so sick of her!
"We'll talk about this later," he growls, but she just shrugs and smiles before walking off.
He turns back to me to meet my scrutinizing glare burning into him.
"Please don't," he says before I even start to speak.
"What? Tell you how old this has gotten? It's always the same. She acts out to gain your attention, which you always give her immediately after. And people say I have daddy issues."
My sardonic release isn't lost on him even under the deafening music that has resumed. I walk away, pushing through the partiers on my way to grab my own drink. One second things are really hot, but Amy is good at icing the flames.
I grab the first empty glass I see and pour some of the chilled rum into it. Kane catches up to me just as I draw in the first sip.
"Alyssa, I really don't want to fight about this. I don't know what to say besides I'm sorry for upsetting you."
I just shake my head as I stare at all the oblivious people enjoying their short lives. This isn't my world. This isn't my place. I shouldn't be here with him, messing up his short life while he has time to enjoy someone he can be with.
"Kane, I'm sorry, too. I'm going back to my place tonight. This was all... It was crazy. We barely know each other, so me moving in was a stupid move to begin with. I've got a lot going on with my mom right now, and it's obvious you have stuff to deal with as well. I'll come get my clothes tomorrow."
I put the glass back down and start toward the door. Before I can reach it, he's pulling me back, halting my retreat.
"I understand you're mad, but why does it feel like you're breaking up with me?"
My chest becomes heavy and each breath is painful. Staring into his perfect emerald eyes, I want to tell him how I really feel. I could lose myself in him forever if I had the choice.
I would happily give up immortality and keep a short life span just to be with him. Unfortunately, even if I could do such a thing, there aren't any guarantees. I'd rather leave without anything souring our memories... even though Amy is sour enough.
"Because... because..." Damn this is so hard. My tears start breaching my eyes as I walk out onto the deck.
"Because you think you are," he says as he shuts the door behind him, blocking out the music.
The quieter air outside leaves us alone with what's about to happen. The weight on my chest grows to be unbearable as I nod and let a few tears trickle free.
"Because Amy's a bitch? Baby, we can get out of here for a while. I'll let the others deal with housebreaking Amy. Just come back in with me, and we'll pack a bag right now."
He's making this so much harder. Why does he have to be so perfect for me if I can't be with him? It's not fair.
More tears fall as I stare at the dark lake in front of me. His hand slides up my back, and I fall apart.
"Alyssa, I know you've got a lot on you right now," he coos. He pulls me into his arms as I continue to weep into my hands, shielding my pain from his eyes. "Don't push me away."
I have to.
"Kane, let's end this before it gets too hard to end. Before we get hurt," I whimper.
He just pulls me tighter, bringing me so close he's all I can smell, feel, or taste. My tears just fall that much harder.
"It's impossible to end, Alyssa. As for getting hurt, you're already crying, and I'm already in love."
My heartbeat stops momentarily before springing back to life and rushing around in a frenzy. My ears buzz, making me worry I've lost my mind. There's no way something this incredible yet catastrophic is happening right now.
"Kane, don't say something you don't mean just because you're afraid of losing-"
His lips find mine before I can finish. The heated trails of tears on my cheeks only grow in abundance. He lifts me up and puts me on the rail of the deck as he slides between my legs.
"I'm not," he murmurs against my lips. "I mean it, Alyssa. I'm in love with you."
My head spins like I'm on some ride where gravity is manipulated and toyed with. My stomach is in my head, and my heart is in my toes right now. I'm a disarrayed arrangement of complicated emotions to go along with all the rest of the crazy.
My brain, heart and mouth don't converse before impulsively releasing, "I love you, too."
That's all it takes for his soft kiss to become devouring, desperate, and completely overpowering. His hands slip to my hair to pull me in harder, and I taste blood when the bruising kiss becomes too much.
My heartbeat quickens as the inflaming desire for him suddenly intensifies all the more - the flames becoming almost surreal in comparison to anything I've ever felt. Everything in my body burns for his touch with a depth I've only ever felt once before.
My legs tighten around his waist as all my weight becomes his to bear. He effortlessly pulls me away from the railing as he carries me back into the noisy house. Some wild song about rough sex blares as our entangled passion continue
s, only adding to the ambience.
"Kane, I'm sorry," Amy's voice interjects as we make our way to the bedroom.
If I could pull back, I would. The moment should be soured after hearing her speak, but it's as if my mind has left me alone with my hormones that have kicked into overdrive.
He does pull back, almost breathless as he does so, and mutters, "I don't care."
Her eyes narrow at me, but I don't acknowledge her. His lips find mine again as we finally find his room. The door slams behind us, and the bed slaps my back as he tosses me to it.
Greedily, I grab at him, ready for him to be melded to my body. His devilish smirk pushes me into a desperate gasp, until his mouth finds my body. I reach for his zipper, but he pushes my hands to the side.
"Not yet," he murmurs against my neck as he slides my shirt over my head.
His lips trail down my chest, paying my breasts some attention just barely before going farther down. His hot breath dampens my skin as he hovers over my pants.
I finally feel the relief of my pants being slid down, and then I feel his warm mouth covering me at the apex of my thighs. His tongue... oh his tongue is incredible.
I moan before I realize what I'm doing as he comes to fully rest between my legs. Grabbing me at the hips, he presses his face against me all the more, making me try to buck in response, but he holds me down.
Forced to endure the ecstasy, my hands tangle in his hair to draw him into me even more. That only stirs his wicked tongue that much more as he pushes me to the brink of heaven. My legs stiffen, warning me I'm almost there, and I'll use my magic on anyone who tries to break up this moment.
My cries are drowned out by the hellacious party music, and my shaking body turns overly sensitive to touch as I fall off the peak of surrealism. I shiver as his lips brush against the insides of my thighs, kissing me with a much lighter touch than I crave right now.
I start to get up, ready to end this teasing game, but he pushes me down and pins my hands above my head with just one of his strong hands. With his free hand, he starts undoing his pants. The sound of his zipper sliding down almost hurts my ears with the building anticipation.
My whole body is throbbing for him, ready to be claimed as he slowly takes his time.
"Please," I release in a pathetic whisper as my hips arch to try and meet his.
He smiles, clearly enjoying my desperation, and then he bends down to bring those soft, perfect lips to my neck. He nips at me, bringing my skin between his teeth, and I moan without even knowing why.
"You sound like you really want me."
He's toying with me, reveling in my desire for him. My hunger only grows with each drawn out moment, and I start shivering as though I'm a junkie dealing with a need for the high.
The second I'm about to release a painful cry from the absurd reaction, he plunges deep inside of me, releasing my hands simultaneously. It's so forceful, so sudden, and so painfully perfect that it takes my breath and forces a grunt through my lips.
"Damn, you feel so good," he murmurs as he pulls back and surges in deeper.
Again, my breath is forced out in a grunt as our bodies collide with the forceful impact. I claw at him, desperate to feel him even closer, as if that's possible.
"Tell me again," he murmurs into the crook of my neck as he claims my body with his.
"What?" I moan out, gripping him even tighter.
"What you feel for me."
I try to catch my breath so I can release a well articulated line, but it's pointless. Half moaning, half gasping, I murmur, "I love you."
His rhythm quickens, letting me know that was the magical phrase he sought, and then he tangles a hand in my hair to jerk my head back, exposing my neck. The pain is sublime and welcome. I'm not sure what's wrong with me, but I'd let him do anything he wanted to in this moment.
He nips at my neck over and over, making my body all the hotter as he punishes me with the most exquisite, rough thrusts. He releases his hold on my hair as his hand slides down to my throat in a choking motion, making all the blood rush to my head in an arousing high.
I start to cry out, almost reaching my peak once more, but he slows his rhythm and releases his hold on my throat as I lose the edge.
"Kane," I plead, desperate to fall into that incredible release once more.
His smile is dark, exciting me to my core. I've never seen him like this, but damn it's sexy.
"Not yet. Tell me you're mine," he murmurs as he arches my hips to start owning me from a different, more salaciously divine angle.
I cry out, the force being just painful enough to be incredibly intoxicating.
"Tell me," he prompts, threatening to slow his rhythm once more.
"I'm yours," I gush out without hesitation, and suddenly that rhythm he's set becomes all the more surreal.
I hold on as though I'm on some hellacious ride that holds my life in its hands. He grips me tighter, pushing me farther with each incredible stroke, until I finally scream out my release and shudder in his hold.
His warmth fills me, making his strangled moan come out in a delicious huff as he stills himself at the deepest point within me. Collapsing to my side, he pulls me into his arms and kisses me so sweetly.
"I have got to stop doing that," he murmurs as if to himself.
"Stop doing what? Making me feel as though I've been lifted ten feet off the ground while having an epic out of body experience?"
He lets out a laugh, and then he shakes his head while kissing me once more.
"I need to go tell the guys to wrap this party up. I'm exhausted, and I just want to hold my girl in silence."
I smile as I snuggle into him. I don't know how I'll ever let him go, but right now isn't the time.
"Hurry back. Your girl is ready to fall asleep in your arms."
His smile is breathtakingly perfect, leaving me enamored as he slips free from the bed. I almost forgot he walked around the party shirtless. No doubt, every girl in here is green with envy right now.
I stand up with the sheet clutched to me, and his brow raises quizzically as he pulls his jeans back on.
"Where do you think you're going?" he jokes.
"I'm thirsty, and I need something to eat. I'll just bring it back to the room."
He lets a small laugh free and nods.
"Definitely bring it back. I don't want to share you tonight."
He kisses my forehead, and escapes into the rowdy room, quickly shutting the door behind him.
With a snap of my fingers, my clothes are back on, and I follow his exit. I really wish he had at least put on a shirt. I hate seeing all the girls drooling over him the way only I should be able to do.
He laughs with Deke, who I'm sure saw our passionate disappearance from the party. I blush lightly as I make my way into the kitchen. Amy's secret art room door is cracked ever so slightly, and curiosity invites me in. With a quick glance over my shoulder, I quietly push through and head in.
Artwork decorates the walls in abundance, but one really grabs my attention in an infuriating manner. There's one of Kane displayed proudly. The attention to detail would be amazing if not for the fact she's a psycho stalker.
One thing strikes me as odd. She colored in his eyes as blue, and there's a dark aura surrounding his beauty. I'm sure to the scorned woman, he does seem dark. To me, he's absolutely stunningly light.
My witch senses kick in, and I feel the faintest trickle of air coming from a hollow wall. It piques my interest enough to draw me in, and I kneel before it to find the slightest bit of a gap from the baseboard.
"False wall, perhaps?" I mumble aloud.
This home obviously belonged to immortals before, and every good immortal has a hidden room designed to be a safe-room. What troubles me, is that it's usually not meant to be safe in the same sense a human defines the word.
Secret rooms are designed for discreet killings and disposal thereafter. Torture rooms, holding cells... so many different things could lie below. I'
m sure Kane and his friends have been oblivious to all of the dark things that could be hidden beneath, but I can taste the darkness embedded in the wall beyond this point.
With a steadying breath, I step back and bypass searching for the hidden switch that would open this. Using my abilities, I slide the wall open.
A dark stairwell lies in front of me, warning me to drop this search. There's no reason I should need to see what's below. I know darkness once etched this place. I can feel it.
And Kane thinks my house has darkness lurking within.
Against my better judgment and the voice in my head screaming for me to stop, I start my descent, closing the false door behind me as the darkness cloaks me. I push a piece of magic out of my body to light the room.
The glowing ball resembles the sun as it floats to the center and rests high overhead to cast a light on all the hidden, ghastly sights.
My footfalls echo through the silent room. The music can't reach this heavily padded portion of the house, further proving my theory that nothing good ever came from this room.
As I head down, I start seeing many different chains, steel collars, shackles of all kinds, and heavy bars lined up like cages. There are enchanted crests on all of them, making this seem like a prison for the immortal world as opposed to a torture room for human victims.
"Shit," I gripe aloud.
Kane lives in a home where creatures such as myself were probably held and bled... or worse. This is not good. The darkness that owned this place could always return to claim its rights. Immortals are deadly serious about their possessions. Though this house has been sold, the prior tenant might decide to be sentimental and come to reclaim their memories. And they'll take the lives of anyone in their way.
Swallowing hard, I cast a hand forth to draw in the remnants left behind. It's hard to tell what was trapped in that cage because I suck at this, but I finally see the aura staining the ground. There are a few, dried drops of blood to help me cipher what once stayed in here.
"Lycan," I almost whisper to myself.
Someone had a lycan trapped in here. I can almost feel the hatred burning through the bars from the lycan that tried to escape numerous times. Oddly enough, I don't sense a death. This place is full of darkness, but no death? How is that possible?