Ignoring her reply Quinn continued to check her thoroughly, resisting the urgent need to wrap her in his arms and hold her close. Seeing the death-seeker sprawled on top of her had enraged him almost beyond control. Amazed at how close he had come to transforming into his true form had shocked him beyond belief.
“Quinn!”
Consumed with worry of any injuries she may have sustained, Quinn continued with his almost frenzied inspection.
“Quinn!”
This time his eyes shot to hers. Seeing how she now had his full attention, Darla laid a calming hand over his, stilling his search. “I’m fine. Trust me.” Wrenching his hand from hers, he took a few deep breaths, raking his hand through his hair. Resting his knuckles on his hips, his face suddenly changed revealing a mask of anger. “What the fuck do you think you were doing?”
“QUINN!” Sunny’s voice bellowed across the room, “language!”
Realising he had shouted at her Quinn cursed beneath his breath. Lowering his voice he lent in towards her. “Are you mad or on some sort of death wish?” he hissed through clenched teeth.
From her puzzled reaction she clearly couldn’t see what she’d done wrong.
“This isn’t a game you know, these demons are animals.”
Darla couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “It wasn’t exactly like I had a choice in the matter.” She snapped retaliating at his unjustified behaviour. “They came after me. What was I supposed to do? Roll over and let them take me?”
“We had it covered. You put yourself in unnecessary danger.”
Now more than annoyed Darla crossed her arms over her chest. “Well, excuse me. Just when exactly did you have it covered? Was it when they rushed me or maybe when I got slammed face first into the pool table? Maybe you could clarify that for me.”
Quinn moved closer his face inches from her own. His hot ragged breath seared across her face. “You put yourself in harm’s way. I told you before; this isn’t a game down here. You die – you stay dead. No second chances. If you had just stayed put they wouldn’t have harmed you.”
Lifting her chin defiantly she glared back at him. “Well I wasn’t prepared to wait around to find out. Besides, if you knew me at all you might realise I can take care of myself.”
Not willing to agree with her Quinn laughed sarcastically. “What, with those crazy-ass moves? You seriously think that some half-hearted attempt at a few out of date martial art moves will save you down here?”
Before she could think her hand flew towards his face.
Stopping her inches from making contact he held her wrist while circling her waist with his other hand, drawing her tight against his body. Her heart pounded in her chest ignited by the intimacy of his touch. Her breath laboured and never had she felt so grateful for the support of his arm as her legs turned to jelly. Her eyes dropped to his lips hovering so close to her own, the tension between them electric.
“Is this a new thing in hostility or a prelude to something more passionate that I see between you?” The sound of Valmont’s soft voice with his beautiful French accent acted as a blast of cold air to the entwined couple.
As the pair hastily separated Valmont watched, noting that neither was willing or able, so it seemed, to make eye contact with the other. Interesting!
“We’re done here.” Quinn strode off towards the bar without a backward glance.
“Mmmm…I am curious as to what you have done to my friend.” Valmont fixed her with a piercing stare.
“Done? I’ve…I’ve not done anything to him.”
“It seems strange, I cannot remember a time when I have ever seen him so out of sorts.” He frowned slightly. “I must say, you do so intrigue me Darla and that is something that very seldom happens.” Gracing her with a blinding smile Valmont left her puzzled and confused as he sauntered back towards his companions humming merrily.
Sighing heavily she followed behind joining the others at the bar only to witness Sunny plunging a knife directly into the heart of one of the dead men. The man’s body shimmered beneath the dim lights of the bar producing a soft hissing sound before transforming into a green odourless gas which vanished from sight.
Seeing the horrified look on her face Sunny moved towards her. “Oh no….you don’t need to be worrying about them Miss Darla. They ain’t really dead. They just gone back to where’s they came.”
Being as how the men’s bodies had evaporated into a green mist before disappearing Darla had little reason to doubt him. “I’m so sorry about the damage to your bar Sunny.”
Sunny smiled jovially. “Ah don’t you worry ‘bout that, comes with the territory. Me ma always says you can’t run a decent bar without cracking a few heads.” The gentle giant of a man chuckled heartily, his big meaty hands resting on his stomach.
It wasn’t hard for anyone to see the love Sunny held for his mother. “Your mother sounds like a very special lady.”
“That she is Miss Darla. That she is.” Sunny heaved a heavy sigh. “So what’s your plans now Quinn?” He asked as the man in question strode towards them.
“We need to find out who’s put the bounty on Darla and why and from the way I see it there’s only one person who can give us those kind of answers.”
“Mama Grace.” Gallion Litheron reply took Darla by surprise having not heard him speak until now.
“That’s the one.” Quinn nodded.
“I agree mon ami, but how will you to do this? Perhaps you should leave the woman with us while you go ask your questions,” suggested Valmont.
Knowing it to be the most sensible option Quinn hesitated; something didn’t sit right with him. Valmont had saved his ass on more than one occasion, the woman Larissa had displayed honour and loyalty in the way she had just fought; she wouldn’t betray them. As for Gallion Litheron, the nature of his birth dictated that he was beyond reproach. These allies would defend Darla until their last breath- trust was not the issue here. So why not leave her?
His shoulders slumped. Dejected and morose he realised the reason - he simply wasn’t ready to give her up yet. This female, in a matter of hours, had managed to affect him like no other before her. She was under his skin. Every fibre of his being screamed that he wanted her.
Armed with that knowledge Quinn shook his head refusing his friends offer. “Can’t do that I’m afraid. I can’t let her out of my sight. Maisey’s orders,” he quickly added, hoping the others would believe the half-truth. “We have to go on foot. I can pay you all well if you choose to join us, but you do so knowing the risks. Or rather not knowing, at least until we can find out who’s behind all of this.”
“So where are we at right now?” Larissa asked.
“Since entering Redemption, less than twenty-four hours ago, Darla has been denied processing by big G himself, the agent sent to collect her has been killed; there was an attempted attack at my apartment and now this.” Quinn indicated the destruction around them. “According to Sunny’s intel the bounty dictates that she’s not to be harmed in any way. It appears that courtesy doesn’t extend to anyone accompanying her.”
Valmont looked across at his companions waiting for their decision. The two nodded without the slightest hesitation.
“Very well, we are with you mon ami. None of us have been shy of a little danger, after all what would life be without a few risks?” Casting a glance over at Darla he frowned. “However, I do not mean to question your judgement but Mama Grace’s is a two day trek over rough terrain. Are you sure the female will be able to manage it?”
Quinn looked across at Darla. Engulfed in his oversized hoodie she appeared lost and vulnerable but he knew that wasn’t the case. Thrust into a world full of strange wonders most would find hard to comprehend she had more than proven herself. No more so than a few moments ago when she had fearlessly held off three death-seekers with nothing more than a pool cue, a deed he was still angry over. Darla was strong, determined and surprisingly adapt, admirable qualities to find in anyone, but
even more so to find in a human.
“She’ll manage. She’s tougher than she looks.”
Quinn couldn’t fail to recognise Darla’s surprize at the unexpected compliment.
“Well none of us are gonna get far with her dressed like that.” Larissa beckoned for Darla to follow her as she headed towards the exit. “I hope you got enough money in that budget for clothes, ‘cos us girls are going shopping.”
Quinn and the others followed the women out the door calling their goodbyes to Sunny as they left.
Once outside Darla quickly followed behind Larissa as she effortlessly navigated her way through the labyrinth. Flanked on either side by Quinn and Valmont while Gallion brought up the rear she felt like some heavily guarded secret.
“Where do you go shopping in central?” Darla could not recall the sight of any shops on their previous trips through the city.
“Only one place to go; Carson’s.” Glancing across, Larissa noticed the frown on Darla’s face. “Don’t worry there’ll be something there to suite you. Besides, don’t take this the wrong way, but frankly anything’ll be an improvement on the whole soccer mom thing you got going on there. Definitely not a good look for Redemption, especially when you’re trying to go unnoticed,” she scoffed.
Slipping down a narrow side alley Larissa stopped at a small red brick house with a tiny front door. Resisting the urge to laugh Darla wondered what they could possibly have inside such a small premises that would cater to the residence of a city the size of Central.
“Mind the step.” Larissa disappeared through the tiny door way.
Following through behind her Darla stopped poised at the top of a long flight of steps leading down in to a vast underground warehouse. It appeared Central didn’t only grow upwards; much more of the city also lay beneath the ground from the looks of things
Row upon row of clothes lined up as far as the eye could see in the subterranean store. Descending to the ground level Darla stared up at the numerous shelves lining the exterior walls from the floor to the ceiling way above them. Each aisle came complete with a large machine similar to a cherry picker, an obvious necessity in a warehouse of this size.
“Quinn…. Larissa. Welcome to my humble store.” The proprietor came rushing forward, exuberantly greeting the newcomers. Squealing excitedly he looked Darla up and down scrutinising every inch of her. “So, tell me, who is this divine beauty that stands before me?”
“Darla Gray, meet Carson.” Larissa smiled warmly at the shopkeeper. “He’s very much an acquired taste but once you get used to him he’s okay. Anything you need in Central, Carson’s the man to get it for you.”
“Oh my wild beauty, you flatter me so,” he said with an air of mock coyness.
Try as she may, Darla couldn’t suppress her smile at the man’s flamboyant persona. Short cropped black hair contoured his face in the style made popular by the ancient Greeks. Small round tinted glasses perched on the edge of his nose as he beamed at her with an amazing set of gleaming white teeth in an immaculately perfect row.
“Now, what do we have here?” Flouncing around Darla in what could only be described as an exaggeratingly feminine stride; Carson continued to look her up and down ‘mmming’ and ‘tutting’ the whole time. “Oh! No, no, no, this just will not do. How far can I go?” Peering down his nose through the lenses of his tiny glasses at Quinn, Carson looked almost pained.
“Give her everything she needs. Charge it to this.”
Squealing with delight Carson clapped his hands exuberantly almost snatching the plastic card from Quinn’s fingers.
Darla half expected the vibrant man to question her on size, taste, style and preference, but instead he just took off at an extortionate speed.
Racing to the bright yellow cherry picker he tore off down one of the aisles practically vanishing from sight.
“What’s he doing?” Darla whispered to Larissa confused by such erratic behaviour.
Larissa, idly caressing a brown suede jacket, spared a quick glance in the direction in which Carson had disappeared. “He’s putting together your look.”
“My look?”
“Carson likes to create a look for people. He calls it his ‘gift’.” Seeing the look of confusion on Darla’s face Larissa sighed. Reluctantly turning away from the suede jacket she gave the puzzled woman her full attention. “Apparently Carson can take just one look at you and tell what your subconscious really wants you to dress in.”
Darla laughed. “My subconscious?” She repeated. “Are you kidding me? I’m a grown women, I’m more than capable of choosing how to dress myself.”
Larissa looked her up and down, the look on her face clearly indicating that she did not agree. “Look no offence but if you really believe that then you’re deluded. You dress to conform to how you believe society perceives you.”
Darla thought of the many times in the past that she had longingly craved an outfit that she knew she would never be brave enough to try on yet alone wear out in public. Maybe her subconscious was trying to tell her something. Perhaps this was a chance for her to be who she really wanted to be.
“But even if he did pick something I liked he doesn’t even know my size.”
Now it was Larissa who laughed. “Trust me, the minute you walked through that door he knew your size better than you did.”
“Is having a ‘look’ so important in Redemption?”
Larissa looked shocked. “Are you joking?”
Darla’s bemused look conveyed just how little she knew about this strange world.
“Down here a look says everything about a person. It’s the first thing you’re judged on, your first impression if you like.” Larissa tried to explain, but Darla still looked unconvinced.
“Ok. Here, have a go.” Larissa pointed towards Valmont standing beside Gallion, guarding the entrance to the store. “Think carefully. What do you see when you look at Valmont?”
Darla studied the tall blonde Frenchman. Impeccably dressed he wore a black tailored silk shirt and black leather pants that encased long muscular legs, accompanied by a black leather three quarter length jacket. His long blonde hair was tide back into a ponytail that rested neatly on his broad shoulders. All in all he exuded an overall appeal that would cause many women to swoon.
“I see confidence, breeding, intelligence…power.” Sensing the the womens stares Valmont raised his brow. A knowing smile swept across his face almost as if he had heard every word she had just said.
“And arrogance!” she added right at the last minute.
Larissa laughed noting the exchange between them. “Excellent. Now try Gallion, see if you can do as well.”
Turning her attention to the odd looking man with the pointed ears Darla raked him from head to toe. Dressed in fitted tan suede tunic and pants, finished off with supple laced up boots; he stood much shorter than Valmont. Gallion’s physique appeared to be more toned than muscular.
“Agile, gentle, kind and………wise.”
Larissa seemed genuinely taken aback by the analogy. “You are remarkably astute Darla. Do you feel confident enough to assess me?”
Darla swept her eyes over her companion. Brown cargo trousers and a tight fitting vest top were complimented by hard terrain boots and a waist length dark brown suede jacket not so dissimilar to the one she had been looking at earlier. “Urban, street smart, deceptively strong and if you don’t mind me saying – just a little bit dangerous.”
“Darla Gray, I have to say I’m pleasantly surprised.” Larissa couldn’t help but feel a little drawn to her new acquaintance. The meek, mild behaviour she had initially displayed on meeting them had rapidly vanished replaced instead by a strong, perceptive and remarkably capable woman, and if the fight at Sunny’s had been anything to go by there was also a small chunk of bad-ass lurking beneath the soccer mon exterior.
Hearing Quinn approach them from way back in the aisle Larissa dropped her voice. “Oh Darla, read Quinn before he gets here.”
<
br /> Darla turned watching him stride towards them, her heart suddenly dancing to a rhythm all of its own. Her pulse began racing and a warm glow spread throughout her body. “I don’t think Quinn is quite that easy to read.” Turning her attention to the garment closest to her Darla hoped that Larissa would leave it at that while she struggled to steady her ragged breathing.
“Your clothes are ready.” Quinn said as he joined them, wondering what the two of them had been whispering about. “Larissa would you go with her please, there’s still one more item I need to find.” Walking past the two women Quinn was oblivious of the questioning look from one and the confused look of the other.
CHAPTER NINE
Accompanying Darla into the changing rooms, Larissa took the pile of clothes from Carson who had been eagerly awaiting them. Understanding a clients need for privacy he flounced by the two women stopping briefly in the doorway to grasp a heavy panel of velvet curtain in each hand.
“I can’t wait for my masterpiece to be unveiled.” He exclaimed before sweeping the curtain across in a most dramatic fashion.
Alone with Larissa, Darla took the pile of clothes and entered one of the cubicles. Slipping off Quinn’s borrowed items along with her own she first slipped into the bra and pantie set provided by the owner.
The beautiful black lace rested snug against her skin enhancing the natural curve of her firm round breasts so much more than her regular cotton underwear ever had. She felt herself blushing at how decadent and sexy the items made her feel. Not exactly what she would have pictured wearing to a P.T.A meeting but then sadly that part of her life was over and gone and until she could figure out what was really going on in this surreal world why shouldn’t she indulge the fantasy?
The next item to follow was a pair of tight fitting black pants. Once on Darla ran her hands over the smooth fabric, admiring the way it hugged her skin, contouring every line, framing every muscle. Reaching for the matching black top, something between a waistcoat and a vest, she unzipped it and slipped her arms through. Joining the two halves together she dragged the zip slowly to the top, more than alarmed by how much cleavage was left revealed in comparison to the more conservative clothes that she was accustomed to.
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