Nervous but determined, she sat on a seat in the small cubicle and slipped her feet into the boots that Carson had chosen. Reaching mid-calf they fastened at the sides with large shiny metal clasps that clamped in tightly giving a highly polished silver detail all down the outer edges.
Now all that was left for her to try was the jacket. Made of a similar fabric to the top and trousers it fitted her perfectly. Nipping in slightly at the waist it accentuated the fullness of her hips and the generous curve of her ass, two areas she’d always tried so diligently to hide. The only consolation was the short stand up collar which highlighted her neck and collarbone and hopefully detracting attention from the volume of cleavage on display.
Plucking up enough courage she entered the main changing area and waited nervously for Larissa to comment. The most unusual thing about Carson’s store was that for all the clothes he sold, there wasn’t a sign of a mirror anywhere leaving her completely blind as to the overall effect of ‘the look’ as Larissa had so eloquently called it. On top of that Larissa’s wide eyed stare did very little to help alleviate her growing feeling of unease.
“Would you like to see how you look?” Larissa asked, still not giving anything away.
Darla nodded nervously catching her bottom lip between her teeth.
Walking towards a large curtain identical to the one covering the changing room entrance, Larissa grabbed hold of the fabric.
“It’s one of Carson’s many quirks I’m afraid,” she explained. “He thinks there should always be a dramatic reveal to gauge a person’s true reaction to the make-over. Ready?”
Taking a deep breath Darla nodded. As Larissa threw back the curtain she couldn’t help but release a shocked gasp. The transformation was astonishing. Drawing closer to her reflection, she could hardly believe it was her standing there staring back.
Larissa giggled. “Boy, the men are gonna bust a seam.”
The tight fitting pants stretched taunt across her flat stomach and moulded to the curve of her ass, an area greatly accentuated by the cut of the jacket which rested on the top curve of the fleshy mounds just beneath the small of her back. The thick, chunky style of boots elongated her legs that suddenly appeared more much more muscular and defined in the strange clinging fabric. Overall she presented an image of ‘badass’ not something she was usually accustomed to.
Mesmerised by the dramatic transformation she was totally unaware that Quinn had entered the changing rooms.
Confronted with the exquisite site of her in the figure hugging pants he froze in his tracks, glue to her reflection in the mirror.
Holy fuck! No woman should ever look that good!
For several long moments he fought for control of his body’s automatic reaction to the incredibly erotic sight of her ass encased in the way too explicit pants. What the fuck was I thinking giving Carson free reign? Everyone knew the man was a Goddamn artist and now he finally had his masterpiece to prove it.
Suddenly noticing his reflection in the mirror, Darla’s heart began pounding nervously, but there was something else; something darker and more sensuous. “Quinn the clothes are lovely,” she remarked, her voice sounding more deep and huskier than she was used to. Would he like them, or would he think her ridiculous? And did it really matter what he thought if she loved them? Yes, it mattered! “I would never have dreamt of choosing anything even remotely like this.”
Quinn met her eyes in the mirror. Dark and dangerous there was an intensity there that she hadn’t seen before, something… before she could figure it out he looked away. Coughing lightly he walked towards her, his body tight and tense.
“You look good.” He commented gruffly, making a mental note to never again allow Carson free reign.
Glowing in response to his begrudging compliment Darla turned to face him. “Trust me, this would never have gone down well with my previous lifestyle but … … I have to confess I love it. Thank you.”
Quinn used every power at his disposal to resist lowering his gaze to the soft golden mounds of her breasts hovering enticingly on the border of his peripheral vision. “You’re welcome,” he grunted, feigning disinterest. “Larissa, would you mind giving us a moment please,” he asked trying to keep his gaze off the temptation that was Darla.
Larissa smiled knowingly to herself, not the least bit surprised at his request for privacy. Perhaps he was hoping for a shot at her before the others got a look in. “I’ll wait with the others.”
Quinn waited for her to leave before turning his attention back to Darla. Lowering his head, he slipped his arms around her waist without saying a word.
Darla felt as if all the air in the room had been sucked out. Her stomach clenched and she could hear her heart pounding out a rhythm entirely of its own. Was he about to kiss her? As her pulse raced and her knees felt trembled she knew there was nothing she wanted more than to feel his lips against hers; to experience his taste, his touch and the feel of his body beneath her hands.
Desires she had long believed dead washed over her in huge crashing waves.
“I brought you a gift.”
His softly spoken words delivered so close to her ear snapped her back to reality. Disappointment rapidly gave way to curiosity as she struggled to look down at the thick black belt he had attached to her waist.
Spinning to see in the mirror, she noticed a holster type attachment resting against the top of her thigh. Quinn pulled a large metal object from one of the many pockets inside his jacket.
“What is it?”
“I thought about what you said earlier and decided that maybe you were right. You do need to be able to defend yourself in an emergency. So, in light of that I thought it only appropriate that you had a proper weapon.”
Studying the device she hesitated. “Quinn I can’t … I mean… I wouldn’t be able to kill anyone. If it’s a gun you’re offering me then I’m sorry but I just can’t… I won’t take it.”
Quinn rolled his eyes. “Yeah right, like I’m gonna give you a loaded weapon.” He scoffed trying to lighten the mood. “You were dangerous enough with a pool cue! But that was what got me thinking. You’ve obviously had some sort of training with a staff so I thought perhaps you might like this.”
Taking two steps back Quinn pressed a button in the centre of the torch like device and immediately a loud clicking sound produced a long length of metal shooting out from either end of the cylindrical tube.
“Oh…” Reaching out Darla wrapped her hand around the cold metal device.
Quinn watched with interest as she moved away while testing the weight and balance of the long metal staff. Gliding it through her fingers she effortlessly spun and twirled it around manoeuvring the foreign metal with agility and grace.
“You can be assured it’ll hold your weight if you should ever feel the need to do that flippy turn thing again.”
“You mean one of my crazy ass moves?” She laughed, quoting the exact words he had used at Sunny’s.
“Yeah, well about that… … I shouldn’t have said what I did. I was just a little taken back by what I’d seen you do with that cue. Most women of your… calibre don’t generally know how to kick demon ass.”
“Yeah, well most women didn’t have parents like mine.”
Darla experimentally pressed the same button that Quinn previously had and watched as the large metal pole folded in on itself duplicating the loud clicking noise. Settling it into the holster on her thigh she admired the look of it in the mirrors reflection.
“Apology accepted Quinn and just to let you know, I love it. Thank you…….again.”
Her radiant smile was dazzling. The weapon had been a simple practicality, so why did he care so much that she had genuinely liked it. “We’d better get going.” He needed to put distance between himself and the inviting curve of her lips before the new clothes she loved so much ended up in a torn up heap on the changing room floor.
Joining the others Darla couldn’t help but notice the unnatural silenc
e that descended on the small group.
Carson quickly hurried across to her in his overly flamboyant manner. “Finally!....... We have been waiting here forever.”
Staring down the bridge of his nose through the precariously balanced glasses, he looked her up and down, studiously checking every inch. “Yes, yes it is divine! Simply divine! Darling you look gorgeous. Another masterpiece even if I do say so myself.” Circling the young woman inspecting every angle as he went, he seemed oblivious to the blush that stained her cheeks. “With attributes such as these it would have been a crime not to have shown them off. You are clearly a woman who knows how to take care of herself.”
As the compliments continued to flow Darla felt more and more uncomfortable. Seeing her discomfort Larissa stepped in and intervened. “Enough ogling you guys. You can put your tongues away now. Great work Carson, but we really have to be going.”
Taking the cue to leave Quinn checked outside to make sure the coast was clear before signalling to the rest of the group, leaving a satisfied Carson alone with a rewarding smile on his face.
Taking up a military formation the small group once again surrounded Darla and silently made their way through the narrow streets heading towards the outskirts of the city. Once clear of the buildings Quinn moved closer to Valmont. “We’ve a two day trek ahead of us. I hate to have to ask, but have you fed?”
Darla looked at the two men in front of her curious at such a strange comment.
“Oui mon ami. Your concern although justified is unnecessary. I was fortunate enough to have snacked on one or two of our attackers during our recent brawl, but thanks to Darla leaving her assailants alive I was able to feast properly before Sonny dispatched them.”
Darla had heard enough! Stopping dead she starring back and forth between the two friends. Sensing the disruption Quinn and Valmont both turned simultaneously to stare questioningly at back at her.
“What did he just say?” Nodding towards Valmont, her mind raced to make sense of what she had just heard.
Silence greeted her.
Frustrated by their lack of response she looked accusingly at Valmont. “He just said he fed… fed on what? Those men who attacked us?” she did not want to believe the thoughts that were rushing into her head. “What does that even mean exactly?”
Quinn walked towards her and stroked her arm trying to sooth the impact of what she had overheard. “We’ll talk about this later. For now we have to keep moving.”
Darla snatched her arm from his hold. “We’ll talk about it now or I don’t take another step.”
Quinn raked a hand through his hair. Shit! If she freaked out now it could land them in all sorts of trouble. “Darla those weren’t ordinary men,” he said softly, trying to calm her with his voice.
“No, they were death-seekers. Demons! Whatever you want to call them, I just want to know what he meant when he said he fed off them.”
Deciding it was pointless trying to placate her with anything other than the truth Quinn decided to try the direct approach. “Darla, look at me.” He waited for her to respond. Meeting Valmont’s stare over the top of her head he acknowledged his friends shrug. “Alright, you wanna know, Valmont is a… he’s kind of… … Oh hell, you’re probably gonna find out anyway. Valmont’s a vampire.”
Darla stared back, blinking. “A vampire?” She scoffed. “That’s the best you can come up with? He…,” raising her hand she pointed at Valmont, “is a Vampire?” Darla kept her eyes firmly on Quinn. “Stop patronising me and just tell me the truth.”
“You’re never gonna trust me are you?” Quinn asked with so much sincerity that she almost gave in.
“Perhaps I’m better off on my own.” Pushing past him she stormed ahead leaving the group behind her.
Before she had taken more than a few steps Valmont appeared before her, arms crossed over his chest and smiling.
“How the... …?”
Before she could finish Valmont had her clasped in his arms and dipping her backwards he moulded his body to hers, pushing her further back against the arm that supported her. The masculine beauty of his face closed in, hovering inches above her own.
Everything had happened so fast that Darla hadn’t been aware of him moving. But now in the silence that followed she laid a hand against his cold hard chest and stared in awe at the two pure white elongated fangs that protruded startlingly from his upper jaw.
Her breath became short and shallow from a mixture of fear and excitement. Hesitantly she raised her hand and bravely brushed the length of one of the beautiful fangs with a feather light touch.
“They’re so beautiful.” She whispered.
Responding to the erotic sensation caused by her innocent touch Valmont’s body jolted with lust. His eyes darkened becoming such a deep shade of midnight blue that they almost appeared black.
“VALMONT!”
Quinn’s warning reminded him of where they were, breaking the intoxicating pull of desire for the beauty in his arms. With a quick wink and a devilish smile he indulged himself the luxury of allowing his fangs to slowly retract before returning Darla to an upright position.
Darla felt more than a little guilty as she looked at Quinn. “Okay, clearly Valmont is a vampire. I’m so sorry; I know I should trust you more.”
Quinn raised a brow. “Finally she gets it.”
“Perhaps I should have let her get fresh with me sooner.” Valmont said swiping his teeth with his tongue.
Darla frowned.
“A vampire’s teeth are one of their erogenous zones.” Quinn explained.
Darla cringed. “Then maybe I shouldn’t have…”
“oh the pleasure was all mine.”
Darla didn’t miss the double innuendo. “Look, before we go any further, maybe we should sort this out, just so I’m up to scratch with everything.” Turning to the pointy eared Gallion Litheron, Darla raised her eyebrows. “Now unless I’m blind I’m guessing you’re not human. So you are…?”
“I am a Pixie, from the Nareisse tribe of the great forest.”
Darla almost laughed aloud. But with the strange looking man’s usual stoic expression and the pride with which he had spoken of his home Darla had to believe what he said was true.
“A Pixie?” She asked. “But aren’t pixie’s supposed to be only a couple of inches tall?”
“Yes if you believe the nonsense of humans. The explanation behind such stories is largely due to our speed and agility. We Pixie’s move so fast that most humans are only capable of catching a tiny glimpse of something from the corner of their eye. It is much simpler to associate that with the image of something small as opposed to a fully grown person.”
“Okay. Now you see I have no difficulty understanding that, as you have been so kind to taken the time to explain it to me properly.” Darla glanced pointedly in Quinn’s direction before turning to face Larissa.
“And you are?” She asked.
“Lycan!” Larissa bracing herself for the usual look of disgust people displayed when they discovered her secret.
Darla surprised her with a look of inquisitive uncertainty. “That’s a werewolf right?”
“Yeah, that’s right and I guess that makes you a talking monkey,” she snapped in response.
“Larissa, play nice, she’s new to all this don’t forget.” Quinn cautioned.
Larissa flipped him off before readdressing Darla with a feigned smile on her face. “Just so you know, Were’s change on a full moon and can take many different forms of animals. Lycan’s can change at will, but only into the form of a wolf, making us a totally different species to them.”
Darla smiled apologetically before looking around at the others. “A Vampire, a Pixie and a Lycan.” She pointed to each one in turn before looking at Quinn. “Is there anything else I need to know?”
“I should really… ”
“Yeah, Yeah I know. You should remind me we are in a hurry. Well come on then, let’s go.” Darla said interrupting him b
efore he could finish.
Striding past the others she headed towards the wall of the crater, mumbling away to herself.
“She is saying something about a coma induced reality.” Valmont whispered tilting his head towards Quinn. Using his vampire hearing it wasn’t difficult for him to make out Darla’s mutterings. “Perhaps it is not the best time to reveal to her who you are mon ami, you know how these humans feel about demons. Although I have to say, she would most likely take it in her stride. Miss Gray really is a quite a remarkable example of her species.” Watching the irate woman mumble away to herself Valmont smiled at Quinn. “Not to mention beautiful of course. It’s not hard to see why you’re so attracted towards her.”
“I’m not attracted to her.” Quinn snapped defensively.
Valmont laughed and clapping his friend on the back. “You keep telling yourself that my friend, delusion is such a wonderful thing.”
Jogging off to catch up with the others Valmont glanced back over his shoulder. “Mind you, if what you say is true, then that makes Darla fair game so may the best man win.”
“Valmont!”
Laughing at the warning in his friends voice the vampire continued on his way as Quinn hurried to catch up.
CHAPTER TEN
Reaching the walls of the crater Darla stopped dead in her tracks, overwhelmed by the daunting row of endless steps weaving their way up the sheer sides of the cliff to the ridge above. Unevenly carved into the rock and stone, one careless stumble could mean certain death. But to complete the climb would ultimately result in cramped, aching and tired muscles that would buckle with pain. And after the nightmarish climb to then be faced with a two day trek, Darla had to wonder if what her enemy had in store for her could possibly be any worse.
In addition to that she now had the knowledge that most of her companions were supernatural beings with supernatural abilities, more worry to add to her misery. No doubt they would complete the climb without so much as breaking a sweat simply highlighting her human inadequacies and confirming Quinn’s opinion of her race as weak, useless, pitiful creatures.
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