White Lies: (The Uruwashi Series #4)

by Christina Moore

  “Last bump she got were with Lucien and that were ‘bout—”

  “Hey, asshole,” Tristan snapped, spinning around to glare at him. “He took, okay? You may be dead, but you still understand rape, you fucking insensitive prick.”

  Desmond glanced at him. The vampire’s grin was gone and his expression was serious for once. “Aye. That may be true... didn’ mean she didn’ like it.”

  “You fucking son of a bitch!” The only reason he didn’t punch the bastard right then was because he didn’t want to die in a car wreck.

  “Yew is just hurting the wee lass. Yew is not giving her anything she needs.”

  “Really? And what exactly does she need, huh?” Like he didn’t know without asking. God, it wasn’t like he wasn’t trying to give Ash those things. She was the one who refused. But he couldn’t blame her, she was the more sensible one of them, less rash. Someone had to be.

  The Scotsman went off on a tangent in another language, his face reddening with anger, which was pretty hard to do for a vampire, actually. When he calmed down enough to find English again he said, “You’re a greedy git, trying tae hold onto something that’s no meant for yew. Yew is not even feeding Asta. Haruka at least gave her that much.”

  Suddenly numb, he mumbled, “Haruka?”

  Desmond’s expression was hard with anger but there was a proud gleam in his green eyes. “Yew dinnae ken, then? Aw well, bound tae happen when your lover and yew don’t bond.”

  “Like you know anything about bonding?”

  “It’s what vampire do, we bite, bask, fook… it’s our purpose in life. Asta bonded with Haruka in a way she won’t ever with yew. Yew ken why?”

  He gnashed his teeth for a moment before spitting out, “No, but you’re going to fucking tell me…”

  “’Cause fur some inexplicable reason she fooking loves yew and is too bloody lost on yew tae see that yew is trying to change her. Yew is making her human. A simple, dimwitted, love-blind, bloody human.”

  “She’s already human enough without my influence,” he said carefully through his rage. “Besides, maybe that’s what she needs.” If he were really all that bad for her, then she would just leave, right?

  The vampire only stared at him, his jaw set hard as he seemed to think about what he was going to say. And all Tristan wanted to do in that moment was tear Desmond to pieces.

  Then he sobered.

  That wasn’t him. He really wasn’t a naturally violent person. That side of him, the viciousness started with Malik’s intrusion into his life. He had to believe that, he had to believe he was still good because if he wasn’t, what was he left with? The title of murderer?

  Desmond laughed, a sudden burst of noise. The others jumped. Tristan glanced back to check on Simon; the poor fae looked petrified.

  “Oi, mate, don’t let it trouble yew. We’ve got a job to do, keep yur heid in it.”

  Tristan scowled, thinking he was the big fucking ape who brought it up in the first place. One thing was for sure, he wouldn’t regret leaving this guy behind.

  The car was filled with silence after that. Not even Simon dared to open his mouth again. It wasn’t until they’d been driving for nearly an hour that Tristan grew agitated.

  “Where the fuck are we going?” he grumped.

  “Nearly there,” Desmond answered in a low voice that held a bit of angry contempt and very little accent.

  After another length of silence, Desmond’s demeanor suddenly shifted and Tristan knew he wasn’t going to like what the vampire had to say by the sudden devious grin.

  “Oi, nearly forgot ask… How was France?”

  Tristan’s jaw tightened as his attention went to Simon in the back when he made a squeaking noise.

  “Fr—France?” the fae asked excitedly. He scooted on the seat to be close to Tristan. “So you were the one Master said was looking for big brother!”

  Oh. Shit.

  That fucking lying bitch of a meddling vampire.

  Tristan’s jaw tightened as he tried to glare a hole into the side of Desmond’s head. “Uh…”

  “Sure he was,” Desmond suddenly said, making Tristan balk. “Why don’t you tell him all about it?”

  “Really!” Simon squeaked, practically jumping into Tristan’s lap.

  “You son of a bitch,” Tristan hissed at Desmond as he pushed Simon back. It was obvious the kid had no idea who his big brother really was. “Why’s this on me?”

  Desmond grinned as he maneuvered the car off the main road onto a gravel driveway that hadn’t been cleared away. The way was rough and slow, and the tires slipped whenever he gave it too much gas. Desmond managed to keep from plowing right into the first torii gate at least. “You’re the one who kil—”

  “Desmond!” Tristan roared loud enough to make the others start. Poor Simon, he was so confused and frightened he slammed back into his seat, shaking. Guess Yuki found out what happened to the fae after all. “I’m warning you. If you don’t shut up, I will end you.”

  The vampire only grinned at him as Simon found enough courage to start asking rapid-fire questions about his dear big brother, Sebastian again. Tristan heaved a sigh, resting his head against the car window. He had no idea what to tell Simon. The truth? Sure, but was now really the time for that?

  A cloud of red and black smoke misted into existence just outside the headlight’s reach. Everyone reacted as Desmond jabbed the brakes a little too hard. Tristan only just kept himself from biting the front dash. The car came to a hard stop of gravel mixing with snow.

  “Jesus, what the hell was that?” Even as he asked, Tristan knew the answer.

  Desmond smiled and rolled down his window to lean halfway out with his arm on the sill. The snow was coming down again, thick and heavy. A figure popped up outside of Desmond’s window making Tristan and Simon both jump again.

  Tristan wasn’t really surprised to see it was a kitsune—in human form and naked. They didn’t have to rely on human vehicles to get around they could just will it and be wherever they wanted, pop in, pop out.

  “Akane,” Desmond said, “beat us here.” He laughed.

  She made a dismissive gesture with her hand and leaned onto the window sill, her naked breasts resting on Desmond’s arm. “Who do you think I am? You however, took longer than I thought you might. It’s nearly time, you should hurry.”

  Desmond laughed and reached out, touching her face with his free hand. She smiled, not bothered by his touch in the least. “Aye. Go on then, we’ll be right up.”

  She smiled and leaned into the car to kiss Desmond’s cheek before turning away. The headlights gave everyone a good view of her naked rear as she started to run up the driveway. As Desmond pulled up behind her, the car slushing around in the snow, Akane transformed again. Tristan’d seen it a few times now, but it still amazed him every time. The world was truly more interesting than he ever bargained for.

  “Yew have no idea,” Desmond said with a smile.

  “Quit eavesdropping.”

  Up the driveway the hulking shadow of the temple came into view.

  “No can do, mate. Yew were doing well earlier, blocking us oot when we got yew angry.” Desmond pulled off the side and stopped the car. The seat moaned under Desmond as the big guy turned to look Tristan in the eye. “But yew got too rattled, lost yur focus.”

  Tristan glared at him. “Yeah, pretty sure that was your point, douche.” It was almost like Desmond was testing Tristan. Desmond’s sudden dirty grin confirmed his thoughts. “Congratu-fucking-lations. You pissed me off and made me lose my mental block. Why do you give a shit anyway?”

  Desmond sighed and pointed a thumb towards Simon. “This one can hide his thoughts completely. He won’t get in trouble with a vampire.”

  Who the fuck said anything about a vampire?

  This was about a troll… right? Dammit, he knew this was a setup but if there was a vampire involved he could be in trouble because there was no way in hell he could trust Desmond to have
his back.

  Simon shifted in his seat, silent and obviously just as confused as Tristan.

  “But you,” Desmond said and his accent wasn’t as heavy, his expression serious. “You, you be trouble.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  Desmond narrowed those cold green eyes on Tristan and leaned over the center console, getting all up in Tristan’s business. “You let your feelings control you too much. You let your feelings for Ash blind you. You is too young and naïve and brash, and will get us all fucking killed.”

  Tristan had no idea what was going on anymore. So he answered the only way he knew how. “Get the fuck out of my face before I bury a knife in your neck…” He put on a nasty sneer. “Again.”

  Desmond’s smile was all teeth as he gave Tristan’s cheek a quick, sharp slap before exiting the car, laughing. Simon gasped and Tristan turned to look at the fae as Desmond rummaged around in the trunk for god knew what. They blinked at each other in shock for a moment before Tristan’s rage piqued.

  In a flurry, he got out of the car and stormed up to Desmond who was now standing on the temple steps with Akane, a big sword slung over his shoulder that Tristan hadn’t seen before but realized had been snuck into his car while he was talking to Yuki. The knowledge that they knew Tristan would do what they wanted fueled his anger further.

  The vampire turned when he heard Tristan coming but wasn’t prepared for the fist he took to the jaw. The vampire grunted, head snapping back and stumbling a few steps. He might have been able to miss the hit, had he been paying attention.

  “That’s for being a dick,” Tristan hissed and shook his hand to ease the pain. Fuck, he’d split a knuckled too. Desmond’s face was as hard as he remembered. And to think he actually felt a little bad for Desmond when everyone thought he’d died in Greece. “Fuck you, Desmond.”

  “Aye,” he answered in a somber tone, “that’ll do. Now let’s get tae work.”

  5: Hunting

  AKANE was in human form again and had, thankfully, wrapped herself in a black hooded robe. It brought back an old memory, Tristan’s first meeting with Ash. She wore a cape very similar and he wondered what happened to it. Probably up in flames with the rest of Ash’s things when she burnt down her home.

  Akane smiled and gave Tristan quick look over, her gaze lingering on the gun under his arm and the sword he wasn’t too keen on at his hip.

  “So where’s this troll?” Tristan asked, ready to leave. “Don’t want to be here all night.”

  Akane was still considering Tristan when the sound of feet crunching through snow sounded behind him. He stiffened, bracing for the verbal onslaught that was Simon.

  The fae came up next to Tristan, blinking expectantly at him. “My brother?” he whispered sounding heartbroken and it fucking killed Tristan. “Please tell me, did you find him? Did you find Sebastian Renard?”

  Tristan sighed, running a hand through his hair, trying to suppress a cringe. “Yeah. I did. I met Sebastian.”

  Simon darted forward, grabbing Tristan’s jacket. “You—you did! Where is he? Why hasn’t he called me, why hasn’t he come back for me? Where’d you last see him? Please, I need to know.”

  Tristan shut his eyes and took in a deep breath. The last place he saw the treacherous fae was minutes before Ash threw his drained and unconscious body over the side of their cruise ship. Maybe the fae did survive, but not likely.

  Someone held back a snorted laugh and Tristan’s eyes opened to find Desmond smirking. The vampire grumbled something that sounded faintly like, “monster” under his breath. And strangely, Tristan thought the prick meant it as a compliment.

  “Listen, Simon.” Tristan gently pried the fae’s hot fingers from his jacket. “I uh, I don’t really know how to say this...”

  Desmond grabbed Simon’s shoulders and yanked the fae to him, tucking him under his arm. Simon made a surprised noise and blinked up at Desmond around the vampire’s barrel chest. “Oi, why don’t you go inside and see Kohaku?”

  “Awe, come on, Desmond. Tristan knows Sebastian and I need to know where he is—”

  Desmond gave the fae a good shove, sending him towards the temple entrance and patted him on the butt like a child. “Go’n, Simon. We’ll talk ‘boot it later.”

  Simon glanced over his shoulder, frowning hard. He looked ready to cry. And despite Sebastian’s treachery and deserving his end, Tristan still felt terrible. If anything, he could take it as a sign he was still human enough. He supposed.

  When the fae disappeared into the temple, Tristan spun to Desmond. “What the fuck’s wrong with you today? Pick a lane and quit fucking around.”

  “Or what? You’ll girl slap me again?” Desmond grinned, looking way too proud of himself even if he should have been cold in his short sleeves and thin slacks. The wind was picking up and Tristan wondered if there was a storm coming in.

  “Why doesn’t he know? That was months ago.”

  “Yew see how the boy is, we’s cannae be the one to ruin that.”

  And he was? He crossed his arms over his chest, glaring. “Seriously? You’re telling me that Yuki hasn’t said a single thing to lead him to believe his brother was a torturous traitor? She loves breaking bad news to people.”

  Desmond shook his head. “Yew don’ understand Master at all.”

  Tristan groaned. He wasn’t in the mood to argue with Desmond. He was just going to get this troll, see to its successful relocation and get home. He wanted sit down and have a serious conversation with Ash about planning their departure. And surely by the time he returned, she’d have gotten what she wanted from Yuki.

  “Where is the troll?”

  It was Akane that answered, “The Uruwashi is eager for blood, yet again.”

  “Excuse me?”

  She smiled and stepped up to him. She was close enough that her cape brushed against him and he refused to move back. She was completely different from before. She was so meek and quiet at Yuki’s, perhaps that was in respect for the ancient vampire, because now she was stepping over the line. Way over and he didn’t know how to react.

  “I may be young now, however, I remember your kind from previous lives, and stories my kind have been passed on to one another. Many of our tales include the Uruwashi.”

  She stepped closer and still he refused to move. He could feel her small breasts pressed to his chest. “They were a noble and righteous group, befitting in their Japanese heritage to be sure. They were strong, determined and most of all, blood thirsty. And even though their attraction to their sworn enemy was nearly blinding for some...”

  Tristan stiffened, a small noise leaving him. He hadn’t meant to react but she’d hit it right on the nose.

  She smiled keenly. “Still, they soldiered on with their hunt, killing the vampire even if they preferred to, well, stake them with something other than a piece of cut wood.” She took a step back, twirling a hand. “And, word of your deeds has long since reached me. You’ve been leaving a noticeable imprint on the shinwa and heikō alike.”

  He took his own step back, swallowing hard. “Look lady, I don’t know what you think you know, or what that fucker has told you,” He motioned to Desmond. “But you don’t know a thing about me. Now are you going to show me where this troll is, ‘cause I’m getting fucking tired of asking and I’m this fucking close to walking away.”

  Her head cocked to the side much like fox in the wild might, curious. Her fuzzy ears twitched as they picked out sounds that Tristan couldn’t hear. Hell, Desmond probably didn’t either.

  “The troll should be out soon. It’s about time.”

  “Time for…?”

  She shook her head. “It comes out about the same time every night.”

  “Anything else you can tell me about it?”

  Akane frowned, looking to Desmond. “It won’t be alone.”

  “Excuse me?” Tristan asked, bristling. “You’re telling me it’s actually two? How the fuck am I supposed to convince two
bolder sized trolls that presumably don’t want to leave to do just that, huh?”

  Akane and Desmond exchanged glances. There was something they weren’t telling him. Tristan’d just opened his mouth to say as much when a deep gravelly voice behind them said in rude Japanese, “Who’re you?”

  The group spun to the voice and Tristan took a step back, gasping in surprise at the thing before him. Mamoru had done a remarkable job of describing the troll, but it was still a shock to see one in person.

  This one was short, for a troll, at nearly eight feet tall. The shape was humanoid if humans were pear shaped with tiny little short legs and charcoal colored leather skin. Fat Bastard had nothing wrinkle-wise on the troll. Some were just folds, like the ones where there should have been a chin, but others might have been breasts, or… something else.

  This troll must have been shy because it wore a swath of black fabric, like a diaper, where its genitals would be, that was assuming the anatomy was the same as humans—that Mamoru never said. Guess humans didn’t want to get intimate with the troll. Gave a whole new meaning to bumping uglies.

  It looked like an over-roasted version of the Stay Puft marshmallow man and Tristan mumbled under his breath, “Hel-lo nurse,” eliciting a snicker from Desmond.

  “Can be funny when yew is not being an wee Jessie bas.”

  “Shut up,” he automatically snapped.

  Desmond only grinned fang at him.

  “Who are you?” the troll asked again in his less than polite Japanese. “Why are you here?”

  It was Desmond’s huge claymore slung over his shoulder that made the troll nervous since he wouldn’t take his eyes from the vampire.

  “Troll relocation services, sir,” Tristan said with a snarky air of authority as he tipped a fake hat brim. Just because he didn’t want to do this shit job didn’t mean he couldn’t have some fun with it. “Your permit’s run out.”

  Desmond snorted a laugh.

  “Reloca—what?” The troll looked back and forth over the group with bright yellow eyes.

  Akane hissed and flung herself to the ground and shifted. Out from underneath the cape came a red fox, hissing and chirping at the troll.