Infinity (Valkyries: Soaring Raven)

by Sedona Venez

  “Mason hurt you really bad.”

  My shoulders stiffened, “I don’t have anyone to blame but myself for that. I was a stupid kid with a stupid crush. I moved on.”

  “That’s exactly the problem, Infinity. You didn’t move on.” She walked around, forcing me to look at her, “In fact, I think that you made him your manager as a constant reminder of what you call a stupid crush. So he didn’t want you. That’s his fucking loss. Let that go, and let someone else in.”

  She knew, all this time when I smiled and pretended. She knew. I tried to slow my rapid breathing and I tried to distract and throw her off my pain. “I forgot about Kir.”

  “Don’t even mention Kir because you knew that was a crash and burn situation before you even started." She paused, "Let’s get real, sugar. That’s why you even started dating him. You were bored and filled the bored void with the man whore for a while.”

  “It takes you to keep it brutally real.”

  “That’s what real friends do. Keep it real.”

  “The thought of me and Big Red freaks me out.” I sighed heavily, “He’s the big league. Like take no prisoners, make you blackout in the middle of sex serious. So I need to be sure that I’m in it to win it before I give him the green light.”

  She kissed my cheek, “Honey, you deserve this. You deserve the chance to find happiness and love. It may not be with him, but I do know that if you don’t open up and give him a chance, you’ll never be truly happy.”

  “Message received. I will pursue once vitals are complete.”

  She grinned like a Cheshire cat, “Good.”

  “Good. Now let’s go to sound check.”

  I opened the door to find Cruz staring at me. I smiled at him and he snarled as he stalked down the now empty hall. Zoe nudged me with her elbow before easily catching up with him.

  “Cruz?” Zoe asked.

  “Yes?” he grunted without looking at her.

  Zoe’s eyes narrowed, I could tell she was annoyed by his tone and more importantly his obvious lack of interest. “Are you in a hurry to get rid of us?”

  He stopped and looked at her from head-to-toe. “First, I’m here to work...for that one,” He nodded his head towards me. “So I’m not interested in anything but that, understand?”

  Zoe planted her hands on her hips, squaring off with him. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

  “Self-explanatory, Chica.” He snarled as he waved his hand towards the stage.

  I cleared my throat because they were looking at each other like MMA fighters at the beginning of a match. "Okay, moving on." I grabbed her arm pulling her onto the stage where the music and lights were in the effect and the dancers stretching.

  Zoe sputtered, “What a jack ass.”

  “I know you like a challenge, but that one is beyond your rehabilitation miracles. Call it a wash and leave him alone.” I saw her eyes narrow and I knew that she was going full throttle to get him. Not because she liked him, but because he didn’t like her. Once she got him, if she got him, in typical Zoe fashion, she would drop him faster than a washed-up child star.

  “Ms. Infinity, I’ve been waiting for hours.” Raul said in his whiny voice, looking over at the menacing security detail nervously.

  I looked at Raul with distain. Speaking of washed-up child stars. “That’s what I pay you to do. Wait for me to give instructions.”

  I really should have fired him days ago, but I was in a bind when Justin just up and disappeared. I could tell by the squint in his eyes that he was going to do what he did best, bitch and moan about my creative vision for the show. He pretty much had a heart

  attack when I told him that, like all of my concerts, the theme had to incorporate ravens, from the huge raven prop that would be suspended from the ceiling, to the outfits for the back-up dancers. Ravens plagued my dreams all my life, followed me when I was awake, so it seemed only fitting that this show, of all my shows, should incorporate something that oddly gave me comfort, ravens.

  I stared at his black-and-blue face. “What’s with the face?”

  He puffed his rotund chest, “Difference of opinion solved caveman style.”

  I rolled my eyes and obviously, from his badly battered face, he lost. “Okay, whatever. Let’s get this over with.”

  “I quit,” he squeaked. The dancers looked from me to him nervously.

  I strutted over, jabbing him in the chest. “Let me get this straight. You waited around all this time just to tell me that you quit?”

  He sniffed indignantly, “I’m a professional. Besides the Collective thought it best to tell you in person.”

  From the corner of my vision I saw Cruz and several guards rearing to kick his ass, but I held up my hand stopping him. “Okay I get it. The Collective beat your ass and sent you here as a warning to everyone here to get out while they can.” I snarled, “Message received. Now get to stepping you pretentious ass wipe.”

  “I should have never agreed to work for Superstar trash.”

  “Problem?” Zoe cracked her knuckles.

  Savannah eyes narrowed, with fingers twitching, strangely looking like she was one step away from kicking his ass, which was comical given the fact that she was hundred pounds soaking wet compared to his rotund stature. “I would be very careful with insults slimy fox. With one flick of my pinky, I can skin you alive and use you for a hat."

  He stuttered, backing away from Savannah like he was going to piss in his pants from fear. “Stay away from me you dirty witch.”

  I sneered at him, “Oh hell to the no. First you insult me, then my employees? You’re done. By the time I put out the word, you won’t be able to get a job putting on shows at a county fair. Get the fuck off my stage and don’t let the door hit you on the way out.” I turned my back dismissively, strutting away.

  He screamed hysterically, “You’re dead. You’ll see. The Collective said so. Get your hands off me you filthy wolf.”

  Wolf? I turned around to see Cruz dragging him away.

  Zoe shook her head. “Another one gone.”

  I felt his gaze before I saw Boulder standing at the edge of the stage with his arms crossed and legs akimbo. My legs weakened as perspiration dotted my brow as he dared

  me to accept what he was, what they all were. He nodded then walked away into the darkness.

  “Infinity? Are you okay? You’re all flushed like you’re about to faint.”

  That’s putting it mildly, because if this whole thing was what I thought it was, mom had some freaking explaining to do. I took a calming breathe, falling apart would not do, not right now.

  “Yup, but I’m good,” I responded with way more cheerfulness than I felt. Channeling my stage persona, I calmly strolled over to the microphone.

  I glanced over my shoulder at the live band, “We’re going with the new song first.”

  The stage instantly hushed when Zoe and Diego took their place behind me. A slow melody wafted through the air as Diego lifted Zoe over his head with her looking down at him with a smile. Her arms were spread out like the raven I wrote about in the song. I rolled through the notes in the ballad, building to a crescendo, lost in the lyrics of love lost. Forgetting all the drama brewing around me and doing what I did best, sing. Smiling softly as Diego and Zoe twirled around me.

  Their moves were fluid, beautiful, punctuating every emotion in my voice without a misstep and when the music stopped, I rolled my last note, taking a deep breath to swallow my emotions. Bowing and smiling at the thunderous roar, clapping and feet stomping that erupted.

  Diego stepped behind me, wrapping me in his muscular arms ending with a loud kiss on my cheek. “And that’s how you do it.”

  “Every time,” I looked up at him, kissing him on his cheek with a loud smack before walking by the still clapping dancers. Mumbling “Thank you,” distracted by Boulder who was waiting silently to escort me to my dressing room.

  Walking past him, I tried to formulate the golden question without confirm
ing all the rumors that I was crazy. He went to place a hand on my lower back and I flinched. His mouth tightened as he gave me wide berth allowing me to set the pace.

  He growled under his breath, “Now I’m some kind of piranha?”

  I continued walking with my head held high with emotions pinging all over as we passed a crowded section of the backstage. I stopped abruptly, his chest bumping into my back, “Do you really want me to go there right now?” I looked around the crowded hallway.

  “I don’t give a shit, Infinity. I’m not ashamed of what I am. But can you say the same for yourself?” he grabbed my necklace, twisting the bronzed winged pendant around his finger dragging me to him.

  Gritting my teeth, I placed my palms against his chest before responding. “Let go of my necklace.”

  He pressed his finger against my neck. “Interesting necklace. Where did you get it?”

  He was pissing me off because now we were causing a scene. My eyes narrowed, “Boulder, let go of my necklace.”

  “Answer,” he growled.

  I sighed because I was close to yanking away and breaking my necklace, I was stuck. “It was a gift from my mother. I’ve had it since birth. Now let the fuck go.”

  He wrapped his arms around my waist dragging me closer. “Your mother’s name?” he whispered in my ear.

  “Why are you all in my business?” I tried to pull away but his arms were like bands of steel.

  “I like to know all I can about the woman who I’ve claimed as mine.”

  “Claim?”

  “Did I fucking stutter? Claim as in without a doubt you will be mine.”

  I knew from the stubborn look in his eyes there would be no rationalizing with him. A crowd gathered around pretending to work. “Can we please have this conversation in the privacy of my dressing room?”

  “Sure, if you promise not to lock me out once you get there.”

  Shit. Sly bastard. How did he know that was exactly what I planned to do?

  “Fine”

  He released me and I traipsed down the hall with him strolling behind me. As soon as the door clicked shut behind him I whirled to face him angrily.

  “What the hell man? I don’t do bullying and caveman shit. That in the hallway was unacceptable." I poked him in the chest. “Got it?”

  He backed me into the leather sofa causing me to fall into a clumsy sitting position. He sniffed the air. “It also seems like you don’t do a lot of other things too.”

  Oh crap, there was no way he could know that. I schooled my face into a blank mask. “Meaning?”

  He smirked all sexy like, but this time I wanted to smack it right off his face. “You’re a virgin. I can smell it all over you.”

  I sputtered, knowing that I was blushing from embarrassment. “What?”

  He sat on the ottoman pulling it so close that my knees were between his legs. “Stop stalling, who’s your mother?”

  No one ever asked that, in fact, every time I mentioned she was dead they clucked sympathetically and moved on. But now somehow me telling him her name felt wrong, like divulging some dark secret. “She’s dead, so why does it matter?”

  He reached over and stroked my cheek. “Trust me on this, okay?”

  I prided myself as being a good bullshit detector a skill honed from dealing with the bottom feeders of the industry and honestly, I didn’t pick up anything from him. I sighed heavily, “Mist.”

  He leaned in with narrowed eyes, “Mist?”

  “That was her name. She died while giving birth to me,” I paused. “So what are you going to do with the information? Sell it to the media? Write a book? What?”

  He grabbed my face between his hands. “Does it look like I’m hard up for money?”

  My stomach rolled. He didn’t, but I’ve been disappointed and sold out by so many people in my life, the trust factor wasn’t something that I had a lot of. “I don’t know anything about you, Boulder. Nothing.”

  “There’s plenty of time for that.”

  I licked my suddenly dry lips. “That’s the other thing. I don’t do relationships. So if you think we’re going to date or get serious, you’re in for a rude awakening. If....and that’s a big if, we get past me not putting an order of protection against you by the end of the night. We can hang all casual like...” There, I said it.

  His face tightened, “You mean casual fucking?”

  I blanched, “You don’t have to be all vulgar about it, but yes!”

  “Darlin’, that’s not happening. There’s nothing casual about what I want from you.” He brushed my cheek with his big fingers. I leaned into his touch.

  “Sorry. I don’t do relationships. It’s not in my DNA.” I pulled away. He was going to have accept this cold fact. No attachments. Ever.

  He cupped my jaw. “You mean before me.”

  “Whatever. Before you, after you, it’s all the same thing.” I leaned back, examining him.

  “Look, I’m not asking for a commitment. Yet.” He snarled.

  I started to interrupt, but he cut me off. “And yes, I’ve fucked around casually.”

  I smirked, “You mean you’re fucking around casually because you’re sure as hell are not a virgin my friend.”

  “Yes, I’m fucking around casually, but I’m willing to try something different. With you.”

  His admission made me squirm uncomfortably. Who the hell was he sleeping with? “A man attempting honesty. Refreshing and wholesome.”

  He smiled, “I’m trying here. Just be open.”

  He’s a freaking optimist. While I knew this thing...whatever this thing was, wouldn’t last past tonight. “Let’s see where it goes.”

  “This is not a conceited statement.”

  I rolled my eyes, “Big Red. Really?”

  “Are you always this difficult?”

  I pursed my lips, “I’m worse without my morning coffee. You should note that now.”

  “Duly noted. As I was saying before I was rudely interrupted. You’re the first woman I’ve had to convince to even give me a chance.”

  I leaned in with a wide grin, cupping his face. “There’s a first time for everything. Like me not kicking your ass out of my dressing room. Or me not calling security. Oh wait, you are security.”

  He grasped my legs, draping them over his knees, crowding my space. “Smart ass.”

  He plunged his hands into my hair, grasping my neck possessively. His demanding tongue licked my lips before plunging in like a man on a mission. Oh how I loved his mission. He tugged and grabbed my hair, letting his hand wander to my neck.

  Freaking hell, he tasted so damn delicious as he pursued me over and over. Laying claim to my lips, burning his possession, and without a doubt letting his intention be known, that I was his whether I wanted to accept it or not.

  My hand fisted into his black t-shirt as he maneuvered my head back to open up further for him. I was panting like a woman that couldn’t get enough, and I couldn’t. The more he demanded, the more I wanted, no needed to give. Instinctively, I let my fear go, running my tongue over his lips, tangling my tongue with his. I felt euphoric. I felt possessed. He growled low in his chest, something between an animal and tantalizing call of possession that called to the deepest recesses of my soul.

  I pulled my lips away as he laid his forehead against mine. “You’re a wolf shifter,” I rasped and swallowed.

  He claimed my mouth, sucking on my lips and exploring me with his tongue. “Yes,” He said against my lips.

  “You all are.”

  His green eyes bored into mine. “We all are.” He paused as if waiting for me to freak out. How could I when something in me knew from the moment that I stepped out of the car, that this was exactly what he was—something...Other. I nodded with acceptance as his lips kissed me quickly before continuing. “And I don’t think that you’re human. But this is something that I think I will leave up to Kara to confirm.”

  This was not something that I accepted; more like expected and f
reaking out about my situation wouldn’t change the facts. I nodded as he squeezed my hand then kissed my forehead. “Yeah, she has a hell of a lot explaining to do.”

  He ran his fingers across my thighs before pulling us both to stand up. “I suggest that you don’t think about this too much until after your show. I’ll let you get ready.”

  We wrapped our arms around each other before he reluctantly let go and walked out. I plopped down on the sofa, resting my forehead in my hands when there was a knock on the door, and Zoe sauntered in closing the door quickly.

  “So, did you and the Viking have sex and makeup?”

  “Really?” I rolled my eyes, “Just met him, even I’m not that pressed.”

  “Don’t even pretend to be some prude.” She pointed at me, “Your lips look well kissed and your hair is sticking up all over the place like you were rolling around in some hot make-out session. So I know that you gave him a little something, something.”

  I ran my fingers through my hair. “Oh shut the hell up.”

  She shrugged her shoulders, “I’m just saying...there’s no shame in it. I actually like the Viking. I mean come on...any guy that would put up with you screaming like a banshee in the midst of backstage conundrum without blinking an eye has my vote as boyfriend potential.”

  I rolled my eyes, “There’s no boyfriend thing happening.” Gawd, I hoped not. In fact, I hoped to get out of whatever was happening between us with my heart and wallet intact. “It’s sex, that’s all.”

  She looked at me pointedly with arms crossed, “Please, who do you think you’re fooling? You want him for more than sex.” She rubbed the back of her neck, “Gawd, Infinity, please don’t fuck this up! Stop letting the losers of your past, including Mason dictate your future. Just go with the flow with this. Trust me, he’s all good.”

  I threw my hands up in the air, “Enough of your relationship advice. What are the vitals on him?” I grabbed a bottle of water and sipped slowly.

  Her eyes centered on me as she clasped her hands behind her head. “Okay, getting any good info on Big Red was really hard. In fact, getting any info on any of them was hard. So I called my deep gossip contacts and found out that Boulder, last name Vigari, is part owner of a billion dollar security firm.”