Half-Blood Descendant: A Paranormal Series (Half-Bloods Book 1)

by Natasha Brown

  “But if you’re not satisfied with what you’ve got, you can come inside and see if anything in Howard’s closet fits. He was more of a peacock than I was myself. I could never bring myself to get rid of anything of his.” She turned around and wandered back toward her house, mumbling to herself as she went.

  Jax didn’t know if he had any other options. There was a slim likelihood that a man from another generation would have anything that would be considered stylish now or even fit, but he wasn’t about to go out shopping for a button-up shirt at a mall—if they were even open. In his bare feet he stepped from his trailer and followed KT to the house and into her bedroom.

  Just as he’d expected, there was so much polyester hanging in that closet, he almost got blisters from the static electricity sliding them on the rod. KT seemed happy enough telling stories about the pair of pants her husband wore when he applied for the loan at the bank and the shirt he wore when he proposed. Then Jax found a black button-up shirt and checked the size.

  “Oh, that was during Howard’s Johnny Cash phase.” KT nodded. “He wore black like a raven at night.”

  It looked to be Jax’s size. He took it off the hanger and slipped it on to check. KT’s fingers shook as she tried to button up the shirt. The sleeves were a centimeter too long, but it wasn’t bad. It smelled like mothballs, but it just needed a good washing.

  KT patted Jax’s cheek. “Looks good on you, young man. I can throw it in the wash and you’ll look like the stallion you are in no time. Is there a pair of pants in here you like?”

  “Thanks, KT.” He looked into the closet and said, “I just wouldn’t be comfortable wearing dress pants. The shirt’s as far as I go.”

  He pulled it off and handed it to KT, who nodded in agreement. “That’s right. Do what feels right, and be yourself. The last time I wore a dress was on my wedding day. My husband liked me just fine no matter what I wore.”

  By two in the afternoon, Jax was dressed in his best pair of dark-wash jeans, the black button-up shirt and his leather boots. It was the most dressed-up he’d been as far back as he could remember. He had no idea if it was enough, but it was as far as he’d go.

  He drove to Aerilyn’s house and pulled up the evergreen-lined driveway. Jax got out of his truck and looked up at the cloudy sky, raising his nose to the wind. It smelled like a storm. Snow was on its way.

  Jax went to the front door and rang the bell. He heard Petey bark in response and Aerilyn’s muffled voice call out, “Come in!”

  He let himself inside. The warmth of the house embraced his chilled skin. He went upstairs and petted Petey, who stood waiting for him with a waging tail. Jax gazed around the carpeted living room and down the hallway, not spotting Aerilyn anywhere.

  “You ready?” he asked the empty space.

  Her voice answered from nearby, “One more minute.”

  Petey pressed his toy against Jax’s hand, his eyes peering expectantly upward at him. He threw the battered toy down the hallway. A light switched off, and he heard movement.

  Aerilyn stepped out of her room wearing a long-sleeved maroon dress. He couldn’t understand how such a simple piece of fabric could look so good on her. Her upper body was covered, but the hem of the skirt was cropped well above the knee, showing off her long legs. Her shoulder-length hair fell in waves around her face, and her brown eyes were fixed on him. She raised a brow.

  How was he supposed to ignore his attraction for her when she looked so damned sexy? “You’re not making it easy on me.”

  She touched the maroon fabric covering the base of her neck. “It was the only thing I had that covered the bruises around my collar bone. I don’t think it’ll help things if Dad sees the marks.”

  He took in the sight of her again and shook his head. “It won’t help things if he catches me looking at you either.”

  She came down the hall in a pair of calf boots. The corner of her mouth curled into a smile. When she arrived by his side, she brushed off some of Petey’s hair from his shirt. “You clean up well.”

  He shook his head. “If only that were the truth.”

  Aerilyn frowned at him. She was well out of his league, and he knew it. He was just some stray from nowhere.

  “You’re worried about fitting in?” she asked.

  “Naw.” He cleared his throat and continued, “Just worried you’re going to regret taking me with you. I’m not the kind of person to pretend to be something I’m not.”

  “And what’s that?”

  “Someone who belongs,” he said with a hard edge to his voice.

  She blinked up at him. “You belong just as much as any other shifter you’re going to meet tonight. We all have varied pasts. What we have in common brings us together. You’ll see.”

  He didn’t want to contradict her. He had too much respect for her to do that.

  Jax changed the subject. “Are Emery and Deane going?”

  Aerilyn went to her couch and lifted a long coat that had been draped over the back of it. She slipped it on, flipping her hair over the collar and buttoned it up. “Deane already came by and picked Emery up. They left about an hour ago to help set up.”

  She plucked her keys from a peg and grabbed her purse. “Ready?”

  He nodded and followed her down the stairs. Jax prepared himself for a room full of strangers and small talk. He reminded himself he was doing it for his freedom and to support Aerilyn as he opened the passenger door of his truck and helped her in.

  He remained quiet as he drove them into Denver. It took some added help from Aerilyn to direct him to the correct area. Very little street parking was available, despite the fact that most of the shops were closed. Finally, he found a spot, and by the time they were standing on the sidewalk, the first snowflakes were floating down from the sky.

  Not many people were out. A few cars that went past, carrying families to their destinations. A drugstore was open, florescent lettering flickering in its window. A couple emerged from its threshold. The redheaded woman clutched a bag under her arm, and the man by her side put out his hand up to touch the white flakes as if it was the first time he’d ever seen snow. The smell of mint wafted by his nose, and while Jax moved past them, he wondered if he’d seen them before.

  From a block and a half away, he spotted the sign hanging over the nondescript door. The gold words Genus Society flashed through the murky light. Aerilyn slipped in ahead of him, and he took a deep breath before following her into the dim entry.

  The sound of voices met his ears as he stepped inside. Wall sconces filled the brick hall with a soft yellow light, revealing the long wooden tables arranged at the far end of the enormous space. People were seated and standing throughout. Children raced between the older generations, giggling and laughing. The smell of food filled the space, reminding him he hadn’t eaten lunch.

  Aerilyn smiled at the people nearest her and scanned the room. She leaned closer to Jax and pointed at the opposite end of the room. “There’s Mom and Dad.”

  He looked where she was gesturing, and his chest tightened. He didn’t know if he even knew what normal was to these people. How could he expect to conduct himself in a way so they’d like him?

  She led him across the room and hugged a tall, thin woman who appeared barely more than ten years Aerilyn’s elder. The woman looked more like an older sister than anything. Her dark hair was cut to her shoulders. Her eyes turned to settle on Jax and waited for an introduction.

  The woman, freed from her daughter’s embrace, held her hand out to Jax and said, “Hello, I’m Nia. I don’t believe we’ve met before.”

  Aerilyn turned to face him. “Mom, this is Jax. He’s new to the Society. I’ve been showing him around and teaching him…”

  “Of course you have,” Nia said with a smile. She leaned closer to Jax and muttered, “My daughter’s always been drawn to helping others. It runs in the family.”

  Jax grinned back uncomfortably. “Hello, it’s nice to meet you.”

 
Nia tilted her head to the side and said to her daughter, “He’s a terrible liar.”

  “He’s a cougar,” Aerilyn said as if it was explanation enough.

  “Oh, well, that explains a lot.” Her mother grinned at him. “We have some members we rarely see due to their shyness. This must be unpleasant, being around so many others. Did I hear Alaric mentioning something about a cougar recently?”

  “I’m sure that was me,” he answered, feeling his stomach lurch.

  A man standing with his back to them turned around. “Did I hear my name?”

  Jax recognized Alaric. The man’s chiseled jaw clenched as he appraised Jax. Aerilyn’s father shook his hand, giving it a tight squeeze.

  “How are you doing?” he asked with narrowed eyes.

  Jax was aware this was the man in control of his freedom. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly before answering, “Good. I’ve been learning all about the Society. Your daughter’s been very helpful.”

  Alaric glanced at Aerilyn, then returned his gaze to Jax and crossed his arms. “I hope you’ve been staying out of trouble.”

  Jax said nothing in response and nodded, not wanting to annoy the man who seemed so ready to find him lacking. Alaric’s eyes held fast on his face. Jax swallowed while he waited to see what the man would say next.

  “Can you believe he slipped through the cracks?” Alaric asked his wife. Then he returned his focus to Jax. “I’m not surprised in a place like Nebraska, but I thought the kinks had been ironed out a century ago. Has Aerilyn had any luck finding your birth parents?”

  Aerilyn exchanged a glance with Jax and said, “I haven’t had any luck yet. But given a little more time, I might be able to find his mom now that I know her eye color.”

  Alaric’s steely eyes looked at them both, and Jax realized he was standing close to Aerilyn, so he edged away. Even though he hadn’t done anything wrong, Jax couldn’t help but feel like he had.

  A deep voice interrupted the uncomfortable moment. “It’s Jax, right?”

  He turned around, facing Garren, the enforcer he’d met with Aerilyn during the Society outing. The bearded man held out a beer to him and clapped him on the shoulder. “Good to see you again, brother.”

  “Thanks,” Jax answered, accepting the drink.

  Based on Garren’s choice of attire, Jax felt a little more comfortable with his own casual comfort. The enforcer was wearing a dark flannel shirt with a pair of jeans. His beard was freshly trimmed, framing his crooked smile.

  “Sorry, boss. I have a project I wanted to talk to him about.” Garren looked to Alaric expectantly.

  The lodge leader nodded. “Fine.”

  Jax was relieved to find an escape from the conversation with Aerilyn’s parents, so he stepped away to have a word with the enforcer. Garren put his beer to his lips and took a swig. “Did I hear you’re a mechanic?”

  “Yeah, among other things,” Jax answered.

  “I have an old ’72 Nova I’ve been hoping to restore.” Garren crossed his arms, resting his beer in the crook of his arm. “Maybe if I had some help, it might get done.”

  And for the first time in weeks, Jax felt at home. There was no quicker way to put him at ease than talking shop. He soon forgot the uncomfortable moment with Alaric as he discussed engine rebuilds and paint jobs with Garren.

  “Why are you looking at him like that? Like he drowned your puppy?” Aerilyn put her hand on her hip and raised her eyebrow at her father.

  “I think it’s pretty clear he’s from the wrong side of the tracks.” Alaric avoided his wife’s gaze and looked at the men talking a few feet away. “You can just see he’s likely a half-blood, a mutt, grown up on his own without guidance. Like they say, can’t teach an old dog new tricks.”

  Aerilyn was disgusted with her father. This was where their ninety-six-year age difference became apparent. His position on half-bloods didn’t stray from the Genus Society’s. Pride in one’s breeding was the founding principle the Society was built upon.

  “What are you talking about?” she retorted and considered the only old dog there was her father. “You took in Deane when he had no one. How is this any different?”

  Her mother remained silent, observing the conversation. Alaric raised a glass of icy clear liquid to his lips and avoided the question. “I’m not convinced he didn’t attack the old lady, and I don’t like you spending so much time with him.”

  “He’s a good guy,” Aerilyn said. “He looked after KT, making her food, changing her bandages and getting her meds. That’s not something you do if you’re the attacker. He just doesn’t like crowds, and you’re making him uncomfortable the way you’re glaring at him.”

  “You and your strays,” Alaric mumbled.

  Nia finally broke her silence and turned to her husband. “You are known for your level head, but once your daughter’s involved, all reason gets cast aside. I know you only wish the best for her, but think about what you’re saying, my love.”

  Her mother put her hand on the breast of Alaric’s suit and gazed into his eyes. Nia always had a soothing effect on him. Her wisdom was often sought by those who knew her.

  Alaric touched his wife’s cheek and rested his forehead to hers momentarily before facing his daughter. His eyes traced over Aerilyn’s face. Without warning, a frown hitched his features into a scowl, his focus resting at the neck of her dress.

  He stepped forward, his hands raising the chiffon away from her skin to stare at her collar bone. Aerilyn’s breath caught in her throat. This was why she’d tried covering her bruises. He always had a sharp eye for details.

  “What’s this?” he whispered, barely containing his rage.

  She knew what he was referring to. Over the last few days, the redness from getting squeezed and nearly lifted from the ground had turned a deep purple-blue.

  Alaric held her stare, searching her eyes for information. He whipped his head around and stared at Jax’s back. His lips lost all color, he was pinching them so tight. A frightening yell broke the hum of conversations throughout the room. “Did you do this?”

  Fourteen

  Silence fell and everyone turned to look at Alaric. Their curious and startled glances were then cast on the man their lodge leader was addressing. Aerilyn watched Jax spin around and frown in confusion at the sudden outburst.

  “Father, no,” Aerilyn spoke up. “It isn’t what you think. He didn’t hurt me.”

  It took a moment for Alaric to tear his gaze from Jax and look instead at his daughter. She ignored his furious stares, put on a smile and spoke to the room. “It’s okay, everyone. Sorry for the interruption. You can go back to your conversations.”

  She fought the urge to cry. The added drama was something she had wanted to avoid. Her frustration turned to anger, and she whispered to her father through gritted teeth, “I will not do this here.”

  Aerilyn brushed through the crowd of people who were beginning to return to their conversations, casting wary glances their way. She wove through the crowd and into the back, passing into the darkened stairwell where coatracks had been set up. She sensed she wasn’t alone and turned around to face her father. Just behind him was her mother. She was standing in the threshold, blocking anyone from looking in and observing their private moment.

  “I can’t believe you, Dad.” Aerilyn pinched the bridge of her nose. “In front of everyone?”

  “Maybe if you hadn’t kept things from me it wouldn’t have happened,” he snarled back. “Are you covering for that… that half-blood?”

  “No, Dad. He would never hurt me.” Aerilyn tried to calm herself down. “I was going to tell you tonight, but I wanted to avoid making a scene.”

  From the entrance into the back stairwell, Nia called gently to her husband, “Alaric, please.”

  He put his hand in the air and pinched his eyes shut. “Tell me everything, Lyn.”

  It was unavoidable now. Aerilyn breathed out slowly and said as calmly as she could, “After school on Fr
iday I stepped in when a student’s father was harassing him. He grabbed hold of me and threatened me. The school knows, and the police were notified.”

  “What?” Alaric’s words were barely audible, he was so enraged.

  She could see he was trying to process the information. His eyes narrowed, and his lips lost all color as he thrust his pointer finger in her direction. “You said it was a safe job, that Littleton was a good place to work.”

  Aerilyn spoke softly, “It is.”

  “If that were the case, this wouldn’t have happened,” her father practically growled back. “I knew you shouldn’t have moved away. I knew in my gut that it was a bad decision.”

  “No,” Aerilyn whispered.

  Alaric banged on, picking up steam. “How can I allow my daughter to get attacked in broad daylight by a mundane? You will put in your resignation and come live with your mother and me. You don’t need to work for the money when we have more than you could need. It’s decided.”

  She had a flashback to the countless moments in her childhood when her father strong-armed anyone who in his perception, affected her happiness and well-being. Then Jax’s voice filled her head: “Hold your ground with him. You’re a grown woman.”

  Aerilyn took a shaky breath and moved toward her father. She allowed herself to gather her strength, recalling the sense of empowerment she’d experienced with Emery, learning how to defend herself.

  “I know you’re only saying this because you care, and I love you for that, but I’m a grown woman. You may only see a little girl every time you look at me, but I’m not. I will not allow myself to be caged like a bird. That’s not the life I wish to live.” Once the words were out, a weight was lifted from her shoulders, and she continued, “Despite what you think about him, Jax was there for me when I got home after work. I wasn’t going to tell you about what happened because I knew what you were going to say. I knew you’d want to force me back home. But he was the one who persuaded me to tell you.”

  Alaric looked over his shoulder at Nia, who stepped into the room to place her hand on her husband’s shoulder. She whispered to him, “Listen to her.”