“This is also about protecting yourself, not just learning the skills of a fight club. You want to incapacitate your attacker as quickly and efficiently as possible, so you can get the hell out. Again, movies always show people punching each other in the face, which is actually the worst place to aim. Most likely you will miss or hurt your hand. It's also difficult, and extremely lucky, to knock someone out cold in one hit.” His fingers wrapped around my balled-up hand. Damn! Simply act of his skin on mine made my pulse race. “Aim for their throat or the side of their neck where their carotid artery is.” As he spoke, he touched my fist to the spots on his neck he mentioned. “This will cause them to back off immediately. It affects their breathing and will cause them to panic. Good time to run. But, if you can’t punch there, then go for their sternum or the kidneys. Of course, if you are fighting a male, the knee to the groin is going to put them down every time.”
I absorbed every word he said as we moved through different types of punches. He had me using both my right and left hands and practicing defensive moves until sweat poured down my face.
“Okay, let’s move to the mat and you can try some shots on me. I’ll come at you like an attacker,” Eli said. He pulled his sweatshirt over his head and his tan, ripped chest was beyond distracting. I tried not to respond to that or how low his jeans clung to his hips.
Nope wasn’t paying attention to it at all . . . nope, not one bit.
He seemed to know where my mind and eyes were because he responded, “I sleep naked. You’re lucky I could find what I did.”
Yeah, I didn’t really consider him finding clothes “lucky” for me. I turned my eyes away, scolding myself, as I followed him to the mats. I needed to get my hormones in check. Being attracted to a guy who only pretended to like you so he could use you as a trading card to the Unseelie King was not exactly healthy.
“All right, nothing but punches—no actual knee to the groin.”
I let my eyes widen with a fake innocence. “Me? Would I do something like that?”
“Yeah, you. You’ve probably been dreaming about hitting me there since the day we met.”
“Your groin is not what I dream about at night.” I smirked. Yeah sometimes I didn’t play nice either, now knowing my dreams and meetings with Torin bothered him.
It worked like a charm. His eyes narrowed and he came at me in a blink of an eye with speed no human possessed. I reacted before I could think. Ducking and turning to the side, I slipped out of his reach. Whirling around his body, I took the opportunity to strike, targeting his kidneys. My fist plunged into his side. Bulls-eye. We turned to face each other. His eyebrows were hiked high on his forehead, his eyes wide.
“Holy shit! How did I do that?” Astonishment rang from my throat.
“Have you ever moved so fast before?”
“No.” I shook my head. “Nothing like that.”
Something fluttered over Eli’s expression. I looked down at the metal wrapped around my wrist, keeping my Fay powers at bay. If they were locked up tight, how did I do that?
“Again,” Eli’s commanded. His face returned back to his usual stony expression.
Bring it. I smiled, wanting to crack that stone.
Be careful what you ask for.
Eli was a predator. I could feel him studying me, measuring which way I would go, calculating his moves. My brain was doing the same, trying to counter his. The blood in my veins pumped faster. My head became light, my body more aware of his every nuance. He launched himself at me. I darted back and turned to the side, his hands grazing a few strands of my ponytail. I sprung up, silently landing on a table next to the mat getting out of his reach. He quickly adjusted his direction. Faster than I thought possible, he had my leg in his grasp, trying to pull me off the table. Simultaneously, I jumped and caused both of us to tumble onto the mat. My back slammed down, his body falling on top of mine. Our breaths were ragged as we lay there. My tank top was thin enough I could feel every muscle in his torso.
“Impressive,” he said, his voice deep and gruff.
Tension filled the gap between us as he stared down at me. My breath became more labored as his eyes turned more and more primal. Sex screamed from them, primitive, wild, raw, and no doubt incredible. It terrified me, excited me, as heat encompassed my body. Yearning crippled the air trying to reach my lungs. His head leaned in closer, his lids lowered with heavy desire. Abruptly, he broke his gaze from mine as he turned away, rolled off of me.
No-o-o! My body protested at the sudden absence. I couldn’t move, everything in me screamed for his body to lie on me again, for him to end this excruciating torture. We were already sweaty, stimulated, and mostly undressed. Why stop when we’re already halfway there?
Eli got up, suddenly looking irritable; he reached out his hand and pulled me up.
What happened? Why does he flip on and off so quickly? I wanted to cry, to hit him. I also wanted nothing more than for him to kiss me, to push me back onto the mat and do things to me I didn’t dare let myself imagine.
“Lesson is done for the day,” he said coolly, then turned and was gone before I could even respond.
I groaned. Okay, time for a painfully cold shower.
SIX
“I’d like to go get some of my own clothes,” I said as I walked into the kitchen where Cole was making breakfast. It had dawned on me after the long, cold shower I only had the same clothes to put back on. If I was going to wear some bitch's clothes, I’d prefer them to be mine. “I'd really like my own stuff if I’m going to be a ‘guest’ for a while.”
Cole’s eyebrow lifted. With the knife in his hand, he pointed to the kitchen stool at the counter. “Have a seat. You must be hungry.” I stood there for a moment wondering how to respond. ”I’m not ignoring your request. I think you can take a moment to eat while we discuss this. Coffee?” he asked.
“Oh God, yes.”
Cole smiled at my dramatic response, “Help yourself. Cups are in the right-hand cupboard next to the sink.” He hacked at a raw hunk of meat.
Finding the cups, I poured myself a cup of coffee. “Real coffee. So good.” My eyes rolled back in ecstasy after my first sip. “You want one?”
“Yes, thank you. Black.”
I brought him the cup and leaned against the island. “Is this breakfast?” My nose scrunched up as I looked down at the bloody juice pooling around the meat. The longer I looked at it, the more it actually started looking good to me. What the hell? Raw meat looks good?
“We eat and enjoy lots of different foods, but our preferred food source is raw meat. While we've been here the need has lessened a bit, though,” Cole replied.
“From animals, right?” I felt a slight wave of nausea. “Please say it’s from animals.”
Cole looked at me silently.
“Oh jeez . . .” I gripped the counter.
“I’m kidding, Ember.” Cole laughed.
Nervous laughter erupted out of me. I moved to the stool. “So before you came to Earth what did you guys eat? Is there a Fae Bambi or something?” Cole’s grip on the knife tightened. “I’m sorry. I know I am not supposed to ask anything about you.”
He shook his head. “Silence is an automatic response when somebody asks a question about us.” He sighed deeply, but his shoulders were still locked with tension. “Our needs in the Otherworld were different. We were different.” There was something he wasn’t telling me. I had a feeling I'd be better off not knowing, which didn’t stop me from wanting to. I squirmed in the sudden, uncomfortable silence.
“How long have you guys been around? How old are you?”
Cole rubbed his head with the back of his hand as he paused hacking up the meat. He exhaled before he replied, “I am considered young by our species. I have been around for several centuries.”
Centuries? Several? Jeez, no wonder when I asked Eli how old he was, he stumbled over the question. He told me he was 24. Think he forgot a zero. Still, this was more than I expected to get. “So
how long have you been on Earth?”
“We’ve been here for a little over eighteen years now.”
“Hmmm—that’s funny. So, I guess you guys came about the same time my mother must have smuggled me here.”
Something in Cole’s expression changed, turning dark and causing a spark of alarm. “Yeah,” he retorted quickly. “So what would you like for breakfast, since raw meat doesn’t seem to be appetizing to you?” I didn’t want to confess that it kind of did. Red meat had never been a favorite of mine, but looking at it now, even raw, my mouth watered.
Obviously, he wanted to change the subject, which only made me more interested. If the saying "curiosity killed the cat" is true, I should start meowing. I continued on, “It’s evident everyone looks to you as the leader, but Eli seems to look to you as a father figure as well. What happened to his parents?”
Again Cole stayed quiet, veins straining against the skin on his forehead. “All I will tell you is they were killed. I’ve raised Eli since he was little.” He pressed his lips together. “There is a lot about us you don’t know and never can. Our past is not anything you need to know about. It will only bring you trouble.” He made it clear the topic was over and this time I didn’t push it. “So, we also have cereal or eggs.” Cole pointed to the refrigerator as he wiped his bloody hands on a cloth.
The thought of eggs, even real ones, sent up a gag reflex. It reminded me of the many mornings I had stolen powdered eggs from a discarded plate near the shelters. “Do you have peanut butter?” I asked, hopeful. “It’s one of my food groups. I’ve been craving it for weeks. All the convenience stores I went to had already been robbed of it.”
A sexy smile over took the dark expression that had been etched on Cole’s face. “Oh boy. You and Eli really are going to cause me a lot of grief.” He laughed, which only increased his hotness. I could feel a blush sweep over my cheeks. Damn these guys . . .
“It’s in the top cupboard,” a deep voice rumbled behind me. I turned to see Eli leaning up against the wall, his hair damp from a shower. “But if you eat all my peanut butter, I will have no qualms about actually chaining you in the basement.”
Cole’s smile grew. “Eli has the same food group ideals you do, once he discovered it here. They don’t have peanut butter in the Otherworld.”
“Guess I won’t be moving there then. That's a deal breaker for me.” I headed to the cupboard, pulling out the jar of peanut butter. “Extra crunchy,” I read the label with uninhibited joy.
Swiftly, Eli came up next to me. “Like there is any other kind.” He yanked a drawer open and pulled out two spoons. Our eyes met as I took the spoon from him, then I looked away quickly and focused on unscrewing the lid. He dove in as soon as the top was off, taking a massive heap.
“Hey.” I dug my spoon in after him and took out a huge spoonful, shoving the creamy, chunky goodness into my mouth. It had been so long since I had actually eaten. If there was a heaven, it was in this little jar of happiness. I closed my eyes in bliss. When I reopened them I found Eli staring at me, his eyes glowing as they ran over every detail of my face. “This is so good,” I mumbled.
A slight, suggestive smile turned up the side of his mouth as he continued to gaze at me. I felt my body heat up, a warm blush attacking my cheeks, my breath catching in my throat. Turning my focus back on the jar, I shoved my spoon in again.
“I don’t think so.” Eli’s spoon crashed into mine. “What did I say about eating all my peanut butter?”
Pulling the jar away from him. “It will be worth it.” I took another huge bite, a wicked smile playing on my lips.
“Oh no.” He reached out for the container. Before he could grab it, I turned away, slipping it out of his grasp.
“Oh, this is sooo good.” Dramatically I took another bite, as I stepped backwards away from him.
“You're asking for it. You do not mess with a man’s peanut butter.”
I smiled. “Good thing you’re not a man, then.” I knew I was begging for trouble, and I was pretty sure I wanted whatever was coming my way.
Cole chuckled as Eli cocked his head at me, a smirk deepening his features that said I should probably run, which was exactly what I did. I feigned going one way, then pivoted but only made it to the doorway before he caught me. His arm wrapped around my waist, picked me up, and threw me over his shoulder.
“What the hell, caveman?” Cooper sniped at Eli as he walked in. “Never thought you would have the need to knock them over the head.”
“Well . . . this one is a little more ornery than the rest.” He patted my butt. “Must teach Em her place.”
“Hey. Let me down.” I tried to wiggle out of his hold with absolutely no results. “Fine. I’m going to eat the rest of your peanut butter.” Jar still in hand, I scooped up another bite and hummed happily as I munched away.
“See?” Eli retorted. Looking up, both Cooper and Cole chuckled, amused by the scene in front of them.
“You know, he didn’t have the need to knock the girls out before . . .” I pointed my spoon at Cole and Cooper as I spoke. “Because, what’s the need if they were already brain dead?”
“Oh man.” Cooper howled with laughter. “Think your work’s cut out for you with this one.” He gave me a high five.
“Don’t I know it?” Eli put me back down on the ground and grabbed the peanut butter jar out of my hands. “You’re cut off.”
I frowned.
Cole placed the knife down and turned his attention to Eli. “Ember would like to go get some personal items from her home.”
Eli turned serious. “Do you think that’s a good idea? I thought you said—”
“It will be a good time to check on some things.” Cole eyed him with a steady look. A message only Eli understood passed between them. “Check out the house. See if anyone’s been there.”
“Right, yeah. That’s a good idea.” Eli nodded. The way they spoke ignited my interest. Something was up, but since it was getting me what I wanted, I decided to ignore it.
“I’ll go. We can take Gabbs and Jared,” Cooper spoke up.
“Jared needs to get out more. You can treat it like a training exercise for him. He’s still a little too hyper to be stealthy.” Cole rolled his eyes, but I could see the absolute love he felt for his nephew.
“Cool, I’ll go get J and Gabbs.” Cooper slipped off the stool and headed out of the kitchen.
Jeez, I simply wanted some underwear and a pair of jeans. How did this turn into a whole parade? I glanced nervously at Cole. “I didn’t mean for this to be a big deal. I just wanted some of my stuff.”
“I understand, but we like to be prepared for any situation. Plus, I want Jared doing more fieldwork. Being a Dark Dweller is not as natural for him as it is for the rest of us.”
They treated Jared with kid gloves. Now that I knew they had come here over eighteen years ago and that Jared was sixteen made me curious. “Jared was born here?”
Cole’s expression grew shadowy again. “Yes. His mother was human. He’s not quite like us.”
Jared was half human and half Dark Dweller. Interesting. I really wanted to know more—curious about this human woman Owen had let in. Had he loved her? Or did he use her to obtain a child? What had happened to her? Theories built themselves in my mind. My mouth opened to ask, but Cole turned his back on me, busying himself with packaging the raw meat. His countenance conveyed to me the end of subject and to not ask more.
I slammed back my lukewarm coffee. I did need my caffeine fix, but now I was wishing the coffee had a shot of whiskey in it. Everything was going to be fine, right? So, why did I have a deep, sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach?
SEVEN
A short time later we loaded into Cole’s huge SUV and drove down the road. Gabby, Cooper, and Jared argued in back over who was going to carry the bigger knife. Cole had made sure they were all armed, even though they didn’t need to be since they were walking weapons. He hadn’t given me anything, probabl
y still unsure if I would use it against them.
Eli didn’t seem to have the same worry. “Strap this onto your leg.” One hand was on the steering wheel as he handed me a sheathed knife. “Since you have the bracelet on, I don’t want you to be without protection. But remember that you stab to kill. Don’t play nice because they won’t, and they won’t be stopped for long. You get out when you can and run.”
“But if I kill them, doesn't it stop them?”
“You won’t kill them.”
“Gee, thanks,” I snapped. I wasn’t expertly trained, but I could kill. Yeah, if they walk up to the knife and fall on it. My insecurities mocked me.
“Relax. We’ll probably be in and out in seconds.”
“Something you probably know a lot about,” I muttered as I looked out the window. I could see him turn to me in the reflection. He arched his eyebrow before turning back to the road, shaking his head.
As we drove, I realized I didn’t remember anything about what roads we had taken and how to get back. I was exceptionally good with directions, always had been, as if I had an internal compass. But, now my compass felt like it got knocked over. I scrubbed at my head, trying to clear it.
“We have a misdirection device and a protection spell over our land. No one can find us, and anybody who gets near will suddenly decide to go another way.” Eli looked over at me.
“So, how do you get back?”
“When we first executed the spell, we provided our names and a sample of our blood so it can recognize us. We are the only ones who know the way. The only way a stranger can find it is if we lead them in.”
“So that’s why you want to keep me there.”
“It’s not so much of a ‘want’ to as a ‘have’ to,” Gabby’s voice shot out from the back seat.
“Gabby,” Eli grumbled.
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