Hyde, Book Three of the Devil's Roses

by Tara Brown

  He flexed his jaw staring ahead as if unmoved by her words.

  "Marcus you have to believe me. Nothing has happened. I like my training, I like being a Rose. I'm done in a couple weeks. I get to go home soon. Please take me back before they suspect something."

  He sat stoic. She hated him.

  She growled, "You stubborn ass."

  "Hanna I have a special place for you. We will live there together." His eyes focused on her bracelet, "Minus that thing."

  She gulped, "Marcus the distance has been good for me. I see now there is a difference between love and lust." She tried to tread carefully, "If I loved you my Siren side would be faded. It's stronger than ever."

  She didn’t see his hand move but she felt the impact as her head was knocked into the window. She saw stars as she was pulled into him.

  His anger seethed though his fangs, "You love me Hanna. You're confused."

  He pushed her back into her seat. She looked at him once last time. Quickly she grabbed the lock on the car door and flipped it up and opened the door simultaneously. She rolled from the car. She got up instantly and ran. She ran as hard and fast as her legs would allow.

  Her inner anger filled her with enough rage to carry her. She felt the beast's senses starting to fill her. She looked at the building next to her and leapt hard and fast. She scaled the building using her hands and feet. She got up to the roof with a leap. She sprinted across the roof leaping to the next building. She knew he was stronger, faster and more determined than she was. It was futile but she also knew her cell phone was in her bra.

  She speed dialed the first number in her call list.

  "Yeah?"

  "SAM I'M OUTSIDE RUNNING ON THE ROOFTOPS! MARCUS IS CHASING ME! HELP ME! TELL LORRI!"

  "Hanna?"

  "SAM HELP ME! HE ALMOST HAS ME!"

  She prayed he would care enough to help her. Her legs pumped as she zigzagged across the city leaping from building to building. In the moment she assumed would be the end of her life, her heart ached for one face. One face, in the crowd of men she held in her mind, stood out. She ignored it, desperate to get away.

  She could feel the beast desperate to come out. Her body and mind were strong enough that the beast was nothing compared to her. Instead she forced its strength to work for her, driving her on, forcing her to ignore the pain.

  Her sock feet were starting to burn, she knew they were bleeding and leaving a trail of Marcus's favorite snack to follow.

  She face palmed herself. It was like Hansel and Gretel but leaving dog treats for a hound to find them.

  She looked down at her phone ringing. The cold wind rushed past her. She answered the phone.

  "Hello."

  "What do you see?"

  It was Lorri, pissed couldn’t describe her tone.

  "I don’t know I can't stop running. I'm in bare feet and they're bleeding everywhere. I'm running across rooftops. He's chasing me and he has Henry."

  "Son of a fuck. Try to notice something Hanna."

  Hanna looked seeing golden arches, "MacDonald's and a subway station beside it."

  "Got you. Be there in three. Run straight for the next two blocks, try to get to the ground level."

  Hanna hung up the phone and looked down. The huge buildings were ending. She jumped down onto a small church. She heard the snap in her foot and winced. She slid down the roof.

  "HANNA!"

  She looked behind her to see Marcus chasing her. His face had changed to the angry monster she'd only ever seen once.

  She gasped and jumped from the roof. The broken bone in her foot made her scream.

  She ran hobbling, he would have her any minute.

  Her feet were almost dragging along the pavement. She felt sobs filling her throat as she looked ahead of herself.

  Marcus stood two stores away. Somehow he had gotten in front of her. He wore a sickening grin on his face.

  "My love why are you running from me? I'm here to help you."

  She shook her head, "You want me to be yours, like a possession not a person. I will never be yours. I never was Marcus. It's not love."

  She reached down gripping the bracelet. She noticed the many people on the busy city street ignoring her. She pulled the bracelet off, letting it fall to the ground. The shells smashed everywhere.

  "Miss are you alright. Let me help you."

  "Miss, no let me help you."

  "Fuck off buddy I got her first."

  "No. Let go of my girlfriend."

  They surrounded her. The humans became a barrier. It was a petty pathetic move but she was desperate.

  Marcus laughed as he started throwing them aside.

  Every step he took he removed another human, as she backed away from him five more surrounded her. She felt their hands on her. She felt them grabbing her arm.

  Their greedy fingers pinched her skin as they ripped at her clothes, in an attempt to get her to come with them.

  The wall of humans grew. She felt herself getting swallowed up in it. The beast tried to rage its way to the surface. The strength of her crushed it, sending it back into the dark.

  She pushed back, sending people back a few steps but again they would swallow her up.

  She felt a hand on her arm, it grabbed her hard, pulling her more forcefully than the others.

  She turned her head to see Sam.

  Her Sam.

  He pulled her to him as she shoved people out of the way and collapsed into his arms. He lifted her up and flashed outside a dark black SUV.

  The door was open, he placed her inside and jumped in with her.

  "Hanna are you alright?"

  Most of her clothes had been ripped from her body. She looked like she had changed again.

  Sam was holding her like he'd won the prize. Ben leaned toward her earning himself a growl from Sam. She wished his feelings were sincere but she knew it was the bracelet being gone. She could feel her own sexual energy pulsating from her. Whoever was driving was wasting no time. The SUV was bouncing all over as corners were rounded like it was a Maserati.

  She looked around the SUV for one face.

  Lorri smiled bitterly at her from the driver's seat, "I told you to stay away from the fucking windows kid."

  "He dragged me through when I went to Aleks's room. I'm sorry."

  Lorri nodded, "I'd imagine you are."

  Aimee looked her over, "What's the damage?"

  Hanna shook her head, "Don’t know. Foots broken for sure."

  "God she reeks of blood." Ben leaned in to smell. "Sexy blood."

  Again Sam growled.

  Hanna looked up into his handsome face, "Sam it's okay. It's not his fault. Just like it's not yours."

  He looked confused.

  She closed her eyes and enjoyed being in his arms for the moment it would last.

  Instantly the SUV stopped dead in its tracks.

  Hanna felt herself skid forward on the seat.

  "For shit's sake." Lorri cussed under her breath.

  Hanna looked out the window to see Marcus standing in the middle of the road with Henry. Henry's hands were in the air.

  The SUV spun for a moment.

  Hanna squeezed Sam, she was terrified. As much as she wanted to get away from Marcus she didn't want the price to be Sam or the others dead.

  She wondered what Lorri would do.

  Lorri opened the driver's window as the SUV halted, "Evening Marcus." Her voice was full of anger.

  He walked up to the window of the SUV casually, "Fine evening Lorri. Hanna my love, don’t make me get angry. You come with me or Henry will start extracting them."

  Lorri growled, "Don’t move Hanna. I can take him."

  Marcus grinned, "You will kill me, I'm certain of that but Henry. No Lorri we both know he will make a meal out of you. There is also the fate of Aimee's ever-beloved sister. Alise isn’t it? I do know of her location. I will trade what is mine for that information."

  Hanna gripped Sam. She just wanted on
e more second.

  "I'll go." She whispered.

  Sam held her, "No."

  Hanna nodded, "He wont hurt me."

  Lorri shook her head, "I don’t honestly give a half a shit about some sister. Hanna stays."

  Hanna reached for the door to the truck, "I'll go." She tried to open it. Sam held her refusing to move, "No you wont."

  She looked up into his eyes seeing the anger and heart break.

  He growled, "No offense Aimee but I don’t give a fuck about your sister either. Hanna stays with me."

  Hanna watched Aimee helplessly sit on the seat.

  Hanna nodded, "I'll go." She pulled herself away from Sam. Lorri looked at her, "You sure?"

  She nodded. Lorri put a hand on Sam. His hands dropped from Hanna.

  Aimee touched her and they were outside the SUV. Hanna bent over throwing up all over the cement.

  Aimee grabbed her arms, "When I get her I will come for you. Be ready."

  Hanna nodded, "Even if you don’t it's cool. I'll get away. I always do."

  "HANNA! DON’T DO THIS." Sam screamed against the window, she watched as Lorri held Sam, preventing him from flashing from the SUV.

  She put a hand up to the glass, "It's just the bracelet Sam. When I get a new one you wont feel that way anymore. You'll feel better."

  He shook his head, "No Hanna I don’t need the cure. My mom's a Siren too. The magic doesn’t work on me. Not like that. I sense what you are, what you feel, what you need. I love you Hanna. I'VE ALWAYS LOVED YOU."

  She felt Marcus grab her, before she could comprehend the information.

  All along his love had been real. Their sexual magnetism was real. She struggled to get away from Marcus. She shoved him as hard as she could. He fell back, she ran around the truck to the open window.

  He was her match, she loved him. It was real.

  "SAM YOU'RE MY MATCH!' She stuck her head in the window.

  Sam leapt over Lorri shoving his head through the window. His lips met hers for a second.

  The electricity that had been there before was there again, only it was ten times stronger. She felt all the air leave her body.

  Marcus grabbed her by the hair dragging her back to the car, "Enough of this Hanna." He spoke through his fangs at Aimee, "I will tell Aleks as soon as I have her home."

  Tears poured down Hanna's cheeks as Sam made eye contact with her. She cried out, "I love you." She could see Lorri holding Sam in the truck. He was screaming and fighting an ever still Lorri.

  She was shoved into the car again. Her hands trembled. The sexual tension and build up was gone. Marcus climbed into the car, slamming the door shut.

  He looked at Hanna, "You will be a good girl Hanna or my pit stop will be to eat Aimee's gorgeous sister."

  She nodded heaving silently, as tears poured down her face.

  She watched out the window as Henry got into the car. Sam vanished from the truck just as Henry started the car. He drove from the scene quickly. Hanna watched out the back window as Sam appeared on the road chasing the car screaming her name. He ran and flashed, keeping up with the car for blocks until Henry turned up a freeway exit. Her heart felt as if it were being ripped from her chest as she watched him get smaller. Soon they turned the corner and he was gone. Her love was gone.

  Chapter Fifty-One: What in Sam Hell

  Aleksander

  Aleks watched Ari. She looked angrily at Sam.

  Sam paced the living room sending off one of the more hostile vibes Aleks had ever encountered.

  "You attacked me when her bracelet was off but the magic doesn’t affect you?" She finally spoke after a few tense moments.

  Sam ignored her.

  Ari stood but Lydia stepped between them. She looked at Lucas, "What would you do if someone hurt Ari?"

  Lucas didn’t even flinch, "Rip them to pieces."

  Sam continued to ignore the conversation.

  Ari sat back down as Lucas pulled her into his lap and continued, "I would murder their entire family."

  Lydia shook her head, "How hard is it for you to watch as she fights in the ring?"

  "Hard."

  Lydia sat back down, "Do you hold a grudge against the person for weeks after they’ve hurt her?"

  He nodded.

  "Lydia I get the point." Ari spoke, obviously still annoyed.

  "Now imagine she is dating someone else, even though you know she is your mate. But imagine she doesn’t know, not yet." Lydia crossed her arms.

  Lucas growled.

  Aleks felt disgusted with himself for his part in it all, "Markus knew she was a Siren from the start I think. He cannot feel love, not the way everyone else can. Hanna loves so deeply she makes him feel something."

  Sam leapt across the room pinning Aleks against the wall. He couldn’t believe the strength he had. Aleks shook his head, "I'm on your side. I will help you kill him."

  Everyone froze as Aleks's phone rang.

  Sam released him and stepped back.

  Aleks nearly destroyed the thing pulling it from his pocket, "Yes?"

  "You may come now." Marcus sounded smug.

  Aleks ended the call and looked at Aimee, "I can go now." Her grave look hadn’t left her face since Hanna had left.

  Sam spoke softly, "What are we waiting for then?"

  Aleks looked at Sam and shook his head, "You can't come. Henry will sense you."

  Sam exploded with anger, "That’s my fucking soul trapped in that piece of shits castle. I'm coming."

  Aleks looked at Lorri who nodded subtly. Aleks held his arms out, "Fine but I have to be holding you, you don’t know the way."

  Sam laughed, "I can get there myself. I trace you the entire way."

  Aleks raised his eyebrow as Sam stepped forward. He'd been secretive with his abilities, even Aimee had no clue what all he did and they had become fast friends.

  Aleks left the room feeling the warm wind swirl around him.

  He was standing across the street from the castle. He pointed at the tree next to him as Sam appeared, "This is as close as you get."

  "Fine." He was gone instantly but Aleks looked up seeing a branch in a tree swaying under weight.

  Aleks left him there, appearing at the castle suddenly.

  Henry was waiting for him at the front door.

  "Henry."

  He nodded at Aleks and pointed inside.

  Aleks walked inside looking for Hanna instantly. He couldn’t see her in the muted light. Only Marcus enjoyed living with so little light.

  "My old friend, how are you?"

  He turned seeing Marcus walking down the hall.

  "Where is she? I want to see if she's okay."

  "HANNA!" Marcus yelled down the hall behind him.

  Aleks frowned as a scream filled the air in return, "FUCK YOU, YOU SON OF A BITCH!"

  Marcus held his hands out, "Satisfied?"

  "Not nearly. I want to see her."

  Marcus crossed his arms, "No. Now Alise is being held in France, south of France. Daniel has a property there. I believe you are aware of it. Blake has a lab set up there. They've always been there. Boston was a set up. Alise is living there as Blake's slave. He is a bit twisted, there aren’t words for how she lives some days."

  Aleks felt disgusted thinking about Aimee's sister living like that.

  "You may go now."

  Aleks grinned, "Okay." He was gone reappearing in an empty room. He vanished reappearing in the next room. He sighed again seeing it empty.

  He vanished and appeared in a dark room. He saw firelight in a small corner of the huge room.

  "Hanna?" He cried out.

  She ran to him, making it only part way across the room before a huge steel manacle and chain stopped her from going further.

  She wore only a small white nightdress. She looked out of place in it, it was not how imagined her dressing for bed. She seemed like much more of a jersey cotton flannel kind of girl.

  He wrapped his arms around her.

/>   "Can we get it off?"

  She shook her head, "No Henry did it. It's spelled."

  He grabbed at it. Already it was starting to wear at her skin on her ankle.

  "How's Sam?"

  "He's, well, he's across the street in a tree and very angry. He wants you back."

  She nodded stifling a sob, "I want him too."

  He pulled her back, "I feel different round you now?"

  "Yes alarming isn’t it. Apparently young Sam is her match. Her true love. Very rare for a Siren. More common apparently when the male is the offspring of a Siren."

  Aleks stepped back watching Marcus walk into the room.

  "He isn’t here to free me." She spoke defiantly.

  Marcus's dark eyes shot at her, "As if he could take you from me. Unfortunately for you, Henry no longer feels the need to help you. Your seductive powers are gone."

  Aleks watched Marcus with a glare, "You need to let her go Marcus. This isn’t the fourth century, you can't just hold women captive."

  Marcus shouted pointing at Hanna like a madman, "She isn’t a woman. She is a Siren. She is MY Siren. Get out."

  Aleks looked at Hanna who nodded. Aleks left her there like a coward.

  He looked up at Sam in the tree, "She's trapped for now. Lets go home. We need to get to Alise before they move her again."

  "You go. I'll stay here."

  "He will kill you instantly if he finds you."

  "Well I'd rather die than be without her. You can't understand what this feels like."

  Aleks sighed, "I do know what it feels like. Sam if you die she is going to be a regular Siren again. She will exude sexuality and he will enjoy every second of that."

  Sam dropped from the tree grabbing Aleks and lifting him into the air, "YOU WILL NOT SPEAK OF HER THAT WAY!"

  "I AM NOT YOUR ENEMY! I DON’T KNOW HOW ELSE TO TELL YOU THAT SAM!"

  Sam put him down, "I need her back. I was trying to give her space. Like an idiot. I wanted her to see me as a friend and fall in love with me that way. The real way. I could see she wanted it. Love without magic. I knew he had her bewitched. I knew once she was away from him she would see more clearly."

  Aleks felt sickened for him, "How long have you known she was your match?"

  "I met her when she was three and I was four. Our mother's were friends. She was a brat then but I saw it. Her red hair was more orange then but her freckles were the same." A tear ran down his cheek.