The Monster Ball: A Paranormal Romance Anthology

by Heather Hildenbrand

  I spent the next hour working the room, chatting up the guys at the bar, but for some reason, I couldn’t muster the energy to siphon some souls. Damn him.

  Slamming my drink back, I set the glass on the bar. I was going to kiss the shit out of someone, guy or girl. I wasn’t picky at this point as long as his or her soul wasn’t overly tainted.

  There.

  My eyes zeroed in on a guy with stark white hair who was slipping outside to the balcony. He was by himself and kind of dressed like a badass in black leather and a dark shirt. My inner demon was singing for souls. Time for some fresh air and a little moonlit smooch. Couldn’t get more romantic than that. I would give him a Halloween to remember.

  I straightened my shoulders, pushed out my chest, and strutted across the room toward the double doors leading outside. My spiked boots clicked on the floor in easy strides. Anticipation of feeding the beast within me gathered in my veins, raising my body temperature. Pheromones secreted from my skin to attract my prey.

  Licking my lips, I pushed open the door, letting the cool evening air wash over me. It was a beautiful night, but it wasn’t the view I was admiring. The target pulled out a long slim cigarette and put it between his lips as he looked for his lighter.

  The perfect opening.

  A lighter appeared in my hands perks of my demon powers, and I—

  An arm curled around my belly just below my breasts and pulled my back against my assailant’s chest. “What are you up to?” A husky voice whispered in my ear.

  Son of a bitch. I knew that voice. A growl of frustration tumbled from my lips. I’d been intercepted by none other than the thorn-in-my-side, Breckin Hastings.

  “What the hell are you doing?” I spun around, fury lashing through me like an unbridled storm. “Jesus. You really are a stalker.”

  Bright aqua eyes danced as they clashed with mine. “You’re hard to miss.”

  Annoyance snapped at my heels, and I pushed at the arms still around my waist. “Touch me again, and you’ll lose a hand.”

  He smiled crookedly at me. “A single dance with you might be worth risking a limb.”

  Do. Not. Be. Amused. He is neither cute nor funny.

  My jaw locked to keep my lips from curving. “Not going to happen. Is there no one else at this party you could annoy besides me?”

  He tilted his head to the side, causing several brunette locks to fall across his forehead. “Probably, but none are as fun as you.”

  He was lucky I’d already finished my drink, or it would have been in his face. My eyes flicked over his shoulder at the mark. He had found his lighter and had the flame at the end of his smoke. “If I dance with you, will you leave me alone?” I ground between my teeth, my eyes returning to Breckin’s face.

  “And if I say no, do I still get the dance?”

  I cut him a look. “You can barely hear the music from out here.”

  He shifted his arm up to the small of my back, pulling me against his body. “It won’t stop me.”

  Instinctually, I swayed with him, following his lead. I liked to dance—it often went with the job—but I didn’t want to enjoy dancing with Breckin. My brow scowled as my body and brain fought with one another.

  My mind was mentally preparing to unleash Hell on Earth, but then I looked into his eyes, and my heart skipped a beat.

  What is wrong with me? I berated myself.

  A lopsided grin appeared on his full lips. “It’s futile to resist me.”

  “Is that what I’m doing?” I shot back, doing everything in my power to ignore the warmth of his breath near my lips. The temptress inside me was dying to turn my face just an inch and press my mouth to his.

  It would be so simple.

  Just a kiss.

  No!

  My body might want to jump Breckin on the balcony and rip his clothes off, but my brain was sending me crazy warning signals. Don’t get mixed up with the likes of him. Something about Breckin cautioned me. Kissing him wouldn’t be without complications, and I had no room for sticky, icky, messy relationships in my life.

  I didn’t do relationships.

  Period.

  So what if his eyes were like the sparkling water of the ocean at high noon?

  So what if his body was rock hard and probably tasted like sweet sin?

  So what if the hand gliding up and down my spine was making me foggy in the mind?

  He wet his lower lip and leaned so our cheeks were touching to whisper in my ear. “There’s no point denying you want me.”

  I snapped back, shaking my hair. “God, how have you gotten through life without someone kicking the shit out of you daily?”

  “I love feisty girls.”

  “Well, you’re in luck. I’m extra saucy.” That unsettling feeling inside my stomach returned, and his eyes snagged my attention. What was it about them that drew me in?

  For a moment, I couldn’t remember why I was outside or that I despised the guy’s arms I was in. For a moment, I did want to press my lips to his.

  “Are you going to kiss me or just gaze lovingly into my eyes all night?”

  It was the sound of Breckin’s cheeky voice that brought me back to the entire reason I’d ended up on the balcony. Letting Breckin derail me showed a weakness I hadn’t had in decades. I flattened my palms on his chest and shoved, putting space between us. “The dance is over.”

  He lifted a brow, and his fingers were at my hips to keep me from running away. Not that I ever ran. “The music is still playing.”

  My scowl deepened. He maneuvered so we were close enough that I could feel his heart beat wildly against mine. “Has anyone ever told you how maddening you are?”

  “I’ll take that as a compliment. The wings, they’re real?” His voice had grown deeper and sexier if at all possible.

  He was trying to distract me again. “As real as your ego.” I still answered the question although I was conscious of his efforts.

  The grin on his lips was downright wicked and had my stomach tightening. “I’ve been trying all night to figure you out.”

  Damn him and his stupid smirk. I let my fingers run along the planes of his chest, reveling in the way his muscles responded to my touch. It was easier for me to identify supes, being able to sense the nature of their souls. “I’ll give you a clue. I’m not the type of girl you want to mess with.”

  He dipped his chin so his lips hovered over mine. I could all but taste him. “I figured that out already,” he murmured.

  My nipples brushed against his chest, causing my body to automatically react to his nearness. I arched into the hardness of him and sighed, throwing the towel in on the guy with white hair.

  I should just kiss Breckin and take whatever his soul would give me.

  It would serve him right.

  The devilish grin slipped off his face. “Would you rather be dancing with him?” he asked, indicating with his eyes the guy taking the last drag off his smoke.

  My eyes shifted to the target. He sucked on his cigarette, and our eyes connected. I could have sworn I saw a flicker of disdain, but that didn’t make sense. It was gone before I could really give it much thought because Breckin had shifted so that his breath danced along my cheek.

  Yes! No. I didn’t know.

  An unsettling feeling pitted in my gut, and I didn’t like it. Not one bit.

  The guy with the stark white hair flicked his cigarette over the banister, and then the asshole attacked.

  Chapter Seven

  Half a second passed as the realization of what was happening sunk in. Holy fuckity-fuck!

  I hadn’t been expecting that.

  My prey detector must be out of whack. No way in hell would I have ever targeted a hunter. No flipping way. But from the way he lunged at me and the glow of the hunter mark on his bicep, he was undeniably a hunter.

  There had to be something in the wards of this castle that was screwing with my hellish abilities. Everything about me felt off. It wasn’t just my powers but al
so these intense and foolish feelings for Breckin. What the hell? I didn’t have feelings.

  I’m heartless.

  I’m evil.

  I’m a demon.

  Part of my brain couldn’t comprehend I was being attacked. The other part couldn’t fathom that Breckin was helping me.

  Breckin moved like lightning, zipping in front of me to block the attack from the hunter. He caught the flying fist with his forearm and countered it with a punch to the hunter’s gut, but the hunter was good, jumping back before Breckin’s closed hand could reach him.

  The hunter crooked a finger at Breckin, egging him on.

  Every muscle in Breckin’s body went tight, and those aqua eyes hardened to empty gemstones. His hands curled into fists. “Is that all you’ve got?”

  I folded my wings out of sight. If I would be engaging in any kind of combat, it was best to protect the most vulnerable part of a succubus—my wings. Thank God I had worn my spikes.

  The hunter took another swipe at Breckin, and I sprang forward, delivering a swift kick to his chest before he could mess up Breckin’s pretty face. The hunter stumbled backward but remained on his feet, pivoting to regain his composure.

  “That was incredibly sexy,” Breckin said, grinning.

  Keeping my eyes on the hunter, I shook my head. “You’re twisted.”

  The hunter was far from ready to give up. Breckin managed to land a blow on the side of his jaw, snapping the hunter’s neck to the side, but without looking, the hunter backhanded Breckin.

  The bastard did not just strike Breckin.

  If anyone was going to hit the prick, it would be me.

  Red flashed behind my eyes as I drew on my demon skills. I caught him in the cheek with my nails, the tips suddenly turning sharp as knives at my command. Blood pooled in four slash marks, marring his tan skin in crimson.

  “How’s it feel?” I asked, my lips twisting into a sardonic half grin.

  The hunter gave me a look of pure joy and spit blood in my face. “I’m going to enjoy killing you.”

  Asshole.

  I hated when they did that.

  The back of my hand smeared his blood across the side of my cheek. “Ditto.”

  Breckin roared and threw himself into the hunter, his body slamming him against the ornate railing. Stone cracked, and debris crumbled to the floor and my heart stalled as I thought for a second they both might fall over. Breckin was able to shift his weight, pulling himself away from the ledge.

  The hunter grabbed onto the front of Breckin’s shirt, thrusting his knee into Breckin’s rock hard abs. Breckin hissed. This had to end before aqua eyes got killed, and I never got the chance to find out what the hell he was.

  I shot forward, grabbing a hold of one of the hunter’s arms as my leg extended in a perfect execution of a standing leg yoga pose, kicking him in the groin.

  Score one for the demon.

  Breckin took advantage of the opening. Pivoting, his fingers clasped on the hunter’s shoulders as he was bent over, and Breckin smashed his knee into the hunter’s face. The man’s eyes rolled back in his head right before his body fell like a giant tree, planking to the cold stone ground with a sickening thump. My eyes darted behind him, checking to see if anyone had seen what happened. The shadows of the night masked us, but it was doubtful no one had noticed.

  “I think I just saved your ass, sweetness,” Breckin said, completely unfazed by what just happened, which led me to believe fighting wasn’t new for him.

  “I’m going to pretend you didn’t just say that. We’re going to have to do something with his unconscious body.”

  Seconds went by as we both contemplated the best approach to the situation. “There’s really only one option,” he finally said.

  I nodded and hiked the front of my dress up as I crouched down beside the body. “Are you going to help me or stand and watch while I do all the work?”

  Breckin wrinkled his nose. “And dirty my clothes…?”

  I gave him the devil’s glare. “So help me God—”

  “Geez, don’t get your wings in a bunch. I was kidding.” He slipped his arms underneath the hunter’s torso as I grabbed his feet. “Speaking of wings, where are yours?”

  “That’s what you want to talk about? My wings?” I grunted, lifting the dead weight.

  Together we dragged the body toward a large flower pot in the corner, arranging his torso and legs so he was mostly hidden. “Some guys like butts; some like tits.” He shrugged. “I’m into wings.”

  “You need to get your head examined,” I replied dryly, moving away from the body toward the edge of the balcony railings.

  He scratched his jaw, ignoring my snarky comment about his mental state, and came to stand beside me. “What I’m trying to figure out is why he would attack you. There are plenty of people in attendance who have to be on the Supernaturals Most Wanted list. And why wait so long? He’d been out here the entire time with us.”

  The fucked up part was I’d been planning to kiss him—my attacker. That was a new page in my book. “I have plenty of enemies. Take your pick.” I could barely keep the wince off my face.

  We both glanced at the large flower pot. Breckin shoveled a hand through his hair. “Wow. They really did let just about anyone in here.”

  “They let you in,” I mumbled under my breath.

  He gave me a shithead grin. “Good thing, otherwise it might be you stuffed behind the flower pot.”

  “Please,” I snorted. “I was doing fine on my own. In fact, you were in the way.”

  Breckin snatched my wrist, but before I could protest, he hauled me against him. “Is that so?” I jutted out my chin. His gaze dropped to my lips, and those aqua eyes brightened. “I think I deserve a reward for saving your life.”

  I angled my head to the side, eyeing him with forced aloofness. “Really?” He did owe me a soul after all, considering he had rendered my target unconscious. But Breckin?

  Was it really wise to kiss him? There were plenty more available people inside the ballroom. I didn’t need to get my fix from the likes of him.

  And yet…

  I couldn’t deny that I was curious. What would his essence taste like? Would I be able to identify what he was? Would his lips be soft or hard?

  Screw it.

  What was a party without a little trouble?

  Slowly and deliberately I moved until my body was molded to his. “I’m going to regret this,” I murmured as I lifted up onto my toes, twining my arms around his neck, and pressed my lips to his.

  Chapter Eight

  I melted soft and warm into him, a little sound of pleasure escaping my lips. It was a shimmer of promises to come, and my body yearned for more. A white light flashed behind my eyes as they drifted shut.

  Breckin’s essence was like nothing I’d ever tasted, sweet and addicting. I wanted more. I wanted it all. He made me forget where I was, what I was. He nearly made me forget everything but him. His scent was unforgettable, hints of pine and moonlight. It stirred something buried deep inside me, tangling with my hidden emotions.

  His hand moved into my hair, cupping the back of my head as his lips moved over mine in an expert manner. We had just fought off someone in self-defense and were now bonding over a meeting of lips.

  There had to be something wrong with that.

  My lips parted for him, inviting him to take the kiss deeper. What are you doing? My brain screamed. This was only supposed to be a simple kiss—a thank you kiss. He wasn’t supposed to curl my toes or make me moan.

  Air lodged in my throat.

  This was bad.

  Feelings were extra bad.

  “I need to touch you,” he whispered as his fingers splayed against my bare belly—thanks to the cut outs at the sides of my dress—and skimmed the undersides of my breasts. I ached everywhere. My body bowed deeper into his, urging him to do more than just kiss me. It wasn’t the words so much but the sound of his voice that lit something up inside me.
r />   My hips rocked against his of their own accord. I hadn’t told them to do that, but I was so glad they had. His aqua eyes darkened like the bottom of the sea as his thumb made lazy circles at the sides of my breasts.

  I wished more than anything for a bed. My feet no longer had the ability to stand. I was supposed to make him lightheaded and weak in the knees, not the other way around. His fingers brushed down over my belly, moving between my thighs from the slit in my dress. A wave of white-hot heat licked through my veins.

  “Goddamn, you’re sweet,” he moaned against my mouth.

  No one had ever called me that before.

  His tongue moved against mine in a seductive dance, and I trembled.

  Holy succotash.

  This was getting out of control.

  And why were we still wearing clothes?

  The thin barriers were proving to be a nuisance as my hands roamed to feel the warmth of his skin. Pressing his back into the wall, I ripped the last buttons from his shirt, unable to wait a second more.

  He took my bottom lip between his teeth, torturing me with both velvety pleasure and pain. I felt my wings suddenly jut out, stretching and then curling around us.

  I was losing my mind, and I didn’t know how to stop it, but that wasn’t all. Something was happening inside me. The white light behind my eyes had moved, working its way through my whole body. I was afraid I would burst.

  Breckin slowly pulled away, ending the kiss. I tried to gain control of the disappointment that lit up inside me and stared at him with a mixture of disbelief and passion. What had he done to me? His soul was like nothing I’d ever tasted before in my life, but I was more concerned with the strangeness within my chest.

  Dragging in a deep breath, I took a step back before he could reach for me again. I could see by the look that had settled into his eyes that he wasn’t ready to let me go.

  He reached for me.

  I shook my head. “Don’t touch me again.”

  “Alexis.”

  The sound of my given name on his lips made me shiver. “What are you?” I demanded, stepping out of his reach.