Hunted (Scarlet Dawson Book 1)

by Nicola Chadwick

  I sigh and then step out of his arms. “I suppose we best go upstairs, I need more answers.”

  We walk into the lounge and all eyes were on me again. Jared was back and thankfully Bastian didn’t seemed too bothered by his now casual presence around The Manor. Jessica and Quinn were still not around. “Where are Jessica and Quinn?”

  “They’ve been called out on a domestic dispute. Cain’s on watch downstairs.” Steve answers.

  We all sit down on the sofas as Roan comes in. He shoots Bastian a funny look, as I move to sit down next to him on the sofa. Roan stays standing whilst the others take up the rest of the seats.

  Aylesbury starts things off. “Every case regardless of its security level is filed in the archives in the catacombs under The Guild building. We just need to get in and get your mother’s and your file.”

  “How do you know all this?” I ask him.

  “Unlike you I approach my hunting from a completely different angle which is why I’m always assigned as your partner.”

  “Okay then clever git, how are you going to use your different angle to get us into the catacombs, even I know that is damn near impossible.”

  “I won’t be getting you in, you will.”

  Jared had been sat watching us until then. “How is she going to do that? It’s a death wish and I’m not willing to lose her just yet, I’ve barely had chance to get to know her.”

  “Screw that, I need answers. Tell me what I need to do. In fact how come you’re the plan master all of a sudden?”

  “Well I was a little bored while I was waiting around at your place, there is only so much TV a guy can watch, so when I got into your computer and did a little looking around things started to make sense and I came up with a plan.”

  “So come on then, out with it.”

  “You’re going to ask Adam to get the file for you.”

  “What!”

  “Who’s Adam?” Roan and Bastian ask at the same time.

  “Adam is the Fae that runs the armouries.” Jared said. “There are rumours that he did something really bad to someone really high up in The Guild food chain. Now he’s forced to work off his debt, you could say he pissed off the wrong person. There are also rumours that he makes them pay by doing favours for people who need to get back at The Guild.”

  “Really? I just thought he was good with the ladies and amazing at metal work.” I say with a smile, Adam and I had been friends ever since my first day at The Guild when he’d fitted me for a sword and flirted with me to the point where I almost said yes.

  “You’ve not!” Jared admonishes.

  I smile again. “No I haven’t, it’s not for a lack of trying on his part though.” Bastian growls low in his throat and flashes me one of his looks. “Don’t even start with me we have already had this conversation.”

  “Fine, you and me will go and visit this Adam tomorrow, that way we’re all happy.” Bastian grumbles.

  “Not all of us.” Roan says and walks out. Okay that was weird.

  Bastian got up and followed him out.

  Jared asked. “What’s going on?”

  “I don’t entirely know. You wanna go and get a drink and talk things over some more.” I say to them all.

  Steve gets up and moves towards the door, as he opens it raised voices drift up from the floor below.

  “She isn’t yours, she doesn’t want you. Why can’t you get that into your thick head.”

  “Even if I hadn’t started to bond with her, it’s her decision to make not yours.”

  “You’ve poisoned her against everyone else, you won’t even let her mention other men.”

  “You are taking things too far Roan. If you want to challenge me you are heading the right way.” Bastian growls.

  Then there was a loud bang as if one of them was slammed into a wall.

  “Scarlet!” Bastian shouts.

  Thing’s just keep getting worse and worse, I bet he was going to blame me now for dissension in the ranks.

  “We’ll just head out through the back.” Dante says backing away from the stairs.

  I head downstairs to be met by just Bastian. A very, very angry Bastian. He looks bigger and more threatening than normal.

  As I reach the bottom of the stairs he grabs my arm and pulls me into the room that sits in the alcove at the end of the corridor, the one room I had assumed was his. Not that he gives me chance to get a good look at my surroundings. He pulls me through the door to stand in front of him.

  “We are going to take this to the next level, I shouldn’t have to fend of challenges from other men. You are mine and now I’m going to make you mine.”

  Holly shit, he’s been pushed too far he’s gone all Neanderthal animal on me. He starts backing me up, my legs hit the bed as he gains on me and I start to fall back. Landing on my back, he leans over me his arms braced either side of my head as his extremely tense and hard body comes to rest against mine.

  “You can’t do this, I’m not ready yet, we haven’t even completed the blood exchange.” I protest, not daring to move.

  He moves one of his hands down my side and then back up again, watching my reaction as his hand grazes bare skin. He leans into me further and reaches up to caress my face, then he clenches his fist, grits his teeth and moves away.

  “I’m not going to apologise.” He says as I get up. “We need to finish this soon, my own Pack members are starting to challenge me for your attentions and it will only get worse. The animal in me knows you’re mine and won’t accept anyone else near you, I’m quick to anger as it is.”

  “I know but I can’t do this right now, too much is changing too quickly. Can I not have a little time to get used to this?” I beg, I couldn’t do this yet.

  “Look let’s just go and find the others. You need to understand though that I can’t take much more, I feel like your mine but...”

  “I’m yours.” I say simply, then walk out. As I look behind me I can see his smug smile as he saunters behind me.

  “Oh please! You said you felt like I was yours. It still doesn’t mean I like you.” That wipes the smile from his face.

  Chapter Twenty Eight

  Never once in my entire life had I been on a motor cycle, now I clung to Bastian on the back of a gigantic beast of a bike. I’d like to say I was enjoying the experience but Bastian insisted I didn’t need leathers or a helmet as there was no way he’d hurt his baby. I hope he meant me and not the bike although I’m pretty sure he meant the bike.

  We weave in and out of rush hour traffic at break neck speed, each time we corner I bury my head as far into Bastian’s back as I possibly can. He’d be lucky if he didn’t have finger sized holes in his sides by the time we got to The Guild building.

  He slows down a little and the roar of the engine becomes less deafening, the blasting of air on my face was less traumatic and I begin to enjoy the experience, instead of thinking I am going to die.

  We arrive at The Guild and park out front, I suppose there were some perks to riding a bike. Bastian slides off first and holds his hand out as I ungracefully entangle myself from the evil contraption.

  “Why was it a good idea to come on your bike? It would have been less of a hazard to my health if you’d have let me come in the truck.” I grumble as a regain my land legs.

  “The bike cuts through traffic quicker than the truck, which in turn means I’m less aggravated, which then means I won’t rip this Adam’s throat out for putting the moves on you in the past. Okay?”

  I couldn’t do it, there was no holding back this time. “Yes Sir!” I reply, enjoying the pleasure the sarcastic remark brought me.

  We walk silently into the building and without signing my guest in we head straight downstairs to the armouries. If anyone asked me why I had someone without any clearance down here I was going to tell them the Beast Master wanted a tour, and who was I to refuse a King.

  I loved the smell of the armouries it was dark, musky, sweaty and metallic. I realise you
can’t really smell the dark but that’s what it smelt like to me.

  As we move into the cave like interior, I again see Adam in his familiar stance over the anvil striking metal repeatedly, as usual stripped to his waist. Unfortunately I felt myself avert my eyes from his magnificent form, I could already feel the tension rolling off Bastian and he was stood quite far behind me for a change.

  Adam stops mid swing and looks at me, smiling he walks over to great me, his charm on full power.

  “Scarlet, you’re back so soon, does my gift not work properly? Or are you here for more nefarious reasons?” He smiles wickedly and steps closer to me.

  “I don’t think so.” Bastian growls out and comes to stand at the side of me, wrapping his arm around my waist and tucking me in close.

  The air was beyond stifling, between Bastian’s tension and Adam’s lust I felt like I was going to keel over.

  “Enough with the pissing contest already. I came here for a reason.” I say, trying to sound in control of my senses. My body betrayed the lack of control as I shivered against Bastian’s side.

  “If he makes you feel like this, why the hell are you friends?” Bastian asks glaring at Adam.

  I turn to face him. “I think you’ll find Your Highness that you’re the one making me lose control, between his Fae charm and you’re whatever it is I’m stifled. So switch it off now.” I look at Adam who is grinning at me. “You too.”

  I could feel the air lightening a little but Bastian wasn’t even trying. I glare at him real hard.

  “What! I can’t just switch it off like he can, it’s not some power it’s an inbuilt natural reaction.” He looks at me with impatience like I should already know that.

  I ignore him and say to Adam. “The sword is fine and works brilliantly, I even left her behind and called her back. Not on purpose. I really should do something to thank you but I’m afraid I’m here to ask a favour.”

  “Very intriguing and what might this favour be?” He says motioning us further into the room where there was a little more space.

  “I hear you are in the business of helping people who are in the need to strike back against The Guild.”

  He frowns at me. “How would you know this?” He says with his eyes narrowed.

  “Jared told me.”

  “Ah Jared, I suppose you have also discovered that things are not what they seem and the he is in fact your long lost half sibling.”

  My mouth physically hangs open and stays there while Bastian answers for me. “You knew and you never told her!” He says getting closer to Adam.

  I put myself between them and say. “I’m sure there’s a very good explanation for it.”

  “Actually there isn’t, I get bored and break into the archives to read everyone’s files, yours was very intriguing but I thought my attention would be better spent trying to seduce you.”

  “Are you really that manipulative?”

  “I’m Fae sweetling. It’s obvious from the Neanderthals expression he thought no less of my kind.”

  I didn’t even look at Bastian I just search Adam’s face, all this time I trusted him and thought he was my friend, I even flirted back. “I want my file, that’s why I’m here.”

  “Oh you can have your file but only in exchange for something very precious.”

  “I haven’t got much money.” How dare he auction off my own personal records?

  “I have enough money to buy all the files she needs.” Bastian growls at Adam.

  “We want Ivy’s file as well.”

  “You can have them all if you’re willing to give me what I want and I’m sure Bastian will agree that the price is very high but money can’t buy it.”

  “What do you mean, what ever you want I’ll do it?” I feel like dropping to one knee and begging.

  “Oh I’m sure you’ll do it, but he won’t want you to.”

  “Hell no.” Bastian grabs my hand and starts dragging me out of the armouries.

  I break free. “What do you mean hell no? I want that file.”

  “Then we will get it ourselves, I am not letting him have his way with you.”

  “How do you even know that’s what he wants?”

  “Because it is” Adam interrupts. “If you want those files I want something I could never have had from you and something he won’t let you give. A passionate kiss, I want to see if I can finally break down your defences with a kiss. With the charm turned on and he has to watch you choose me over him.”

  “I agree.” I say to him, what’s one little kiss?

  “Over my dead body.” Bastian protests.

  “That can be arranged but for this you get to stand there not say a word and not interrupt. Otherwise Scarlet doesn’t get either of the files. Then afterwards if she wants you over me, she’s more than welcome. I won’t be so stupid as to leave a half bonded mate walking around.”

  Bastian stands there, arms folded and eyes narrowed. He gives me one of his looks.

  “Do you promise that you will give me those files no matter whether I stay with you or stay with him?” I say moving closer to Adam.

  “I do”

  He turns the charm back on then, I look back at Bastian and his face is a complete mask. I step into Adams open arms as the air gets intensely thicker. His charm must have never been on full before as I can feel the lust building in me already and it has never been this powerful before. His arms envelop me and as they close around me his hands move to hold my back. I find myself thinking he’s nowhere near as big as Bastian. I lift my head to look into his eyes that have now gone completely black.

  He lowers his head slowly building the tension. Then when his lips meet mine, his lust fills me inside and out, coating my skin with every slide of his tongue against mine. The kiss was an experience like none I’d ever had before, I could feel his passion and it made me want more. I felt empowered, partially blinded by the lust coating my skin. He leisurely toys with my lips as his hands move up to cup my face.

  Then he slowly breaks away, resting his forehead against mine, his breathing slightly laboured. He looks into my eyes and he instantly saddens. He sees what I’m going to do before the decision has even fully formed in my head. I pull away from him and move to stand with Bastian, wrapping my arm around his waist.

  I look sideways at Bastian then straight at Adam. “I think that kiss deserves the files don’t you?”

  “Well played Scarlet. Wait here a moment please.” With that he disappears into the back minutes later returning with one big file and one fairly small file.

  “Thank you Adam. Why couldn’t you just give me the file, I thought we were friends?” I ask.

  “I wanted to piss him off for claiming you, if you’d have come alone, this wouldn’t have happened.”

  I turn to Bastian and give him a look that says I told you so, then wave to Adam and walk out. I leave the building and go to wait for Bastian on the bike, positioning myself on its evil back just as he reaches me. I stow the files in the bag that I’d brought and sling it over my shoulders.

  “Can you please go a little slower on the way back?” I plead, batting my eyelashes for effect.

  He doesn’t answer; instead he gets on the bike, instantly starting it and speeding off. Thankfully he slows down once he reaches his desired speed.

  I move my hands from the grab rails at the back to hold onto Bastian’s waist. Now I wasn’t as terrified I could pay more attention to the feel of riding on a bike. The wind caresses my face and with every turn I could feel Bastian’s muscles expand and contract under my hands, I daringly move my hands further around to rest against his stomach. I sigh, his wash board stomach feels as amazing as I thought it would.

  We had just left the city when Bastian suddenly pulls over skidding to a stop at the side of the road. He gets off the Bike, puts the stand down and lifts me off. He sets me down in front of him, his hands never leaving my waist as he steps in closer.

  “I just need to know.” He says.

&
nbsp; “Know what?”

  I don’t get an answer; he pulls me up close into his strong embrace. His arms feel so much bigger and safer than Adams but still dangerous. There was no intense lead up, he just claims my lips.

  Claims me.

  His lips caress me with expert control, and when his tongue slides over mine, I feel it all the way to my toes and back up again. My core ignites.

  Bastian doesn’t need any special Fae powers to make a girl go weak at the knees.

  I kiss him back. Not thinking just feeling. His arm snakes around my back and pulls me completely flush with his body. As he devours me a moan escapes my lips. He breaks away and looks into my eyes his dark blue gaze penetrating me.

  “I needed to know. Your eyes where blue when you kissed Adam, they’re black when you kiss me.”

  I push him away. “You where testing me?” Ass, the best kiss I’d ever had and it was all about power and who could kiss me senseless better.

  He just stands there and smiles at me as he watches me struggle to get back on the bike. I sit impatiently waiting as he slowly gets back on the bike with me, then as he accelerates the engine and sets off I lean in and say to him. “When we get back, you had better give me some space or else I will force that relaxant down your throat and I’m figuring you won’t like being out of control.”

  He accelerates the bike further, obviously to annoy me. I take my arms off the rail and lock myself tightly around him as he gets faster and faster.

  Chapter Twenty Nine

  Bastian pulls me off the bike outside the front door to The Manor. I take a swing for him and he jumps away quickly. “You did that on purpose you arrogant ass.” I turn on my heel and walk off running into Aylesbury on the stairs.