A look in the mirror had me shrinking back in horror. Blood stained my hands and face. Scarlet smears ran around my mouth, up the side of my face and even in my hair. Even as I stood there staring into my unnaturally blue eyes, I licked the blood from my fingers. Seeing my brown eyes all wolf had taken years to adjust to. I doubted that I’d ever get used to seeing Arys’ midnight blue eyes on me.
I understood completely why Shaz had such a hard time looking at me like this; I looked like something straight out of a horror movie. My ash blond hair was a wild, blood-flecked mess. I sobered as I stared at my reflection. After what felt like a long time, I turned on the tap and washed the blood from my face and hands.
Arys was right. I couldn’t keep fighting this. I needed to hunt, to feast and to kill. The hunger haunted me all the time now. Try as I might to fight the urge, it wasn’t going away.
An eerie giggle spilled from between my lips. It echoed in the silence of the washroom. I felt amazing even after just a taste of her. I wanted to run through the forest so fast that my paws barely touched the ground. I suddenly couldn’t wait to be wolf. At least in the confines of the forest, I couldn’t hurt anybody.
Chapter Eight
I didn’t see Arys when I left the bathroom. I kept my eyes on the front exit and forced my feet to keep moving. Shaz was having a heated exchange with a vampire I didn’t recognize. He was right up in Shaz’ face, demanding entry to the club.
I didn’t know or care what reason Shaz had for refusing. That was good enough for me. I held up a hand on my way past and blasted the vampire in the chest with a shot of the tightly wound energy burning its way through me.
“Beat it!” The blow threw him back out into the parking lot. I didn’t bother to glance his way. If he made any more trouble, I would kill him.
I needed a few moments alone in the night air to get a grip on myself. I walked quickly through the parking lot to my car, passing Kale’s along the way. I did a double take. When did Kale arrive? Thank God he hadn’t seen me and Arys getting it on inside.
My hand went to the bite on my neck and Arys’ ‘Let’s hope so’ comment rang in my ears. He’d bitten me for Kale’s benefit. That was a whole new jealous low for Arys. He’d never admit any such thing though.
Kale hadn’t been in the club, which meant he was in the back, in his personal room. I could just imagine what he was up to, probably with some woman. No imagining! Whatever Kale was up to, I didn’t need to think about it, and I didn’t want to know.
As I drew closer to my car, I got the feeling that I was being watched. I didn’t feel a close presence though. Whoever it was, they were a good distance away. I wasn’t in the mood to deal with anyone or anything else tonight. Just to be safe, I cast a power circle around me. Nobody would get close without walking into it and ending up on their ass.
I unlocked my car with the key remote and glanced inside before opening the door, a habit I’d started when I first got my license. Too many late night movies featuring a creep waiting in the backseat had permanently instilled that caution in the back of my mind. The car was clear. Nobody was around. Still, something felt all wrong.
I opened the driver’s door, and the white envelope sitting on the seat affirmed my unease. Both my name and Arys’ was scrawled on the front in handwriting that was barely legible. I reached for my cell phone first, finding it untouched. Knowing that I was being watched from a distance, I grabbed the envelope, relocked the car and turned to go back into the club. Whatever was inside that envelope, I wasn’t looking at it with an unseen audience.
“Take a break?” I whispered to Shaz upon re-entering the building. After a few words to Shawn, another security guy, Shaz followed me through the lobby. I searched for Arys, spotting him near the dance floor enjoying the attention of two women fawning over him. He looked my way almost as if I’d called his name. I gestured for him to join me and continued on to the back hall.
I didn’t believe there was anything truly dangerous inside the envelope. I sensed nothing unnatural inside. Still, better safe than sorry. I’d rather open it in a private, quiet area. No matter what it was, it wasn’t good. I knew that without a doubt.
Stepping through the door into the back hall made me uneasy. I automatically shielded my presence so that the vampires consorting with their blood whores back there wouldn’t sense me, Kale included. Shaz was right behind me, concern etched on his face.
“What’s going on, Lex?”
I turned the envelope over in my hands. “Someone was in my car. No damage or any sign of a break in. It was just sitting there on the driver’s seat.”
His gaze swept over me, and he wrinkled his nose. “Why is there human blood in your hair?”
“I had a little incident in the washroom with a bleeding woman. Nothing to worry about.” I was relieved when Arys joined us, preventing me from having to explain further. I held up the envelope for him to see. “Someone left this in my car. They were watching me.”
Folding his arms across his chest, Arys nodded. “Open it.”
My hands shook slightly when I tore it open. A photo was inside and nothing more. I pulled it out and felt the blood rush from my face. It was a surveillance photo of Lena, the older human witch that Kale and I worked with. I considered her a close friend, family even.
The picture showed her crossing the parking lot of her apartment building, completely unaware that she was being watched. An address and a time were written on the back of the photo. I didn’t need it spelled out any more clearly.
“Is this how they get your attention? By threatening innocent people before they’ve even spoken to you?” Shaz looked disgusted.
Arys shrugged and took the picture from me for a closer look. “I’m actually a little surprised that’s all they did. Makes sense that they would use one of your human friends as a way of making sure we’ll show up.”
Shaz was quickly going from disgusted to livid. “You’re not going without me.”
“What about Lena?” I looked to Arys for answers. “Will they hurt her?”
A shadow passed behind his eyes, and my stomach dropped. “Not right away. They just want you to know that they can and will if you don’t play along.”
A scream rang out from down the hall, causing me to jump. It was quickly followed by a high-pitched giggle, and I shuddered. Good Lord, don’t let that have come from Kale’s room. Shaz frowned, but Arys was completely unaffected.
“What I find interesting is that they want you to meet them in a public place.” A small smile played about Arys’ lips. “They chose neutral ground because all they want to do is talk. This time. I have a feeling they are looking for ways to deal with us without it becoming a power struggle. Which is why they targeted Lena. They weaken you because of an emotional tie. They don’t need to have more power than us to do that.”
“Can’t argue with that logic.” Shaz ran a hand through his platinum hair. “I’d do the same thing.”
I nodded and paced a few feet away then back again. “So would I. But, Lena has nothing to do with this. It’s not fair.”
“Anything to make you squirm, my dear. The biggest mistake you can make right now is to show fear. And, don’t even think of rushing over to Lena’s. I guarantee they have someone watching her in case you do.” Arys glanced at the address on the photo. “We’ll meet them and settle this. Don’t worry about Lena.”
“Shit! That’s three days away still.” I wanted to punch something. The wall wouldn’t be satisfying enough. I couldn’t hurt it.
Arys was utterly calm, the polar opposite of the storm of panic and rage swirling inside me. “They want to draw it out so you agonize about it. Don’t bother. They won’t do a damn thing yet. We’ll meet them. They’ll toss threats and demands at us, and we’ll kill them. Or, something like that.”
A door creaked open down the hall, and I knew without looking it was Kale’s. Both Arys and Shaz turned toward the sound. I waited, sensing Kale’s approach though he moved
in graceful silence. I shielded hard, unwilling to touch the metaphysical fire that warmed me as he drew near.
“What’s going on?”
Arys passed him the photo, and I held my breath, waiting for Kale’s reaction. I was relieved to see that he wasn’t strung out on a blood binge. He peered at both sides of the picture, and a frown furrowed his brow.
“I’m coming with you.” Kale’s tone left no room for argument.
I nodded but said nothing. Instead I called Jez. “Do me a favor Jezzy? Call Lena and make small talk. Just make sure she answers and she’s safe. Don’t let on that you’re checking up on her. I’ll call you back in a bit and fill you in.”
After hanging up, I let my gaze travel over the guys. I found it easiest to make eye contact with Shaz. “Alright. Monday at midnight we meet them.”
“What about Lena?” Shaz asked with a growing fire burning in his jade eyes. “Someone should stake out her place.”
“They’ll have someone watching her, to make sure you show.” Arys was looking particularly smug. I shook my head so that my hair fell over the bite on my neck.
I felt the weight of Kale’s gaze upon me. His expression revealed nothing when he said, “I’ll go to Lena’s.”
That thought didn’t sit well with me. I cut the conversation short. “We’ll talk about it later. I have to call Jez back, and if I don’t go for a run soon, I’m going to lose my mind.”
With a curt nod, Kale handed me the photo and retreated to his room. I knew he had someone waiting for him in there, and I wanted to vacate the hall right away. The smirk pasted on Arys’ face didn’t fade as he and Shaz followed me back into the club.
Shaz headed back to the lobby, calling back to me, “Be careful. I’ll see you at home soon. Or Kylarai’s. Let me know where you’ll be.”
I blew him a kiss and turned to Arys with a sigh. “I need to go home. I assume you have other things in mind.”
“Go run; I feel your wolf pacing inside me.” With a gentle touch, he caressed the side of my face. “I’ll stick around for a bit after you leave. I can’t take much more of this place. It’s painful. So many lovely treats that are to be tasted but never truly feasted upon. It’s a tease is what it is.”
“Yeah, yeah. Willing victims are such a pain in the ass, huh?” I rolled my eyes and gave him a playful shove.
“Willing victim … that’s beyond ridiculous. Takes all the fun out of it. I thrive on the struggle.” He chuckled, and I felt his smooth laughter like the stroke of a finger down my spine. Taking my hand, Arys placed a kiss in the center of my palm. “Come on. I’ll walk you out to your car.”
* * * *
The breeze was cool against my face as I ran through the forest, dodging stray limbs and jumping fallen trees. As a wolf I was able to maneuver through the thick trees and brush with ease. My body moved with a natural flow, instinct guiding my feet with every step. Lupine muscles and senses enabled me to be one with my environment. I savored every moment of such true freedom.
The sky was clear, the perfect backdrop for the curtain of stars overhead. Unlike the city just miles away, the forest was quiet and peaceful. The scent of rich earth and fresh growth tantalized me. The transition of spring to full-blown summer was full of splendor. Everything was new again, thriving in the circle of life. It was earthly and natural, something the rest of my life was not.
These precious moments as wolf reassured me. No matter how deadly my other side was, as long as I had my wolf to ground me, the darkness wouldn’t swallow me whole. As hard as the first few years were after Raoul had attacked me, I couldn’t regret becoming a werewolf. The wolf connected me to life in the same way Arys linked me to death. The wolf kept me sane and alive; I believed it with every part of me.
I raced through the forest, ducking a low hanging branch before it could slap me in the face. My ears twitched constantly, ahead then back, listening as Shaz gained on me from behind. I was hoping to reach the clearing ahead before he leaped on me. Once he got me in his sights, he would roll me.
The sound of his pursuit grew quiet, and I wondered what he was up to. I had a feeling he was going to try to head me off before I reached the clearing. Shaz made one hell of a fine wolf. He was stealthy and intelligent. Though I wanted him to have opportunities to make use of those fine qualities, I hated that it put him in danger.
Hoping to throw him off, I veered off my straight path and zigzagged through the trees. I broke through the trees into the clearing and gave a surprised yelp when Shaz leaped out in front of me. He crashed into me hard enough to knock me off my feet. We tumbled and rolled with limbs flailing.
I was quickly on my feet, circling away from Shaz. He sat back on his haunches with his tongue lolling out. I didn’t give him much time to enjoy his small victory before I jumped on him, biting at his ears. He whined and tried to pull away.
We fought playfully until we’d both had enough. A wolf play-fight still left real cuts and bruises. We lay in the soft grass for a while, watching the sky change color as dawn drew closer. I caught myself drifting off and decided it was time to head back. As much as I loved the forest, when I fell asleep for the day I wanted to be in my own comfy bed.
Shaz and I trotted back at a leisurely pace. The sun was just barely glowing on the horizon when we crossed the small stretch of field that separated the tree line from Kylarai’s backyard. The forest was the one thing I missed the most since I moved out of Ky’s and into Raoul’s house. Living in a small-town suburb outside the big city made it easy enough to get back to Ky’s for a run, but it just wasn’t the same as having this lovely forest outside my own door.
Kylarai was standing on the back deck when we approached. She was wrapped tightly in a long, fuzzy robe, and I envied her coziness.
“You two are out pretty late.” She greeted us with a wave. “It’s four o’clock. Want to come in for coffee since you’re here anyway? I put a pot on when I first noticed you out there.”
To shift, I disappeared beneath the upraised deck where I’d left my clothes. Shaz followed suit, and within minutes we were sipping from steaming mugs of coffee in Kylarai’s kitchen.
“Are you just going to bed or just getting up?” I asked, giving her a serious once over. Her hair was a mess, and she looked as if she hadn’t slept in days. “If we’d known you were up, we would have asked you to join us.”
She shrugged and stared into her coffee cup. “I’ve been buried in work lately. Took on a new case that is pretty sticky. They have a lot of assets to split up, and of course they want to fight over every single one of them.”
Shaz and I exchanged a glance. Kylarai was a known workaholic. She liked to stay busy with her career as a divorce lawyer, but this was more than that. She was working to escape from her break up with Julian.
“You need more time off, Ky. Regular time off.” I didn’t mean to scold. She was a grown woman, but she never hesitated to tell me what I needed to hear. I was willing to do the same. Her energy was low, and if I focused, I could feel the distress of her wolf. “Time as wolf.”
“I know. Zoey has been saying the same thing.” Ky glanced down the hall. The door to Zoey’s room, my old room, was closed. “So I was thinking maybe we could do a girl’s night out tonight. If you’re not busy.”
I looked into her grey eyes and saw the pain that she tried to hide. This Julian incident wasn’t something she was going to get over easily. I wouldn’t have either.
“Yes, definitely. Let’s do a girl’s night. I could use one, too.”
Shaz looked back and forth between us. “What does a girl’s night out consist of exactly?”
“If we told you, we’d have to kill you.” I smiled and winked.
Kylarai laughed and smoothed down her wild hair. “I promise to sleep and shower first though. I won’t make you take me out looking like this.”
“Are you kidding?” Shaz let his gaze slowly sweep over her. “You’re a knockout, Ky. Never doubt it.”
“Ni
ce try, kid. You’re not that good of a liar.” Kylarai threw a sugar cube across the table at him. “So what’s new with you guys? Fill me in on all the latest. Arys worried me with his mysterious danger talk.”
Shaz leaned down to retrieve the sugar cube from the floor. “Arys thrives on drama and trouble. I don’t think he’s happy if there isn’t something going on.”
“It’s nothing we can’t handle. I told you about the blood ring Harley was involved in. Seems there are a few people affiliated with him that are looking for a little restitution.” I shrugged, hoping I came across as unaffected. I didn’t want her to worry.
Kylarai’s eyes widened, and she shook her head. “You’ve got balls, Alexa, more than most men I know. I don’t know how you can deal with this stuff and stay so grounded. I’d be a basket case.”
“Well thanks, but I’m hardly as well put together as it might appear. This is the perfect time for a night out. I’ll have to do laundry when I get home so I have something decent to wear.” By that I meant something without bloodstains.
We chatted over another cup of coffee, until the sun was high in the eastern sky. I was stifling yawns like crazy when at last Ky shoved us out the door so she could sleep through the day. I longed for my own bed and my white wolf curled up next to me.
“I’ll pick you up tonight at eight,” Ky called as we made our way down the front walk. “I can’t wait!”
Though I was too tired to show it, I shared her enthusiasm. We didn’t spend as much time together since I’d moved out, and I really missed her. As long as I knew Lena was still safe, I’d be able to let myself go and have a good time. Good times were becoming fewer and farther in between. A relaxing night out with the girls was just what I needed.
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