by Trina M. Lee
“You know you’re playing with fire, right?” Rowen asked with a grin.
A low, flirtatious laugh escaped me. “I am the fire, Rowen.”
His hand slid down my back to play with the chain that hung from my hips. “My God, you’re a fucking goddess. I know you can take care of yourself, but watch your back. Ok?”
“I will,” I assured him. “Of course. But I’m sick of playing the game by their rules. Something has to change. And it can start with Koda seeing me make a clear and bold statement that I will not be controlled.”
Rowen’s faintly black-rimmed amber gaze strayed past me to where Koda regarded us with open hostility. “I’d say you’ve made your point. Seriously though, Spike, Dash won’t hesitate to kill you if he thinks you’re a threat. Be. Careful.”
I followed his gaze to Koda, making eye contact with the demon. I smiled. “Let me worry about Dash. He barely even leaves that house he’s always holed up in. Sending Koda to babysit us isn’t doing him any favors.”
“Did you talk to him?” Rowen ignored Arrow who bitched at him to hurry up before stalking away with a scowl.
Pushing my hair back from my face, I stared at the floor, hating that I couldn’t tell him what Koda had said. It would only put him in more danger than he was already in. “I did. It didn’t go well. Not that I expected it to.”
Rowen eyed me, the weight of his stare making me squirm. “Spike, what are you up to?”
I blinked up at him with my best innocent, doe-eyed expression. “What do you mean?”
“Why do I get the feeling there’s something you’re not telling me? What did Koda say?” Rowen stilled my hand when I attempted to take a drink to avoid answering.
Lying wasn’t an option. So thankfully I didn’t have to.
A radio station DJ approached us and clapped Rowen on the back. “Time to move, Cruz. Get your ass on stage.”
Rowen reluctantly released me with a brief kiss. “This conversation isn’t over.”
I raised my glass to him, swallowing my sigh of relief. “Kick some ass, baby.”
Sam managed to break away from Jett’s greedy paws and jogged after Rowen. Eager partygoers filed in faster now. The radio DJ waited near the stage stairs to announce the band and kick off the night.
“We better grab a good table before we get screwed out of one.” Jett sashayed away, her hips swaying seductively with every step.
Molly’s Chamber took the stage with a thunder of drums and Arrow’s boisterous shouts at the growing crowd. A cry went up from a group of women who shoved close to the stage. I could practically see Arrow’s ego inflate. Like a kid in a candy store, he looked them over. Decisions, decisions.
Warmth filled me. I wasn’t sure if it was from the vodka or the sheer hotness of Rowen. Watching his hands move over the bass, his head bobbing to the beat, it was about the sexiest thing ever.
It had been some time since both our bands played the same venue on the same night. I was eager to get up there. Usually we rotated throughout the various rock bars in the city, as well as the vampire bar downtown. Intimidating as hell but it paid well.
We settled in to enjoy the show with a few drinks and more than the occasional inappropriate remark.
When the guys launched into a song I hadn’t yet heard, Jett leaned in close to be heard over the music. “Are you hearing these lyrics?” She tapped the back of my hand and gestured to the stage. “This song is totally about you, and I’m pretty sure Rowen didn’t write it.”
I have never wanted to be on fire so bad
In you I see everything I’ll never have
And it’s ok
Cuz I know
I don’t deserve you
The song went on in a declaration of forbidden love, a love that was wrong in every way. I took an extra-large gulp of my vodka, feeling uneasy. “Shut up, dude.” I forced a grin and an eye roll. “You’re reading way too deep into Arrow. I think now you’re just looking for trouble. Cut it out.”
She studied me, the wolf lurking behind that dark, knowing stare. “Am I? Or is it just that obvious to everyone but you? And Rowen too, apparently. Either he’s in complete denial about Arrow’s feelings, or he’s a lot prettier than he is intelligent.”
“Jett.” My warning tone did nothing to deter her.
“Maybe it started as an attraction to the rare, highly sought-after female nephilim, but it’s evolved into genuine feelings. Which comes as a bit of a surprise. I didn’t think Arrow capable of such a thing.” She settled back into her chair and watched Sam bust out a pretty badass guitar solo.
I tried for annoyed but it didn’t stick. My mind strayed back to Fiona’s tarot reading and The Lovers. Temptation of the heart. No friggin’ way. It couldn’t be me. It just couldn’t be.
My pulse pounded a little harder when I forced my gaze back to the stage. I found it hard to look. Instead of watching Rowen in all his rock n’ roll glory, my focus kept sliding over to Arrow. Dammit.
Thick, smudged black liner gave him a mysterious yet sensual appearance. His dyed ebony hair was slightly messy from being flung around. Tight leather pants, a studded belt, and a Pantera t-shirt completed his look. A spiked bracelet adorned one wrist, a plain leather cuff the other.
Against my will I scrutinized him, asking myself if I felt anything more than utter revulsion. I mean, this was the same guy who’d drugged me and taken photos of me almost naked in his bed.
And used that same photo to save my ass later, putting his on the line to do so.
What in the fuck?
Feeling my heavy stare, Arrow glanced my way. Our eyes met. Rocks plummeted from the cliff of ridiculousness to land hard in my stomach. Why couldn’t I look away?
He broke eye contact first. I slammed the rest of my drink back and stood up. Jett raised a brow.
“Refill,” I said, holding up my empty glass.
“Get me one too.”
I nodded and hurried away, needing to get the hell away from the stage. Away from the weirdness that I didn’t want to feel.
Why the hell would Arrow have feelings for me? We weren’t friends. We could barely stand each other. Sure we’d spent more time together recently, but it was because Rowen and I had to keep our distance. And Arrow and me, we shared a common bond in Rowen. We both cared about him and wanted to protect him.
That was all we shared. That was all we’d ever share.
I sucked in deep breaths, trying to calm my pounding heart. A group of people stopped me as I passed their table to chit chat about Crimson Sin and tell me how much they loved us. It shouldn’t have been so hard to carry on conversation with them. All I could think in the back of my mind was: Wrong. Jett has to be wrong.
After profusely thanking them for their support and accolades, I continued toward the bar. Too bad we played next. Otherwise I would’ve gladly soaked my concerns in booze.
Midnight was coming. Still plenty of time for that.
I walked past the restrooms, nearing the insanely long bar lines. When hands grabbed me from behind, I let out a little shriek which was swallowed up by the music.
Koda dragged me into the dark corner beside the ladies’ room. The plastic cup in my hand hit the floor, and he kicked it aside. “Must be nice to be such a rarity, having all the dark men fall at your feet. Me included.” Close enough for me to hear him over the noise, Koda bared teeth as he spoke. “Don’t you ever wonder what it would feel like to be bad? I mean really bad. To play in the darkness?”
My palms tingled with the threat of fire that I had to restrain. “Let go of me, Koda. I have nothing to say to you.”
“I’ve been thinking about our last conversation,” he continued, holding tight when I tried to fight him off. “I have an offer to make you.”
Nothing about that reassured me. I stopped struggling to avoid drawing attention. Nobody could help me. Because I remained desperate to find a way to keep Dash’s triad from forming, I gave in. “And what might that be?”
“There is one
way you can keep me from killing Rowen before the alignment.” Koda appeared far too pleased with himself. He seemed to anticipate my reaction to what he said next. “Become my bride.”
CHAPTER TEN
A laugh of disbelief burst out. Right in his face. He was unfazed. I was unnerved.
“You’re insane,” I accused. “You’d have to be to make an offer like that.”
“And you’d have to be insane not to even consider it,” he countered. “I can offer you anything you’d ever want. Fame. Fortune. Power. And Rowen gets to live.” Venom dripped from his words. Like the snake he was, Koda watched me closely, waiting for me to make the move that would set him off.
I’d known for some time that he’d been slipping into a weird place as far as the two of us were concerned, but I didn’t realize how bad it had gotten. The demon was batshit crazy. His obsession with me had been annoying. A nuisance. It had now crossed over into terrifying.
“This isn’t the time or place for a discussion like this. I have a show to play, and I don’t need you fucking it up for me.” When he wouldn’t let me push by, I added, “Koda, you know you’ll never get what you want from me. Is this really how you want to force my hand? It’s kind of pathetic.” Inside I was quaking, but on the surface I projected a calm, cool exterior. I wasn’t sure he’d buy it.
“Save your judgment for someone who gives a shit.” Koda sneered and squeezed my arm. Ice cold fingers bit into my flesh. “Refuse me and not only does Rowen die, I’ll kill Arrow too. Just for kicks. The brothers you’re supposed to save will both be lost. You’ll be a failure.”
I did my best to keep from reacting, but he peered into my eyes and smiled. Surely he saw my inner panic. I said nothing. Speaking only encouraged him.
“Of course, with the way things are going, they might just kill each other. Brothers divided over the same woman. Should be interesting to see how Rowen reacts when he finds out Arrow is lusting over you.” Jerking my arm, Koda swung me around to face the stage.
There was no doubt I felt an obligation to both Rowen and Arrow. They’d been dropped into my life right as I’d reached a point of maturity in my abilities. I didn’t believe in coincidences. But I also didn’t believe becoming a demon bride was the best option.
“You know I’ll never agree to something so screwed up.” My gaze slid across the stage where Arrow shouted at the crowd to get on their feet and Rowen played his heart out. “So you must want something else from me. What is it, Koda?”
The touch of his ice-cold hands vanished. Crossing his arms over his broad chest, Koda stared at me with displeasure. Yeah, I knew him well and he hated that. But what did he expect when he wouldn’t leave me the hell alone?
In quiet contemplation he redirected his focus to the stage as well. For two entire songs he remained silent. Despite the loud music my heartbeat reverberated louder in my ears. Like Koda wanted, the anticipation killed me.
“They’re actually not bad.” His eyes never strayed from the brothers. “I want you to go to the Black Market for me. Someone there has something I need. Someone who refuses to bargain with me due to some… bad blood. You get it, give it to me, and I’ll back off the brothers. For a few days anyway. Time is ticking.”
My fearful anticipation gave way to rage. “You conniving piece of shit. That’s what you wanted all along, isn’t it? You had to get me all worked up for that? I don’t think I could despise you more.”
“Well, I’ve come to expect that. So I assume you’ll do it. I mean, I’m not giving you any other options. Although the bride option still stands.” The lecherous grin he turned on me made me shiver all the way into my boots.
My choices were less than ideal. Depending on what it was he wanted, maybe I could find a way to use it against him. Doing a task for a demon was not in my job description, although neither was becoming his bride. Lesser of two evils? “What’s at the Black Market that you can’t get yourself?” I injected as much derision into my tone as possible.
Not a scrap of emotion escaped him. “It’s called the Scorpio Key. It’s a scorpion encased in glass. If Nova asks, tell him Cinder sent you for it.”
I groaned. Of course it had to be in Nova’s possession. “You really do hate me, don’t you?” I asked, the question completely rhetorical.
He answered it anyway. “Far from it. You’d never believe it, but I’ve grown quite fond of you. However, we all have a job to do. Anything I may feel for you doesn’t change that.”
“I’ll never understand how something as vile as you could have once belonged to the light.” I walked away from him, and this time he let me go.
When I returned to Jett with fresh drinks, I avoided talking about Koda’s ultimatum. I needed time to mull it over. Between both Jett and Koda thinking Arrow had developed feelings for me and another visit to Nova on the horizon, it was tough to enjoy the night.
I watched those who congregated in front of the stage, arms in the air, glasses in hand. Not a care in the world right then. It was the dawn of a new year and anything was possible.
How I envied them.
In the rush to get one band off stage and the next on, there was no time to talk to Rowen between sets. The venue’s tight schedule left no room for broken-hearted lovers. By the time we took the stage, I was more than ready to beat the hell out of my guitar in an effort to purge my angst.
The DJ announced us, and the growing crowd welcomed us with devil horns and half-drunk cheers. The surge of adrenaline reminded me why I loved this so damn much. My own personal therapist, the stage allowed me to release the tension that plagued my soul. Jett knew how to gain and keep the crowd’s attention. Their enthusiasm poured fuel on our fire. For a few minutes I was able to forget everything. Everyone. There was only me and the music.
Until I caught sight of Koda lurking in my peripheral view. My own personal demon sent to make every moment as uncomfortable as he possibly could. Sure I’d get his Scorpio Key, and then I’d find a way to use it against him. Koda was overdue for some reaping of all that he’d sown.
When our set ended and we left the stage, I felt like I walked on air. Cleansed and refreshed, even Koda couldn’t bring me down. I didn’t think anything could, not with the festive mood permeating the atmosphere and the release I’d just had.
Until my gaze landed on Rowen and the blonde hanging off him. My gut tightened and I froze.
To be fair, he kept his hands to himself while she hung on, arms around his neck. But he was engaged in animated conversation, laughing and clearly enjoying himself.
“Groupie, I bet,” Jett said, following my gaze. “He’s just being nice.”
“Right.” I helped Tash carry a heavy amp out the back door to her van.
It didn’t matter what Rowen did or who he did it with. Technically, we weren’t together. But damn if that visual didn’t sting.
Once we got our gear loaded, Tash took off to meet her boyfriend. Jett promptly bounded over to Sam and sucker punched him in the stomach before planting a kiss on him. Strange relationship.
I hung back, not wanting to approach Rowen while he had a girl hanging from him. So instead I mingled, greeting acquaintances and accepting compliments on our performance. It took all my strength not to stare at him. I wanted to punch myself in the face.
“She’s nobody.” Arrow’s voice in my ear had me spinning to find him behind me, drink in hand.
I moved a few feet from the small group I’d been chatting with so as not to be overheard. “What are you saying?”
Arrow tipped his head in Rowen’s direction. “Her. She’s just an acquaintance who used to let us crash on her couch when we played in Calgary. She drove up here for the show. But she’s nobody to Rowen.”
“Oh, well, that’s nice.” I hoped like hell that I didn’t look as dumb as I felt. Was I so transparent to everyone? Or just to Arrow?
He pointed at my near empty cup. “Can I get you another?”
“Um.” How awkward. “Sure.”
“I’m sure, if you head over there, she’ll stop clinging to your man and find some other guy,” Arrow said. “I know he wants to talk to you.”
Making such a territorial move was more in Jett’s nature than mine. I shouldn’t have to fight for Rowen’s attention nor did I want to be the type to chase another woman away from him. Either we were a thing or we weren’t. And recently, we weren’t.
“He’s not my man. Not anymore. And he knows where to find me.” The numbing effects of alcohol made it come out harsher than intended. I had to hide the hurt.
“Ouch, that’s cold.” Arrow chuckled. “But I get it.”
We stood there watching the band, raising our voices to make the occasional observation or remark. Otherwise we stood in strained but somehow tolerable quiet.
As midnight drew closer, I grew antsy. Everyone would seek out a partner for the big midnight kiss. Seeing as Rowen’s blonde friend had no intention of vacating, it was pretty obvious she’d make a play for him then.
Oh, jealousy, you wretched thing, you.
“I think I’m gonna bail,” I decided at about ten minutes to midnight. “Thanks for the drink. Tell Rowen I said to have a good night.”
It sucked to be in a place that had always been my element and to feel like I didn’t belong. A rock show was home. Or it had been before demons and destiny shit all over it. Jett insisted we could balance these worlds, but the more they bled into one another, the less sure I was about that.
“So early?” Arrow asked with mild judgment. “I’ve seen you party so much harder. Don’t go now. You’ll miss out on a midnight kiss.”
Because alcohol caused loose lips and stupidity, I smirked. “Are you offering?”
Arrow did a double take. A grin broke over his face. “You wish. You couldn’t handle it, Spike. It’d leave you on the floor.”
Strange as it was, we’d kissed before, though it had never been real. Merely a ploy to keep Dash and Koda from catching us in a lie.