KING OF THE UNDERWORLD: Lucien and Scarlett (Earthbound Series Book 1)

by V L Peters

  My gaze drifted back to Lucien and his lady love. Bloody hell, they were back at it. Fucking hell, go and get a room why don’t you. Where they going to have sex there in front of anyone who could see them? It was plain they didn’t give a fuck. There was no way in hell I was going to let him touch me again, no matter what my visions or dreams told me, I wasn’t one to have someone’s sloppy seconds, no matter how my body or mind responded to his, it just wasn’t going to happen. Someone should really tell them to get a room, I knew it was the witch in me as a wicked thought crossed my mind, I sniggered. I wasn’t going to stay in this room than I had to, which come to think of it, I didn’t have to. If he wouldn’t take any notice of the requests of meeting up, then I was through with the begging and being ignored. I was fed up with asking to see him and being kept in this bloody room. I knew, without a doubt, I was going to regret what I was about to do, but I ignored any reasoning I had. Pulling up the latch of the window, I pushed it upwards. Sticking my head and shoulders out of the window, I let out a loud high-pitched whistle, trying to gain his attention, when that didn’t work, I started shouting down at him. Not very lady like I know but bugger it.

  ‘’Oi, Casanova’’ I shouted, till his dark head lifted towards the window I was hanging out of. ‘’Oh, that got your attention did it? We have a deal in case you’ve forgotten ’’ I shouted down at him all of a sudden feeling brave ‘’and I want to know what the fuck is going on, ‘’ even from this distance I could tell that I had pissed him off. Good, I thought, feeling brave. Maybe that would get his ass in gear. I was on a roll and curse the witch inside me, I could not seem to keep my mouth shut ‘’I’m not staying in this bloody room anymore. Lucien, bloody smug, Sinclair. Either you tell me what the hell is happening, or our so-called deal is off, and I am leaving this bloody dump,’’

  If looks could kill, I would be dead was the first thing that came to mind, as two sets of eyes bored into me, the second was shit, what hornets’ nest had I poked at? As I stared into the dark eyes of a very pissed off demon and that wasn’t a good thing to see. Those black eyes were shooting daggers at me. Telling me that there would be consequences from my outburst. Did I give a fuck? Yes, did I let him know? Nope. The woman beside him didn’t look too pleased either, I must have upset their mouth sucking moment. The woman turned towards him, an annoyed look appearing across her face, and from the look on his, he was not a bit happy with whatever she was saying to him. His eyes seemed to flash red before turning to their natural colour, I could see he was replying to what she had been saying, but I couldn’t hear his reply. Whatever he had said to her, she didn’t look very happy. Come on, I might have powers, but that didn’t include super hearing, but I knew it would be about me. He must have said something that pleased her, as it caused the dissatisfied look to disappear from her face. She through me a smug look, which caused my skin to crawl. I was in no doubt that he was a force to be beckoned with, but there was something about her that was still sending warning bells to ring in my head. I watched as a triumphant smile formed across her lips, like the cat who had just licked the cream, before he turned and walked back into the building with the woman following closely behind. Something told me that I was in a shit load of trouble, more than I had been before, and I was going to find out what it would be sooner than later.

  I had a bad feeling that if he was headed up here to see me, then there was no doubt in my mind she’d be in his company and my gut was telling me to get out of this room, whatever it took. I needed to see him on an even level. Especially if she was going to be there in his company. The way I had responded to him the other night had scared me. I didn’t want that to happen again, especially with her there, I hated to admit it to myself that in all my years as a teenager, or as an adult, I’d never had felt the feelings he’d brought forward in me.

  I had a sick feeling in my stomach that the woman I’d just seen him with, whatever she had wanted or demanded, it would be to do with me and there was no way in hell I was going to let that happen. I wasn’t a violent person, I’d rather help someone than harm them, but if I had to protect myself or someone I loved or cared about, then I would do so. I had a bad feeling that hiding my powers was not going to be possible for much longer. It didn’t bother me as much as I thought it would, he knew I was a witch, only thing he didn’t know, was how was how powerful I was or that I was an Omega. That was what I was more worried about. Walking towards the door I pulled it open.

  I wasn’t surprised to find one of the other shifters, Adam, if I remember correctly, was standing up against the opposite, typing intently away at the phone he held in his hands. I waited until he realised that I was standing there in front of him. He raised his head from the phone, scowling with the realization that I had stepped out of the room.

  ‘’Go back in,’’ he demanded, frowning at me as I ignored his demand, closely watching my every move.

  ‘’Not going to happen, wolf boy,’’ I told him with a sweet smile appearing across my face, as I stepped further into the hallway and pulled the door closed behind me. I could not help feeling somewhat satisfied when I caught the surprised look across his face. The little wren was gone, now I was the big bad tiger. Up until now I had followed their every order, not questioning it. Only demanding to see Lucien, to find out what was happening with the search of finding Megan and trying to find out if he had any indication of where she was. The human in me wanted to cower in a corner, hiding away from anything that was coming my way. The witch in me, wouldn’t let me, she was more confident than myself, with the Omega combined, even more so. The combination of both, with my blessing, could to a certain extent take over the human part, making me more powerful, that I could make everyone in my path quiver in fear, if need be and right at this minute, I had to let the human side of me step back slightly and let the witch in me take over. The Omega wanted to join in with the fun, but that was something I couldn’t let happen.

  As I walked away from him, I felt a large hand grab my forearm, I knew without turning around, it belonged to the shifter. I didn’t want to hurt him, oh I knew I couldn’t do him real physical damage, but there was more than one way to hurt someone human or supernatural. I could knock him out for a few hours if I choose to do so. I could leave him a few bruises if I attacked him. A swift twist or kick to his nether regions would no doubt be painful and make him go down. He would have no choice but to fight back which undoubtedly, he would do. I realised I didn’t want to do either. I found I did not want to hurt him if I could avoid it. I could try to talk him into letting me go, I mean I wasn’t being guarded, was I? Even if I could go into the room, I had been in the other night, that would be something, but I didn’t have time to talk him into anything. A compulsion spell I knew would no doubt work, but I did not have time to cast it. My patience was wearing thin, I hadn’t anytime for this nonsense.

  ‘’I suggest you let go of my arm wolf boy,’’ I told him with a smile indicating down at his hand, his fingers closed firmly around my arm, ‘’either take me to see Lucien or I’m leaving,’’

  ‘’Look lady your need to get back into your room. Mr Sinclair is busy. He’ll see you when he is available,’’

  I laughed; can you believe this guy? Come on, I’d been asking for bloody days and he has the cheek to tell me he’s too busy. He can go and fuck himself ‘’oh, I know the reason why he’s busy and I’m not wasting anymore of my time. What with the bloody excuses I’ve been given,’’ I tell him, pulling my arm out of his hand as I carry on walking away from him.

  ‘’You’re going back to your room whether you want to or not,’’ he told me as he caught up with me grabbing my arm again, in a tight hold.

  What was wrong with these men? I thought angrily as I wrenched my arm back, don’t they listen to what they are being told?

  ‘’Back the fuck off,’’ I snarled, lip curled and with one hand placed upon his chest, I shoved him with all my might, causing his grip to slip. He had no choice but to let g
o of my arm. Staggering a few steps back away from me, I watched as he gained his balance. A look of bewilderment appeared upon his face I could tell he was confused. I could see the clogs of uncertainty going through his mind, wondering how a lowly witch as myself managed to make him fall backwards with no effort and making him become unsteady on his feet. I knew I’d end up with a few bruises on my arm later on, but at that moment I just didn’t give a shit, ‘’I don’t have time for any of this crap. So, you either take me to where I’ve asked you to, or bugger off,’’ I told him holding on to my temper with a thin thread. I once again carried on down the hallway, either he followed, or he could stay where he was. I just didn’t care one way or another.

  ‘’Fucking hell woman, you’re a pain in the ass,’’ I was told from behind me, ‘’you’re going to get me gutted,’’

  ‘’Please,’’ I signed rolling my eyes as I heard his footsteps following closely from behind me ‘’stop being over dramatic,’’

  ‘’Lady you don’t know the half of it,’’ came from somewhere behind me ‘’if Lucien finds out I never stopped you, I’m in some deep shit,’’

  ‘’You couldn’t stop me even if you tried,’’ I laughed out loud, is he for real! ‘’I could have left days ago,’’ I informed him, looking at him briefly over my shoulder ‘’we made an agreement, one your boss hasn’t kept to. So, there is two choices either you take me to see him or I’m leaving. It is entirely up to you,’’ I told him with a shrug of my shoulders.

  Muttering came from behind me, and even though I couldn’t make out what he was saying. I knew that they wouldn’t be pleasant ‘’fine I’ll take you to see him,’’ he finally told me with a sign, as he come along beside me ‘’but you owe me one,’’

  Owe him one, yeah right, I didn’t owe him anything.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  A few minutes later.

  I was back in the same room I’d been in the other night. Another of his lackeys sat in the same chair Lucien had sat in. The night club was closed till tonight, the only thing you could watch was the workforce doing their daily duties. I’m guessing that the evening staff weren’t due in till later. I had been brought here by Adam, the shifter who been standing outside my room. Ordering me to stay here until Lucien turned up. Oh, the joys, it was a bit better than being in that bedroom, but not by much. The male in the room hadn’t said a word to me the whole time I’d been sitting here, it was like I wasn’t even in the room. He’d taken one look at me and then turned his attention back to the TV monitors. I wondered what kind of supernatural he was. I wasn’t getting anything from him, but something was telling me he wasn’t human.

  ‘’Err excuse me,’’ I called out to him, trying to gain his attention, waving my hand in his direction. How rude! He just sat there blatantly ignoring me. Maybe he couldn’t understand what I was saying, or he was deaf. No, I couldn’t see his boss hiring someone who couldn’t hear with the kind of businesses he ran, it wouldn’t be a wise decision on his part. ‘’do you know how long until your lord and master arrives?’’ I ask him. I saw his eyes flicker towards me on hearing my last statement, argh so he could hear me. He was just being a dick. Fine, I could deal with that. If Lucien didn’t arrive in next few minutes, I was getting out of here. I had wasted enough time in this place.

  Once I got home and if we had to, we could gather up enough people we knew to help us find Megan. The problem was it would be bringing unwanted attention. After the discussion we had had. We’d agreed that it wasn’t something we were willing to do. When the word had gotten out that Megan was missing. They had come forward in their hundreds offering their help. There had been a deep relief in finding out that so many cared and were willing to help us in our need. We just couldn’t put them at risk.

  That’s why we had decided to approach Lucien Sinclair, she had been here at his club. So, in all likely hood there was a huge chance he knew what had happened to her or could find out. Letting all our family and friends reveal their true selves to the world, when we had been able to avoid in doing so for so long. Wasn’t something we wanted to chance, unless absolutely necessary. The only problem was I had a deep foreboding that something was coming, and I had this awful feeling that it was going to affect us all. I didn’t want them to worry so I hadn’t told anyone. There was a possibility, I could be wrong. I had tried our mental link but hadn’t been able to get hold of Pamela and all sorts of scenarios had been going through my head and not one of them where the white flurry ones.

  Spitting the last word out, while shooting daggers my way. ‘’He’s on his way …... Witch,’’ came from the male. If looks could kill there was no doubt in my mind, I’d be dead on the floor beneath me. Did he think that would upset me? It didn’t, it was like water off a ducks back. We had gone through hell and back. The way my ancestors had been treated, that wouldn’t happen again. As the saying goes, sticks and stones. It was as plain as the nose on my face that it had gotten around that Lucien Sinclair had a witch on his property.

  ‘’Really is that the best insult you can come up with?’’ I asked with a snort ‘’I mean, I don’t fly on no broomstick, wear a pointed hat or a black cloak. Myself, I prefer Enchantress or Sorceress,’’ I told him with a smile thinking what a stupid ass he was.

  I heard the huh coming from his mouth as a reply, as he stared at me with no emotion written across his face, just looking at me with those beady eyes of his, well isn’t he a talkative soul? If a smile appeared on that mouth, I’m sure it would crack his face.

  I returned the stare, not wanting to show any sign of weakness. Not knowing what he was, I hated to admit, it bugged me. He reminded me of a snake with his little black beady eyes. I had heard of shapeshifters who could change into snakes but had never met any. My aunt had mentioned about meting one. I could remember her saying that they weren’t to be trusted. First chance they got they would stab you in the back. That they were sneaky blighters and her description of the one she had met fitted him perfectly. It wouldn’t surprise me to find out he was one. I didn’t trust him, something was sending warning signs towards me, it was like a neon sign flashing its lights and I bet the clothes on my back he was one.

  My witch, at that moment perked up. She’d been quiet these last few minutes which was odd, she was more talkative than my Omega, she never shut up, and she was like a constant bug buzzing around your head. I had to keep my cool, I knew if I showed too much interest in the male, she’d start egging me on. Wanting to confront him. Something told me I could take him on, maybe even hurt him. I could hear her talking away to my Omega. Yes, they spoke to each, weird I know, but over time you do manage to ignore them and yes, get used to it. It was a funny feeling having two other beings inside me, I was the human, the other two being the witch and the Omega. I had hated it as a child and had felt as if I wasn’t normal. I had never asked any of my sisters, our cousins, or the handful of friends I’d had if they felt the same way. It was something I’d learnt to accept. Over the year’s I’d learnt to live with those feelings. In a way it was three beings in one body, each fighting to take over, and I had learnt to live with it. I had learnt to close off the witch in me or bring her forth when needed. The omega wasn’t really a problem, it was when I had to combine them together that the problem could rise. I had often wondered what Evelyn felt and others like her. She was part Phoenix.

  Even though the Omega was powerful, being the healer in all of us. When that part of me was in play I could heal anyone that was hurt. I could mostly heal any injuries that might have been sustained plus I could carry any future children whether they were human or supernatural. My sisters and cousins where the same, though our powers differed in various ways. There were other full-blooded Omegas and Witches out there in hiding, yes, they were still amongst us. We knew some of them. The full-blooded witches, we tended to keep away from, there wasn’t many left, but they were out there and they could be dangerous, darn right nasty. The ones who had some human blood weren’t as bad,
but you still had to watch them. The Omegas were different, they were friendlier, but didn’t tend to mix as much. Who could blame them! There were so many supernatural’s that were believed to be gone. Of course, there were some that even we hadn’t heard of or seen that were believed to be extinct. The mightily Dragons were one, another were the Kelpie, Changelings, and the Mer-people. The list could go on. The Fae kept to themselves and were hardly seen. Demons, Vampires, Shifters, Soul Keepers and the Soul Eaters, Dwarves, Hobgoblins, Familiars were still amongst us. Angels had been seen but were another who liked to keep to themselves. Then there was the ……….

  The turning of the door handle broke my trail of thought as I sat there in complete silence not taking my eyes off the door as it swung open. I knew even before it opened who would be standing behind that door.

  I was right, and he’d brought the woman, I’d seen him with, not more than an hour ago. There was no other word for it. She was beautiful, I felt ugly and dowdy in comparison, but I knew that beauty could be only skin deep. I looked into her eyes, and as I did so I realised they held nothing, no kind of emotion whatsoever, they were blank. It was as if I was looking into the depths of an abyss. There wasn’t anything there. At that minute, I knew I’d been right when I had seen her from the window. She stared at me, taking in every inch of my body, I knew she didn’t like me. I didn’t care why, but I knew it was partly to do with being a witch. I knew she was going to be a pain in my backside and would try to intimidate me, which I wasn’t going to let her do.

  If I had to show them just how powerful I was then so be it and if I had no choice, I’d send her skinny ass flying across the room. There was no way I was going to let her even try to put a hand on me, or anyone I cared about. I could sense that she was a Demon, but what kind or what level of power she held at the moment; I couldn’t tell. I just knew she wasn’t as powerful as Lucien, but was stronger than the shifter sitting down, which didn’t tell me much Snake Shifters weren’t known for their strength. At a rough guess I’d say she was a level 8. Demons of that level had a lot of power within themselves and for some reason, some were stronger than others of the same level, why? We didn’t know. We had concluded it was something to do with their age, but we couldn’t be one hundred percent sure.