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

by V L Peters

  When I'd felt our minds briefly touch and I'd thought …… MINE. It was simple, primal, and it was a natural instinct kicking in. The feeling didn't seem to be going anywhere, it was getting stronger. I knew as did my Demon that Scarlett belonged to me; it didn't matter that she was a Witch or that she was Human. She was simply mine. She was meant for me, us as my Demon thought along the same lines. I would do everything to protect her, and if it meant that she wanted me to help find her sister and yes put up with these Witches, then I'd try, for her. I will give them all a chance, but if any of them wanted to hurt her or anyone, I protected. I'd retaliate in the only way I knew how.

  "We don't know where Megan is being kept or who now has her," I heard Lucien tell them. Turning my attention to the conversation going on around me.

  "We want to be there when you question him," Melissa announces to Lucien, showing no fear with her arms placed on the table.

  I chuckled at the woman's request. Who from the description I'd been given was Melissa. Running my index finger over my lower lip. I replied, "Not going to happen. The Soul Keeper was found dead with a Soul Eater standing over him,"

  I stood there watching their reactions, to my news, their expressions gave them away and it wasn’t long before the questions started. I took in their appearances. They were all dressed differently. I am sure the one they call Melissa was the woman I've heard about on the grapevine. I have a faint memory of Jacob mentioning her in passing. It was rumoured that she ran with a pack of wolfs. I didn't know how true it was but by the tattoos I could see running from her slim arms to her shoulders, I had a feeling there was more to this woman than meets the eye. No one would confess that they had even seen the woman in the flesh. It was like she didn't exist. Then again not too long ago, no one would have believed that I, Lucien Sinclair, would let a handful of witches anywhere near my people or me? It would have been unheard of. The ring of protests and questions increased. I didn't give a shit; they could throw questions and objections as much as they liked. How were they going to react when I told them that the Soul Eater was also dead? That his head had blown up in front of my very eyes. That was something none of them needed to know about. Yet.

  "Stop," I head Scarlett's shout out, "just stop it… you all seem to be forgetting this is a Soul Eater. You know full well how dangerous they are. If it gets close enough. Even to just touch someone by its fingertips, they would take your soul forever. We need to let Lucien deal with it,"

  Yes, I, little Scarlett Winters, had once again stood up and told them what I felt. I knew by the shocked expressions on their faces that they were shocked by my outburst. Lucien was the best bet in getting information out of the Soul Eater. The chances of him getting hurt weren't as likely. I had a filling that he'd dealt with them in the past and knew what to expect.

  "Scarlett's right. It wouldn't take much for a Soul Eater to snatch one of our souls from our bodies they are crafty little shits who'll do anything to get what they want. It's not as if it's a Soul Keeper at least with them you have a chance of getting your soul back," this was from one of the twins. They were so identical; it was like looking at a reflection. Making it hard for anyone to tell the bloody difference.

  I could see the wheels turning in their heads, their little brains going over what had just been discussed. As long as Scarlett was safe, I personally didn’t give a fuck. It was up to them if they wanted my help.

  "What about your soul? Aren't you worried about that?" the other twin asked me.

  "My soul?" I couldn't help but laugh, '' did you hear that Damien?" I called out, turning slightly towards the Demon standing behind and to the left of me "Bless her, cotton socks, she thinks Demons have souls. That I have a soul," I turn my attention back to the Witches before me, "Ladies, if I ever had one that was lost a long time ago," I hear the murmured chuckle leaving Damien's mouth. It amused him for me to let them know I didn't give a shit and telling them what we were.

  "Fine Lucien, we'll let you question the Soul Eater without any of us being there," Pamela agrees with a huff her eyes wide open on hearing this tip bit of information, "but the minute you know anything about Megan then you tell us,"

  "You have an agreement Pamela," I shoot back, "you can stay here till I come back. I should know more by then. The club will be opening in another few hours. You all welcome to stay." Turning to Damien, "give them each a VIP pass. Make sure all our people know that they are here as my guests and to be treated with respect," I turn to my men standing behind me. I direct half to stay with the Scarlett and her family and the others to come with me.

  Damien lifts an eyebrow at my order, a look of, do you know what the hell you're doing passes between us. Having a bunch of Witches in my club was totally unheard of and dangerous to boot. I knew he thought I must be totally off my mind, but wasn't about to question any of my orders. You don't question Lucien Sinclair if you knew what was good for you and wanted to stay in one piece.

  "I'll get on that boss," Damien replies, taking his phone from his jacket pocket.

  "Get Alf to do it." I demand, he needed to get off his sorry ass without moaning about it "I need you with me." I turned to the group of women before me meeting their gazes as I tell them, "ladies, I shall see you all later." I turned to face the woman I was finding completed me "Scarlett," nodding my head towards her. I didn't say another word; I let my mind brush against hers, letting her know my thoughts. I knew by the slight widening of her eyes that she felt me.

  "Logan, don't let her out of your sight," Logan acknowledged me with a slight nod. He's one of the most loyal of my men. There's only a handful of people I'd trust he's one of them.

  I leave with Damien, with a satisfied feeling in my gut. Now I just have to make sure everything was being put in place for the meeting.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  SCARLETT

  I watch as he leaves with half of his men with Damien walking beside him. It doesn't take long for the question to come.

  "What the hell was that Scarlett?” Pamela demands, walking over to where I'm standing. Closely followed by the others.

  I decide it's in my best interest to play dumb "what?"

  "Don't what me," Pamela scorns, standing in front of me with her eyes narrowed and hands on her hips, "Did you think I wouldn't see those little looks out of the corner of your eye? What the hell is going on between you and Lucien Sinclair?" she demands, her voice edged with anger, "Please, don't tell me that there's something between you. He just admitted that he hasn't a soul for fucks sake!"

  I felt like telling Pamela to mind her own business. I knew no matter what I'd say, she wouldn't leave the issue alone. She could be like a dog with a bone when the occasion arose. She would go on until she was satisfied with the answer or outcome she wanted. I don't believe Lucien hadn't a soul, I think he just loves to fuck with people's minds on occasion. I know they're all going to be shocked when they find out that I've slept with him, I don't know what their reaction is really going to be to that news. They can tend to be overprotective. Forgetting that I'm an adult and have a mind of my own. I don't need anyone to rule my life. No matter how good their intentions are. I'm going to have to tell a few porkies, just something that will keep Pamela and the others happy. When they eventually find out the whole truth. Shit will hit the fan. Then there was this meeting taking place. Their reaction to that wasn't going to be pleasant.

  "Nothing's happening, not really," I tell Pamela with a shrug of my shoulders as if it wasn't that big a deal "we had a kiss or two, that's about it,"

  I roll my eyes upon hearing the scoff behind me but chose to ignore it. Logan's been by my side since Alex left to go wherever the hell he's gone, so he's been attached to me like a limpet basically twenty-four seven. I can hear the sniggers coming from the men that Lucien had left behind. With one look from Logan, the smirks are wiped from their faces. I wasn’t sure if they all know that something happened between Lucien and me. If they knew, they didn't acknowledge the fact.

>   Pamela looks at me with disbelieve, looking me up and down as if trying to see inside me, shaking her head, "you expect me ….. Us to believe that's all that's happened. Scarlett, do you think I was born yesterday!" she tells me, "with the sexual tension between you. I'm surprised you both didn't go up in flames,"

  God damn it, why can't Pamela just leave it alone. I listen as she goes on and on. I listen as the rest of them start joining in. I fill like pulling my hair out in frustration, "Nothing happened between us that I didn't want it to." I yell at them all, my temper getting the better of me. "If anything, anything else happened, then that's my business. It's between Lucien and me,"

  Did I shock them? I must of as they all stop talking. The look that crosses their faces. I fill like celebrating by doing a little dance. I do not, of course, that would be childish. Instead, I do it inside my head. I watch as each of their mouths full open, was it shocked surprise? Yes, I think it is. Even though I'm a redhead, I don't lose my temper that often, and I don't tend to answer back. Yes, I have a temper what redheads don't, it comes naturally, but I have learnt over the years to wield it in to control it. Being a witch with a temper isn't a good thing it can lead to a lot of disasters, problems galore if you weren't careful. Tears well up into Pamela's s eyes, it's understandable that she's hurt and shock at my outcry. Sometimes I fill like they try to control me. Why I'm not really sure.

  Melissa steps forward, pulling me into her embrace, kissing me on top of my head. I fill the calm sweeping through me. "Pamela’s worried. As we all are," Melissa whispers into my ear "what with Megan gone. We're all feeling it."

  I sigh, I know she is properly right but that doesn’t mean that any of them can try to control me, “I know they all mean well, but it's so……"

  "I know more than anybody, how you're feeling," Mellissa tells me, her voice catching. Tightening her arms around me, she reminds me, ''Those brothers of mine, can drive me up the wall at the best of times,"

  Melissa had three older overbearing brothers. They kept a close eye on her even though she didn't really need it. Melissa’s wolves always protected her. Even now, her wolves were with her. If they felt Melissa was being threatened, then they wouldn't think twice in protecting her. They all shared a close bond, one they had with Melissa they had had since they were cubs. Melissa had found them when they'd been, but a few days old. If Melissa had not come upon them, they would have starved to death. She classed them as her babies, her family. The rest of their pack had been killed, and they had been left for dead. How someone could be so wicked was beyond us all. They had also been Melissa’s salvation at an awful time in her life.

  "How are your fur babies doing?" I whisper back, not wanting to bring up painful memories of another time and place. I knew they must be dying to get out and run, "and the little ones?"

  "The little ones are good up to mischief as normal. You must come and visit soon. My fur babies are all going crazy," she laughs, rolling her eyes with a smile "especially Kalidas,"

  "There's an outside garden. It's huge; actually,'' I tell her. Knowing they would need a good run, and it would be the safest place.

  "Do you think it would be safe?’’ she asks a frown appearing on her face. ‘’It would be fantastic for them to have a run, but if it’s not going to be safe, I’d rather wait," she tells me, the safely of her wolves was always on her mind.

  At her question, I ignore Pamela and Lucien's men. Even though I'm still feeling angry with Pamela I knew the feeling wouldn’t last. I couldn’t stay that way for long, ‘’I’m sure they will be fine. Even if it only for ten minutes.’’ I turn to Logan '' do you think Lucien would mind if Melissa goes to the garden? She's…." damn, what am I going to call them? Not wolves, though that's what they were, it's not down to anyone else to tell them about her or her extended family. That is down to her. "She needs a break, a bit of fresh air,"

  Logan stared intently at Melissa. I'm not surprised, she's beautiful after all. I knew he was trying to suss her out; he stared at her tattoos with narrowed eyes. Each symbol was a picture of a wolf. There were five on each arm, both sides reached up towards her shoulders, and the other two went down to her lower back. I knew he was trying to make out if he saw something that his mind couldn't adjust to, and if her tattoos were really moving. If he asked her outright, she might tell him straight. As only the selected few knew what the 'tattoos' were. It's up to Melissa to reveal her secrets. I had a feeling he was trying to make out if she was a Shapeshifter, and if so, what kind. Of course, she wasn't. Melissa was a Witch and an Omega like the rest of us. She was the one we tended to turn to for certain spells, healing agents, and the more potent herbs that we need might need to make up the more powerful spells.

  Logan was a shifter; I hadn't entirely made out if he was wolf or not. I suspected that he was. I hadn't come right out and asked him, but he had kind of hinted at that fact. Alex had told me that even though there are quite a few shifters like himself who were loyal to Lucien. They were and still are part of their own Alphas pack. He'd told me that his Alpha was Jacob and had spoken of him with complete respect and admiration. I suspected that Alex, Adam and Logan were from Jacob’s pack as they all had a similar marking on their forearms. I had been told that there were a few other shifters that were loyal to Lucien. Including Bears, Foxes, various large cats as well as Rats, Mice amongst them. After what seemed like an eternity, Logan gave a slight indication of consent.

  ◆◆◆

  I look at the woman that Scarlett’s just asked me to help. She was a beauty to look at. All the woman in front of me stood out in one way or another. I couldn’t see a problem with her going to the garden area. It was free to all who lived or was staying here.

  "Will half hour be enough time?" I question the women they call Melissa, at her swift nod I called over one of the men standing to one side.

  "Luke. Take Melissa to the garden." I order, "You don't have to enter with her. Give her half an hour or so then bring her straight back here. Don't let anyone else go in after her and make sure she comes back in one piece. Do. Not. Forget that she's Lucien's guest."

  I watched as Luke nodded, then turned with Melissa walking behind him.

  Turning my attention back to Scarlett I tell her, ‘’She’ll be fine with Luck, hes on of the good guys,’’

  I watch as Luke and Melissa walk out of the room together. Is she the woman that’s been gossiped about? I could help wondering to myself.

  ◆◆◆

  "She'll be fine with Luke, he's one of the good guys," I heard Logan reassure me.

  I couldn't help staring at Luke, he stood close to six-four and was broad-shouldered, his hair was jet black with electric blue tips at the tips, his eyes were alight piecing grey. I couldn't say that he was the most handsome of men I'd ever come across, but he was worth a second look.

  "Is it true that you run with a pack of wolfs?" I hear Luke question Melissa, as they walked away.

  I stain to hear Melissa's reply, and they are too far away to make out what her response is. It doesn't really surprise me that they know or have heard about Melissa and for shifters to know about her isn't a great shock. I was more surprised that they hadn't tried to approach Melissa before now. I have no doubt that if they have been attempting to do so, she and her brothers will put a stop to it. She was usually a private person to outsiders. Then there are her brothers. They wouldn't just stand back and let anything happen to her. They were huge. Standing at six-foot 5+ in height and all built like a brick shithouse. They weren't someone you'd messed with.

  "I'm not worried about her," I reply, turning my head to meet Logan’s stare, “Melissa is more than capable of looking after herself. If the need arises," I tell him with a slight smile. Turning back to watch as Melissa and Luke walked out of the room together.

  "So…." I hear from behind me as Logan whispers in my ear with curiosity written in his voice, "is she the one we've heard about?"

  "I don't know. What have you heard?" I ask, h
ere we go with the twenty questions.

  He didn't answer me outright, and I didn't expect him to. We all like to keep things close to our chests, and it seemed for some reason he wasn't willing to say what they knew about Melissa if anything.

  "That she’s healer that everyone gossip’s about and pretends not go to when the need arrives and she fits the description to a tee, with those tattoos on her arms and how she's dressed".

  I chose to ignore him; if he wanted to know, he'd have to ask Melissa. It wasn't my place, or anyone else's to say anything.

  I turned my attention to my sisters and cousin. I didn't want to argue with Pamela or the rest of them. Melissa was right. We had to find out were Megan was, and I hoped and prayed that Lucien could get something useful off the Soul Eater. I knew he would have to use some sort of force. Part of me hoped he wouldn't hurt it, but the other part didn't care. I hated that I didn't give a shit, but if it meant that we'd be able to find Megan, then so be it.

  I look at my family standing in front of me, the people that I love and care for. Yes, they sometimes drove me mad and made me want to scream, but I know they did it out of love. We had been through so much together. Losing our parents had been hard. Pamela and Megan have been our backbone. They took over the role of our parents. I didn't want this tension between us. I was not ready to answer any questions about Lucien. I'd explain another time. Right now, the most important thing they needed to know about was Avira and my suspicions. I had to tell them that Aria had attacked me, giving my Witch no choice, but to come forth for my own protection and that Lucien knew what had happened. He might not have witnessed seeing my appearance change, but Aria had made sure he knew what had happened.

  The feeling that something was coming our way hadn't left me. It was indestructible than ever. I had a gut feeling that she was going to be in the forefoot of the cause. I'd thought that finding Megan was going to be hard enough. With her creeping around made it much more dangerous for us all.