Dangerous Woman
Driving on instinct alone, I eventually found myself pulling into the gravel parking lot of a familiar inky blue farm house. Knocking back another shot of tequila, I reveled in the warm, tingling buzz. I could feel the anxiety and humiliation slipping away. A couple more shots, and I probably wouldn’t have cared even if someone came up and punched me in the face. And nothing was going to stop me from achieving that level of blissful intoxication.
“Of all the gin joints in the world.”
I out-and-out whimpered, thumping my head on the counter. “Can’t a girl get a moment’s peace?”
“Oh, I think you’ve had more than a moment. Or, at least I hope you have, judging by your rising alcohol level,” laughed Val, picking up my empty shot glass as he took the vacant seat beside me at the bar. “What number you on?”
I held up my hand.
“Three?”
I scrunched up my nose, taking inventory of my fingers. “Oops.” I flicked up another.
The ruffian chuckled. “You drink often?”
“Never,” I grumbled, folding my arms on the bar so I could rest my head on them for comfort. “What’re you even doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be out with your brother wreaking havoc and destruction on mankind?”
“Uh-oh. Trouble in paradise?” he teased.
I simpered.
“Oh, come on. It can’t be that bad.”
“Easy for you to say. You didn’t nearly rip out your almost-boyfriend’s throat during a make-out session—with these stupid things.” I ran my tongue over my teeth, feeling my fangs still jutted out. The moment I entered the Hideaway, they sprang free and refused to retract. And at this point, I didn’t mind. Between my runes and my bite, the male patrons here had the commonsense to leave me alone. One look at the tattooed band on my ring finger, they knew I was taken. And my fangs drove the message home, for those who weren’t yet dissuaded. Except for Val.
“So, you almost tore out my brother’s windpipe, aye?” The Mage nodded, almost appreciatively.
I cringed, apparently giving him an “Ewww” face at the very thought. As if I’d make out with that cretin…again.
Val smirked. “Ah-ha, the plot thickens.”
Crap.
My blood alcohol level had apparently thrown out my mental filter, along with my poker face. “N-no, it doesn’t,” I clumsily countered.
“Don’t be coy.” He gave my arm a playful nudge, running a finger over my mating rune. “We’re practically sibling-in-laws.”
And on that note, I signaled to the bartender for another shot. “Don’t make me vomit.”
“Let me guess.” The Mage stroked his chin in mock deliberation. “The magician?”
“No,” I blurted.
Gee, nice one, Kat.
That was about as smooth as sandpaper to the face…
It only made Val’s smile grow. “What? Having your ‘one true mate’ isn’t all it’s cracked up to be?”
“Mate.” I scoffed at the word. “What the hell does that even mean? What am I supposed to do as his ‘mate’?”
He shrugged. “The usual, I guess. Keep his bed warm, punch out a few of his pups—”
Now, I literally could feel bile rising in my throat. “Ugh! Hell no!”
“To what part? You have to give him at least one heir. That’s kind of what our boss is counting on.” The bartender slid a shot glass my way, but Val knocked it back before I could so much as reach for it. He coughed on the burn as the ethanol made its way down his throat. Served him right. “How else do you think family legacies stay alive?”
“Aren’t you the eldest brother?”
“That I am.”
“Then by logic, shouldn’t you be the first in line to Blaine’s title? How did he get it? Is it like some kind of contest? Only the sexiest brother can be the Prince of Lust,” I mocked.
Val’s smile only widened. “Are you saying I’m not sexy enough?”
I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, you’re a total eyesore.”
“Ah, okay, so I am sexy. I’m just not as much as my brother.”
“Precisely.” The word slipped out before my brain seemed to process the thought, and I immediately reddened.
He laughed. “Ooooh, you really are in a tough place, aren’t you. You hate his guts, and yet you still find him attractive. You naughty little minx.”
“That is not what I meant.” I tried shoving him, but it ended up being more of a nudge as I swiveled on the bar stool.
“Oh, come on. There’s no shame in admitting it.” He turned in his seat to face me directly as I snorted at the idea. “You met him before you found out about…what he was, right?”
“You mean…?” I held up a finger on each side of my head to imitate horns as I gave an animated hiss.
Val doubled over in his seat, sharing in my drunken mirth. “Well, if you’re going to put it that way, yes.”
“Yeah, we kind of became friends, actually.”
“And are you really gonna tell me you weren’t even the teeny, tiniest bit attracted to him?”
I grumbled, unable to find the will to deny it.
“What was your first impression of him?”
Maybe it was the alcohol talking, but something about those soft charcoal eyes had my defenses down. “I thought… I thought he was one of the most gorgeous men I’d ever seen,” I admitted. “So, of course, he’d have to be a raving, demonic lunatic.” I blew away the loose strand of hair that toppled over my face. “My taste in guys sucks.”
To my surprise, the Mage’s smile seemed genuine. “You having any fantasies about him yet?” I could only imagine the look on my face, because his smile was all fox. “I may not have marked a mate of my own, but I’ve heard all about how it works with our kind.”
“The only fantasies I want are ones where I get to murder him,” I grumbled.
“Well, well, well. Now we’re getting somewhere.” He was practically giddy, downing what was left in his own Scotch glass. “What did you have in mind?”
“Wood chipper. Or steamroller, perhaps. Maybe full-on Wicker Man. Death by a thousand bees, Nicolas-Cage-style.” My eyes brightened at the very idea.
“My, my. Aren’t we wicked? You may not want to admit it, but you are just who my brother needs.”
“I am not! I’m a good person—”
“‘Good’ people don’t fantasize about murder.”
“Well, blame Blaine.” I giggled at the tongue twister. Try saying that five times fast. “He’s the one who went all Dracula on me,” I said, absentmindedly rubbing the faded fang marks on my neck. “I didn’t choose to turn to the dark side.”
“Perhaps not, but we’re infinitely more fun than the folks upstairs,” he said, pointing to the ceiling.
“There’s a second floor here?” I slurred, looking up drunkenly at the rafters overhead.
“Yeeeeah, you definitely don’t need any more of this,” Val chuckled, snatching away my next shot glass.
“Yes, I do.” I practically tackled him into the bar as I tried to wrestle the drink from his hands. With his height, he managed to hold it up well out of my reach the moment he rose to his feet. If he wanted to play games, then who was I to put a damper on his plans? I leaned into him, stroking a finger up his chest until I flicked it beneath his chin. “What do you want for it?” I purred.
Val beamed down at me, fascinated. “Like mother, like daughter, I see.”
“Meaning?”
“It’s only natural that you’d use your sexual prowess, being the offspring of a succubus,” he crooned.
My mother? A succubus? I’d never heard of it before, but it didn’t sound pleasant.
“The Prince of Lust and a daughter of seduction. No wonder my brother’s so infatuated. It’s kismet.”
Any playfulness I had petered out at the mention. “Don’t say that.”
“He’s a very lucky man.” An unspoken softness met his gaze, depleting his smirk of its intended infliction. It was the first honest face I’d seen in so long from someone who knew the truth about me. Blaine had an assortment of masks he chose to hide behind, never hinting to which one alluded to the real him. And even Reese, despite his best intentions, had been lying these past two months. To himself. He was so determined to prove I hadn’t turned into a monster, to prove that he could save me from myself, only to show his true colors the moment he saw me for what I could become. I had horrified Reese back there. And I couldn’t blame him. He shouldn’t ever feel guilty for fearing me. He had every right. All I wanted for him was to be happy, and safe. Two things I couldn’t promise him anymore.
But Val? I could have cared less about his safety or his feelings, and he’d just told me more than Blaine and Raelynd combined.
“Why aren’t you the Crown Prince?” I asked softly, leaning closer into him.
“I’m damaged goods, Doll Face.”
“Aren’t we all?”
He raised his arm, letting the fabric of his jacket ride up enough to flash me some skin. His runes… Two separate designs covered his flesh just above the wrist, but unlike the sigil on top of his hand, the ink wasn’t black. It was silver, the flawless metallic shimmer almost ethereal, with the exception of the ghastly lines sliced down the middle of each symbol. Scars. They weren’t large, but for some reason I shuddered just having to look at them. The skin was a sickly purple and raised, like it had been seared opened.
I didn’t know what else to do but gawk.
The healing process for Mages was freakishly fast. Injuries that would take regular humans days, if not weeks, to heal from took us mere hours. And even after all the hits I’d taken, I still didn’t have one scar to prove it, save for the fang marks. Our power was that effective. So what could have done that to his skin? How come it hadn’t healed?
“Dance with me.” Val didn’t wait for me to answer as he directed me through the crowds to the dance floor, and I wasn’t about to object. A million questions raced through my head, but I couldn’t bring myself to ask him. My happy helping of tequila had made my mouth looser than a wizard’s sleeves. I didn’t want to take the risk of sounding too eager to learn what happened. Not until I could bring a better poker face to the table.
Despite the 1920’s esthetic, the Hideaway wasn’t playing the same jazz melodies they had the other night. Contemporary R&B filled the room under the warm glow of red mood lights. A mid tempo slow-jam began, only adding to the sensual atmosphere. With my hand in his, Val whirled me around in a tango-esque fashion, securing me in his arms as I spun into him.
“Well, look at Johnny Castle here,” I laughed.
“Does that make you my Baby?”
“You wish.” I pulled away, but kept hold of his jacket, drawing him back in. The percussive beat controlled my hips as I let the rhythm take over. Val took hold of my waist, moving harmoniously with me to the music. He released me into a dip and we both laughed as he pulled me back up.
“Feeling any better?”
I nodded.
Because I meant it.
Apparently, once the liquor hit my bloodstream, I was a happy drunk.
For the first time tonight, I couldn’t feel the weight of everything bearing down on my shoulders. Everything turned into a blur of bodies and beats as I got lost in the music, dancing with anyone and everyone. My buzz had every inch of my body smoldering in a delicious warmth that left me vibrating. Even with the sweet, lustful scent still engulfing me, I’d become so relaxed that my fangs had retracted on their own.
Another pair of hands took claim of my waist from behind. Continuing to sway to the rhythm, I threw my arms up, draping them over tall, taut shoulders. I sighed, feeling the heat only intensify as I dipped down. My back grinded against hardened muscles, all the way from his chest to his chiseled abs. My hands teased through silky strands of hair as I came back up, and curiosity got the better of me. I turned to face my new dancing partner.
“Enjoying yourself?” Despite his hands on my waist, I realized he wasn’t dancing. And he didn’t look particularly pleased either.
Oh. My. God…
If my buzz had allowed me to comprehend such shame and abhorrence, I probably would’ve been reddened to the point that I could have blended seamlessly in with the mood lighting.
“This is your doing, I take it?” Blaine remarked, looking over my shoulder.
I turned to see Val not three feet away, dancing with a redhead. He raised his palms up, the universal “don’t-look-at-me” gesture.
“I came here on my own,” I declared.
“Did you, now?” Blaine hardly seemed convinced. “You’re telling me you triggered your Distress rune and took off so fast that I couldn’t track you, just to get drunk off cheap liquor?”
“Yeah, what’s your point?” I cooed, still swaying to the music.
“Nuns have a higher alcohol tolerance than you.”
I just laughed. “So?”
“Seriously, did Val abduct you? Force you to take something? A drink? Some kind of drug?”
I snorted. “Will you relax, Tarzan? Jane. Fine,” I mocked, attempting my best impression of the feral orphan. It sounded more like a caveman, only making me laugh harder. “You really need to lighten up. You’re gonna get frown lines.”
His hold on me tightened, hauling me right up against him. A peculiar flutter ignited in my chest. I found myself inclining my head up to meet his gaze, at those wolfish eyes, those sensuous lips.
His eyes cut away from mine, taking interest in my hand. “Wow, you are really drunk.”
I looked to see the rune on top of my hand burning bright blue. Before I could meet his eyes again, I was suddenly slung over his shoulder. The new position made my stomach flip and my head spin. “Put me down, you Neanderthal!”
“Come on, man. She just wants to unwind. Let her live a little,” laughed Val, coming to our side as Blaine began plowing through the crowds with me in tow.
His brother turned to him, and a loud pop! sounded over the music. As Blaine continued to the door, I caught sight of Val, who was now sprawled out on the floor, his nose evidently broken as blood trailed from it.
“What the hell’s your problem?” I snapped, beating a fist against Blaine’s back. “He was just being nice.”
Blaine scoffed as he carried me out into the parking lot. “My brother doesn’t do ‘nice.’”
“A familial trait, then, no doubt,” I jeered. “And yet, he’s still better company than you. I’m beginning to think your boss set me up with the wrong brother.”
Of all things, he laughed.
“Why is that funny?”
“‘Not knowing anything is the sweetest life.’ Is it not?”
“Is that supposed to be your excuse for trying to keep me in the dark? Some stupid Pinterest quote?” I scoffed. “At least Val’s not playing dirty.”
Blaine finally set me down beside the Cutlass’s passenger door. I pulled at the handle to open it, but his hand pressed against the frame, securing the door shut. I rolled my eyes as I turned to face him, an insult already loaded on the tip of my tongue. It tumbled back down my throat, and I choked on the lump, finding Blaine standing mere inches before me. It took everything I had not to cower back at the predatory gaze as he lowered himself to meet my eyes.
“I may be dirty, love, but I am not ‘playing,’” he purred, his voice low and intimate as his lips lingered in front of mine. “If you wish to challenge me in a game, you will lose.”
My breath caught at the soft caress of his fingers suddenly on the nape of my neck as his mouth moved to my ear.
“But I can guarantee you won’t be mourning the loss for long.”
Goose bumps shot up my spine, my arms, and everywhere else as his teeth gifted my earlobe with a teasing nibble, simultaneously stroking gentle fingers down my neck. I gasped at the sensation, at the satisfaction it gave to the dark energy rooted deep within me. It practically purred at the contact, leaving me equally euphoric and horrified.
“Take me home.” The words barely escaped my lips as he pulled away.
***
Embers crackled in the fireplace as flames pressed their gentle heat against my cheeks. I stirred in the downy mass of cotton and fleece, finding myself nuzzled up in blankets on a couch. Blaine’s couch. I was in his family room. My last words reverberated in my head, and panic hit me like a punch to the stomach.
What happened? Had he misunderstood what I meant? My thoughts were a muddled mess, and it didn’t help any that the room spun as I shot upright. I peeled the blankets away, relieved to at least see I was still fully clothed.
“How bad is it?” Though his voice was soft, it still had me recoiling to the far end of the couch as Blaine entered the room.
The sudden action sent a stabbing pain into my temples. The room tilted, and I collapsed back into the cushions despite myself.
“Here.” Blaine came up to the side of the sofa, offering me a glass of water, along with a couple of aspirin.
“What happened?” I asked, even though I was terrified of the potential truth.
“You drank your weight in cheap tequila, cursed me out in a drunken tirade in the car, passed out, and now, by the looks of it, you have a pretty awful hangover.”
I had no recollection of the third part, but it didn’t surprise me. And relief eased back into my thrumming pulse. I hadn’t done anything I would’ve regretted. But…
Hangover? “How long have I been here?”
“About an hour.”
I may have been new to the whole drinking scene, but weren’t you supposed to get those the morning after? Between the car ride and time spent here, only a couple hours had passed. Three at the very most.
Blaine offered a small smile. “Since our bodies regenerate so quickly, substances like liquor don’t really stay in our systems for very long. You’ll still feel like shit, but the hangover won’t last for more than an hour or so.”
“Sorry about earlier,” I mumbled, gesturing at his throat.
Surprise filled those pale eyes.
“Don’t get me wrong. You still deserved it, but…I shouldn’t have done it.” I was better than that, or at least, I thought I was. Seeing that side, what I was capable of, it scared me.
“Devotion for the people you love is never something to apologize for. It’s one of the things I admire most about you.” His eyes roamed over my hand, to the rune wrapped around my ring finger. “Perhaps, one day, you might extend that fervor to me.”
I inwardly cringed. I could only imagine what kind of ‘fervor’ I’d have for him after his hex went into effect.
“You’re crazy,” I muttered.
“So I’ve been told.” He took the empty glass from my hands and pulled the blankets back over me. “Just try to get some rest.”
My eyelids were already drawing closed as he turned to leave.
“Why did you do it?” I murmured.
“Do what?” his voice asked softly in the darkness.
“Kill me, the night of the bonfire?” When he didn’t say anything, I forced my eyes back open, believing he had perhaps left the room. But there he stood, staring at me, still. “I…I liked you. And you knew that. Why didn’t you let me get to know you first, to really care about you?”
Something flickered in those icy eyes. Sadness.
He opened his mouth, as if to respond, but decided against it. “Get some sleep,” was all he said, before disappearing into the darkness of the hallway.