Chapter One
The Enemy
"It's been three weeks since Mom got back, and she's still refusing to see me? What the hell, Frankie?" I gripe while staring down the tired warlock.
He sags against the back of my couch as he shrugs. "She was pretty beat up and battered when she crawled through the great halls of the light council's chambers. She still doesn't know who her captors were, and they've been working on healing her ever since she showed up. She will hardly speak to anyone, including me."
This is killing me. My mother and I have never spent this long without talking, and now she's back, refusing to speak to me. It boils my blood to know how terrible someone has been to her, especially since I don't even know who's behind it.
"Three more days, Frankie. That's all I'm giving her before I show up and force her to see me. She doesn't have to play strong for me. I'm her daughter. If anyone can be there for her, it's me."
"I agree, Alyssa. Just give her time. Calypso is a hard one to let her guard down. She hates for people to see her pain. Until then, I need to get back. The light council is taking this a little more seriously now that they've seen the damage done." He starts to walk away, but turns back with hesitance in his eyes just before he reaches the door. "Has he tried contacting you at all since the diner?"
My heart folds and breaks even more than it is already broken. My chest grows heavier, weighing me down all the more. I really didn't need a reminder.
I try to act unaffected by the mere mention of the night stalker I so foolishly fell in love with. I wish I could stop missing the man I thought he was and start loathing the monster he really is.
"No. If he knows what's best for him, he won't. When is Thad coming back?"
Frankie smirks, a secretive grin spreading. "Needing new socks, eh?"
I flush instantly, realizing there are some things I will never again share with Frankie.
"No. I just want an extra set of hands available, should Kane decide he wants to finish what he started."
Seriousness takes over the playfulness in his eyes.
"I won't let him touch you, Lyss. You know that. If he tries, I swear I'll show him how incredibly tough light ones can be."
Sighing out, I start to tell Frankie about Castine. It's a topic I've avoided. Frankie will surely put me on lockdown, and I'll feel like a turtle that is unable to poke its head out of its shell.
"Frankie, I-"
Before the words can escape, Gage materializes in the room and flops down on my couch while reading something on his phone. He's way too comfortable in my home these days, but he definitely makes me feels safer.
"What the hell?" Frankie scolds, making Gage's head snap up in realization. "Why is there a dark-"
"It's a long, long story. He's keeping me safe," I grumble, interrupting Frankie's will to rant.
Gage tenses as he stands up, coming to take a place behind me. It's smart to put me between the two of them, but I don't exactly enjoy playing Mom to a dueling duo.
"I can keep you safe, Lyss. He's not-"
"He can keep me safer. He can vaporize me without killing me, and he can get me out of here, should the time arise for such a need."
"Nothing can get in here. I've recast the protection spell. Apparently, I should cast it again."
The venom in Frankie's eyes is apparent, and the dark user who has held his tongue finally gets sick of being Mr. Nice Guy.
"I'm the one who kept her safe while you left her to the mercy of a damn night stalker. I'll be the one keeping her safe when Castine returns."
Frankie's face is suddenly ashen with fear. His whole body tenses, proving Castine must really be one hellacious bitch. Just what I need.
"Why the fuck is Castine coming?" Frankie asks, his voice trembling.
My eyes scold the foolish dark user for being so careless with his tongue. He just offers me a he-needs-to-know look in response.
Very briefly, I give Frankie the rundown, while omitting the part about this being Castine's home.
"Lyss, you have to get out of this toxic town. It's one hotshot immortal after another gunning for you now. Just find a hotel until you find a new home. I'll pay."
As if having Gage breathing down my throat to get out wasn't bad enough. I hate, hate, hate our world.
"I've got plenty of money. I'm just sick of having to haul ass out of a town because of an immortal with a grudge. My whole life has been like that. I swore I wouldn't do that once I started living my own life. I'm not suicidal. I will move, but I won't run. I'll find a place that I intend to live in and stay in. Hell, I'm already using the trust my father gave me that I promised myself I'd never use, simply because the fucking crazy life I have refuses to let me keep a job."
Frankie leans over, not really giving a damn about anything coming out of my mouth right now.
"I don't like this, Alyssa. I wish you'd just go right now. It's not running - it's surviving, sweet girl. Sometimes, that's how our life is. There are good days and bad days. This just happens to be one of those bad days."
It's all a bad day lately.
"I plan on moving, Frankie. I don't have a death wish."
Frankie rubs his temples as if I'm giving him a migraine.
"I'll get her out of here if trouble arises. I can swear that to you. I've already got a few friends keeping an eye out for Castine. If she makes a move, I'll know about it," Gage interjects, seeming calmer now.
Frankie looks back up to him and narrows his eyes while bringing his finger to point at him very deliberately. "If you do anything to her, I swear I'll unleash hell's wrath. I may not be overly fond of her father, but I can swear to you he'll not let his daughter's death go without being avenged, and I'll be by his side."
Gage walks back over to the couch, sitting down on the arm of it as he relaxes a little.
"I know perfectly well what Drackus would do to me. That alone should give you peace of mind."
Frankie's eyes widen as his gaze falls on me. "Alyssa, you can't tell people who your fucking father is!"
"And you can't use him to threaten people if you don't want them to figure it out on their own. Just go, Frankie. See the light council and let me know what's going on."
He scowls at me, but he finally vaporizes to start his journey. He leaves behind the echo of ranted curses.
"Sheesh. I thought he'd be gone by now," Gage grumbles as he drops off the arm of my couch and makes himself comfortable once more on the cushion.
"Maybe you should try knocking every once in a while."
I cross my arms, staring at him very sternly, but he simply brushes off my words as though they don't hold any value. I suppose they don't.
"My council called," he says, not acknowledging my sardonic remark. "The gang of night stalkers we both had an issue with has gone into hiding."
Relief fills me. Kane and his crew is enough of a threat. The fewer night stalkers I have on my ass, the better.
"Why?"
He looks up, smirking. "Because my council threatened a war. They've been shredding our kind. They want something, but no one knows what. Now the night stalkers who are in charge are scrambling to locate these rogue killers and bring them to justice before they have to get their hands dirty. If the bloodsuckers' council can't clean this up, they can be tried by the fey community."
"That's the best news I've heard all week," I say through a relieved sigh. Then inspiration strikes. "Can't you do that weird window thingy to find them?"
He laughs, seeming too amused by my poorly worded question. Jackass.
"Weird mirror thingy? You mean the viewing portal my dark, scary magic opened?" he asks, obviously being a jerk.
I roll my eyes before narrowing them at him, visually chastising him. "Yes. That thingy," I snark.
"No," he chuckles out. "My window thingy only shows events from the past - events seen by a dredger usually. The dredger finds the memories in the minds of the living or the dead, and then they share them with us. In this case, the guy was dead. You saw a memory, not a current event."
I grumble under my breath, ignoring his mocking laughter. I stare idly out the window, wondering how I ever ended up in such a screwed-up place. A dark user is on my couch, a night stalker took my innocence, and a changer is my best friend.
I've lost my mind. That's it. I need therapy... or a spell to make me forget the last few months of my life.
"So, I did a little recon on the rest of Kane's crew." He says his name so casually, breaking me out of my silent reverie, and I cringe upon the very mention of the blood-drinker I loved. It's still so new, so fresh. "You're right about Sierra. She's lycan. Apparently, Amy is new to their pack. She's also new to her change. She was bitten in Moscow while on a backpacking adventure. The lycan that turned her was a vicious brute looking for a bride. Fortunately for her, lycans aren't bound to their sires the way night stalkers are to theirs.
"Sierra ran across her just after the red moon forced her change. She saved her from slaughtering a town, and carried her back home to train her... so to speak. They lock her up in their downstairs dungeon on nights when the dark takes her over - which is often. Her change is still in its early phases, so it'll take her a while to master the control Sierra has.
"Zee and Deke are both night stalkers from powerful sires; though they’re not bonded to them in the respect they can be controlled. Zee's sire is actually missing or dead. Just like Kane, Deke severed almost all his ties. The Dray guy is still a mystery. Whatever he is or does, he doesn't do it in front of eyes connected to mouths that talk. That worries me a little."
I lived with a coven of deadly beauties for a month and never knew it. How stupid am I?
A sigh of disbelief flitters through my lips before turning into an exasperated groan. I soak up all of the information as I drop down beside him. Right now, Gage is the closest thing to a friend I have besides Thad. The only reason I'm not huddled in the fetal position and squalling like a baby is because I don't want to fall apart in front of anyone.
Since he never leaves, I'm forced to stay strong.
"Dray is the one they called the second Kane lost it on Heath. He has to be tied to them somehow. How did you find out all that stuff on them?"
He flips through something on his phone, answering me while continuing to be distracted.
"Personally, Heath is one creep I wouldn't mind seeing a night stalker drain dry. As for the info, I might've broken into their house and done some digging. They're a little careless with their home. They should at least use protective grid stones to keep people out while they’re away.
"The girls keep excellent diaries. I was able to retrieve most of my information that way. I took pictures of every single page."
He hands me his phone and I shudder when I see Amy's diary page open to my eyes. I start flipping through his pictures until my eyes land on one page that holds my name.
Kane just found a girl to play with. Alice or Alyssa or something like that. I know it's temporary. He's fighting our destiny the way Deke fought his feelings for Sierra so long ago.
Sierra keeps me hopeful. She told me Deke wasn't receptive at first, but eventually he fell for her. Kane will fall for me, too. He has to.
Before the rebellion, night stalkers and lycans were united all the time, or so I've read. After the rebellion and the division of immortals, night stalkers began to view us as lesser-than creatures.
It's still hard for me to accept this monster inside me as my fate, but I know it was done with purpose. The hound within me is drawn to Kane, just as the woman within me is. It's not for nothing. It can't be. Fate's not that cruel.
I stop reading and shake my head. At least now I know why they always summoned him to deal with her tantrums. I've heard of the bonds between night stalkers and lycans. Eventually the evil duo will most likely unite.
Bile taints my mouth, warning me I'm close to being sick. It pains me to even think about the two of them together, but then again, I'm the sick freak that fell in love with my mortal enemy... well, immortal enemy, only to learn I was a pawn in his scheme to bring down another woman from his past. Freaking wonderful.
I forward the entire roll of pictures to my phone, and then I hand Gage back his own phone. He frowns as he watches the files being sent.
"I might've had some pictures on there I didn't want you to see," he says jokingly, though his eyes read with seriousness.
"Then you shouldn't have trusted me with your phone. I need to learn what I can about them. Why does Kane think we want a shot at Castine?"
Or is that just the jerk's way of fucking with my head all the more?
He shivers at the mention of her name. I swear her name gives him more pause than my father's. That's obviously a little disconcerting.
"Kane figured out who I was the night of the trap. He saw me with you as Little Red, and then he saw you bleeding at the trap. At the time, I didn't know he was the lead in the rescue expedition. I'm still not sure what that was about. I can only assume it was because of some beef he had with Isolis. To cut to the point, he knows I hunt and trap his kind. He's claiming to think this was all part of a ruse to lure Castine out of hiding. There's a massive bounty on her head. Most everyone wants her dead for their own set of reasons. No one wants her dead as badly as he does, and he doesn't want me to take away his opportunity. He planned to use you to make that possible, but he too is saying he feels used. I read that in Sierra's diary."
"Stop calling them diaries. That seems so... invasive and wrong. Call them... journals or something," I huff, discreetly trying to shift the subject.
He laughs a little, and then he stands up while pulling me with him.
"Come on. We have to get to that party. Then we've got that horrid Halloween masquerade ball to attend in two days."
I roll my eyes, and then I glance out at the setting sun.
"I hate parties. Why do we have to go to either?"
"Because that's where all the good tips and gossip are. The party tonight is hosted by one of the most notorious chanters in the immortal world. I told you this place is a hotspot for immortals. If we can get him talking, he might be able to give us a lead on who took your mother. We need to find out what they wanted. Is she still refusing to talk?"
I nod as tears sting my eyes, and his whole stance softens as he tilts my chin up.
"We'll find them. She's safe now. They can't touch her, and the light may have their faults, but they won't let someone waltz in and take her again."
That gives me little solace since she was taken right out from under them to begin with.
"Fine. Why do I have to go to the party?"
"Because I'm not leaving you alone, and no one else is here to stay with you."
"Okay... So why do I have to go to the masquerade ball?"
"Because I need a date. That thing is going to be crawling with desperate women. In case you haven't noticed, I'm eye candy. I can't be fighting off girls while seeking out information."
His cocky release forces me to laugh, and he offers me a smile of triumph. He's worked incredibly hard these past few weeks to make me laugh. That's the best he's succeeded thus far.
"See? A party is a good thing. It'll cheer you up. This town is buzzing with too many entities. Let's hit these parties, and then let's hit the road."
I nod, though it's reluctant. I have drug out my stay too long. Why? I don't know.
I guess I just keep hoping this is all one bad dream. I keep expecting to wake up and find out my mom was never taken; Kane is really a sweet, untainted human; and I'm just the same naive, happy girl I once was.
"Why do you think this town is a hotspot?" I ask as I slip on my jacket.
"Beats me. There could be a number of things drawing our kind here. It's subtle, and whatever it is, it doesn't want us finding it. Let's not worry about that part. We've got too many irons in the fire as it is. Right now, let's party."
With the thudding music offering only vibrations instead of sound, it's obvious this home belongs to an immortal. I can feel the ground trying to cover its ears as the vibrations rattle it to the core.
"What exactly does a chanter do?" I ask absently, subtly eyeing the party with a wary gaze.
"Really? Did you learn anything at all when you were growing up?" Gage lightly gripes as we near the house exuding the tingling release.
"Yes, but not about some creatures. There're are a lot of different types of immortals, you know."
He laughs softly while taking my hand in his when a few guys start checking me out. This super-blond color only seems to be getting lighter, which draws in unwanted attention. I'm starting to turn into Wicca Barbie.
"Chanters are strong. They cast spells just as effectively as our own, but they don't have the hidden powers we all do. They've been known to swing for both sides - light and dark I mean - never aligning themselves with either. They have the best protection spells one can offer. I should have thought of that sooner when you were struggling... or when I thought you were struggling."
I wasn't struggling; I was just casting a spell to keep dark entities out of Kane's home when they were all dark. My spells were thought to be malfunctioning, when it was merely my messed up love life that was the problem.
Gage's vague explanation about chanters does answer some of my questions, but not all of them. I follow him in only to be nearly deafened by the music. For a centuries-old being, this chanter's taste in music is terribly obnoxious.
"What's the game plan?" I ask while clutching him a little tighter as a stray hand from one of the drunken fools lands on my ass.
He quickly draws me to him and eyes the guy who crossed the line. The guy backs down promptly, and turns away to rejoin his group of laughing friends who are amused by his silent scolding.
"Your magic is growing, and your aura is channeling all the wrong vibes. You're going to be fighting with all sorts of unwanted attention if you don't figure out a way to cap it off."
"Cap what off exactly? I'm angry, tired, frustrated... well, every form of calling me cranky to be exact. What can I possibly be putting off?"
He smirks, and then I see a blushing hue form in his perfectly defined cheekbones.
"You really don't know, do you?"
I narrow my eyes, not feeling like playing twenty questions tonight.
"Witches can't see their own auras, jackass. What am I putting off?"
He lets a laugh free and then shakes his head while pulling me away from the next groping idiot before he has a chance to make contact. My back is suddenly against Gage's front as he holds me to him, shielding me.
"Sexual energy," he says while leaning down to my ear, making me shiver.
My whole face burns, and I'm so frigging happy he's not in front of me right now. He pulls me closer as we stop in the doorway of a crowded room.
He holds me to him the way a lover would as he protectively keeps me safe from any unwanted attention - well, unwanted physical attention. He can't stop the gawking. I haven't gone out in a while. Now I'm glad I haven't.
"How?" I finally manage to squeak out. "I'm not... I mean... it shouldn't-"
"You just had your heart broken, Alyssa. It leaves the doorway open to so many dropped emotions. One of your strongest connections to Kane was the fact he was your first."
I look up with wide eyes taking over my face. "How the hell did you know that?"
He smirks as he scans the room, avoiding meeting my gaping gawk. "It's obvious. When a mortal loses their virginity to an immortal, they're tied to them in some way. You're still mortal right now, making you no different from a human. Until you... find someone else to fill that void, your aura will wreak of wanton desire. Sorry, babe. That's just how things are. So, find someone to kill the connection, and you'll be free of all the excess attention."
I cross my arms in a huff, suddenly feeling violated in even more ways, thanks to Kane. I can't just screw some random guy in an effort to stop the excessive drooling from the mindless humans.
"I'm glad it isn't affecting immortals."
He lets a loud burst of laughter free, and I start to tilt my head up when a guy bumps into him from the back. It forces Gage into me a little harder, and I realize that I am affecting immortals.
I swallow hard as his firmness presses up against me more to let others pass. He laughs again when he sees my expression.
"I think you just learned otherwise," he murmurs against my ear, making me shiver all over again.
I never knew this, and now I feel like an absolute idiot. His hand slides around my waist as he moves out from behind me, and we start heading away from the crowded spot that is forcing us to share too much intimacy.
"Sorry," I mumble, forcing him to laugh even harder.
"I can deal. Just be careful. Sometimes it becomes overwhelming and it could start affecting you physically."
What?
"Care to elaborate?" I ask, looking anywhere but at him.
It would have been really, really nice to know this sort of thing. I'll add it to the list of things to ream my mother out over once she's fully recuperated.
"Well, it could either make you foolishly throw yourself into the arms of someone really dangerous in a desperate desire to kill the urge you only think you're dealing with, or it could drive you back to the arms of the one who hurt you. I'm sure you see why it'd be a bad idea to risk going back to Kane."
"Yeah. Considering he'd fucking kill me."
Gage frowns, his humorous fun gone as reality of my dire situation arises.
"I won't let that happen." Then his eyes perk up with mischief as he leans down to be inches from my face. My eyes fall on his sexy lip ring as his breath falls between my lips from the shiver-worthy closeness. "Let me know if you need any help. I'm a sucker for a damsel in distress."
I swallow hard, uncertain about whether he's joking or being serious, but then I'm distracted as a familiar, gut-wrenching, and beautiful face comes into view.
"Fuck," I blurt out, and Gage chuckles.
"Well that was easy enough."
I roll my eyes at the obvious misunderstanding, and my eyes point to the devil walking around the party as though nothing has happened. Gage straightens up, standing taller than usual, as he glares across the room.
"I hadn't thought about them showing up here. We should go."
He starts tugging at my hand, but I pull away. "No. We need answers, and you said this guy might have them. Just talk to him and find out what he knows."
He presses his lips into a thin line, and then he nods. "Fine, but stay where I can see you. If he approaches you, just say my name. You know I'll get you out of here within a blink. I don't care who sees us."
I shudder at the thought of Kane hurting me. Three weeks ago, I wouldn't have thought it possible. Now, it's a startling reality and a question of when he tries rather than if he tries.
Gage's hand finds my cheek for a second, and then he rustles through the crowd to join a guy with more piercings than skin on his face. Holy crap.
I hear Kane laughing with a random girl, probably a victim he's lining up, no doubt. Knowing I can't watch, I turn away only to run smack into Zee's chest.
I back away quickly, my whole body lightly shaking as I stare into the false copper eyes I once thought of as friendly.
"Don't be so scared, Alyssa. You've been called hands-off territory, even though you obviously deserve death more than anyone here," he says so coldly.
My eyes narrow as I glare at him, steeling myself with false courage.
"I don't deserve a fucking thing. I'm sick of Kane and all of you pretending as though I'm the one who planned out some elaborate plot, when it was him all along. If I had known he was a fucking night stalker, I would never have trusted him with my blood or my life, you dumbass. I'm not stupid enough to believe you really think I schemed up this suicide mission to do... what exactly? Lure out a bitch I've never even heard of? Go after a night stalker I can't possibly kill? You forgot to factor in anything I would have to gain from this. Go fuck yourselves! All of you!"
His eyes grow colder, but his head tilts in confusion as he tries to process what I'm saying. I'm sure he's planning out his next line of attack, but then he surprises me.
"You're claiming you didn't know who or what Kane was?"
The tone of bemusement almost sounds authentic, but I know how his kind works. They love a good game.
"Don't pretend like you really think I had any ulterior motives. Leave me out of your elaborate, well-calculated, twisted plan for you guys to kill Kane's ex-bloodthirsty mistress. Stop playing your games on me, because they'll get you nowhere. You have no idea what I grew up with."
A father who used mind games as a fun pastime hobby. I watched more than one man fold before him with nothing but a few words of taunting.
Zee takes a step back, his whole posture changing.
"I find it hard to believe you didn't know you were with a night stalker for all that time."
I laugh at the contradictory argument he places. "Then you understand why I fail to believe he never knew I was a witch, since he tasted my fucking blood... Twice."
Again, he seems so confused, but I barge by him before he can try to fuck with my head anymore. Kane is perched up beside his latest victim, and she touches his chest as he flashes her his award-winning smile.
Though I know I shouldn't, I strain my mortal ears to immortally hone in on the conversation.
"So, tomorrow?" she asks. "How about we meet up and I'll give you as much as you need."
"Actually, Zee's the one who needs it. I'm just here on his behalf because he's shy."
I breathe out in relief to know he hasn't just been hitting on a girl right in front of me. I'm so fucked-up right now. If what Gage is saying about this connection is true, I definitely need to figure out a way to get Kane out of my system.
"Well, I don't want Zee as much as I want you," she seduces, her finger trailing over his chest.
He laughs as his hand closes over hers, stopping her descent before she reaches the top of his jeans. He shakes his head as he whispers something in her ear that makes her laugh.
The taste of jealousy has a lot in common with the taste of bile. My eyes scan the room in search of Gage who has moved from his previous spot. I can't tune out the pretty blond flashing her extra white teeth as she continues to tempt death's dealer.
"I think we should make a deal. I'll let Zee take what he needs as long as you promise to take all of me later."
Yep. It's official. Jealousy definitely tastes like bile.
I want to do something, say something... hell, I want to knock the bitch out. But I can't. He's the devil, and I'm just the girl he used for his game.
Kane laughs more, obviously amused by her desire for him, and then I feel a shiver up the back of my neck as I turn to meet Amy's looming figure.
"What the hell are you doing here?" she growls, her eyes seeping venom.
I hold it together, pretending to be unafraid.
"I have every right to be here. The people here aren't at risk because of my presence, unlike you and your coven."
I don't back down. I'm not running from them no matter how skilled at killing they all are.
"You have no idea the lengths we go to in order to keep these people safe. We drink donor's blood all day, every day. When Zee itches for the feel of the bite, we fetch him a willing victim that leaves with her life the next day - her memory completely dusted. Nothing we do can result in calling us evil, you judgmental little bitch."
Why have a willing donor if they are just going to dust her memory? To keep her from screaming? To keep from accidentally killing her when she does scream? Surely this can't be-
I never see Amy's aura warning me of what's to come before she uses her inhuman strength to slam me against the wall, brutally ripping me out of my stupid, silent inquiry. I can't believe I just let my guard down in front of a lycan that hates me with a passion.
A few gasps rattle out as her hands grip my throat, squeezing me just tight enough to make me strain for air. I don't care if I risk exposure or not, I'm not dealing with this.
Just before I decide to shock the fuck out of her, Kane is suddenly breaking us apart, hauling Amy off me.
"Damn it, Kane! Let me handle this. She deserves to have her ass kicked one good time for fucking with us," she growls while squirming against his hold.
He pins her arms to her sides as all the eyes of the party fall to us.
"Stop it now," he warns, keeping his voice low enough to escape the normal hearing register of the humans. "She's not worth risking all we've fought to build here. If you out us, we'll have to move before the council finds out."
"Do whatever you want to me," I scoff while walking away. "There's not a whole lot worse than what you've already done."
I push past Zee who seems more curious than angered this time. He follows me out, and I prepare myself for anything as I start heading down the steps.
"Alyssa, can I ask what you were doing with Kane if you weren't after Cas-"
He stops when he realizes there are too many people outside for this conversation. I whirl around to answer anyway.
"Because I cared about him. Because he made me feel excited, happily terrified, and safe all at once. I fell in love with him, but you all already know this. It's just in your nature to toy with my kind. You love the mind-fucking games that make us shiver and leave us in tears moments before there's nothing left to give - if you know what I mean."
I take a step toward him as I glance over my shoulder to make sure no one can see what I'm about to reveal to him. I'm ready to show him I know exactly what they're all capable of.
Waving my hand over my shoulder, I peel back the fabric to reveal my nasty little secret. Zee's eyes widen as his mouth falls open.
"This happened the night of the botched trap?" he asks while seeing the two bites run together.
"One of them did. The other happened a long time ago."
My eyes fall down to my horrid scars and marred flesh. It looks more like a bear attack than a vampire bite on the first one. Isolis's bite wasn't quite as dramatic, but it still left the proof of his presence. The smaller wound is barely noticeable anymore compared to the monstrosity beside it.
"Who did this?" he asks, feigning concern.
I roll my eyes at his insincere gesture, and then I cover the proof while slipping my shirt back into place.
"It doesn't matter. The point is you don't have to keep waving your veiled threats around. I know perfectly well what you're all capable of doing."
He frowns as if he's mulling over all the facts. I'm sick of the games.
"Zee!" Kane yells, his voice less than thrilled when he sees us talking and mistakes it for light conversation. He stalks toward us, and my blood boils. "One fucking simple request. I told you all to just avoid her, and yet, you and Amy have to speak to her the first time we run into each other. Un-fucking-believable."
"Kane, I-"
"Don't, Zee. Just leave the trash outside and head back in. I struck up a deal with the blond in there that I can assure you is much more appealing than the blond right here."
My stomach slaps my throat almost as hard as his tart retort slaps my heart. I walk away, refusing to look behind me as I hurry back to find Gage. Just as I reach the top of the stairs, Heath is waiting.
He looks completely healed. His body doesn't show any signs of the brutal beating he received just a few weeks ago. How is that even possible? I saw his face distorted in ways a plastic surgeon couldn't have possibly repaired so quickly.
"Well I'll be damned. You look so good tonight, and now I hear you're single."
Stupid drunks. Stupid aura. Stupid, stupid party!
"Single, but still not interested. Touch me and I'll break your face for good this time."
His laughter proves to me his memory has been wiped. He has no idea what Kane did to him that night. Reflexively, I turn around to look for the man I once considered my human hero.
I'm surprised to find him actually staring back, seeming to be seething as he stares at us. He hated Heath long before he knew me, so there's no point in assuming this has anything to do with any lingering feelings. He's too cold to feel anything but dark. He's a night stalker. A bloodthirsty, sadistic bastard.
I turn back around, trying to find Gage now.
"I thought about swinging by your place later. How about I hit you up in about an hour?" he says while glancing down at his watch.
"You know where I live?" I ask, my voice louder than I intended. "Hell no. I've got a roommate that will kick your ass if you even think-"
His lips are on mine as he forces me to the wall behind us. I squeal and fight against him, but it's pointless. After all the threats Kane has made... He's just going to watch as this guy tries to haul me out caveman style.
Before I know it, Heath is being ripped off me and tossed over the railing to land five feet below. He grunts as the wind is knocked out of him, and a familiar face is awaiting my breath of relief as Thad comes into view.
"I knew I shouldn't leave you alone for too long. Too many pervy assholes around here."
I laugh as I launch myself into his arms and he holds me to him as he kisses the top of my head, making me feel so much better now that I have two people here.
"Easy, pretty girl. You'll mess up all that lovely makeup, and now that I'm here, the fun's just getting started."
I laugh again and look down to see Heath is already gone. Kane is missing as well, and I start to worry what might be going on. I banish the thought. Kane can do whatever low-level thing he wants and I can't touch him without risking my own hide with the council.
"I'm glad you showed up when you did."
He smiles as he pulls my hand in his, and I laugh as he adjusts his pants.
"Didn't realize the dirty trickster was your first," he grumbles.
My laughter instantly ceases as my face floods crimson. What the hell? Does everyone know?
"I really hate this flashing neon sign that is apparently beaming from me."
A devious smile covers his face, warning me I'm about to become more embarrassed.
"I can fix that for you. One night with me, and you'll forget his name."
I laugh ridiculously hard, but I don't fight the sweet kiss he places on my lips. He does taste good, but he's not really my type. I do love the attention right now though. Not to mention, his presence and touch might deter the other fools from rushing in.
"See, I'm good at a lot of things," he says while pulling back.
I roll my eyes at the cocky changer, but I'm happy to lean into him.
"You're the only one who gets away with that, you know."
"I know. That's why you should consider the possibility of pushing the boundaries. That kiss could turn into-"
"Don't push your luck," I mutter in interruption, grinning.
He lets a laugh free, and then Kane returns to join the party once again. A faint smear of blood taints the hem of his shirt, and I notice it immediately. I don't know if I buy Amy's packaged blood story or not, but I hope it's true. I'd rather not feel like I gave someone my most coveted possession while they were in between kills.
He passes us by just as a flock of guys stumble over themselves to gawk at me. Thad pulls me into his arms and starts moving to the music.
"Dance. It'll take the edge off."
One thing can be said about the sandy-blond changer, he knows how to make me feel a little better. His positive energy is contagious, but I have to keep in mind he's dark despite his light appearance.
He's sexy, there's no mistaking that. His hard body makes for a delicious treat for my eyes, but his blond hair is misleading. Most all dark ones have dark hair, but changers are different. They can have any shade of hair, just as lycans and a few others.
I fall into the trap and start dancing, doing my best to ignore the sick whispers of the fantasizing men.
"I've never seen so many men so jealous of me. Damn, I feel good."
I let a laugh out, and then I shake my head. "I'm hoping it'll fade without having to resort to drastic measures."
"Doubtful. We might as well tend to the problem since I'm already ready."
He pulls me to his body to let me feel his desire trying to burst free from his pants. His mischievousness is emphasized by his dancing eyebrows as he gives me a wink.
Pulling back from the too-close proximity, I let a laugh free. I feel a strong hand on my waist, and I lean into the dark user pulling me from behind as he stares down the changer trying to seduce me.
"Time to go. I've got what we came for."
Thad keeps a wry grin as he stares at Gage.
"So this is the dark user who has been stalking you?" Thad asks, his grin confusing me.
How does he know he's a dark user?
"Yeah," I murmur, confused.
Gage and Thad are locked in an intense staring competition. The pissing match isn't far from being underway, so I decide to break the awkward tension strangling me.
"Thad, this is Gage. He's been keeping an eye on me."
Thad cocks his brow, his grin growing. "Sounds like a much better job than the one I had. Care to trade?" he asks.
"This isn't the time or place for your games. You should know better than to be messing with her," Gage growls, seeming far too protective all of the sudden.
"Says the guy who's been living in her house. If Daddy finds out, he'll have your balls in a vice."
They seem to be sharing some silent conversation. It's becoming increasingly apparent they know each other already. Gage breaks the eye contact as he starts pulling me toward the door and away from my changer friend.
"Did he mess with you?" he asks in a register just below a whisper.
"Who? Thad?"
"No, I know he messed with you," he grumbles while rolling his eyes. "His whole aura makes me feel dirty. I'm talking about Ka-"
Before the words escape, Zee is blocking our path.
"Can I talk to you for a second? Alone?"
Thad steps out from behind me to answer before I can. "I don't think so. I know you don't realize who she is, but I've been sent by two people that care about her. I'm expected to keep her safe, and I'll be damned if you sink your teeth into her."
Zee rolls his eyes, obviously not impressed with Thad in the least. If he had seen what I had when Thad tore a night stalker apart under the full moon, he wouldn't be so quick to dismiss him as a threat.
"You can stay close by. I just need to speak with Alyssa about a private matter. I can assure you I'm the safest one out of this bunch to be in her company."
Obviously he just took a stab at both Gage and Thad. Their auras both gleam with anger in response.
"I can taste the desire for the bite in you," Thad murmurs, keeping his voice quiet.
"True. I'm a biter, and I have the urge to get it sated, but I wouldn't do that with Alyssa. Kane would make me regret it even if I did want to."
Yeah right.
"Just stay close. I'll be right back," I huff out over my shoulder, ignoring both of their scolding eyes.
It's really not like they're the safest company for a light witch to keep, so I'm not sure I get their adamant objections.
Gage finally strains out his begrudged approval, as if I need it. "Fine, but call-"
"Yeah, yeah. I'll scream your name."
He smirks, instantly flashing his aroused aura by mistake, and I blush in response. He stifles a grin, and Thad rolls his eyes.
"And you thought he'd break me like a stack of twigs," Thad says to Gage.
I tilt my head, but I'll question that later. Right now, I just want to find out what's so important that Zee needs to speak to me.
We walk over to a quiet section of the yard, inches away from the lake’s beach. He slowly stops, and then leans up against a shed.
"If you're telling the truth and you really didn't know what Kane was, then you should take my number in case something goes wrong. In the meantime, where are you staying?"
A fucking night stalker expects me to trust him. Is this their endgame?
"I'm still at home, but no one or nothing can break through without my permis-"
"Damn it, Alyssa! You have to get out of there. She can break through and she will break through. Castine has power like you've never seen."
Doubt it. Try meeting my father.
"Got it," I murmur dispassionately. "She's a bad bitch, and now I'm number one on her to-kill list. I'll handle whatever comes. In case you haven't noticed, I've got a few friends."
I motion toward Gage and Thad who are both glaring at us. Zee's eyes follow, landing on the changer and the dark user for a fleeting second. He rolls his eyes before he turns back to me.
"They'll do you no good against her. Trust me."
"Thanks for the warning. I'll get going so you can get to biting. Have fun killing."
I roll my eyes while walking away, but Zee lets out a huff of a laugh as he strides up beside me.
"There won't be any death, but I'll make her scream for all the right reasons. I think you've tasted such venom before."
His eyes dance for a second, and my mind involuntarily races back to the last shameful night I spent in the devil's bed.
"That's pure elation, not pain. Wouldn't you say?" he prods, and I realize he somehow forced me to remember that.
"He didn't bite."
His dark smile only grows as we both stop.
"You would have enjoyed it even more if he had."
With that, he turns to walk away, leaving me squirming in the total awkwardness left behind.
Kane appears at the doorway just as Zee returns to the party. I can see him giving him an earful, but Zee brushes him off as if he simply doesn't care. He's just one more person claiming to be friendly under the guise of my foe.
I'm not sure how many times I can fall for that, but I'm sure as hell not going to trust a night stalker.
"What was that about?" Gage prompts as I return to him.
"Getting out of town before Castine comes to visit. Any luck finding a place that meets my criteria?" I ask as his arm snakes around my waist to lead me to his car.
"I've lined you up a few options. We'll discuss it at home."
"Oh good grief, lad. You're calling her house home?" Thad chuckles out. "You're so fucked."
Gage rolls his eyes, but he doesn't offer Thad anything else. I hope the two of them don't keep this up. If they do, I might end up buying a house somewhere else without telling them how to find me.