A Kiss of Ashen Twilight (Ashen Twilight Series #1) (35 page)

If it were possible, Vex’s anger shown more on his face with each passing moment. His tan complexion burned hints of red as he stared at Jace. A deep threatening Lycan growl escaped his throat. Ariya heard Jace growl as he opened his mouth to reveal his sharp fangs. The two men moved toward each other like an electric current was burning between them.

“Boys,” Ariya said moving between them. She smiled to ease the tension “Calm your aggressions. This is supposed to be a celebration, remember?”

Vex kept his eyes on Jace as he moved aside to let them through.

Jace remained calm and cool as he straightened his suit out. He reached down to Ariya’s hand and lifted it to his lips in a gentle kiss as they entered the living room. Despite his promise to keep his distance, he couldn’t help keeping her close.

“I guess he still thinks I moved in on his territory,” Jace said. “But either way he needs to get over it.” Jace had to admit he missed Shelly’s presence in the house. He knew Ariya would rather forget her. The three of them didn’t exactly meet on good terms, but it was all a defense. A defense technique he had taught her himself. Jace had been the first to introduce her to life in the house. Despite her interest in the Lycans, they shared some good times together indulging in each other’s bodies to enhance the feed. At the time he didn’t care she had been with Vex. And now, knowing the passion of it and having the desire to commit to love, he realized just how sacred it was. And if he were to ever lose it—.

“Jace, there’s Rich.”

Thankful for Ariya’s interruption in a thought he dared not finish, Jace looked up and saw Rich approaching him with a wide, toothy smile.

“Hey, uh, I thought we were going to escort you to the club,” Jace said lowering his voice. “I didn’t know the caveman would be coming along with us.”

Rich chuckled. “Nah, actually we were gathering preparations for the
Guerre de la Nuit.
It completely slipped my mind to call you.”

Jace’s eyes widened. “
The Guerre de la Nuit
so soon?
”

“I had to keep it undercover until the date and everything was final,” Rich said with a shrug. “In the midst of everything I guess I forgot to let you know.”

“Normally I would be offended, but considering how much you have on your mind, I’ll let that one slide.” Jace flashed a wink at Rich as he slipped his arm around Ariya to bring her closer.

A sneaky smile curled Rich’s lips as his gaze darted between the two.

“Ah-huh. Well, ditto and I will see you at the Torch in about half an hour.”

“Half an hour it is then.” Jace made sure to wink back at Rich once he turned around to head for the door.

“And what exactly was that about?” Ariya said peering up at him.

Jace shrugged, forgetting for a moment that she could tap into his mind at will. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

He contemplated it, and was about to explain when he walked past Vex eyeing them as he crossed his beefy arms. Later that night he would set the record straight and end this feud between them. It had been weeks since Shelly died and he was a different person then. Or so he’d like to think. Maybe it was time to clear the air between them. Nevertheless, he had a feeling there would come another time when they would need each other to be on the same side. He hoped that time wouldn’t come too soon.

“I guess it’d be a bad time to tell him that Shelly never loved him like he thought she did,” Ariya said softly.

Jace chuckled. “Yeah. Wait, what?”

Ariya moved away from him. “Shelly was more interested in you, Jace. More than Vex.”

“How do you know this?”

She smiled. “I have this little ability to read minds and sense feelings, you know.”

Jace shifted uncomfortably, remembering his closeness with Shelly so long ago. Never had he thought that she’d be interested in more than just a fling. A sting of guilt shot through him. The past as always seemed so long ago. Never had it been erased as its fragments fell on the back of his mind and his heart. Perhaps he could make amends with all who were connected with Shelly’s fate that night. Vex, himself and even Ariya for the pain she went through when Shelly had attacked her. Ariya shouldn’t have found him like that with Shelly that night. Knowing what he knew now, he wouldn’t have invited Shelly over nor would he have looked her way that evening. He wondered if he would’ve even left Ariya to herself. Even though it was all in the past now, he couldn’t help wishing to rewrite it all. Perhaps with the future will come a chance amend the past as he had tried to now do so. “Well,” Jace said straightening himself up. “Don’t tell Vex or else we’ll be starting World War III.”

On their way out, Ariya got a good look at Rich’s home interiors. Outside may have been Victorian but inside was fully modern. White stucco walls lined the interior with warm accents of brown and deep blues. Ariya could tell a male lived here from the mood of the room alone. Sparse accents decorated the dark wood furniture and everything looked spotless from top to bottom. Despite not having much decoration, it felt like home.

Outside, the moon hung high in the night air. Ariya leaned on the door frame of the limo with her legs crossed and her arm folded under her chest.

“
Guerre de la Nuit,
” Ariya said partly to herself as the limo started up. “I didn’t even realize Rich knew French.”

Helping her in, Jace then settled in next to her. “Well, we both grew up learning many languages over the centuries. My father fought alongside French knights after their integration with us and with the rise of burghs, the first legally defined towns in
Scotland
, that is. The immigrants brought French and English to the burghs while most of
Scotland
kept their Gaelic roots. Present company included. Besides, being around us Archanes tends to leave a lasting impression on a person.”

Ariya tried to stifle a smile as she turned to look out the window. She hoped he didn’t catch her recognition of the double meaning, his throaty chuckle said otherwise.

“I’m not going to even touch that one, so carry on,” she said peering at where his reflection should be in the window.

He cleared his throat. “The
Hammonds
are English by origin, but are very experienced linguists. We have Scottish origins on my father’s side. My mother was French as was my Aunt, Julian’s wife Marie. It was necessary to know of other cultures in the world for our families and for some reason mine thought it was to be expected of our position in society.”

“Sounds like my people.”

Jace sat up, his eyes focused on her as he leaned in. “You never speak much of your family.”

“You never really asked.”

He gently ran his fingertips up her arm leaving a trail of goose bumps on her skin. “Consider the question now posed before you.”

Ariya swallowed deeply and he sensed her remembrance of the events that seemed like yesterday. It was then she felt the void in her heart where the life of her parents had filled. What was once a tight string of bonds between them was now a severed, a disconnected cord. She would’ve been ready to tell him all about her home in
Dahomey
and the life she led among the forest grounds and sweetness of nature. Suddenly, the thought froze her senses like a shock of electricity.

“Ariya, I am sorry.” Jace’s cold hand against her warm skin brought her back to the present.

The limo slowed to a halt near the front of the busy nightclub. Bright red electric lights formed the word “Torch” above the entrance door leading into the mouth of darkness. People came and went passed the large bouncer nodding to each person.

Ariya waited until Jace stepped out first and offered her his hand. She slipped her arm around his and climbed out. She had to admit, it felt good working side by side with him. Tonight was a special night and no matter what would happen in the coming days, she would enjoy Rich’s celebration. She watched Jace nod toward the beefy guard, who Ariya remembered as Lu from the first time she was at the Torch club. She stepped into the dark, crowded club filled wall to wall with Nightwalkers, Lycans and Shifters conversing among themselves. By now she had begun to sense them in their human form by their smell alone.

“So, I have to ask, what exactly is worn under those kilts you used to wear?” The question slipped away before she could catch it. Where were her manners? She tried to keep her face blank but she feared the feeling of embarrassment made its way in her expression.

Ariya looked ahead, taking in the fake stars perched around the room like a wall of night. The large moon still hung at the top of the main room near the second floor lounge of glass walls. Soon it would be changing in cycles to half moon, quarter and then full. Remembering the inside joke Jace told her about the last time she entered The Torch.

Jace whipped around to face her. Part of her took pride in shocking him with the question, but he merely cleared his throat and gestured toward the main bar. “A drink,” he said with a smile. “I think, this calls for a drink.”

“I’d love one,” she said, trying not to chuckle.

She whispered her order to Jace, a drink she’d seen the other women order, once they made it to the bar where Ben the bartender was filling glasses.

“Apple Martini, and the usual for me.”

“Coming up, Jace.”

The room pulsed with an electronic beat, energizing the dancers on the floor and conversationalists at the tables. Ariya climbed backwards onto a nearby stool while Jace leaned an elbow against the bar and waited for their drinks to come. She didn’t like alcohol much but the idea of an intoxicating drink with fruit flavors amused her to no end. She decided with each visit to the club she would try a new one and then pick her favorite afterward.

“So, you never told me what
Guerre de la Nuit
was. Although I can partly guess from the translation; night war?”

“Correct. It’s a pre-mating ceremony before the two tie the knot, so to speak. The male Lycan proves his worth to his female mate by battling the strongest in the pack.”

“Which doesn’t include Michael, naturally.”

Jace turned his head as Ben slid their drinks over. “Thanks, man. Right, not the Patriarch for obvious reasons. Here.”

She peeked over her shoulder and grabbed her drink. On her palette, the martini reminded her of a previous concoction she had tasted while there. Cranberry, lime and other alcohol added to boost the taste. She hadn’t really tasted the alcohol though she could imagine why the mortals liked it. She took a breath before slowly raising her glass to her lips to sip.

“Mmm. Not horrid, but not as good as the cranberry.”

Jace’s handsome face turned sour and he shook his head. “I don’t know how you can drink that stuff,” he said raising his glass of dark red blood to his lips.

The music lowered a bit as the crowd broke out into a roar. All eyes focused on the entrance where Rich stood with his arm around a young beautiful woman with a dark brown complexion and bright hazel eyes. She had a youthful but strong face complemented by her dark raven hair that fell down her back.

“There’s the man of the hour now.” Jace raised his hands, breaking out into a loud clap and whistle which started a succession of cheers from the group around him. Rich held his hand up and took a little bow.

His eyes lit up the moment he saw Jace. “Hey! Come on over here!”

Jace rushed past the crowd with Ariya by his side. Right away the two men embraced tightly. As the hug broke, Jace couldn’t help taking note of the young woman next to Rich.

“Right! Well, please allow me to introduce you to my surprise—Joanna Blackfox, my betrothed and soon to be mate. Joanna this is Jace Archane and Ariya.”

“Nice to finally meet you both,” Joanna said with a smile. “I’ve heard so much about you.”

“Charmed. We hope to hear more about you in the coming days.” Jace smiled as he placed a kiss on her hand.