A Kiss of Ashen Twilight (Ashen Twilight Series #1) (37 page)

She felt him lean in to take in the scent of her body. She felt his want and need for her. Finally she turned to face him and gaze deep into his eyes. She was drawn to him as if an invisible force was alive between them. Her lips grew hungry as he leaned in toward her and she awaited that inevitable moment of impact when he would claim her lips with his own.

The music suddenly slowed down to silence and the main room grew darker as a spotlight shined on the front stage. Ariya’s body buzzed to life as she felt a wave of regret and slight embarrassment over what they almost did.

“Ladies and gentleman.” Rich held his hands up as he stood center stage. “Animals and bloodsuckers.” The crowds buzzed with murmurs, chuckles and soft boos. “Okay, simmer down now. Well, as reigning regent in the House of Lycan, I’d like to announce my commitment to the lovely Joanna Blackfox of the eastern divide of the House of Lycan. She’s that sexy gal over there in the black.”

The crowd roared with applause and whistles as another spotlight shined on Joanna. She took a gentle little bow.

“Tonight, I will prove my passion and worth to her in the desert lands. For tomorrow I will take her as my bride.”

“Not if I can help it.”

Murmurs filled the room.

Rich’s smile disappeared. He turned to a face lost in the crowd and waited until a spotlight shined on the mystery man.

The man stood with his head held high. Large tan skin roped over lean muscle outlined under his snug black shirt and blue jeans. His chiseled face was alluring, but the sparkle in his green eyes as he focused on Joanna showed he was a man that didn’t like to ask for what he wanted.

Ariya could sense Jace’s chest rising and falling rapidly beneath his thin long sleeved shirt. The tightening of his jaw and the way his gaze danced between the two made him seem like an animal in heat ready to pounce; one for violence and the other for lovemaking.

Rich was just as ready.

Ariya sensed the rising tension in him. The testosterone levels in both men had shot to sky high the minute the guy walked in the door.

Rich hopped off the stage and approached the man in the middle of the room. He didn’t bother to look at the small group of Lycans in the mystery man’s pack. Instead, he smiled and crossed his arms, holding the man’s gaze.

Vex and Rich’s pack immediately joined Rich’s side.

“Hello, Vince,” Rich said with a nod. “Nice to see you didn’t punk out like I thought you would.”

Vince snorted. “Joanna’s worth more than that. She needs someone who can stand up for themselves, for her and the pack. Someone like—”

“Who? You?” Rich chuckled, his broad shoulders bobbing up and down. “Vince—hadn’t she suffered enough?”

A thick growl escaped Vince’s throat. He took a step toward Rich who stood a good inch over him. “You and me, wolf boy. We’ll see who’s the Alpha in the end.”

Joanna made her way through the crowd and stopped a few feet away. Vince smiled once he saw her and sniffed the air. “Looks like she’s already in heat.” His gaze dipped lower on her body. “And she’s got my name all over her.”

Rich lunged toward him, but Vex wrapped a thick arm around him and pulled him back. “Easy man!” Vex said. He turned to Vince as he spoke his next words. “We’re going to end this now. And we got a place for your ritual beatdown, my friend.”

“Lead the way,” Vince said holding out his arms.

Rich turned to Vex and with a nod toward the door, signaled the beginning. Seeing this, Jace snickered and shook his head. “Show time,” he said with a slight smile.

Ariya felt a slight shudder flitter throughout her body once she felt his hand on the small of her back as he lead her toward the exit door. She tried to tell herself it was nothing, but the electricity of his body near hers sent alarm bells off inside of her.

After this, she promised herself they would definitely have a serious talk.

* * * *

The cold dry desert air chilled Ariya’s skin to the bone. The smell of smoky woods burning in the nearby fireplaces hung in the midnight air. A few members of each of the house families filtered out of the cars. Shifters transformed from their human form into animals with thick coats to warm their fragile skin. For a moment, Ariya wished she had their abilities as she felt a shiver quiver throughout her body. Noting her discomfort, Jace slipped his jacket coat off and wrapped it around her shoulders, careful of her folded wings. She figured the cold air was probably like home to him.

“Feeling all right?” he asked as he rubbed her shoulders.

She smiled, hoping he wouldn’t move or stop what he was doing. As if remembering himself, he moved away and quickly folded his arms.

Ariya cursed her thoughts for being unguarded. “Just fine, thanks,” she mumbled. “I’m curious about something though.”

“Oh? What’s that?”

“Well, after all these centuries only now Rich decides to settle down. I mean, with my family it was predestined. We were bred for union once we came of age to continue our people’s line.”

“We aren’t Fairy, Ariya. We spent years, centuries even, fighting wars and trying to come to grips with who we are as our own identity under mortal eyes. Only now has the Ashen Twilight House begun to realize its duties if we are to continue as a people. Lycans find mates based on compatibility and the strength of the male in the family. Nightwalkers won’t settle down unless we find the right ones and Shifter Elves are the same in finding their mates.” He chuckled. “I guess some things are harder to let go than others. Watch your step.”

Rocks and gravel crunched under their shoes amidst the sound of cars rushing back and forth on the 101 freeway. The vast open landscape engulfed them with only a dim light to illuminate their way. Ariya followed Jace to the middle of the crowd of Nightwalkers, Lycans in their human form and Shifter Elves that transformed into various animals.

A line of black motorcycles pulled up with Vince at the head. He immediately shut down the motor and ripped off his helmet to set down on his bike. He walked with his fists at his side and puffed up his chest as if he already owned the area.

Joanna joined Ariya’s side and watched with pride as Rich stepped into the middle of the circle made by onlookers. Both Vince and Rich peeled down to their bare skin and in an instant transformed into their larger than life bipedal Lycan forms.

Vince released a primal roar before lunging at Rich, knocking him to the ground with a loud thud. He scratched Rich’s face, instigating him to fight back. Growls, barks, and thuds took over the night air as the large forms fought to draw blood.

Ariya looked up at all the surrounding members of the houses as their eyes were transfixed on the fight before them. Cheers broke out louder at some points than others and it was hard to tell who was rooting for whom. She looked up at Joanna biting down on her lower lip as she pumped her fist in the air for Rich.

“Come on,” she whispered softly.

Rich eventually got the upper hand, knocking Vince to the ground before clocking him in his jutting jaw. He held his arms down toward the ground with his paws and leaned in to release a loud roar.

Ariya noted Jace smiling like a proud father at his Rich’s victory. Slowly Rich pushed off Vince and walked over to Joanna. The light of the moonlight danced across his face and body as he approached her. By the time he reached her, he had changed back into form; the transformation would appear to be but a trickery of light to any mortal eyes.

“Come here, baby,” he said huskily with a laugh. He opened his arms to catch her as she jumped into his arms and leaned in to give him a deep kiss.

“This isn’t the end of it,
Hammond
!” Vince yelled after Rich. “Believe me on that.”

“He proved his worth over you, Vince,” Joanna turned around with fire in her eyes. Slowly she approached Vince, holding his gaze.
          
“Go home. My place is here with Rich now. He is the one I choose. Not you. Now leave!”

Vince exhaled softly. His gaze darted from Joanna to Rich before he nodded with reluctance. He raised his hands and gestured toward the row of bikes as he stepped back.

“Let’s move ‘em out!” He yelled over his shoulder. Turning on his heels he headed back to the caravan.

The members of the Ashen Twilight House broke out in a wild cheer as the Eastern House parted.

Ariya felt Jace leave her side as she watched him and Rich embrace as they received their congratulations.

* * * *

A few hours later, Ariya entered the apartment with Jace right behind her. As she folded her coat on the arm of the sofa, Jace closed the door behind her. He stopped to watch her for a moment before heading into the kitchen for a drink.

“I’m really happy for Rich and Joanna,” Ariya said leaning forward on the couch. “They really seem happy.”

“Yeah, they do.” Jace took out a full bottle of animal blood and retrieved a wine glass which he immediately filled.

“Would that ever be us out there one day?”

Jace thoughtfully swirled his glass in a circular motion, watching the liquid swish side to side like a whirlpool. “I’m happy. Are you happy?”

“Well, yes but Jace—”

He smiled. “There. We’re both happy.” Raising his glass, he gave her a wink. “Cheers.”

Ariya folded her arms and watched him drink in short gulps. She couldn’t help wincing at the taste of what the cow blood was like and wondered if she could really live off that as her only nourishment.

Jace licked his lips and set the glass down. He leaned over the side of the counter, closing his eyes as if in another place and time more serene.

Ariya slowly approached him as she felt it. His heartbeat. The blood had reignited his heart to beat again. She felt his body temperature rise and his adrenaline rush as he allowed his blood to pump through his veins. For a moment she was sure his veins disappeared and his pale skin had darkened to a softer shade of pink.

After a moment, Jace leaned back and cleared his throat.

“Look, it’s late,” Jace said tiredly wiping his eyes. “I’m going to shower and then head to bed. Are you going to be up a while?”

Ariya shrugged. “A little, but I think I’m going to head to bed myself.”

He leaned in to give her a gentle kiss on her lips. “Good thinking. I’ll come to say goodnight once I’m done.”

Before she could respond, he was already in the bathroom closing that door behind him. For a split moment, she thought about leaving just to spite him. Still she didn’t know how safe it was to roam the streets on her own. Already she felt distant from the house despite it being the closest thing to a home she had in this realm.

After all, each member had their place in the world, as she understood it. Jace taught art at the local community college. Rich and Vex coached football for the local college and the elders of the house taught the younger members about their place in the world. She was just a misplaced Fairy who had a home to return to on the other side.

With her mind racing, she exited into Jace’s bedroom and prepared for an evening’s rest.

* * * *

Jace felt Ariya’s heart sink. The distance grew between them like a tangible substance in the air. His life had changed when they met that fateful night. He was thrown for a loop and much to his surprise he was taken by the young Fairy. Life had always been fragile to him and, before he was turned, he realized it could end any moment. One day it was wondrous and as if immortality was a promise for each day to come. The next would bring a certainty of death that would take lives with no prisoners or escape. He saw it first hand at the age of 14. Civilization turned humans into fragile creatures when a black plague took lives of women, men and children alike. The soft blades of green grass he used to play upon as a child became open graves for his townspeople, friends and family. He remembered watching their bloodied, purplish bodies piled one on top of the other, ready to return to the Earth from whence they came.