Freak Show (17 page)

It didn’t take long for the steady push and pull of rising power to restore my strength. Feeding off our lovemaking wasn’t new for either of us. It was a fantastic way to build and devour much needed energy. And it was a hell of a lot of fun too.

I clung to Arys, my senses on overload. All I could see, feel, smell and taste was him. The sound of his satisfied groans drove my own desire higher. 

“Growl for me, Alexa,” he murmured. The force behind his thrust grew aggressive as he guided me to the edge of bliss. “I need to hear you.”

My moans became cries. With clawed fingertips, I scratched bloody grooves into Arys’s well-muscled back. Climax shook me. Spasms within me held Arys deep, bringing him over the edge in a harmonious sharing of ecstasy. My cries turned to growls, and I nipped at his neck and shoulders. Oh how I ached for this man.

Once wasn’t enough for Arys. After leaving the shower and toweling off, he lifted me onto the bathroom counter and resumed his claiming of my body. The counter was the perfect height, allowing him to step between my legs. I was still ready for him, hungry for the joy and completion only he could give me.

The rush of soaring power grew dizzying with Arys buried inside me. A potent, writhing force, it caused the lights to flicker, and elsewhere in the suite, I felt Jenner react to what we called.

I dragged my hands down Arys’s chest, reveling in the heady masculine feel of him. His fingers entangled in my hair, his lips on my neck. Being with him took me to places I’d never dreamed of. Our connection went far beyond the physical. It had taken some time to adjust to having him be part of me. Perhaps I never fully would. I could definitely never say it was boring.

When at last we were spent, I rested my head against his chest for several long, blessedly silent minutes. I took that precious time to memorize again how he felt. I was afraid that one day a memory would be all I had.

* * * *

“So they were going to kill you just because you wanted out?” Jez’s eyes were wide despite the yawn she stifled. “Damn. And I thought vampires were bad on their own. They sound pretty fucking scary in an organized group.”

Jenner paused in his impatient pacing around the living room. “They were going to kill me because I didn’t secure their supply first. I’m welcome to leave but not without finding someone to take my place. I meant to. I got caught up in giving the club a makeover. Besides, it wouldn’t have been my problem if Harley were still alive.”

His pale-blue gaze swung to me. It was hard to read. Accusation lurked in those depths, but so did something else. Something I’d only seen in the eyes of one other person; Kale’s gorgeous eyes exuded that same dark infatuation when he looked at me. I had claimed Jenner as mine with my blood and power. In the moment, it had felt right, necessary even. Too late now for regrets. I hated what I’d done to Kale, but Jenner, he’d had it coming.

“Well Harley’s dead, and I’m not sorry about it,” I snapped, tired and irritable. “So I suggest you get over it and focus on the here and now, so you don’t end up the same way.”

It was early morning, still well before noon. Sleep was calling me. Arys and Jenner had retold the tale of their evening. We were discussing our plans for the following night.

I curled up on Arys’s lap, wrapped in a hotel bathrobe. Jez wore the same, her hair tied atop her head. She too wore the signs of fatigue. Jenner was a restless mess, unable to sit still. He appeared uncomfortable in the borrowed clothes he wore, clearly out of his element here with us.

“Don’t make the mistake of thinking I’m the only one whose head is on the chopping block,” Jenner warned. “At least if I go out, it’ll be fast. Can’t say the same for you.”

Amusement played about his face, his lips twisting as he hid a smirk. I pinned Arys with a look. “What the hell is he talking about?”

Arys glowered at Jenner. “Linden has plans for you. Plans he enjoyed telling me about in great detail while his guys were staking me down in the desert.” Arys glanced away, as if he couldn’t stand to think about it. “There’s no way I can convince you to stay here while I go for Shaz, is there?”

“I’m not staying here,” I insisted with a shake of my head. “Tell me what Linden said.”

The vampires exchanged a look. Jenner wore a haughty expression.

Arys shrugged. “He said that he has special plans for Harley’s killers. If he gets his chance, he’ll bleed you, torture you, pass you around. But he won’t kill you. Even if you beg him to.” Arys rubbed his forehead and swore. “I don’t want to think about it. It’s not going to happen.”

“Holy shit, that’s screwed up,” Jez muttered. “I can’t believe those fuckers almost had me. I’m damn glad I never killed Harley.”

I bit my lower lip, an anxious habit I’d had since childhood. “Is that what he’s doing to Shaz right now?”

I looked from one vampire to the other. Jenner resumed his slow pace around the living room, avoiding my eyes. Arys let me see the truth. There was no hiding what he really felt from me.

“Alexa,” he said, taking my hand. “I’m so sorry. I wish I was able to get him out of there. We were outnumbered in every way. I called on all the power I safely could without drawing on you. There were just too many of them.”

Jez visibly paled. “Who the hell are these guys?”

“I think we can take them, together,” Arys declared, his eyes flashing with determination. “We’re stronger together. Still, we may need to up the ante, bring in more firepower.”

I didn’t like the sound of that. “Why does that sound like something I’m gonna hate?”

“I think you should take blood from one of the angels.” Arys dropped his little bomb and waited for my protests.

A frown creased my brow as I considered it. Jez snickered and taunted me about getting wrinkles, which only made me frown harder.

Taking blood from an angel was dangerous. However, it did have its advantages, like the ability to set things on fire with only a thought. What made it so deadly was that only angels could fully master their power. In the hands of anyone else, especially a mortal, it was a disaster waiting to happen.

“I don’t know, Arys.” I shook my head, pondering. I snuggled in a little closer, seeking reassurance in his embrace. “That’s risky. And I don’t want to go there with Willow. It’s so…personal.”

Taking blood and power was deeply, painfully intimate. My succubus nature only heightened that effect. Recalling Falon’s erection pressed between my thighs made me shudder. The worst part was that I had wanted him too.
Ew, gross
. Power was like any other intoxicant. The high could lead one to do things later regretted.

“Then take Falon’s blood. Forcefully if need be.” Arys was too flippant. He hadn’t been the one to taste angel’s blood. He didn’t understand how different it was.

“Easy for you to say; you didn’t feel what I felt.”

“Why not just use a blade on Willow to take his blood? No contact.” Jez’s point was valid. Unfortunately, it didn’t work that way.

Jenner fielded that question, jumping in before I could find a way to explain. “Not possible. Physical contact is essential. Blood is just one part of the feed for vampires like us. It’ll sustain us but it doesn’t empower us. We need the energy of the life force. It’s got to be a hands-on process.”

I felt awkward. Remembering what had happened between Jenner and me brought a rush of heat to my cheeks. It was far too easy to get caught up in the rush when the power was running high.

Jez yawned, and I immediately did the same.

“Go get some rest.” Arys brushed a soft kiss across my forehead. “You and Jez take our bedroom. Jenner and I will take her room. I’m not leaving him unattended with either of you.”

I knew what that meant. “You’re calling more escorts here, aren’t you?”

“We’re not killing. I need to be at full strength. So do you.”

“Forget it.” I got to my feet but shot Arys a warning look. I was having flashbacks to the time I had walked in on he and Harley sharing a victim. “I’m not being part of that. Better be careful.”

“Always,” came his cautious reply.

An unspoken understanding passed between us. Though Arys had stopped bedding his victims when he and I’d bonded, he still drove them into a sexual and sometimes terrorized frenzy in order to sate his hunger. I preferred not to know the details of those encounters.

Jenner’s laugh sent a prickle of annoyance through me. He was clearly entertained. “I never thought I’d see the day when Arys Knight put himself on a leash for a woman. Keep in mind that when you turn, Alexa, he will no longer find total fulfillment in you. You will both be forced to find that in humankind.”

My temper flared. “Better get your fill of escorts, Jenner. If I need to steal strength from anyone later, it’s going to be you.” If Arys hadn’t been in the room I’d have been quite tempted to throw open the curtains and roast Jenner’s snarky ass. I turned away before I could see the glare he shot at my back. I felt the weight of it though.

Jez followed me with another series of yawns. Closing the door, she gave a self-deprecating laugh and said, “Um, so have I mentioned how sorry I am for insisting we come here for a getaway? I fucked up.”

“No, you didn’t fuck up.” I tossed the pillows off the bed and rumpled the blankets so they weren’t so annoyingly perfect. “I had to meet Jenner at some point.” I threw my hands up in surrender and stared at the bed.

Jez saw my face fall, and her smile disappeared. “Hey, Lex, it’s going to be ok. I’m sure of it.” She pulled me in for a hug, stroking a hand through my damp hair.

She smelled good, like earth and animal. It made my wolf whine and paw at my insides. We didn’t have to be pack to share that connection. It made me miss Shaz. I’d never get used to being without him.

“I think I need to be wolf.” Too much time in the vampire world was weighing on my beast. I longed for the forest, missing the tickle of pine and animal musk in my nose.

Jez nodded emphatically. “I totally understand. Let’s do it.”

It was so nice to have people who understood the many parts of me. I was grateful. Though, it would have been nice to have just one person who understood them all.

It didn’t take long for sleep to drag me under. I welcomed it, needing the brief reprieve from the real world. Jez’s gold and black head rested on my back. We curled up on the bed together, a wolf and a leopard.

I was sure it still wasn’t the weirdest thing that had happened in that hotel bed.  

Chapter Thirteen

“Shut it down, Jenner.” Arys’s tone held no room for argument.

“Not a chance. Nothing stops this club from operating.”

The two of them glared daggers at one another. The Wicked Kiss was running like a well-oiled machine. The nightclub owner in me was more than a little envious of just how smooth Jenner’s club ran compared to mine.

“Nothing? How about death?” Arys inquired.

“Try it.” There was no budging Jenner. “This place operates twenty-four hours. No exceptions.”

We sat at a table on the main floor. No evidence remained of last night’s chaos. I refused to go downstairs again. Not only did it cater to a crowd that I wanted no part of, but it made escape harder.

“How do you know Linden will even come?” I asked nervously, nursing my second coffee. No liquor for me, I needed to stay alert. “What if he just takes Shaz and calls it even? We could be wasting time sitting here waiting.”

Jenner looked like himself again. Being back here did something for him. It wasn’t just his appearance. He thrived off this place. Dressed in his own attire of dark pants and a black t-shirt that showed off his many tattoos, he gave off an air of confidence he hadn’t had early that morning back at Caesars. His dark hair was slicked into place. Not a scratch remained from his injuries.

“Call it even?” He chuckled. “Oh, that won’t happen. Besides, you’re the one with the rare blood. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad for them all to get a taste. I don’t think he has a clue what it will do to him.”

“Did you?” I pinned him with a predatory gaze. He was lucky I didn’t smack him for a stupid remark like that.

Refusing to acknowledge me, he walked away to consult with the security guys working the door. Despite my increasing unease, I was still able to snicker to myself. It wasn’t often I got the upper hand over a powerful vampire. I was going to enjoy it while I could.

“I have a bad feeling about this, Arys.” I tapped my fingernails on the tabletop, the rhythm increasing with my apprehension. “It’s not going to play out the way you think it is.”

“I know.” Arys had yet to sit. He was up and down, unable to let his guard down for even a second. On high alert, he scanned the vicinity constantly, ready for anything. He was in a foul mood. Not that I could blame him. I wasn’t too thrilled myself.

Jez and Sloane lingered a few tables over, speaking in low tones. It wasn’t my business what Jez did and who she did it with. I just hoped she didn’t get hurt.

Sloane had recovered as well. She didn’t say a word about trying to attack me in her weakened state. Whatever. I could pretend it didn’t happen. It wasn’t important right now. But if she ever came at me again, she’d be sorry. Likewise if she hurt Jez in any way.

The air rippled, and I groaned. I didn’t want to do this.

Falon appeared wearing his usual scowl. He wasn’t any happier about this than I was. Good.

“All right wolf, let’s get this over with. I may vomit just thinking about letting your lips touch me again.”

I turned a pout on Arys, pleading with my eyes. “Aw, don’t make me do this.”

“I’m not making you do anything.” He gave Falon a stiff nod before sliding into the seat next to mine. “We’re powerful enough to blow Linden’s world apart. But he’s going to come prepared and so should we. As a succubus with both light and dark power, I think you’re the only one who can do it.”

Arys wouldn’t be so insistent if he didn’t truly think it was necessary. My resistance was personal. I had to suck it up and get over it. This was for Shaz. My personal comfort meant nothing compared to his safety.

The things I’d heard about the blood ring were beyond horrifying. These vampires preyed on specific kinds of victims, fetish kills that would turn the strongest stomach. I could not afford to take them lightly.

“Fine,” I relented. I could do it for Shaz. To Falon, I said, “What are you getting out of this?”

I hadn’t had any part in this arrangement. Naturally, I was suspicious. Demons didn’t do a damn thing without getting something in return. Falon may not be full demon yet, but he might as well have been. He was his own brand of evil.

“That’s between me and Shya. Lucky you. Off the hook this time. I’ve been given the not so important job of being your back up.” Falon looked positively miserable when he added, “Lucky me.”

“If Shya gives such a damn about keeping me alive, why does he always send you? Why not make an appearance himself?” I never knew what to think when it came to Shya. The demon was unpredictable and downright wicked.

Falon shook his head of fair hair. “I can’t answer for him. He’s a bit of a need to know kind of guy, if you haven’t noticed. Besides, do you really want him here?”

“Good point.”

It had been a couple weeks since I’d seen Shya. He saved me from certain death and made Arys promise to pay the price. The demon was easily the last person I wanted to see. Going home meant having to deal with Shya. I had left to get a break from him and the promise of my death playing a role in some master plan of his. I couldn’t escape that damn demon anywhere. Even now, he was interfering by sending Falon to shadow me. Good for me now, bad for me later. The time was coming when Shya and I would really throw down, come hell or high water. Quite possibly literally.

“How much time do you think we have?” I asked Arys, trying to play it cool in front of Falon. He didn’t need to know my insides were in knots.

“It’s hard to say. Better to be ready than to allow them the element of surprise. It worked too well for them last night.” Slipping a hand into my hair, Arys pulled me close, pressing his lips to mine. “No matter what, don’t make it easy for Linden to find your weaknesses.”

I shook my head, knowing full well that was impossible. Linden already had one of my weaknesses in his possession.

Rising, I gestured to Falon. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

“I’m sure that I don’t want to do this, but seeing as it’s not quite my choice, let’s just make it fast.” He rolled up a sleeve and offered his wrist to me.

Swallowing hard, I took his forearm and stroked a finger over the veins beneath the surface of his skin. Blood that had never been human called to me with the promise of power born of a different realm. Being able to manipulate such forces was both a gift and a curse.

The weight of Arys’s gaze caused me to hesitate. “Are you sure you want to watch this?” I asked, hoping he wouldn’t.

“I do.” He shrugged unapologetically. Intrigue drew him closer.

I was careful to avoid eye contact with Falon. If it was anything like last time, things were about to get strange. I slid my fingers between his and pushed a breath of power into him. He responded as I’d hoped he would, pushing back with a suffocating breeze of potent energy. Closing my eyes, I reached down deep inside myself to the place where the succubus energy dwelled. It bubbled up in response like a pot boiling over on the stove, spilling over to draw Falon into my thrall.

I bit into his wrist, groaning as the power-charged blood hit my tongue. Falon healed rapidly, forcing me to bite again and again. The bloodlust surged forth and, with it, a hunger for the inhuman strength in every crimson drop.

It didn’t take long for the hypnotic pull to catch us both in its grip. Falon’s free hand tangled in my hair. My fangs pierced his flesh again, and he gave a ragged sigh. The euphoric charge filled me, empowering me with parts of him that I should never have been able to harness. The limited contact wasn’t enough, and I sought to take Falon down beneath me. I had to take him into me in all ways. I needed to explore his illicit desire.

He used the hand in my hair to jerk my head close. His lips were on mine, begging me for more. As powerful as he was, Falon was incapable of resisting my metaphysical call. I forgot about his wrist. His kiss was deep, passionate and demanding. I bit his lip, sucking it into my mouth before going for his throat.

Arys stepped in at the right time. He jerked me out of Falon’s arms, preventing me from taking a deadly amount. I stumbled, momentarily dizzy. Then my focus re-centered, and I licked the blood from my lips with a mischievous smile.

“I’m starting to think I should have been present last time this happened.” Arys’s expression was one of mixed emotion. I knew that glint in his eyes. He had liked what he just saw, but he didn’t want to, much like my reaction to Jenner in the theatre.

“Fucking hell,” Falon swore. “Why did you kiss me?”

I felt lightheaded and giggly. Falon’s power coursed through me, seeking an outlet. Containing it until I needed it most might prove difficult.

“You kissed me, pal. Nice try though. I wouldn’t want to admit to that either if I were you.”

“If I wasn’t here you’d be fucking on the table by now. This can never happen without a neutral third party.” Arys pulled me farther away from Falon as if he thought I might just drop my pants and bend over for the asshole angel.

Falon’s pale eyes sparked with self-loathing. His reaction to me really made him unhappy. I found it satisfying.

“I’ll be around if I’m needed,” Falon muttered, barely able to bring himself to look at me. “Breathe a word of this to anyone, and I’ll gut you like the animal you are.”

He was gone before I could laugh in his scowling face. Too bad.

Someone was watching me intently. A glance about revealed it to be Jenner. He lingered near the door wearing a glower that made his ruggedly handsome features borderline ugly. Of course, he would be affected by what just happened. Our bloodline was the damndest thing.

“How do you feel?” Arys turned my attention back to him. His eyes were wide, pupils dilated with excitement. “Your eyes are silver, and your aura feels…off.”

All speaking at once, a crowd of voices accompanied the racing of my heart. I was ready for it this time. The thoughts of so many being freely exuded all around me was still overwhelming though.

“I feel like I could fly if I really wanted to. There’s this bizarre sensation, like I’m floating along above the surface rather than actually touching the floor. And I can already hear people’s thoughts.” Calming breaths. It might have been borrowed power, but it was now mine to do with as I pleased. I would not be bent to its will; I would do the bending this time.

“Stay calm and focused. Of all of us, you have the best chance of putting the fear in these guys. You were born to do this kind of thing.” The hug Arys pulled me into was warm and over much too quickly. He put me at arm’s length, as if he didn’t trust himself to be closer.

A shout from the doorman had us all braced and alert. I slid the Dragon Claw from its sheath before Linden strode through the front entry with four henchmen in tow. I’d expected more.

Pausing in the doorway, he surveyed the quick reparations that had been made since his stunt here last night before looking at each of us in turn. Jenner stood ready with power lighting up his clenched fists. With an air of casual disinterest, Jez held the stolen crossbow in one hand, bolt in the other. It was rare that I saw her truly afraid of anyone. Sloane hung back, behind the rest of us, but I felt her tap her power. The room buzzed with the force of Harley’s bloodline. How any one vampire could spawn so many impressive creatures was beyond me. Where did it all come from?

Linden strode through the crowd with a relaxed gait. He held no visible weapons nor did he possess any great metaphysical power. The confidence oozing from him was unsettling. His dark stare fixed on me. Whatever he was thinking, he did a good job of hiding it. I couldn’t hear his thoughts.

He stopped several feet away, keeping a safe distance as he looked me over. “I’ve been looking forward to meeting you, Alexa. You’re nothing like how I imagined. I’m pleasantly surprised.”

“I’m afraid I can’t say the same.” My response was ice cold. The only thing stopping me from setting the bastard on fire was Shaz. I needed to know he was alive.

“I’m sure you’d like to know how the white wolf is doing. He’s surviving. And he’ll walk away alive if you make the right decision.” There was grim amusement on Linden’s face when he appraised the dagger in my hand. “Pretty blade you’ve got there.”

“Thank you.” I tightened my grip on the black jade handle. “Would you like a closer look?”

Linden chuckled, a self-satisfied sound that tested my nerves. “We both know you’re not going to use that. Not if you want to see your wolf again, which I assume you do. So let’s talk business.” He spared a glance for Arys and Jenner. “Nice to see you boys again.”