The Soul Stealer (24 page)

“Forty five, actually,” Hunter admitted with some reluctance.

“Such a baby,” Andrew said with a charming sigh. “That’s right. Your father was barely a grown man himself when Tatiana seduced him. And I remember the day you were born at Tatiana’s palace. There was a huge celebration throughout the Otherworld to herald the new prince.”

“I don’t remember much of my mother, only bits and pieces.”

“And do you remember anything of the Otherworld?”

“Yes, I lived there until the Great Invasion by humans. That’s when Mother took me to Mohrland for my father’s protection. She tried to return to the Otherworld to make sure the rest of her family had escaped, but she got captured instead. Then incinerated like all the others,” Hunter said with sadness in his voice. “Not even my father could stop it.”

“Yes, I remember. The humans were rounding up faeries like animals and slaughtering us in masses. I was already here, but I heard all about it. Many of our kind came here to hide after that, so we’ve built our own culture of expatriates,” Andrew said, still keeping his crystal eyes on Hunter. “It’s too bad Tatiana got involved with a human. Some say he betrayed her and told the authorities the secret location of the Otherworld.”

Hunter’s eyes snapped back to the older faery as he wondered if it could be true.

“Getting too close to humans can be dangerous for us. But it seems you’re going down that road just like your mother. Or is your human companion a temporary pet?”

Hunter’s back stiffened. “Malia is not to be harmed. If anything happens to her while we’re here, you’ll have to deal with my wrath.”

Andrew chuckled again. “How delicious. You’re in love with her. But that’s a bit disappointing, too. I had such intentions for you and me, such divine intentions.” His voice held innuendo without being girlish. The effeminate rock star who stood on the balcony earlier had disappeared. It was just a part of his act. He exuded masculine sexuality, even if it was directed at another male.

Hunter swallowed hard, tempted for a moment by Andrew’s irresistible charisma, surprised he could be attracted to another man. Yet Andrew wasn’t just another man but an ethereal being, Hunter reminded himself. “I’m not merely in love with Malia,” he said, ignoring the momentary desire to touch Andrew’s hand, the need to feel another faery’s perfect skin. “She and I have bonded. We’re soul mates. If something happens to Malia, it would destroy me, as well.”

“So you’ve captured her, as a good little faery should. She IS your pet! It’s in your blood; it’s what we do. We take and break as many human hearts as possible, just for the sheer sport of it. Bravo, my prince. Bravo!” Andrew put his head back and laughed, but he stopped when he noticed the seriousness in Hunter’s eyes.

“No, our souls are forever linked—two halves of the same soul. It’s not a game.”

“You don’t actually believe that, do you?” Andrew asked with a smile. “Ahh, my young prince is a bit naïve. That bit about having a matching soul mate is just an old faery tale your mother told you to explain why you have only half a soul, probably because she wanted you to be happy about being half human and not feel bad about it, as any faery would.”

“It’s not a lie,” Hunter said in a well-practiced superior tone. “And I don’t care to discuss my relationship with Malia or my mother with you anymore.”

Andrew studied Hunter for a moment and then made a slight bow with his head. “Forgive me. I forget myself again. Having a human soul is not a burden I would want, but it does make you interesting, indeed. I don’t believe I’ve ever met a faery with a soul before. Do you work hard to keep it pure?”

Hunter didn’t answer. He wondered when the older faery would stop mocking him.

“So, how may I help you, my prince?”

“Help us hide. We have no money and very few resources,” said Hunter, relieved to be getting down to business.

Andrew leaned forward and sipped his bandy, and his sweet, alluring fragrance filled Hunter’s senses, almost igniting passion. “Yes, I will help you and your pet.”

“Malia,” Hunter corrected. “Her name is Malia.”

Andrew smiled. “You and Malia shall become a part of the entourage on my world tour. I have more security than the Pope while I’m on tour, so you’ll be safe, and we will travel every few days. So they will have a hard time keeping up, if indeed you have people stalking you. We leave in two days. Hiding in plain sight like the trees in the forest is always smartest, don’t you think, my prince?”

“Please, stop calling me that,” Hunter said with a shake of his head. He needed to get away from Andrew so he could breathe normally again.

“What should I call you?” Andrew asked with a seductive smile. “I can think of a few things I’d like to call you, but you tell me.”

“Hunter, just call me Hunter. I’m no prince.”

“That remains to be seen,” Andrew said with a broad smile. “I shall call you Hunter The Hunted, and we shall have grand adventures together for hundreds of years as comrades in arms. But in my heart, you will always be my Faery Prince, the only one who has my undying devotion,” he said with a pointed look, making Hunter’s face grow hot.

Andrew put his hand on Hunter’s shoulder for a moment, and the contact jolted Hunter with a warm, tingling fire. He had never felt such magic from another being and now understood the effect he had on most humans, especially women. After all, faeries are the most seductive creatures on the planet, Hunter thought with appreciation as he looked into Andrew’s clear blue eyes.

“It would be my honor to have you and Malia as guests at my home for as long as you wish. It’s very secure and well guarded, and in two days we will start our travels,” he said with an easy smile. He walked Hunter to the door and then stopped. “My assistant, Amelia, will make all the arrangements to fetch your things and have them delivered to my door.”

“You are very kind, but we won’t be bringing anything with us.” Hunter took a step away and then turned to face Andrew, wanting to get away from the faery’s tempting grasp on his shoulder.

“Kindness has nothing to do with it. It is my duty as your devoted servant, my lord,” Andrew said in a serious voice. All humor and mocking had left his face as he made a slight bow toward Hunter. “I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe, no matter the consequences, for you are the last faery prince, whether you want to be or not.”

Hunter half smiled, knowing he shouldn’t contradict Andrew, especially since he just offered them his protection.

Andrew straightened up and looked directly into Hunter’s eyes. The older faery didn’t speak or move his lips, but Hunter felt more than heard Andrew’s voice in his head, “Should you grow tired of your game of pretending to be a soul mate with that human, I will keep my door unlocked each night in hopes you will come to my bed. There are things I would show you about the faery’s art of love you could never experience with a mortal being. My adoration and devotion to you would be endless. I promise.”

Hunter swallowed hard, feeling his heart pound in his throat. Although he had intruded into people’s minds many times, no one had ever intruded into his.

“Please, enjoy my party,” Andrew said, as if he hadn’t penetrated into Hunter’s thoughts the moment before. He opened the door for Hunter. “I’ll be out shortly.”

Hunter had been dismissed by the most alluring creature he had ever encountered.

H
eads turned when Hunter walked back into the room—some of the crowd looked almost awestruck. Many were movie stars, some were aspiring rock stars, and they all were beautiful, so Malia wondered why they looked at Hunter with such admiration and curiosity. She cocked her head to one side and folded her arms across her chest. The world seemed to be tilted somehow, not quite the way it was before. Too many things had changed.

“He’s offered us his protection for as long as we need it,” Hunter said as he walked up to her without a smile. “We can stay at his house and go on his concert tour. Andrew says he has a network of displaced faeries who would be willing to help me. I mean us.” He pulled her to the side, away from eavesdropping ears.

“But we have no way to pay him,” she said, not sure she wanted to be completely dependent on a stranger.

“He doesn’t care about money.”

“Then why would he do. . .” she stopped and looked at Hunter. “Oh, he’s doing it for you.”

“Apparently,” he said, as he got closer and put his hand on her arm.

“Should I be jealous?”

“No, you should be cautious about everything to do with him. And don’t ever, and I mean ever, Malia, get in a situation where you’re alone with Andrew. He’s powerful, and he will try to seduce you just for the fun of it.”

Hunter’s words rang in her head, but she didn’t understand how she heard him because the music in the room blared, and she didn’t see his lips move. “Why would he do that if you’re royalty to him? Wouldn’t that be a bit disrespectful?”

“Because you’re human, and therefore inferior in his eyes. So he would do it to break us apart.” Hunter’s face still had not cracked a smile. “The legend about the last faery prince says he will free his people from repression and set up a type of government in the Otherworld similar to democracy. It will be a new concept and filter out into the human world, changing things for the better forever on Earth. He does away with the tradition of faery royalty and becomes the head of the republic in the Otherworld and eventually ambassador to the human world. He marries a beautiful faery woman and they have many children together.”

“Oh,” she said with a sinking heart. “I guess that puts me out of the picture.”

“It’s just an old legend, and not one I believe in. But Andrew does, so we must be cautious. And guard our thoughts,” Hunter said with a glance toward the crowd.

She took a deep breath and looked around, feeling like she had entered an alternate universe, even though she knew she was just in Los Angeles. Everything seemed so different, including how others looked at Hunter. The admiring looks from women were something Malia had grown accustomed to, but the adoration from men was a bit astounding, especially since those men were movie stars, singers and famous artists. She could tell they all wanted to catch his eye, or find an excuse to speak to him, but the strangest thing of all was the realization they weren’t human.

As she stood there in the middle of the room, Malia wondered if Hunter was listening to her thoughts. His eyes roamed around above the heads in the crowd, as if he were looking for an open window to fly through. He never settled on any one face, even though they all discreetly watched him, some openly. That’s when it occurred to her that Hunter was used to this kind of adoration and curiosity. He didn’t pay any attention to it because it seemed normal to have worshippers at his feet. She wondered how it must have shaped him growing up to be adored by some, yet treated as a prisoner or slave by his own father.

Hunter’s eyes settled on Malia. “You over-analyze things. What others want from me, or how they see me, isn’t my concern.”

So you are listening to my thoughts,
she voiced the words in her head.

Hunter nodded slightly, letting his eyes roam around the room again.

Then you’ll know that I don’t regret having you in my life, no matter what happens,
Malia thought
.

Hunter’s face softened with a smile, and he moved closer but kept his eyes on the door to Andrew’s private room, as if it were about to open. And then it did.

Out came a rock star in sequins and leather with hair in thin spikes that stuck out all over his head, and his neck and wrists adorned with all sorts of jewelry. He waved to a couple of people as he sashayed through the room, but his eyes mostly stayed on Hunter.

Malia caught her breath as Andrew stood before them, because she had never seen a face quite like his. Andrew’s skin looked like smooth, white silk over fine bone structure, and there were no lines or imperfections to hint at his age, which she guessed was mid-twenties, although he had the air of a much older person. She wondered if he wore heavy makeup that gave him a glistening effect, but then noticed the skin on his neck and chest was equally astonishing, and almost iridescent. He looked like an angel come down from heaven, until she looked into his clear blue eyes. There was nothing innocent or pure there, especially in the way he looked at Hunter. That was a sensual, possessive look.

Andrew turned his attention to her, and his eyes cooled to an icy blue despite the broad smile that brightened his face. “And this must be Malia,” he said as he took her hand and briefly put his lips to it. She felt a warm flush fill her body, along with the desire to feel his lips on her flesh again. “Hunter has told me so much about you.”

His voice was deeper than expected and much more masculine. No wonder so many female fans were obsessed with him, even though he lived an openly homosexual lifestyle.

“Who does your makeup?” Malia blurted out. “Sorry, it’s just that you have such beautiful skin.”

Andrew laughed and this time his eyes warmed up as well and took on a more aqua-blue tint. “I do it myself. I’d love to show you some of my tricks,” he said with a suggestive look.

Malia feigned a smile, realizing how correct Hunter was in warning her about Andrew. She moved back half a step, feeling Hunter’s protective arm go around her waist.

“Ahh, I see,” Andrew said with a dramatic frown. “My darling prince has warned you not to trust me. And I so hoped we could be friends, especially since we both have certain intentions for Hunter. I’d hate to have to compete with you, my dear, but I can show him things he’s never seen before . . . things you can’t.”

Her eyebrows shot up in surprise at his candor, but Hunter just rolled his eyes in impatience, as if Andrew were a naughty child.

“That’s exactly what he is.” Hunter’s voice came into her head, but his lips did not move.

Andrew laughed heartily as he looked at Hunter. “You shouldn’t talk badly about those who will help you,” he said in a mocking tone with a shake of his finger at Hunter.

“And you should behave yourself,” Hunter said in a condescending tone. “Or I will walk away and find help elsewhere.”

All merriment left Andrew’s face, and he made a bow with his head. “Forgive me, Your Grace. I am at your service and have a car ready to take you to my home, where you both will be safe.”

“I prefer to go there on my own. Give me the location, and I’ll find it. But first, if you would send the car to our hotel in about an hour to pick up our things, it would be helpful.”

“I thought you weren’t bringing your things with you, in case they’re tagged?” Andrew asked with some deference now in his voice.

“I don’t want the car to bring anything to us,” Hunter said. He and Andrew looked intently at each other.

“Ahh, I see,” Andrew said with a nod after a moment of silence. “Yes, I can arrange that.”

Malia realized they were having a conversation in their heads, not wanting to be overheard, even though the room seemed to be filled with other faeries. She wondered if only certain ones could read minds, or if they could all hear every thought and word.

“We’ll see you later then,” Hunter said to Andrew without smiling.

Their eyes met and a look passed between them that Malia couldn’t decipher. She was surprised the two had developed this level of intimacy in such a short time.

“Come, let’s go,” Hunter said to her. He walked through the room to the elevator, still not acknowledging anyone else there, and then pulled her along through the crowded dance floor and out onto the street.

Malia was grateful to be out of the nightclub and away from the strange world within, but the air didn’t greet her with a fresh floral scent the way it always had in Hawaii. She looked around at the gray cement and crowded sidewalk with a pang of homesickness.

“We must hurry,” Hunter said with urgency in his voice that matched the look on his face. He pulled her into an alley, looked around, and then grabbed her and took off into the air before Malia knew what was happening. She was getting somewhat used to the sensation of the ground disappearing under her feet but still held onto Hunter with all her strength, unable to relax until their feet touched down outside the hotel door. Malia tried to straighten her hair, but it had been blown into ratty tangles. She now fully understood why Hunter’s hair always looked messy.

Before going inside, Hunter pulled her closer and put his face in her neck as if to kiss her. “Take precautions. We’re being watched,” he whispered instead.

She was about to ask who was watching them, but Hunter silenced her words with a kiss. “Father has sent more assassins,” Hunter’s voice came into her head as they kissed. “And they have followed the signal of the microchip to this hotel.” Malia almost cried out, but his lips covered hers to silence any noise she could make. Once she stopped squirming, Hunter pulled away and put the key card into the lock to enter the building. The dimly lit alley made it difficult to see if anyone lurked in the shadows. Once the door opened, they both almost jumped into the hallway, and Hunter pulled the door shut behind them.

“Let’s go up the stairs instead of taking the elevator,” Hunter said as he took the dagger out of his pants. He led the way upstairs, but his eyes darted behind him often to make sure no one was following. He put his hand on the first exit door as they passed it to keep anyone from opening it from the other side while Malia went up another flight to their floor. She stopped at the door and let Hunter go through it first. He looked around the hallway and relaxed a little but still held the dagger in his hand. “They were here, but it was awhile ago.”

Malia’s heart pounded in her ears as they took the short walk down the hallway to their room. As she passed each door, Malia worried if it would open and a killer would jump out. Hunter opened their door and flipped on the lights, and then motioned for her to enter and shut the door. He checked the closet and bathroom.

“They haven’t been here, which means they don’t know which room is ours.”

“How do you know that?” Malia went to the bathroom and turned on the light. She no longer felt safe there.

“Because if they knew this was our room, they would have found a way to get in.”

“Can’t they just transport themselves into the room?” Malia wasn’t sure she wanted to hear the answer. She looked around at the small quarters with dread.

Hunter shook his head. “It’s too risky without knowing the floor plan. They could get caught in a wall and wind up a permanent fixture here.”

“How many are there?”

“Three, maybe four this time.”

Malia took a deep breath and slowly let it out. Again she looked around, feeling insecure. “Is Archer one of them?”

Hunter shot her an accusatory look. “Why do you care?”

“I’m just curious,” she said with a shrug, thinking Archer wouldn’t try to kill her, which gave them a little better odds if he was one of them.

“No, Archer is not with them,” Hunter said in an irritated voice. He went to the computers on the table and took out a small thumb drive and started downloading files, ignoring her again.

“Is that why we came back here?” she asked, pointing to the computer.

“Yes, I need some files I have stored,” Hunter said without looking her way. His fingers flew over the keyboard again, and he gave voice commands to the other computer. “There’s technology in my hard drive that can’t be found by anyone from this world. After I’ve downloaded what I need, I’m going to destroy them.”

Malia sighed and looked over at the boxes of her things that Hunter had prepared.

“No, you can’t bring anything, so don’t even ask.”

“Stop listening to my thoughts,” she said, annoyed she couldn’t keep anything secret from him. “And stop ordering me around. I’m not one of your servants.”

Hunter paused and looked over at her but then went back to the keyboard. “Fair enough. I’ll put the silencer on where you’re concerned. I don’t usually intrude into people’s minds, but in the last few days, it’s seemed a good idea, so I know what I’m dealing with.”

Malia wondered how’d she know if he were listening or not? “You know, once this is all over, we need to have a serious conversation about our relationship. I mean, I know we have to be together, but we should figure out what that means to both of us.”

Hunter nodded but kept working on the computer without looking her way.

“I don’t want someone to spend their life with me because they have to,” Malia said under her breath.

He glanced at her with a pensive expression, but then went back to downloading files.

Malia fell back on the bed, knowing this wasn’t the time for that kind of conversation. There were too many more important things to worry about, like staying out of the way of assassins.

Just as she started to fall asleep, Hunter shook her awake.

“Come on. We need to get moving before they come back.”

She sat up with a start and looked around. Hunter pulled her up and walked toward the door, holding her hand.

“Don’t we need to get rid of the computers?” she asked as the fog of sleep lifted.

“Andrew is sending someone to do that.”

Hunter handed Malia her dagger. “Put this in your purse and be prepared to use it.”

Malia nodded, not sure she wanted to go back into the hallway. Anything could be beyond the closed door. But they couldn’t stay in there forever, and the window was too small to climb through. She took a rubberband out of her purse and wound it around her hair, not wanting to have that mess to deal with again.