We Shall Rise (6 page)

“I’m not feeling sorry for myself.” Kaden frowned at the whininess in his own voice. He was mired in pathetic self-pity. He really needed a distraction. “Tell me something about you first,” Kaden suggested needing Savannah to open the door to conversation before he could step in and unload his baggage.

“No problem. I’m not shy as I’m sure you can tell. I don’t mind talkin’. That’s what I do for a living.” Savannah perched herself on top of the bar directly in front of Kaden. “Here’s the short version of my tale. You may not have noticed, but I was born with a couple of extra arms, and one eye short of a pair.”

“I didn’t notice,” Kaden snarked.

“That’s better. Your sarcasm is much more amusing than your woe is me shtick. Anyhow, I was born this way. Deformed. Defective from the start. My mother was a demon and my father a lion shifter. Both were pretty powerful with their respective clans. It was supposed to be a good union, yet here I am. I got the bad DNA and ended up a Cyclops with four arms. My parents were disgusted. They didn’t pretend otherwise. At least, I always knew where I stood with them. There was no pretense. I was an abomination. They hid me from others—too ashamed for their friends to see their hideous child that couldn’t shift and had one less eye and two extra arms.

“They locked me in the stables with the livestock. At least they didn’t cage me. I didn’t get to go outside, play with others, meet people, or be a child. I was an unwanted mistake locked away from society. When I was eight, they took a risk and had another child. A handsome baby boy who was born right, unlike me. That’s when I had overstayed my welcome. They threw me out a few days later. I almost died out there alone, but I was found by a road show owner. He ended up giving me a home as long as he could display me in his traveling circus. I spent ninety-eight years as a circus freak, but I had a home. I survived and I’m grateful.”

“What happened to your face?” Kaden asked lacking in tact or delicacy. Savannah’s face was badly scarred on one side from severe burns. “Who torched you?”

Savannah turned away not wanting to face Kaden as she revealed this story. “I guess you can say I torched myself. I had a hard time adjusting to this body when I was a kid. I was always falling and stumbling into things. When I was four, my parents left me in our cabin alone. I knocked over a lantern and fell into the blaze. Half my face was burned as well as my chest, stomach, arms. I screamed for what felt like hours even after I had freed myself. I didn’t know what to do. I dragged myself outside and jumped into the river bank near our home. My parents found me before I drowned. I don’t know why they bothered saving me. They were more upset about their precious cabin burning to the ground. I think they wanted me to suffer. I had cost them their home and they kept me alive so I would feel every ounce of pain for that mistake. They didn’t take me to the doctor or give me any medicine. Of course I didn’t heal right and it left me with worse scars than I should have had.” Savannah turned back to Kaden and the horrified look in his eyes. “Don’t pity me Kaden. As bad as I may have had it, I know others have had it worse. I’m in a good place now, darling. I’m so glad The Lore is my home and I can be accepted among my fellow Misfits. I fit in here. I finally belong. I’m no longer Savannah the circus freak. I’m just Savannah and that seems to be good enough for everyone here. For once in my life, it’s good enough just being me.”

Kaden felt like an idiot complaining when someone as kind as Savannah could be so positive despite all the pain she must have endured. Even now, people likely commented about her appearance and stared at her, but she never let it hurt her. It’s like she was immune to prejudice.

“How do you do this? Aren’t you angry? Did you seek revenge against your parents?”

“Revenge?” a puzzled Savannah questioned. “Sugar, I don’t believe in revenge. I pity my parents for their failure to love me. That’s their loss. I have a family now who appreciates me. It is they who missed out on the opportunity to know me. I have no regrets about my life. I survived. I’m proud of that fact. I wouldn’t change a thing because all the bad led to the good I feel now. It was working in that circus that introduced me to Reysa and Christian. Two lost babies who had no home. They gave me a purpose. I escaped the circus and decided to raise those kids as my own children. And look at what my babies have done. They’ve created a home for others just like us. Those that don’t fit it, don’t belong, but need a home. Now I can never doubt that my life was worth something. I could leave this earth tomorrow and feel damn proud that I raised two remarkable kids even though I didn’t know the first thing about parenting or love.”

“You’re making me feel like whiny fool.”

Savannah patted Kaden on the shoulder. “You are, darling, but that’s because you’ve got so much anger in you and you won’t let it go. Heal thyself, my son and a world of possibilities will open up for you.”

Kaden collapsed his head on the bar. “I’m a mess,” he conceded. If Savannah was willing to talk to him, he needed to take advantage of this opportunity and learn some crucial information that might help him keep his sanity. It may not be appropriate, but that’s never stopped him before. “Can you tell me what’s the deal with Reysa and Christian? Are they just friends? Are they…lovers?” Kaden nearly choked on those words but he needed to know. Who better to ask than their surrogate mother?

“I can tell you this, son. Don’t try to separate them. They will not survive without each other. As strong as Reysa is, she needs Chris and he needs her.” Kaden’s shoulders slumped. Disappointment etched in his face. “But, that doesn’t mean she can’t need you just as much. Don’t force her to choose. Accept them and you can have it all. Fight them, and you will end up alone and miserable. You all will.”

Kaden was confused and borderline drunk. Riddles were too much for his addled brain. “Are you implying a threesome? I don’t do those at least not with another guy.”

Savannah slapped him twice. “Don’t be crude. You can’t possibly be this thick. Well, you are a vampire so it’s quite possible actually. Let me try to break this down to your intoxicated level. Reysa and Christian are as close as two people can be without being lovers. They are bonded in a remarkably deep way. If you try to destroy their relationship you will fail and you’ll lose her.”

“I never said I wanted her,” Kaden grumbled. Savannah reached her limit. She slapped him left and right and then right and left with all four hands. “What the hell! I see where Reysa gets her violent streak from.”

“Darling, you had that coming. I have a feeling your mother hasn’t done that enough. I’m trying to help you and you’re being a brat. Don’t let the one eye fool ya. I see everything in this place especially when it involves my babies. I’ve watched you all evening watching my Reysa like an oversexed teenager. You look like you want to do her in the middle of the club regardless of who’s around. I also noticed your obvious jealousy when she dances with other men, especially Chris. You may be in denial about wanting her, but I know and anyone in this club with at least one good eye knows as well. Stop pretending and deal. If you want her, go get her, but remember what I’ve said about Christian. He’s her soul mate. The bond is undefined. It’s not the romantic kind though, but one equally as important. You sever that and you break her.”

Savannah lightly slapped Kaden on the cheek and left to serve other customers. Savannah was right, and although that fact frustrated him, he needed to hear the truth. This situation was making him crazy. He wanted Reysa with a desire that he had never imagined feeling. He also feared that giving in would lead to devastating consequences for both of them. He could not be the man she needed, yet he might be the man destined for her. Destiny sure screwed her he thought.

He grabbed the beer from the frail demon sitting to his right and downed it in one gulp. The odd looking creature stood up as if to challenge Kaden, but one look at Kaden’s flaming eyes caused the horned creature to mutter an apology and flee with a surprising speed. Sometimes it really was fun being a dick, Kaden mused.

Before Kaden could terrorize another, the lights dimmed in the club and silence swept the club as the eager faces of the patrons focused on the stage and the silhouette of the tall curvaceous figure approaching. All were enthralled as soft music began to play and those curvy hips swayed to the beat. Those hips were enclosed in a snuggly beaded deep purple dress that reached mid-thigh. Those luscious legs wrapped in garters and lace fishnet stockings. The outfit complemented by six inch matching purple heels. Suddenly the figure stopped, the lights illuminated that glorious face and Reysa began to sing.

II

The melodic, sultry sounds of Reysa’s voice mesmerized the entire audience. She was like a deity worshipped by the masses. Every move captivated the crowd as they fought to get closer to her.

There was something about the way she sang, the way she moved that caused Kaden’s body temperature to soar. The words were unfamiliar to Kaden, probably some mystical language of old he assumed, but his soul seemed to recognize every word. She locked eyes with him as she sang another passionate song and Kaden’s body responded again. Those dark regal emerald eyes were luring him into her web of desire and his body wanted so desperately to come to her. She was beckoning him and his body was answering.

Smoke emitted from his overheated body. He was going to combust from this unfulfilled need. The crowd moved away from him, but no one left. Reysa’s call too powerful to deny. Everyone continued to push forward trying to get as close as possible to the stage. Kaden wanted to destroy them all. No one would touch her but him. She was his.

Kaden watched as Broderick, Alejandro and Christian moved in front of the stage creating a sizeable barrier that prevented the crowd and him from getting too close to Reysa. Many tried repeatedly, but each time, her hybrid protectors calmly thwarted their attempts. There was no violence, no fighting of any sort. It was if they understood the crowds’ need to be near her, but they would stop them. Reysa was not to be touched. Her three protectors would never allow anyone to hurt her. Kaden felt a pang of jealousy as he wanted to be the one to keep her safe.

Kaden was ready to explode. The longing becoming too much as he felt his body drifting forward as if compelled to reach her. He couldn’t stop himself if he wanted. His body was no longer his to control. It was moving under its own volition as if his mind no longer had any power over it. His body was answering Reysa’s call and he was helpless to stop it.

Bodies flew out of his way as they were singed from Kaden’s searing heat. His eyes never left hers as he finally reached the stage and the blockade that was keeping him from his heaven. “Move!” he yelled demanding they allow him access, but all three stayed in place. Christian and Broderick looked ready to attack, but Alejandro was the one who responded.

“Allow her to finish, Kaden,” Alejandro spoke in his calming manner. His golden eyes sending a wave of comfort to Kaden. “She must finish her song.”

“I can’t wait,” he groaned shocked by the desperation in his voice. He couldn’t understand what was happening to him. He was losing control.

“You must.” Alejandro touched his shoulder and some of the intense fury overtaking him began to ease. Moments later, Reysa’s smooth voice lowered and then stopped as she sang her last soulful note. Before Kaden could blink, she was gone.

The overwhelming need that had swept through Kaden eased. His breathing no longer labored and his body no longer moments away from exploding. “What the hell just happened to me?” Kaden asked. Alejandro studied his carefully but did not respond. A frustrated Kaden pushed past him to look for Reysa, but Christian stopped him. “Get out of my way, blondie,” Kaden commanded.

“You do realize that I own this club with Reysa and with a snap of my finger, I could have your sorry butt tossed out?”

“Go for it, pretty boy.”

Christian’s eyes narrowed, the golden eyes growing brighter as he fought back his own fury. “She’s not here.”

“Thanks, Captain Obvious. I noticed her disappearing act after the last song.”

Christian fists tightened by his side eager to launch a punishing blow. “You can’t reach her right now. She dematerialized to a place she likes to go when she wants to unwind from a performance. You can’t get to her now. You might as well have another drink or two, pass out, and then speak to her in the morning. I’ll be sure to let her know you were looking for her when she comes home tonight. I’ll make sure I tell her before we go to bed.”

Kaden wanted to knock that smug look off Christian’s face, but before he could, he felt the presence of the seven foot bear-wolf at his side ready to defend Goldielocks. Kaden stormed away nearly taking the steel front door of The Lore with him as he shoved it open.

“Kaden, wait!”

Kaden stopped to see Alejandro racing to catch up to him. The cat shifter was remarkably agile even when in human form. “What do you want?”

“Reysa’s at home. She’s probably in the Moroccan room at our house. That’s where she goes to clear her mind.”

A puzzled Kaden responded, “Why are you telling me this?”

“Because I love her,” Alejandro admitted without reservation. “I would give my life for her to be happy. If that means you, then I will do what I can to help both of you.”

“I don’t think your friends would agree with you. They would rather I stay far away from her.”

“They don’t want her hurt either. I trust her judgment and if she ultimately chooses you, I must believe that is because you are the one for her. If that proves to be wrong and you hurt her, I assure you that I will kill you or die trying.”