Changing Beauty (Book 2) (The Deadly Beauties Live On) Read online

  Ah, fuck. That has me worried.

  “Are you—”

  “Fixated?” she asks in interruption, narrowing her eyes on me. “No. I haven’t really fixated on anything since the slave rings were broken up. Well, I haven’t fixated on anything besides Gage. He’s enough mystery to completely ensnare my attention, so it works.”

  Gage releases a cocky grin before pulling her to him, and despite the incubus’s lips still lingering on hers, he kisses her—a little too inappropriately for the public eye.

  “Ahem,” I say obnoxiously. “Back to the task at hand. How long does it take Karma to recuperate?”

  Karma walks out as though she’s coming on cue. “That long,” she answers, her short black hair bouncing with her perky steps as she heads straight for Dice. At least possessions aren’t obvious to the human eye.

  “Where’s Kane?” Alyssa asks when Karma reaches Dice and competes for worst public display of affection ever. Do they really have to make all those sounds?

  “He’s not here yet,” Gage tells her absently.

  “Damn. I hate this,” Alyssa says to herself. “He’s been off with some of the others searching for those twins. There have been whispers that they’re here, and he thinks it’s related to a lot of the attacks around this area and the neighboring towns. Edgebrook has been hit as well.”

  I purse my lips, thinking about all the things we should be doing instead of talking about what we should be doing. Things would be so much easier if mortals weren’t around. Risking exposure is more dangerous than ever, considering the fact anointed weapons are out there and coming to life all over the world.

  “This is either connected to the slaves we freed, or to the powers that ruled Gavin,” I muse aloud, sick of talking. Strategy doesn’t do any good if we’re not taking more action. “Tonight we’ll hunt, and maybe we can get a lead. They’ve attacked in the woods only, which means they’re lucid enough to shy away from exposure.”

  Alyssa interjects, “Or they’ve been bound by something or someone to not expose themselves. Just like Gavin was bound to whomever.”

  “Can we please stop speaking about my brother?” Gage groans, guilt clearly etched on his face.

  Kimber soothes him with a kiss, and he pulls her in for something much showier. Really? Can’t they take that shit inside?

  “Any threats to your blood banks?” Dice asks me, still halfway mauling his girl.

  Rolling my eyes, I answer, “None. Which means they’re more into the hunt than the blood. I’ve pulled security to make it easier for them to break in. I’m leaning more toward savage creatures than the higher powers affiliated with Gavin. These kills are messy, gory, and there’s no order or reason. Gavin’s crew was clean and covert. No one has been able to find those rings for centuries.”

  Kimber’s eyes turn to angry slits as she adds, “Until Sadie conjured up a spell that located all of them, conveniently enough.”

  I’m with her on the suspicious side of that.

  “Then she saved your life,” Dice points out, possibly sounding protective of the woman his mother has fallen in love with. But to me, she’ll always be the bitch who let Kimber stay locked up as a child. “And she also helped us take down Gavin,” he goes on.

  Kimber rolls her eyes. “What better way to thwart suspicion than to befriend your biggest threat?” she asks, posing a damn good question. “Think about it. She shows up with this spell—one no one else knew about—right after we lost every one of our leads and they changed the locations of the rings. Then she helped us, further inserting herself into our very hard-to-reach circle of trust.”

  Dice tightens his lips for a moment, then delivers a blow I wasn’t expecting.

  “You do remember that you dated her, right?” he growls, turning on me! What the hell did I do?

  Low fucking blow.

  Kimber’s eyes cut toward me, hurt clearly in the depths. Gage growls low in his throat. Damn drama-stirring incubus.

  “We didn’t actually date, considering I never even went out with her. I found out in time that she knew about Kimber’s capture. Before I learned that, I assumed—since Alyssa saw good in her—she had been nothing more than a misled pawn. I cut all ties to the bitch when I realized she played a hand in Kimber’s pain. We never even actually went on a date; I was the one to cancel because of some work stuff. Then I told her to go to hell the next day—after I learned the whole truth.”

  It totally sounds like a guilty ramble, but for once, I’m innocent.

  That relaxes Kimber and Gage, and Dice grumbles something that sounds like an apology. But then he takes one more opportunity to toss in some defense.

  “I just don’t think we should be singling out Sadie as though we’re on a witch hunt—pun intended.”

  I snort derisively, but Alyssa adds, “He’s right. If we focus on Sadie being the ringleader, then we’ll connect dots that aren’t really there to be connected, and we’ll lose sight of other possibilities when we use tunnel vision instead of warily searching our surroundings. We’ll tread carefully around her, but we won’t single her out as our only lead.”

  Kimber relents, nodding in acceptance.

  “I need a drink,” I grumble, moving away from them and heading toward Kane’s house.

  Life was so much simpler when I was running my own crew and calling the shots. This collaboration shit sucks. I would have just taken Sadie out by now, making sure she wasn’t a threat, instead of playing nice and getting all the facts lined up.

  Proof is overrated and time consuming. Proof is something humans waste time acquiring. I love her, but before you know it, Alyssa is going to instate a judicial system amongst the fey.

  I snort out a laugh just thinking of the ludicrous hearings that would ensue.

  Just as I reach the door, Kane, Zee, and Chaz drive up.

  Zee hops out, kicking the sand of the lake beach, looking frustrated when he starts to speak. “Nothing. All dead ends. No one knows what’s here; no one knows anything about this mystery leader; and no one knows about what Gavin could have done to me or how he did it,” he gripes.

  He’s not the only one worried about the powers Gavin somehow defied all the laws of magic to give him. I’m not too crazy about his extra freak burst either.

  Kane goes to Alyssa, grabbing her chin and tilting her head back as his lips brush hers.

  I’m in couple hell.

  “You staying here?” Chaz asks me, drawing my attention away. He tosses his duffel bag over his shoulder, staring expectantly for my answer.

  “Nah,” I say with a shrug. “I’m getting settled in my old house that I bought back when I was keeping an eye on Alyssa.”

  As much as I enjoy their company, I prefer my own space when I can have it.

  My comment has the queen’s head cocking to the right. “The one beside my old house?” I nod, and she adds, “You kept that?”

  Kane scoffs, “We’re possessive by nature—all of us. Letting go of a house is rare, unless you have ulterior motives the way Castine did. Obviously you’re the exception to that rule, since you’re only possessive of me.”

  He winks at her, and she says something giggly and flirty. But she’s made me curious enough to ignore her girly, somewhat gross reaction. “You sold your old place?” I ask in disbelief.

  “Yeah. I didn’t see any reason to keep it, so I sold it a long time ago. Then bought it back because they wanted to get rid of it a few months later, and I didn’t want it going to just anyone. It still looked exactly the same with all my furniture. Weird, I know. It sat empty for so long, but I sold it about a month ago to a girl named Rhonda or Rosie or Ros… I don’t know. It was something like that.”

  I can’t be that lucky, but the wheels in my mind turn, possibly getting a little excited.

  My entire mood shifts, and a small smile grows on my lips. “Roslyn?”

  She thinks about it for a moment, and then she nods “Yeah. Roslyn. How did you know?”

  Moving
back into my old house suddenly seems a little more fun. I’ve only been there for a few hours so far, and I haven’t noticed anyone living next door. Then again, I had no reason to be looking.

  “Pretty brunette with curvy hips and a nice rack?” I ask instead of answering her question.

  She rolls her eyes. “Pretty brunette, yes. The rest isn’t something I was checking out. Now, how do you know her?”

  The sweet little morsel will be right next door. I might have to corrupt her just a little now. I was going to leave her alone, but fate has delivered her to my doorstep, and I’m not one to pass up a gift.

  “Met her the other night,” I say with a shrug, not letting her see my intentions.

  Zee’s lips quirk up. “The one you were working over at the bar?”

  I smirk, and that’s the only answer he needs.

  “They’ll be at our sham of a party in a couple of days,” he says, grinning like’s expecting a taste. “I’ve been craving a bite, and her friend Jenny will suffice nicely.”

  The party I had no interest in now seems so much more appealing.

  “The party is just to lure out whatever is attacking the humans,” Alyssa reminds us. “We’ll be alternating shifts in the woods. The noise will draw attention, and they’ll be lurking in the darkness to try and pick off strays that cut through the hiking trails.”

  Smiling like the devil, I wink at Alyssa. “No worries, light girl. You know as well as I do that I can juggle work and play like a pro. It’s my specialty.”

  Though she rolls her eyes, she smiles. This is going to be fun.

  “Just got a message from Reese,” Dice says, frowning down at his phone. “He wants us to keep our ears and eyes open for his witch/werewolf hybrid.”

  Ah, hell. Just what we need. “He lost her?” I ask.

  “Says she’s been missing. Something about their spell on her went awry. But he won’t give me any details about her. He just wants us to notify him if anything arises.”

  Alyssa and Kane exchange a look. “Think it could be her that’s ravaging the locals?” Kane asks.

  “No,” I answer without hesitation. “She was miles away. It’s unlikely she’d be in Pine Shore.”

  “This place draws in magic,” Alyssa reminds me. “It’s where I came when I was mortal. His hybrid is mortal, too.”

  “I don’t like the fact he’s so secretive about her,” Zee says warily. “She was kept in slavery, and now she could be very dangerous. She’s shifting while mortal. Alyssa’s the only one who could do that, but she went crazy during those times. And this chick has witch powers with a werewolf temper. That makes her even more dangerous. How the hell did he lose track of her?”

  Alyssa frowns, probably because Zee just pointed out that she did in fact go totally psycho during those times, but Dice is the one to answer the actual question. “He can’t brand her as pack until she’s immortal, so that means he can’t track her so easily. She can also dematerialize. My question isn’t how he lost her… It’s why does he want her so damn bad?”

  How is she shifting while mortal? Is it the blend of the two fey beings?

  Gage groans, acting as though something just occurred to him. “Because he wants her to choose his pack the second she’s immortal. That’s why. She’s close to her change. And if she’s pack, then he controls her.”

  How the hell did we overlook that? “And if Reese has a witch under his control, he’ll be one of the strongest packs there is,” I summarize.

  “Witches aren’t meant to be controlled,” Alyssa points out, scowling. “If anyone beats Reese out for alpha, she could be forced to do anything against her will. I won’t let that happen. It’s too risky and too dangerous. Not to mention she’s unpredictable as it is. We need to find her before he does.”

  Great. Just fucking great. “I’ll add it to our already long and impossible list of things to do,” I grumble.

  At this rate, we’re never going to get anything accomplished.

  “If it’s her tearing this town apart,” Gage says, moving his eyes around our small circle, “what then?”

  “Then we chain her up and see if we can help her,” Alyssa says promptly.

  She’s too naïve to see the danger in a creature that is this bloodthirsty. But she refuses to kill as anything other than a last resort.

  Too fucking human.

  Kimber is just as gentle. Ella, too.

  But Gage and I share a knowing look. Kane and Zee offer the same silent exchange, letting us know we’re on the same page, and it’s not the same page as Alyssa.

  Now to find out which one of us will be the one to piss her off. Because if this thing is shredding people and drawing attention to our world, we won’t let it live.

  Chapter 3

  ROSLYN

  “Any sign of our new neighbor yet?” Jenny asks while dropping to the sofa.

  I really wish she wasn’t my roommate, but she’s all I’ve got. Money is tight right now. I’m not sure what you call someone you tolerate but don’t consider to be a friend. Maybe she’ll grow on me. After all, I’ve only known her for a few weeks. You don’t get to really know someone that quickly.

  “Not yet,” I answer, moving over toward the window.

  I’ve only noticed the house being lived in because there has been a car parked outside on occasion. I never saw any moving trucks, so I’m assuming it’s because the summery fall has drawn in the tenant that lives here seasonally.

  “So that party,” she says slowly, gauging my reaction. “I really want you to go.”

  Memories of the blonde masterpiece from the bar come to mind, and I quickly shake my head to dispel the thoughts.

  “Not my thing.” I’m only partially lying.

  I don’t want to be around the perfect player. He’s wickedly smooth and very well rehearsed in how to make a woman swoon. I also can’t seem to speak while in his presence.

  “Well,” she drawls, her vixen’s grin painted on her lips, “if this thing with Zee doesn’t pan out, then I’ll definitely be looking up the blonde, because that’s sure as hell my thing.”

  Anger stirs inside me, but I fight it down. I don’t know Thad, and I sure as hell have no right to be getting angry about Jenny showing interest. My blood pressure rises too much when I get mad. I usually end up passing out, and now that Jenny is living here, I don’t need her to witness that and mock me for yet another weakness of mine.

  Ignoring her, I sit down to start reading.

  “What’s his name?” she asks just as I flip to my marked page.

  “I never got it,” I lie, even though I have no idea why I feel the need to be so protective.

  My eyes study the page, but I can’t find the focus to actually read the words.

  “Hmm. I suppose I’ll find it out at the party in a few days.”

  I slam my book shut, and I drop it to the table. “I’m going for a walk,” I say, standing quickly. If I continue to listen to her, I’m going to get angrier, even though there’s no reason for me to be getting so worked up. I refuse to pass out. It always leaves me with a massive hangover type of headache.

  I really need to see a different doctor to get this fixed. The current medication isn’t actually helping.

  Jenny doesn’t say anything, and I head outside, noticing a group of guys as they leave the house next door. All I see are the backs of their heads, but their bodies… Wow. This is a great town for the women who need a distraction.

  I, however, do not need a distraction.

  “Out for a walk?” a familiar voice drawls, and my eyes snap wide as I glance up to see Thad leaning against the porch rail of the house next door.

  No. No. No. He can’t be my neighbor.

  “I recommend the sidewalk. The woods are a little… scary right now,” he goes on, pretending as though I’ve answered, as his honey-colored eyes stare into mine and a mocking grin plays on his lips.

  Can’t. Speak. No frigging words.

  I’m frozen to my spot,
and I’m staring uncontrollably. What is wrong with me?

  “Don’t worry, sweet girl. I’ll keep an eye out for you,” he says before winking, and he turns to go back inside his house… His house that is next door to mine. His house that is so close I’ll be able to see through his windows from mine.

  Oh, damn. I’ll be mute for the entire time we live beside each other.

  ***

  ROSLYN

  “This stupid, demonic thing is messed up!” Jenny yells from the kitchen, and I rush in to find out what the hell she sounds so panicked about.

  Water is spewing everywhere from under the kitchen sink, and she’s soaking wet.

  “What the hell?” I gasp.

  She looks up while clutching a large wrench thing. “The bolt thingy won’t tighten back up. My ring dropped down the drain, and I was trying to get it back. Now the water won’t stop!”

  I go to help her, and even between the two of us, the old pipes are too rusted to get the stupid thing to tighten back up. Water continues spraying out as though the sink is possessed. I’ve never seen anything like it.

  My shirt is drenched in no time, and I keep slipping on the sopping floor. No matter how hard the two of us pull the damn big wrench thing, nothing happens, and water continues to spill everywhere.

  “Find someone!” she pleads.

  Thad. That’s the first person that comes to mind, and I rush out without a second thought. It doesn’t take but a few seconds to reach his house, and I pound mercilessly on the door.

  “It’s open,” he calls from inside, and I barge in, dripping water all over his hardwood floors as I stumble inside.

  His kitchen is directly across from the living room, the open floor space allowing me to see far more than I was expecting.

  There, behind the kitchen island, Thad is a shirtless wonder, and all my panic dies as I go numb. Hard lines of muscle detail the abs of flesh-encased steel. His chest… damn his chest is a marvel. His broad shoulders glisten under the low beams of light, and I half expect a sparkling effect to start up at any minute.