Red Moon Secrets (Deadly Beauties #3) Page 4

  He starts laughing so hard he has to pull away. He stands to hurriedly redress, and then he shakes his head while speaking through his chuckles.

  "Not that I'm aware of, but I'll look into it. You, my little witch, just happen to like the bite."

  It was more than simply liking it. I needed it the second I got here, possibly even before I got here.

  "Can you just make Gage go away?" I ask while wrapping the sheet around me. "And then come back in here with me?"

  His fights hard not to show his smugness in his accidental smile, but he fails miserably. I can see the haughty grin only growing, and he turns his back to remove it from sight.

  "Gladly. You want anything to drink?"

  "No, but I want something sweet. I don't know why, but I'm craving sugar."

  He laughs lightly, and then sits down beside me to await the dark user's arrival.

  "You're in luck. We always get a pie from the diner on red moon movie nights. I'll bring you a piece."

  "A night stalker's idea of a red moon evening is slasher films and pie?" I muse, wiggling in a little closer to him.

  Snarling and howls come from the basement as the moon rises to reach its highest peak. Now I can tell the door to the basement is open.

  Kane listens attentively for a second, making sure the two lycans downstairs don't break free. The cage rattles but holds steady, so he brings his attention back to me.

  "Night stalkers have a terrible sweet tooth. I'm surprised you didn't notice all the sweets we devoured while you were living here."

  Those weeks were so good. Falling asleep and waking up in his arms was incredible. I can't believe I was willing to just toss it all away.

  "I noticed, but I didn't really link it to night stalker behavior. When the hell did you drink blood?"

  He looks down, grinning, drawing my hand to his lips and then giving me a one-shoulder shrug. "Mostly when you slept, sometimes when you showered without me, other times when you'd talk on the phone. I've grown accustomed to keeping my secret, so it was easy to hide. I was going to tell you though."

  "Speaking of telling me—why did you go after Castine? Why'd you delete all those pictures of the book I brought you?"

  He takes my hand in his, flipping my wrist over so that my faded mark shows–Castine's locator mark.

  "This. I'd seen this mark in the past on several of her victims, but I didn't know what it meant. I quickly began reading, furiously searching to find out what it stood for. Then I found out it meant that she could find you anywhere, especially when she was close. I was pissed you didn't leave like I told you, but I don't know if it would have done a bit of good with this thing strapped on you. I would have died if anything had happened to you because of me."

  I kiss his chest, feeling close to him again—even closer actually.

  "Alyssa, there's something...I've been trying… damn," he grumbles.

  The doorbell interrupts him before he can continue—a frantic dinging sounding out repetitively.

  "Showtime," Deke calls out.

  Kane never bothered to put his shirt on. I'm sure that's partly to rub it in Gage's face what we've been doing. I hate that he's doing that, but maybe it'll make Gage more inclined to leave me alone.

  "I'll be back. You can put the leather pants back on, but otherwise, I want you just like this," he teases before kissing me softly and climbing out of bed. "You'll have to let him in. I'm sure he's figured out by now that he can't just materialize in here."

  As soon as the door shuts behind him, I wrap up in the sheet and move to listen in. It's pathetically cowardly of me to hide like a mouse from a lion, but he shouldn't be here.

  Gage can come in.

  "Where the fuck is she?" Gage blares as the door slams shut behind him.

  I cringe at the fury in his tone. He's acting possessive, more so than he should be. I didn't plan this out too well. Of course, I didn't plan out any of this at all.

  "She's in bed... resting," Kane says with his smug tone.

  I roll my eyes at the pissing contest in play.

  "Get her out here right now, or I'll go in after her."

  Crap.

  "This is my house, the last time I checked. You try to go in and I'll drag you out. She asked me to handle this."

  With a wave of my hand, the abandoned clothing appears on my body. If he comes in, I sure as hell don't want him to see me in a sheet. It would only hurt him worse.

  "Kane, I'm only asking nicely once more," Gage growls through what I assume is gritted teeth, not sounding as though he's asking nicely at all.

  "You're welcome to try something. I'm faster than you realize, and I can pull you out of a vaporized state before you can attempt to zap her out. As a matter of fact, I can remind you just how strong I am."

  "Try it. I wasn't prepared for you last time. I am now," Gage seethes.

  Realizing I can't continue hiding, considering they're on the verge of throwing fists around—or magic—I finally open the door. Zee tilts his head curiously and Deke joins him in bemusement.

  "It's blond again?"

  Gage doesn't even acknowledge the question as he vaporizes past Kane and wraps me up in his arms. Kane's jaw clenches audibly, and I cringe against the contact.

  "I've been worried to damn death, Alyssa. Your dad called and asked me if I was with you. I let him know you were here the second someone answered a fucking phone," he says, ending on an irritable note as his eyes fall back on my fuming night stalker.

  "Gage, I'm fine. Just go. I still don't want to see you," I grumble while pushing him away.

  Kane relaxes a little, though his hands are still fisted at his sides. I know he's only holding back because of me.

  "Alyssa, I know it's scary, but it's only half of the prophecy," Gage murmurs while stroking my cheek with his thumb. "Don't freak out and run back to him simply because you're scared."

  Kane's whole demeanor changes as pain sweeps his eyes. Gage is doing his best to be vague and misleading.

  "That's not why I'm here, and I'm not fully convinced that prophecy is about me. I don't care what any of you say."

  Deke starts fanning himself beside Kane as sweat forms on his brow. Zee seems to be burning up, too, along with Kane and Gage. I'm not hot.

  "Is Dice with you?" Zee grumbles, wiping away some of the sweat.

  "He's in the car," Gage says dismissively, never breaking eye contact with me.

  "I'm going to go tell him to put his power away. I know he loves a good conflict between old lovers, but this shit is ridiculous," Zee continues, walking toward the door.

  "We're not old lovers," Gage corrects. "Alyssa just won't accept the truth."

  "Alyssa, what's he talking about?" Kane finally asks with pained eyes, unable to bite back his questions anymore.

  I sigh, stepping away from Gage and walking over to Kane. "Gage, you can go. I need to talk to Kane."

  The dark user holds his ground, not ready to be dismissed.

  "Your dad wants you to come home. The Were council is still undecided on whether or not they're buying the imposter spirit story. They want to have a meeting, and Drackus wants it to be done at his house. He's telling them it's because you don't wish to involve the light."

  "I think I should be there if that's the case. This involves me as well," Kane interjects, not meeting my eyes.

  Gage shifts, his jaw now making crunching noises. "We'll handle this. Drackus will just intimidate the shit out of them, and I'll do the same. You might not know too much about me, but they do. They'll back down."

  "I said I'm going," Kane asserts, taking a step toward Gage.

  I quickly step in between them, and I place a hand on both of their chests to push them apart. They relent, and allow their immortal bodies to shift back.

  "Gage, just go. Tell Drackus I'll be there. I need to talk to Kane, and if he still wants to come after I tell him about all this shit, then he can come."

  Gage cracks his neck to the side, and then he vanishes
from sight. Kane walks over to drop in a chair, massaging his temples with his fingers. Deke quickly makes an exit when he sees the seriousness going on, and he disappears into the open doorway to the soundproof room below.

  When he shuts the secret door behind him, it's quiet in here for the first time all night.

  "Care to explain?" Kane asks while leaning back in the chair, keeping his voice low.

  Crossing his arms over his chest, he studies me, watching for any change in my face as I sit down on the arm of the chair beside him. When he makes no move to touch me, I can't help but dread the worst. I decide to throw it out there like I'm ripping off a Band-Aid.

  "Long story short, there's a prophecy stating someone like me and someone like Gage will end up together. My family thinks it's the two of us. I'm not ready to play puppet to old prophecies though. Kane, I meant it earlier when I told you I love you."

  "Is that all?" he asks, giving nothing away.

  "Basically. I'll let you read that stupid book some time. Maybe you—"

  His lips find mine and silence my rambling. He grips me tighter, pulling me close enough to feel his immortal heat, as I'm slid over onto his lap. After a breath-stealing, bone-shaking, heart-pounding kiss, he releases me enough to meet my eyes, but I'm still trying to remember how to breathe.

  "Then I don't give a damn. If you want me, I'm yours. I've never been much of one for prophecies or destinies, in case you haven't noticed. Let's make our own destiny."

  I can't help but let my girly grin free. Every bit of me wants him in so many ways.

  "I do want you."

  His goofy grin grows to match mine. "Good. Then stay with me tonight, and I'll drive you home in the morning. The Were Council won't come out tonight. It's the red moon, so they'll be locked up just like the wild ones downstairs. They'll be too vicious to be out unchained. Only the alphas are unaffected by the glow of the red moon, and an alpha won't go out to Drackus's without his betas."

  I nod, realizing he's right, and then I reach over to pull his phone from the small table beside us.

  "Do you care if I use this? I have no idea where mine is."

  "Of course," he says with a shrug, keeping his hands pinned to my waist.

  Drackus picks up on the first ring. "Where's my daughter, night stalker?" he growls.

  Kane stifles a laugh as I roll my eyes. "She's right here," I roll out with a little attitude.

  "Alyssa, your mother has been worried sick, and quite frankly, so have I."

  "That's Alyssa?" I hear Mom say. "Give me that damn phone."

  I take a deep breath and ready myself for the unavoidable scolding wrath of Calypso.

  "Alyssa, I swear I'm going to kick your ass for running off in the middle of a red moon night!"

  "I didn't run off, Mom. I... well, I sort of did some sleepwalking—and driving—and then I woke up here at Kane's house. I'm staying here tonight since no one from the Were council can meet with us yet. I'll be back in the morning... with Kane."

  She curses in a whisper, not meaning to let me overhear. "From dark users to night stalkers—have you completely lost your mind?"

  Kane rolls his eyes while leaning back in the chair. Sierra and Amy's howls get louder, their growling becoming more rampaged as Deke opens the door to rejoin us.

  "What the hell is that?" Mom hisses.

  "That would be the two lycans that are locked up downstairs."

  "Lycans?" Mom shrieks.

  Ignoring her, I continue, "I'll be home in the morning, no negotiations. I don't want to ride back with Gage following me."

  She goes mute for a moment, realizing I need to stay away from the dark user promised to lead me into a destructive destiny. I may not believe it, but she does.

  "Very well. Call me when you start home," she says after a long pause, sounding regrouped and calmer.

  "I will. I love you, Mom."

  "I love you, darling. I'm here when you need to talk. I'm not going anywhere ever again."

  I shiver as the past few months come winding around my mind. Kane's arms tighten around me, but his head tilts to show his bemusement. Hanging up his phone, I lean down to press a chaste kiss on his lips. Deke heads outside, leaving us alone for the second time.

  "Your Mom is with Drackus?" Kane asks as I lean back up.

  "Again... long story. Someone's posing as her, but I'll tell you all about that later. I need to go tell Dice and Gage to head back without me."

  "I'll come with," he chirps, seeming rejuvenated. "Then you can cure me from my blood addiction before I feel the effects."

  Um... that would be okay, if I didn't have twisted fantasies haunting my every thought.

  "Or you could just stay addicted to me, since I don't plan on that being the last bite I get."

  He trips over his own feet, but quickly recovers, trying to hold a straight face and not show how rattled I just left him.

  "When did you get so bold?" he asks, laughing loudly.

  Seriousness takes over my playful expression, and I turn to lean against the door before he can open it.

  "When I found out I'm in love with a night stalker instead of some fragile human I would have to leave. It was killing me before, when I thought of having to leave you once I turned."

  His eyes soften, losing his amusement as he moves in closer.

  "Well, now there's immortality just around the corner. How long until you change?"

  "I don't really know. I just know it's going to happen within a year or so, based on my hair—though that's proving to be a bit deceitful—and my growing powers."

  He runs his fingers through the strands of blond, and then he tilts my head up to show me the mischievous glint in his eyes.

  "In less than a year, I'll show you how much better it is to be immortal."

  I shiver noticeably, making him grin his dark, sexy smile, and then he pulls my hand into his.

  "Let's get this over with, and then you can tell me all about everything that happened before you showed up tonight."

  Chapter 4

  Blood

  Gage went home rather reluctantly last night, but he finally ceded and drove off with the bored incubus passenger. Now I'm lying here in Kane's bed as the morning light wraps me in its warmth.

  I stretch out, frowning since Kane has abandoned me. Wrapping up in the sheet, I take a second to feel the healed marks on my body. Not even a shred of proof remains to show I've been bitten repetitively throughout the night.

  I hear a clattering as the front door slams and a raging argument comes to life between Kane and Amy.

  "I've already told you—I don't give a fuck!" Kane blares, growling slightly at the annoying, relentless bitch most likely on his heels.

  "Kane, I'm begging you to just give this up. She's a witch—you're a night stalker. It's not meant to be. We are!"

  Something crashes to the ground, as though a tabletop has been raked clean. Sounds of shattering glass, clanking objects, and hollow rolls ring out to aid as background music to his fury.

  "Go to hell! I'm so sick of this. I fucking hate you, Amy! Do you understand what you've driven me to? I can't stand the sight of you anymore. I'm never, and I do mean never, going to be with you."

  I almost hear her tears ripping through her eyes, and I stand to pull my clothes on the human way. I've been using way too much magic lately, and I think that's contributing to my headaches, crazy spells, and weird gut feelings.

  "Don't go. Kane, just let her leave and get out of our lives," Amy cries, her voice breaking on almost every word.

  I'm so sick of her. As bad as I hate to see him leave his coven, I think the sooner he does it, the better. She's going to keep on pushing him, until he snaps. He might be an incredible guy, but underneath that beautiful facade, he's still a killer. That's something I have to remember, though I've never really felt threatened by him.

  She's a killer, too, though. But Kane is so much stronger than her. I've seen that with my own eyes.

  "Kane, I nee
d you. I'm sorry, but I need you."

  The door to the bedroom opens just as I finish pulling my tacky, short shirt into place. Last night, this felt sexy. In the daylight, I look like a tramp. I can't believe my Ms. Hyde half found this to be her style.

  Good grief. I look like an absolute slut.

  Kane shuts the door behind him, ignoring Amy when she starts knocking. "Kane, let's talk about this."

  She doesn't know I'm here? Or does she just not care?

  "Hey," I mumble, sitting down to pull on the ridiculous heels I wore last night.

  "She's here?" Amy squeaks, disbelief and disgust pouring out.

  "Go the fuck away," Kane grumbles, exhaustion tainting his tone.

  "She missed my car?" I ask, not really believing the never-ending cycle of drama this house holds.

  Amy huffs while storming away, leaving us alone. Kane drops to the bed in a languid motion while scrubbing his face with his hands.

  "Sorry. I actually took your car to a friend’s house to hide it until Sierra could check it out. It's too open here."

  "I'm confused," I drawl out through a yawn, tilting my head.

  He takes a deep breath, while devoting all of his attention to me.

  "You had blood all over the back seat. I'm sure you don't remember how that got there."

  He looks at me expectantly. I can actually feel the color drain from my face. "Blood?"

  My voice might as well be nonexistent. He reaches over and pulls my hand in his, concern drenching his eyes.

  "Alyssa, it was a lot of blood, but I have no idea where it came from. Sierra finally came down from the red moon high, and she went to find out if it was human or immortal. She couldn't have shifted and sniffed it here with so many able to see her. I can't sniff blood out like that. We need to find out what's going on with you. It's pretty clear you weren't yourself last night, but I had no idea to what extent that was. In the meantime, let's go deal with the Were. Maybe Drackus can help explain this."

  I'm racked with so many confusing, terrifying, and horrifying emotions, that I don't know what to say or do right now. A battle is warring within me, and I'm worried the hidden darkness is going to win.