Red Moon Secrets (Deadly Beauties #3) Read online

  Please let there be a good explanation.

  "You don't have blood on you, so maybe there's something else going on?" he says hopefully, making it sound like a question.

  His attempt to alleviate my absolute shock and dread is feeble at best.

  "I'm a witch, Kane. One wave of my hand and bloodstains disappear."

  I lean over to press my head against the palms of my hands, praying one memory will surface. I don't know if I really want that or not though. What if I lost it so badly that I actually—oh no—

  "If you took the time to clean your clothes, then you would have cleaned the car, too," he says, interrupting my own tormenting reverie.

  Not if I was so dark that I didn't really give a damn about anything but looking like a mess. What heartless monster is inside me?

  I start holding back the floodgates, and his arms wrap around me to steady my dizzying state.

  "Hey," he murmurs gently, treating me like cracked glass, as a few tears drip from my eyes. "Babe, I'll take care of this. We'll figure out what's going on. Right now, let's focus on the Were meeting, and then we'll go from there."

  He kisses me softly, not letting me fall apart in his embrace. I steady my nerves and just nod numbly. He pulls me up, keeping me supported with his arm wrapped around me.

  "You'll tell me when Sierra finds something?" I ask, my voice hoarse and crackling.

  "Yeah," he murmurs too quietly, making me question if he really will or not—if it's something he knows I won't want to hear.

  "I wish I could remember something from before I got here."

  "Don't worry about it right now. It could be anything. Someone could have attacked you for all you know. Just keep quiet about the blood. If anything comes of it, I'll just claim it. I'm a night stalker. As long as the body is disposed of, no one can touch me."

  Bile rises to my throat in that instant, and I dart outside to heave over the balcony. Kane runs up beside me—using human speed—as all the lake walkers and joggers glance up to see me in the freezing cold, wearing next-to-nothing, and hurling my guts up over a railing.

  A warm jacket wraps around my body as Kane pulls my hair back. Before I collapse, I feel his arms around me, picking me up, cradling me to his chest. Seconds before my eyelids fall shut and unconsciousness takes over, I feel his lips press against my forehead as he sighs out wearily.

  The car rolls to a stop, and the slight jarring of it going into the parked position wakes me from my accidental slumber. I look over to see my very concerned night stalker letting his gaze wash over me, his brow crinkled with tension.

  "You okay? I know that's a stupid question right now, but I'm worried. I shouldn't have said anything, but I didn't want to keep it from you."

  "No," I strain out with a tired voice. "Don't ever keep anything from me. I'm tired of people keeping stuff a secret because they're worried I can't handle it. Whatever I did, I'll make it right somehow, and deal with it if I can't."

  "Just keep it quiet. Let it fall on me."

  He's so serious right now. He's willing to take blame for something I could have done. I'd melt if I wasn't so distracted by my dread.

  "Has Sierra called to say if she's found anything yet?" I ask, proud of how even my tone sounds despite my inner turmoil.

  "We'll talk about it when we're alone," he whispers, tugging at my hand and pulling me onto his lap. "There're about five Were out here right now. They just arrived. I feel their presence burning strong."

  "I didn't know night stalkers had that ability," I whisper back.

  "Most don't, but I do," he says in a nearly muted tone. "Just with were-creatures and lycans. And it's stronger around red moon times."

  "Obviously you can't sense witches," I add, keeping my voice as nearly inaudible as his.

  He uses his head to motion for us to get out, and then he pulls me from the car with him in one smooth motion. His fingers thread with mine, and my scalp suddenly starts to tingle with anxiety. The prickling sensations only grow as we near the front door.

  My eyes give Gage's car a quick glance, and Kane's hand tightens on mine when voices from inside the house reach us through the open window.

  "You're damn lucky you made a deal with Zallus, Drackus. I don't fear you in the least," an unknown voice snarls out. "We're not leaving until the dredger has checked her memories. If you speak the truth, then she'll have nothing to fear."

  "You're not touching her without me ripping your claws from their sockets," Drackus blares, making me cringe when a gory visual creeps into my mind.

  "He's going to give your relationship to him away," Kane whispers just before barging in unannounced.

  "A dredger won't hurt her, Drackus, and you know it. What is it about this girl that has your panties in such a fucking wad," the crude man spews, his aged accent both dark and deep.

  Kane's hand tugs at mine as he leads me to the room that is hosting the dispute. Then we hear Gage at the end of the long hallway as he takes his turn in the feud.

  "Reese, be reasonable. A dredger could put a mortal in a coma, should they fuck up and take a wrong turn inside her mind. Alyssa hasn't gained her immortality yet."

  "He'll just comb through. He won't ignite anything, and he won't force his way through any blocks."

  "And I'm supposed to trust you?" Drackus growls.

  "Trust me? You have no choice, Drackus. Meeting here was a stupid idea Zallus should never have agreed to. I'll speak with the light council about this girl, and then I'll head to the night stalker's council next."

  Kane doesn't wait any longer. He pushes through the doors to the library and joins the mafia-looking setup. Several guys in dark shade glasses, black leather coats, and black shirts stand with their arms crossed. It's so cliché it's almost laughable.

  Gage's hair is tousled, as though he's been rubbing his hands through it over and over. He looks up to meet my eyes, his exhaustion weighing in on his face. He looks broken right now, and I know that's my fault.

  Drackus is dressed in his black pants, black shirt, and long leather duster. His jaw is so tense that I'm worried it's about to snap off.

  Then there's the alpha in the middle of the room. Just as one would expect, he looks the part—hair slightly longer, just grazing his neck, his eyes dark, hiding the autumn that would stir if his werewolf was provoked. His black button-up shirt has long sleeves that have been rolled up to his elbows.

  With Kane's black tee tightly fitted to his body, he fits right in. It's as though midnight threw up in here and decorated all the men—or creatures, rather.

  "Dredge my mind, but I won't let you touch Alyssa," Kane asserts, fearlessly taking on the alpha in a stare down.

  The alpha turns the rest of his body to face us, an eerie smile playing over his immortally sexy lips. I really hate immortals.

  "Oh, don't worry, night stalker, you'll get dredged. As will she."

  "You have no idea who you're fucking with," Kane growls, tucking me behind him as he steps toward the alpha.

  "Castine's lapdog. Yeah, I've heard of you. You forget we've grown stronger these past few centuries. I'm not afraid of you, just like I'm not afraid of your sire or your new friends," he rolls out, tossing a pointed glare toward Gage and Drackus.

  I thought Gage was supposed to be friends with the Were. Apparently, he overestimated himself.

  Kane cracks his neck, doing his best to keep his temper from flaring, as his warning blues rise to the surface. His stance stays protective, which seems to pique Drackus's curiosity as he regards him with a studious gaze.

  "Let's find out how much stronger you are then, because I'll be damned if I let your dredger touch one hair on her head."

  The alpha moves toward us, ferocity seeping from his now turned eyes. It looks like autumn is sparking to life and taking over with its red and gold medley—nature stirring.

  "Love to," he growls.

  Kane smirks, relishing the challenge and not looking concerned at all. I'm almost worried he's o
verestimating himself. His arrogance could hurt us more than help us if this goes wrong.

  "When I win, you don't touch her," Kane says while motioning toward the door.

  "When I win, my dredger finds her fucking memories without any further interruption."

  "I don't think so, night stalker," Drackus says while coming to halt their exit to the hallway. "You don't get to make such calls."

  "I just did. No one here is more determined to keep that dredger away from her than I am. I can assure you of that."

  Drackus seems dumbfounded by Kane's fearless persona. I know for a fact if Drackus can take down Castine, Kane won't prove to be a challenge. Kane knows that as well, but he doesn't seem to acknowledge such a fact.

  He keeps his dominant stance, and Drackus tightens his lips. Is Drackus really ceding? Did I miss hell freezing over?

  "You better hope you can take him."

  Kane moves his gaze around to the beta wolves who are all still wearing their dark shades and mob attitudes.

  "You just focus on the rest of the pack. Wolves don't fight fair unless they're winning. If they try to intervene, fuck em' up."

  The wolves all head outside for the duel that is not far from taking place. Personally, I'd rather fight for myself, but I don't know a damn thing apparently. The alpha claims they've gotten stronger. I thought them to be so much weaker than a night stalker.

  "Drackus, you can't be serious about letting him do this," Gage growls, joining our small circle of whispers.

  Drackus shakes his head while massaging his temples. "As much as I hate to risk it, right now it's our only option. Reese's pride drove him to bargain. Nothing else would have made him back down. If he takes this to the light, Alyssa will be exposed for who she truly is."

  Kane tilts his head, looking to me for clarification. I suppose he's wondering which part the light would most disapprove of—the fact Airis Devall is still alive or the fact I'm essentially Freya's chosen chess piece who's destined to destroy the world if I unite with Gage.

  "I trust Kane," I insert, feeling like I should have some input on the matter.

  Kane pulls me to him and ignores my father's extreme disapproval when his lips find mine in an appreciative kiss. The touch of a vaporizing breeze lets me know Gage couldn't stomach the sight.

  When Kane pulls back, Drackus's jaw is clenched shut, but Gage is nowhere to be found—just as I suspected.

  "Fine, but don't you dare touch her like that in front of me again," Drackus warns, venom seeping through.

  He doesn't know I've told Kane the truth about the dark mystery being my father. If he knew that Kane knew—oh boy. He'd light him up for that little show of disrespect.

  As Drackus vaporizes from the room, I slap Kane's arm for his slip. He stifles a grin and offers me an unapologetic shrug in response. We don't speak for fear of being overheard. Instead, we silently make our way out with our fingers interlocked.

  "If you see one of them making a move, blast the fuck out of them," he says while snaking his arm around my waist.

  "They're that dirty?"

  The wolves all let the snarls be heard to show their disapproval for Kane's overheard remark. He doesn't acknowledge their menacing growls or autumn-infused eyes, nor does he answer my question.

  He kisses the back of my hand before walking over to stand across from Reese.

  The alpha smirks while pulling his shirt off over his head, dropping it to the ground seconds later. When he starts undoing his pants, I look away quickly, avoiding the sight of yet another naked man.

  It's frigging freezing out here, and I'm still wearing the sexy bullshit I put on while I was crazy. I shiver noticeably, wishing I hadn't left Kane's jacket in the warm car we abandoned. Right now, I'm wondering how I avoided the chill so easily last night.

  In a smooth motion, a leather jacket finds its way around my shoulders, and I look back in time to see Gage walking away. He doesn't meet my eyes as he focuses on the fighters ahead.

  His jacket smells just like him, and it brings me the warmth left over from his immortal body. I think I'd rather be freezing.

  Kane doesn't seem as ramped up as the adrenaline-buzzing beast who has finished stripping down to nothing. I shouldn't have looked. Damn.

  Nudity doesn't bring shame to the Were who are all devoid of any modesty. In a breeze of motion, he shifts, his skin turning to fur before my eyes. A strangled, painful groan turns into a bone-shaking roar. And before he lands to the ground on all fours, the change has completed.

  His beastly size is a surprise. He's almost the same size as a lycan, but Were are supposed to be so much smaller. His jet black fur ruffles under the winter wind, and his autumn eyes seem to be even more lively.

  The sharp contrast of his onyx fur and the stark white snow draws my attention. I gauge how much larger his paws are than what I expected. They pound each white section with predatory precision as he circles my night stalker.

  Kane doesn't waver in his stance when Reese starts growling, baring his intimidating sharp teeth. In a blink, he lunges with a wolf's snarl, and hurls himself toward Kane.

  In midair, Kane catches the wolf by the throat and tosses him back with a forceful thud ringing out when Reese's back cracks against a tree. In wolf form, he looks to weigh at least two-hundred pounds, but Kane made throwing him look as easy as tossing a pebble.

  Just as Kane suspected, shredding fabric sounds out as the rest of the pack drop to all fours, wolfed out before they hit the snow. Drackus smirks when they yelp from running into the force field they never knew he projected.

  My hands are circled by silver orbs, but I extinguish the dark magic when I see my father has it under control. Containing all six of them with effortless ease, Drackus turns his attention back to the fight underway.

  I somehow missed the second strike Reese made. Kane is standing up, wiping blood from his arm as he glowers at the alpha jerk. Then something inside both of them snaps as they become a blur of fangs and fury, both fighting for dominance.

  My mortal eyes can't keep up. Zee runs over to me in the middle of the fight and cringes, making a pained face.

  "Why the hell is Kane fighting a werewolf?"

  "Long story—I can't tell what's going on, can you?"

  "Um... I hope he's holding back," Zee says while cringing again and shielding his eyes.

  Gage curses, spewing multiple profanities as he looks on. Obviously Kane isn't doing as well as he hoped he would. That's really, really not good, and it's hard for me to hold back when I know he's out there getting his ass shredded.

  Why doesn't he use his freaky powers?

  Each spray of blood that escapes the blur of crazed malice makes me sick. If that fucking alpha hurts Kane, I'll do my best to make him crumble when this is over.

  A loud yelp rings out as the blurry motion stills, and I look to see a bloody mess of a night stalker pinning a rabid wolf by the throat. Reese growls and tries to wiggle free, but it's no use. Kane proves his dominance when he succeeds in restraining the mutt.

  The betas of the pack do their best to break through Drackus's barricade to help their fallen comrade, and they finally succeed in shattering the force field. Fangs bared, howls released, and fur ruffled, they all dash to rush Kane.

  Kane entrusts us with the task of fending off the wolves as he concentrates on the still struggling alpha that would most likely rip his head off if he got free right now. In an effort to thwart off the attack, Gage starts flinging several blue swipes of energy, knocking the wolves to the ground.

  Drackus just smiles as his eyes dilate dangerously, his power flowing freely before I even realize he's launched an attack. The ground vibrates beneath the flow of power and the wolves all cry out at once.

  Drackus smirks menacingly as the darkness fills him, draining the sanity from his eyes. In a cloak of ominous energy, he moves too fast to be seen. Blood finds the air, and I scream out for him to stop.

  My attempt is in vain. If he kills these wolve
s, we're fucked. With absolutely no fully formed plan, I throw a shock of my own power at Drackus. It doesn't do much, but it stuns him temporarily.

  In his blind, insane state, he charges me. When he grabs me by the throat, Gage is on him, tossing him aside with more power than I knew he possessed. Drackus loses his hold on the whimpering wolves as he turns to face the dark user.

  Gage's hands burn red with power he shouldn't wield. That dark red energy has been lost for centuries. How does he have it?

  His eyes narrow as he studies Drackus, waiting to find out what his next move will be.

  Reese shifts back to his nude, human form when he surrenders. Both he and Kane stand to watch the new duel in play. My heart pounds in my ears as Gage gives me a wink, and before I know what's going on, both he and Drackus have disappeared.

  "What the hell was that?" Zee murmurs in stunned astonishment.

  "Gage will handle him. He usually does," Dice chirps as he joins us from out of nowhere. Then he faces the naked man who has been bruised and beaten like a human. "You made a deal. Dredge the night stalker's mind, but don't touch the girl. I can promise there's enough power here to make you regret a double-cross."

  Reese mumbles something about this isn't the end, but I don't hear the full details of his possible threat. I turn to Dice, curious as to how he knows what's been going on.

  "How did you know?" I ask, baffled by his sudden appearance.

  "Gage sent me a text to inform me of the festivities in play. I got here as fast as I could," he says, shrugging.

  Reese pulls his pants back on, avoiding making eye contact. Wolves hate losing any battle, but had he been taking on an average night stalker, he would have won. How is that possible?

  Kane's eyebrow is cut, along with his lip. Black and purple spots cover him, and he wipes blood from his mouth. His tattered shirt gets thrown to the ground, and the claw marks ravaging his body shine all the more with blood oozing from their wounds.

  I rush over to him, feeling like crying and slapping him at the same time. His arms wrap around me as I try to inspect his many injuries.