Corrupt Cravings (8 page)

His body tensed at her words. “Did I? Just forget what you heard. It will do no good to think about what might have been. Now, we
have
to stop talking about this. It’s not good for the future. We have your demon out of the way, so all you have left to do is heal a bit more and you can leave. Do you still feel up for the task?”

No. I feel like a hole was just stabbed through my chest. I want my baby back.
Looking around at her men, she knew she was going to have to let the subject go for now. That didn’t mean she would forget. Oh no. She’d never forget what that sadistic fuck did to her or her child. Hell was going to eventually be paid, and she was more determined than ever to get everything started.

“Yes, I leave within the hour. I can heal more on the drive over there. Plus, being somewhat wounded will work to my advantage. I’ve come up with a story. Since I’m already somewhat healed, I’ll say my emotions are acting up. I got attacked not long ago, and I fear I’ve got the disease. They’ll have to take me in once they sense I am indeed a shifter.”

“Smart girl, I knew you would come up with something. Look, I have to go. There are things I need to take care of. Be careful, my queen. Summon me if you need anything. I look forward to seeing Donavon again. Oh, and do me a favor, try to change to more street lingo. You’re talking like your old self.”

Marcella watched Samael bow and disappear. The disappearance of his presence left hollowness inside. Why did this keep happening with him? What was she not remembering?

Thoughts of her child pushed back into her mind. There had to be a way to reach the soul of her baby. Even if it was just to see it. She’d be lying to herself if she said she was going to wait until this was over. There was no way. But first things first. She needed to be whole, and without Donavon, she wasn’t. Looking at her men, she smiled sadly. “I promise to return as quickly as I can. You all know I’m going to miss you, right?”

Ambrose crawled up on the bed but hesitated to make his way to his usual spot. He loved to lie between her thighs where his head could rest on her stomach.

Marcella motioned for him. “Come, lay behind me and I will rest against you.”

White teeth flashed as her vampire settled behind her. She was even more surprised when her men rested their heads on his thighs to be closer. They’d become so connected, no one seemed to care about distance or nudity anymore. It was the way things should be.

“You will be careful?”

Her gaze looked up into Ambrose’s dark green eyes. “Yes, I will.”

Dominic sighed. “And you’ll summon me if the smallest thing happens?”

“Of course.”

“And you’ll call me, right?”

Marcella smiled at Jason. “As much as I can. Every night, if possible.”

“Good.”

Jason’s fingers weaved into her hair, and she closed her eyes. Damn, she still felt tired. Places on her body she wasn’t even aware of hurt like hell. Although her cuts were still healing and were swollen and bright pink, she feared how long they would last. Hopefully, they’d linger long enough for her to play it off while she remained with the wolves, but she wasn’t stupid enough to count on it. She’d wear lots of clothes and cover herself as much as possible. As long as they stayed to get her through the door, she’d be fine. She hoped.

Chapter 4

Samael appeared back in his car, right outside of the gym. He’d been so close to finding those damn angels when he heard Marcella’s call. Lies were easy enough to come by. He had just been so pissed at being summoned that he’d said the first thing that came to mind, like he was driving and could have killed people. Of course, when he saw Jason, he knew why she was so upset, and the guilt immediately had set it.

Tuning in to his senses, he sighed. Nemmy and Caspius were long gone. Fuck. Now where in the hell was he supposed to look? They were probably already back to wherever they were staying at, sleeping, just like he should be doing.

Pulling out of the parking lot, he left himself open to receive any sensations of goodness. The texture against his skin would be different than the ones he got from humans if he began picking anything up. Angels felt like the thickness of velvet. They tickled your skin. Not like with humans. Mortals were more like silk, so soft you could hardly feel them.

Heading toward his penthouse, he was surprised when he pulled into the parking garage and felt his body tingle. Great. Fucking angels. No doubt they’d felt him earlier, and now, they were waiting for him. It wouldn’t have been hard for them to pick up the traces of evil he’d left behind.

Samael didn’t even walk in. He dematerialized right into his living area. Two smiles greeted him from the couch upon his arrival.

“Samael. So nice of you to want to contact us earlier. I see they sent in the big guns for this one. So, what is it this time?” The blond and red-haired angel raised an eyebrow, his smile never faltering.

As Nemmy remained seated, Caspius stood and walked around the back of the leather sofa. Samael watched them suspiciously, although he wasn’t sure why. They were too honorable to do some sneak attack. Angels let you know what was coming, and even though you knew, it was almost impossible to stop the freight train headed your way.

“You’re taking souls that belong with me. I don’t take too kindly to that. But, I don’t want any action right now. I just thought I’d let you know I was in town and that Zepar is also aware of both of your presence.”

Nemmy scooted forward and leaned toward him. “It’s not like you not to fight. There’s something going on, and I am curious as to what.”

Samael cursed. Damn angels. You couldn’t get shit over their heads. “Let’s just say I’m getting older and wiser.”

“No, I don’t think so,” Caspius whispered. “I smell…a female. She’s...” Caspius took a deep breath. “I’m not sure. You didn’t get close enough.” His face masked over as his eyes penetrated into Samael’s. Not good. “So, someone’s finally managed to catch your eye. I was for sure you’d join us after you lost your” He paused, knowing better than to say anything. “But that was just wishful thinking.”

“Yes. Keep wishing. It’s never going to happen.”

“It would have,” Nemmy whispered. “If Marcianna was still alive, you would have joined us. I know it.”

“You know nothing,” Samael snapped. “She was good. Not I.”

“Still heartbroken, are you?” Caspius bowed his head toward the floor. “Do not get defensive, Samael. We all still mourn her loss.”

“I mourn nothing! Now get out of my apartment before I take back what I said earlier and level this place with all of us still in here.”

Nemmy stood, his eyes blazing. “You dare threaten the lives of innocent humans who live in this building? If I didn’t put it past you, I’d drop you right now.”

“You wish.” Samael collapsed onto the recliner. Damn, he was tired. He hadn’t slept in days, with all that was going on. It didn’t help that he was constantly watching over Marcella without her knowing.

“Wait.” Samael looked up to see Nemmy’s eyes peering toward the hallway. Fear took over at knowing what lined the walls. Fuck.

Jumping to his feet, he chased after the angel, but he didn’t reach him before the damage was done. A ragged breath left Nemmy’s lips as he took in the pictures of Marcella. They were nothing more than virtual snapshots from Samael’s memory, but the evidence of her in human situations spoke volumes.

“She lives? Oh, sweet Jesus, she does live. I can feel it.”

“No!” Samael wiped the wall clean with his flick of his wrist, making the pictures disappear. “I only wish her to live. Those were nothing more than…You can’t possibly understand what I’m going through.” He took a deep breath, pretending to play the heartbroken fool they all knew him to be. “Just leave. Please.”

Eyes, both light pink and a storm grey, stared at him. Nemmy was the first to take a step back. “You know I don’t trust a word you’re telling me. If she’s back, we’ll find her. And you know what that means.”

Both disappeared at the exact same time. Samael could feel fatigue taking over. Yes, he knew what that meant. Son of a bitch, he was so fucking screwed. Damn angels, with their damn stubborn streaks. It was only a matter of time, and then all hell was going to break loose.

* * * *

Marcella looked at the two-door Honda Civic and then back to her men. “I’ll call before I get into town. Give me about two hours. I’m sure it won’t take that long, but, just in case something happens, don’t do anything.”

They nodded, and she took turns kissing them. Climbing in the car, she looked over the directions Ben had given Ambrose. She’d been to Victoria on plenty of occasions, but she wasn’t sure of some of the roads he had marked down. The exact location wasn’t certain, but he informed her no one really did know where it was located. For this, she’d have to go off of her senses to help find Donavon. Maybe if she was closer, she’d pick up on their connection.

Taking off down the road, she looked back at the projection of the small house. The men still stood there, watching her leave. An aching pulled at her heart, but she still couldn’t fight the excitement of bringing them all together again.

The highway came into view, and Marcella turned, heading north. If she stayed along the coast until she reached Tivoli, then she could cut across and hit the main highway off of Refugio, heading to the small city. Her stepfather had showed her the shortcut years ago, and now she was more thankful than ever.

Turning on the music, she lost herself in thoughts of how her showing up would pan out. What if they didn’t let her in? Would she take Donavon against his will like she’d done with Ambrose? She really didn’t want to do that. It would be so much easier to get him to fall for her first and then explain to him why he needed to leave. But what if he wouldn’t go?

The headlights automatically turned on as the sun lowered further in the sky. Marcella wasn’t sure exactly how much time had gone by, but she kept herself busy going over what she would say to him. Winning him over was her first priority. How she would do that exactly, she wasn’t sure. Jason seemed to think it was going to be easy for her. Since the change into her collector, she wasn’t going to count on it. Nothing was as easy as it appeared.

The exit for Victoria came into view, and Marcy took it, using her instincts to drive her onward. Fuck. Pulling off to the side of the road, she turned on the hazard lights and looked around.

“I need to turn into my wolf. God, I hope this doesn’t hurt like the last time.” Her lioness had all but crippled her. The pain she had experienced with her first shift was excruciating. Going through it again was something she wasn’t looking forward to.

Envisioning herself in human-shifter form, Marcella tried to will her own characteristics. She could see her hair the same, long, dark, with loose curls. Blue eyes would be good. Her lioness had green with yellow accents, but she didn’t want herself to resemble the animal that chose her. Her wolf would have to be different.

“My skin needs to be lightly tanned. I can’t be as pale as I usually am. They’ll be expecting a shifter, not a ghost.”

So clearly, she could see her new self. The darker skin made her eyes stand out against the contrast. The red of her lips paled to a light pink. She looked more human than normal, which she liked. Albeit, prettier than she probably should look, but she needed all the help she could get to win over her new man.

Cobwebs manifested throughout her body and the twisting caused her to clutch the steering wheel tightly. Nausea threatened with the way her insides adjusted. Just as fast as it came, it left.

“Oh, thank you. Jesus, that wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought. Of course, that was the easy part. My wolf form will be the hardest.”

As she looked up, the field resting next to the road nearly made her cry out in alarm. She hated how everything looked so 3D. The stalks of corn seemed to come toward her as they swayed with the wind. Even the colors were more intense and brighter. Damn, she didn’t like it.