H.U.M.A.N.S (The Veiled World Book 1) (7 page)

He laughed softly with a nod, appearing relieved. “I appreciate that.”

“There is something about you that makes you one of them though that much is evident. By the way, what did you do with that Nocturna?”

“He’s no longer a threat, so what does it matter?”

For some reason, the image of the corpse we discovered earlier flashed in my mind even though it wasn’t the same Nocturna.

“What did he call you? Vishinkatura? What does that mean?”

Then I pointed a finger at him with a hand fisted at my hip, “And don’t think I didn’t notice how you cut him off abruptly before he told us either.
”

He was amused again. “I take it your research on the term yielded nothing. I meant what I said before, we both have very much in common.”

He just read me like a book.

“I highly doubt that. Why can’t you just tell me what I want to know instead of speaking around it? What do you know about Guardian hunters anyway?”

“More than you think. Tell you what,” he said reaching into the inner pocket of his blazer again and pulling out a business card and pen.

He began to write, “If you want to know all of that, including getting rid of the spreading infectionbefore it changes you completel
y
— you’ll meet me for dinner. I wouldn’t advise you wait a day longer though.” He finished, sliding it over to me and tucking the pen back into his inner pocket.

I was alarmed. “What kind of change? What the hell are you talking about?”

“Can I expect you tomorrow evening?” He awaited my answer.

How could I say no? He was either baiting me for something else by leaving me with these unanswered questions and playing on my emotions and curiosities, or he really was being truthful.

I was annoyed. I bit my lip as my eyes flicked down to glance at the neat handwriting inquisitively but I didn’t pick it up.

It wasn’t an address. It simply read: ‘North Majahuitas shore’ and next to that he had written down ‘7 p.m.’

“Another one for the road?” The ice cubes clinked as he raised his empty glass.

I sighed, confused.

“You said just one drink.”

“For two hundred dollars, I would expect that I’d be able to keep my options open. Consider it a compliment. It’s very good brandy.”

I pursed my lips and refilled his glass promptly, sliding it back over to him.

The melody of my ringtone broke the momentary silence. My cell phone was still sitting on the edge of the counter next to the walkie-talkie.

I didn’t want to take my attention away from him.

He glanced over at it with no particular interest.

“Are you going to answer it?” He asked before taking a long sip.

I sighed softly, backing up and continuing to watch him while reaching for it.

The display revealed Isis’ name.

I pressed the phone icon.

“Oh good, you’re still up. Pierce said your end of the walkie- talkie went silent and he figured you went to sleep but I wanted to make sure you were alright.”

“Yeah, batteries died.” I lied.

“Ah. Good news. We finally located the gateway on the island. It’s kind of small and it looks as if it was accidentally put there. Clee got it sealed. Now as for the one on the mainland, that sucker is huge and it’s very busy with tourists and locals. It’s gonna be very tricky.”

“That’s great. Yeah, we’ll have to figure something out then and fast.” I was truly relieved.

I had turned around with my back to Gage without even thinking about it for a split second once Isis began to talk. Quickly realizing my distraction, I whirled around to face him but he was already gone…and so was the entire 300 dollar bottle of aged house Brandy.

Chapter 10

Th
e
slight stinging sensation along my bottom lip is what roused me out of my deep sleep.

It was still early and Twinkie was crouched in the armchair across the room, staring at me with round, fully dilated eyes. He was probably waiting to be fed and at any moment he was going to start meowing obnoxiously if I didn’t hurry.

I brought my hand up to my lips and ran a finger along the tender skin. It felt swollen and my gums and jaw were sore as if I’d been punched in the mouth.

What the hell?

I immediately leapt out of bed, surprised when Twinkie hissed and tried to take a swipe at me on my way to the bathroom.

I shot him a warning look that any parent would give to a bratty, temper-tantrum throwing child.

“You must not want to eat!” I hissed back at him.

He scrunched up his neck and flattened his ears but remained silent and watching me closely, taking my threat seriously.

Flipping on the light to examine my lip, I was confounded.

There were two small punctures on the inner part of my bottom lip. Very odd.

They still appeared red and fresh. I inspected my lip, trying to come up with some sort of a reason or explanation while rubbing both sides of my jaw in circular motions to relieve the dull ache. That was when I felt four sharp points graze the tip of my tongue.

Alarmed, I forced a smile…only to shriek in horror.

The punctures on my bottom lip aligned perfectly with my canine
s
—canines that were no longer normal.

They were about an inch and a half long with razor-sharp, tapered points that nearly matched the bottom set, which weren’t as long as the top row.

No wonder my jaw was hurting. It had to shift to accommodate my new fangs.

I felt jittery, pulse and heartbeat racing as hunger began to churn in the pit of my stomach.

What the…

No, no, no!

This can’t be happening…I have to still be dreaming!

I turned away from the mirror with a hand cupped over my mouth, trying to catch my breath and having to steady myself by gripping onto the sink.

Twinkie was growling at me again.

“Shut up, Twinkie!” I spat.

Dread began to percolate the contents of what was left in my stomach.

I dove over to the toilet, quickly lifted the lid, and threw up.

I was confused, afraid, and in denial all at the same time.

Was this the change that Gage was talking about?

We can’t be turned! This is not something that happens nor has it ever happened!

A hunter is not supposed to turn into a Nocturna. We can’t! By physical and metaphysical laws it was simply not possible!

How the hell was I supposed to face my brother, my friends, and all the other members of the bar who had become our family and explain this?

What was going to happen to me now?

Would I crave their blood?

I didn’t, at least not that I was aware of anyway. My hunger was actually for food. The smell of bacon, migas, chorizo, corn tortillas, and waffles floated up into my apartment from the kitchen downstairs. The chirping of the children’s laughter filtered into my apartment clearly like chimes. The magic and puppet show was already underway.

After miserably emptying my stomach, I showered and freshened up, still in a daze and unaccepting of what was happening to me right now. I had to try to figure out a way to avoid everyone until my teeth went back to normal…whenever that would be.

In the meantime, I needed to go see Gage now. I couldn’t wait until 7 p.m. Why didn’t he leave a phone number? He already knew this would be coming and I needed answers and explanations now. I would have been furious about him thieving an almost full bottle of Brandy but he did leave an extra hundred dollar bill behind.

The last thing I wanted to hear was a knock on my door this early. I was in no mood for any kind of company and I didn’t care who it was or what they wanted.

I planned to just ignore whoever it was but the knocking came again and Marq’s voice came through from the other side.

“Open up, Sunshine. I’ve got breakfast.”

Great, of all people.

I could pretend to still be asleep but that wouldn’t make the dilemma go away.

I took my time, finally having no other option but to keep my mouth closed with my hand poised casually over it as if I were trying to hide a cold sore or something.

I opened the door.

Marq was holding a tray of fresh eggs, bacon, toast, and tea. He was fully dressed in a pair of long, red board shorts and shirt that enhanced all the curves of his trim yet fit physique, thankfully.

“Sleeping in again?” He asked, stepping inside and leaning down to kiss me.

I turned away, taking in a deep whiff.

He smelled normal to me, fresh and dew clean.

“Do I offend?” He smiled, lifting and arm and turning towards his shoulder to inhale his armpit.

“No.” I shook my head, “Lean down for a moment though.” I beckoned him with my index finger. He did and I leaned in towards his throat.

Pressing my mouth and nose against his skin, I took in a deep inhalation of his scent.

No desire for his blood at all.

Unless the hunger hadn’t developed yet, this was a good thing.

He moaned seductively, biting his bottom lip with a grin. “Already frisky, huh? Don’t start something you might make an excuse to keep from finishing.” Marq grinned devilishly as he placed the tray on the sofa table behind the couch.

“I wouldn’t do that but I really can’t this morning. I’ve got some things I’ve got to do.” I replied curtly, avoiding his eyes and taking a slice of bacon.

He moved in behind me, his arms snaking around my waist to pull me up against him so that I could feel his arousal.

“Plenty of time. It’s still early out.” He said leaning down to tenderly nibble on my neck.

“I know but it may take me a while.”

He sighed softly next to my ear.

“What kinds of things? Anything I can help with?”

I shook my head no.

“How is the bite?”

Paranoia made me tense and jerk away from him.

“What bite?”

“Your wound?” He pointed to my side.

I sighed, relaxing. “Oh. It’s better.”

“Let me see it.”

I lifted my shirt, more to see it for myself this time. It hadn’t gotten worse.

“It still looks bad. I talked to one of our elder healers. She wants me to bring you down so she can have a look at it. She may be able to help you.”

“Really?” Their willingness to help a non-Undine completely threw me for a loop. I felt honored.

“Yeah. We can even make a date of it afterwards. I can show you around the city.”

“I want to and I appreciate you asking for me but I really can’t today.” I declined, turning away when he appeared to be studying me a bit closer.

“What? Why are you acting so strange?”

I didn’t respond, finishing every last bit of the breakfast he had brought up. I hope he hadn’t planned on eating it with me.

Even though I was ravenous, the sudden revving urge to run laps around the entire island had suddenly begun to ignite inside of me again.

“Strange?”

He eyed me. “You’re seeing someone else, aren’t you?”

Keeping my back to him, I laughed. “Baby, you’re the only one for me.” I turned to briefly face him and quickly winked.

He pursed his lips, sort of appreciating my witty response.

I meant it though.

“Speaking of, how come you didn’t tell me that you were going to be a father?” I suddenly remembered.

He was silent.

Then he was behind me again, his hands massaging my shoulders.

“I didn’t think it was a big deal. I already told you how we do things and why we do them. I don’t’ have any feelings for her.”

“How can you not? What about the baby when it’s born?”

“Well, that’s a different story and bond. Of course I’ll have a connection and feelings for him or her. You’re not mad or jealous, are you?”

“Not unless it was done in-vitro.”

“What’s that?” he was genuinely puzzled.

“Non-traditional and no body contact.”

“Oh.” He merely smirked at me.

I didn’t need that visual and idea in my head right now when it came to Marq.

“It’s just weird to me, that’s all.”

“If I could make babies with you, I would. We’d have dozens and we’d get married.” His tone was seductive when he pulled me against him.

Married?

“Seriously? Did you say married? Now how would that work?’ I said quickly and only looking at him briefly.

“I’d make it work. As long as we lived near a large body of water, somewhere near the Pacific, we’d be alright.” He smiled.

Wishful thinking and romantic promises.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”