The Wicked Kiss (15 page)

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Arys scowled down at me from his tall, lean frame. He stood in the doorway to his house, glaring out at Shaz and me. I’d known he wouldn’t be pleased to see the white wolf at my side, but he had insisted on coming with me. Looking over my shoulder to Shaz, Arys said, “What are you doing here, wolf? This doesn’t concern you.”

“Like hell it doesn’t. My mate has been threatened because of you.” Shaz shoved past me, daring to shoulder his way past the vampire that was shooting daggers at him with his eyes. “Don’t worry, Arys. I won’t be here long. I have to work in an hour. But, I want some answers.”

I shrugged meekly and followed Shaz into the house. Arys gave me a dark look that promised things to come that I may not enjoy. I just wanted to get this over with. Shaz was in a real territorial fit since the incident with Julian. Harley’s visit to my office greatly disturbed him, more than he was really letting on.

“I don’t need you getting up in my face about Harley. I’m going to deal with him.”

Arys followed us into the kitchen, his arms crossed over his chest. He leaned against the counter and fixed his ocean-blue eyes on Shaz, then me. “I promise you, Alexa, I will not allow any harm to come to you.”

Shaz scoffed but said nothing, instead waiting for me to speak. I shuffled uneasily from one foot to the other. Arys seemed to be waiting for me to either show my trust in him or outright admit that I had none. I didn’t feel this was a matter of trust. It was a matter of me wanting to stay alive and knowing that would take more than trust. With a ruthless bastard like Harley, staying alive might just be the beginning of my troubles, what with the way he liked to play.

I hugged myself tightly as fear stole through me. “I know you mean that, Arys, but this is a big deal. He could have killed me last night if he’d wanted to.”

“He doesn’t want you dead.” Arys nodded knowingly. “And for now, that means you’re safe.”

“He tasted my power, Arys.” My voice rose to a pitch that was almost shrill. “He drew me in, physically pressed his lips to mine and tasted me. I can’t remember the last time I was that terrified.” Ok, that was a lie. I could remember it. But, I didn’t want to. It had been when Raoul attacked me, before I’d known it was him.

A pained expression crossed Arys’ face. Shaz stood motionless, patient but irritated.

The dark vampire eyed me, a questioning stare on his handsome face.

“Did he bite you?”

“No. He left because he was afraid he would go too far.” I swallowed hard and watched the pain flicker through Arys. “He doesn’t want to do that … yet. He clearly has other plans for me. But, his biggest concern was you. He doesn’t want to share.”

The rage that filled Arys then oozed throughout the room as his energy burned hot with anger. “That infuriating mother fucker,” he swore, pacing the length of the kitchen.

“How dare he think that I belong to him after all of these years?” A sound not so far off from a growl rumbled in his throat, and my eyes widened.

The look on Shaz’ face said everything that he was thinking. When Arys’ back was turned to him, he made a dramatic show of rolling his eyes. I frowned and shook my head once.

“Look, I won’t be letting him catch me alone like that again. Let’s all just relax and think this through coherently.” I went to Arys, grasping his forearm, forcing him to look at me. I went stone cold when he shrugged me off. I took a step back, slightly hurt but incredibly confused.

Shaz cleared his throat from behind me. His tone was firm when he spoke. “You clearly have issues of your own with Harley, and I think that needs to be addressed.” He didn’t flinch when Arys turned his icy stare on him. “I’m just saying that this isn’t personal, this is about doing what it takes to keep Lex safe. And, if that means never leaving her side, I will do it. You have to do your part.”

The two of them faced off, and my heart began to race. Arys’ energy steadily increased until it began to hurt. I had no way of shielding against it. It was literally inside me as much as it was around me. Shaz appeared uncomfortable but otherwise could not feel it. Not the way I could.

“Watch yourself, wolf. I won’t be cowed by you. Not now, not ever. I can deal with Harley … and I will.”

“I didn’t come here to go for a second round with you, Arys.” Shaz’ voice rose as his usual cool self began to grow hot-tempered. “Just cool it. Is it really so impossible for us to be civil? If anyone should be acting like the jealous boyfriend, it’s me.”

My guts twisted at Shaz’ words, and I had to fight the grimace from my face. I tensed, waiting for the snarky response from Arys that I knew was coming. He surprised me.

“You’re right in that regard,” he relented. “But, both of you need to realize how great a danger Harley is. And, I won’t be bullied into handling it any way other than my own.”

He raised an eyebrow, giving Shaz the opportunity to dispute him.

I knew how dangerous Harley was, and I did not intend to let him get that close to me again. Shaz seemed to contemplate Arys, the two of them staring at each other as if I wasn’t there. If they did fight, I was walking out and leaving them to it.

“Fine.” Shaz tilted his white-blonde head in a slight nod. “Do whatever you need to do. In the meantime, I will do what I need to do.”

Neither of them said another word. From the way Arys’ jaw was clenching, I knew he wasn’t happy. Clearing my throat, I made them both look from each other to me.

“And, if you both choose to pretend that I am not at the center of all this, I will be smacking your heads together.” I put my hands on my hips and mustered my best “take no shit” expression.

Shaz held his hands up in a sign of surrender and flashed me his spine-melting grin.

Arys made a noise of disgust and muttered, “Dramatic.” I beamed a smile at him, hoping to enrage him just a little.

“I’m going to take off to work. Will you come by later?” Shaz came forward to slip his arms around my waist, kissing me quickly. “If you don’t, I’m coming to your place right after.”

I couldn’t help but sneak a glance at the vampire who glared at the floor. His energy was beginning to simmer down, but it didn’t cool completely. I returned Shaz’ embrace, following when he made his way back to the door.

“I might come by tonight. If Kylarai is out, I’m not sure I will be up for staying home alone.” I shrugged, embarrassed at the admittance of fear. It felt so unnatural to feel it on this level. Harley had awakened a side of me that had long been dormant, and it pissed me off.

He hugged me to him once more; my scent lingered on him, mixing with his to make a delectable wolf scent. He pressed a warm kiss to my temple before turning to go. “I love you, babe.”

I gave him a small smile, keenly aware of the weight of Arys’ eyes on my back. “I love you, too. Don’t worry about me, ok?”

“Impossible.” Shaz pushed the door open, never once looking back at the vampire.

“I’ll see you later.”

When his blue Cobalt pulled away from where he’d parked near my car, I closed the door and turned back to face Arys. He didn’t look any happier.

“Thank you,” I said, approaching him slowly. “You know, for not getting into it with Shaz.”

He sighed and pulled me into his arms. “Only for you.” He sniffed lightly and wrinkled his nose in distaste. “You reek like him.”

I frowned but let it slide. I couldn’t be drawn into the testosterone war between the two of them. Whether Arys liked it or not, he had been the one that pushed me into Shaz’

arms months ago, claiming that I needed the love only my white wolf could give me. And now, it seemed that Arys was regretting that in some ways.

“I need to get really serious with you, Alexa, and you may not like it,” he continued, forcing me to look into his heavenly eyes. “You have to keep that pup away from Harley, at all costs, or you risk losing him.”

I felt the blood drain from my face. I shook my head, momentarily confused. “What do you mean?”

He studied me carefully before stroking the side of my face. “If Harley learns about him, and how much he means to you, he won’t hesitate to hurt him.” …
Or worse
. I could feel the part he was leaving out.

My mouth instantly went dry at the thought of the sadist vampire touching Shaz in any way. I’d give myself to him before I’d allow that to happen. “Oh God. That can never happen.” I felt like I couldn’t breathe. The reality of the danger we were in hit home with a heaviness that made my vision spotty.

“Are you ok?” Arys put a hand out to steady me when I rocked away from him on my heels, unsteady. “It’s going to be ok, Alexa. I promise you, I will do everything in my power to prevent any harm from coming to you … or the wolf pup.”

Try as I might to speak, nothing would come out. I felt the warning sting of tears and fought them back. There was nothing to cry over, not yet. I’d be damned if I was giving into the weakness that fear was stirring inside me.

I finally managed a deep breath. “I’m ok. I just can’t breathe.” I attempted a smile, but it was a poor one. I pushed a lock of red and blonde hair out of my face. He responded by reaching out to grasp it, twirling it around his finger.

“Your wolf is right about one thing. I don’t feel right about leaving you alone, either.” The concern that pulled his sensual lips down into a frown warmed me.

“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m pretty sure I’m safe for now. He made it seem like he wants to drag it out.”

Arys pressed his lips together. He clearly didn’t believe my claim. I watched him twist my hair, the two different colors creating a candy cane effect. The close proximity made the effects of his energy stronger. It no longer felt angry. Instead, it felt hungry.

The blood lust rose up then, engulfing me in one giant swallow. It clawed at me like a rabid dog fighting to get out. My gums tingled, and my fangs were suddenly there, large and sharp in my mouth. The need for blood was overwhelming.

“I need to feed before it tears you apart. I can feel it raging through you.” Arys looked torn, as if he wasn’t sure what to do.

“It came on out of nowhere.” A hand to my head, I went to the cupboard that I knew held dishware and fished out a drinking glass. Going to the kitchen sink, I ran the cold water until it was icy. After taking a long, refreshing swallow, I deposited the glass in the sink and turned back to my vampire. He looked anxious. “It isn’t fair. It never eats you up the way it does to me.”

“I’ve had centuries to learn to deal with it. Of course, it won’t be so easy for you.”

He shook his head and a familiar expression of self-loathing played along his features. “I wish this didn’t happen to you.”

“It’s not like you escaped unscathed.” I waved a hand dismissively. I didn’t need his guilt right now. Since we’d joined our power three months ago, we have each suffered the other’s weaknesses in the worst of ways. Though it was getting fewer and farther between, the strength and urgency of it, when it did occur, seemed to only increase.

“You’re better at taking care of that than I am. I don’t deserve you.” Arys ran a hand through his hair, messing it further. “I need to feed. Will you be alright for awhile?”

“Yes, of course. Do what you must. Don’t worry about me.” I struggled to appear cool and confident though I was never that good an actor.

“Why don’t you head to Lucy’s, and I’ll meet you there later?”

I debated arguing that and accusing him of thinking I couldn’t take care of myself. I restrained the urge with great difficulty. I couldn’t always give Arys the run around for trying to keep me safe. True, it got annoying when he did it in situations that were so mundane and every day, like when I got hit on by a guy that wouldn’t take no for an answer at Lucy’s Lounge. But, I knew he meant well. I wasn’t sure why I always busted his chops when I would never do so to Shaz. They were different men, and I was a different person with each of them. They drew out different sides of me.

“Alright. Don’t kill anybody that doesn’t deserve it.” I winked when I said it and received a sexy little snarl from him in response. He bared his fangs at me, and my body reacted to it against my will as a thrill shot through my veins. When Arys sensed the changes in my body, he smiled wide, satisfied.

“I’ll see you at midnight then.” He pressed close; his hard frame against my soft, feminine form felt like magic. “Stay alert, and don’t get caught out alone. I don’t think Harley would come to Lucy’s, but I can’t say for sure. If he wants something bad enough, he’ll go to any lengths to get it.”

“I’ll be fine,” I murmured against his lips as he bent to kiss me. He tasted like power, tangy and savory. I closed my eyes and allowed it to wash over me. It was similar to the sensation of falling into Harley’s power only this was welcome, which made it so much better.

After much contemplation, I pulled away from Arys and turned to go. He walked me to the door; my body reacted to his as he shadowed my movements. Just being in the same room as the smoldering hot vampire stoked the fire inside me. It also caused my power to rise to a dangerously uncontrollable level, especially when the blood lust was strong.

“See you in a bit.” I fought back an unexpected wave of nausea and kissed him quickly on the cheek. I hurried down the front step to my car, eager to get away from him so that I could think. It wouldn’t make the blood hunger stop, but his presence was feeding it.