Darkness of day, p.17
Darkness of Day, page 17
“You’ve had the gift for longer than him, even if little more than two months.”
It was true. They were both fledglings but Melinda was the older. A month was sufficient time for her to have grown more comfortable with her new existence than Jelani, who had just awakened. Difficult or not, she should have been able to bring Jelani back.
“He’s quite strong,” she said. “I don’t believe I would be able to bring him here against his will.”
He thought about it. How could that be possible?
“Of course,” Melinda continued, “how would I stand a chance when he nearly killed the Eldest Hunter in a fight?”
Remy stared at her. It was an obvious lie, but why would she bother telling it? No. She was still trying to protect him. More likely, she had found a way to tell Jelani to stay outside of Remy’s influence. He started probing her mind and she recoiled, but quickly composed herself. She stared balefully at Remy, who found it amusing. She cocked her head to one side and smirked at him.
“Ah, love of my life. Don’t you trust me? What kind of relationship are we going to have without trust?” She put a hand on her hip. “If anything, it’s me who shouldn’t trust you. I mean, look at you.” She waved her hand at him and his amusement evaporated. “All this manly man standing in front of me. With your undeniable courage and masculinity, you must leave countless enthralled women in your wake wherever you go. Your prowess must be legendary—”
He was right in front of her and clamped his hand around her throat. He squeezed and lifted her from the ground till she was eye level with him. “I feel a windpipe begging to be crushed.” This time, he saw fear. Satisfied, he gave her another squeeze till she clamped her eyes shut, then dropped her to the floor and turned his back.
She wouldn’t die, of course, unless he ripped her throat completely out. But the pain she would have to endure while healing would be excruciating. “Do me a favor, pet, and go away until I’m ready to see you again.”
Melinda struggled to her feet. “Can … I get you … anything … while I’m gone?” she rasped, squeezing her eyes shut through the agony as her throat healed. C … Coffee? A cup … of tea?” She swallowed, then winced. “Liquid silver?”
He spun and dealt her a backhand across the face that sent her spinning through the air to crash to the ground. He stood over her, red eyes glowing in anger. “Speak another word and I will tear you apart.”
Once again she climbed to her feet, nodded to him, then turned and left the room. Remy sent a portion of his rage into her mind and heard the resulting cry of pain and surprise, followed by a thud when she hit the floor for the third time. Satisfied, he calmed and slammed the door shut.
Despite the woman’s insufferable defiance, she was weak and stupid. Only an idiot would test the patience of the one who turned them. He was a Hunter of unparalleled skill, and could destroy her with little effort.
Remy cast the thought away. Just like any other creation, she was expendable. He would manipulate her tiny little mind and use her until she was no longer needed. Then she would be discarded.
Remy sat down on the dingy sofa chair in his motel room. An immortal deserved the best life had to offer, not these disgusting dwellings that humans built for themselves. He hated being here, hated having to pay money for such unsanitary accommodations. Massius had been clear, however, that he was to keep a low profile.
Sometimes Remy wished he could just kill the stupid Elder and do things his way. The fool was incompetent and paranoid. What difference did it make whether Remy stayed in a five star hotel or this dive he currently inhabited?
He considered the information he had gleaned from his servant. Either Melinda had told him, or Jelani had somehow discovered that if he stayed a far enough distance away, he would be out of Remy’s influence. Whichever it was, he would have to find a way to bring Jelani back to him. He would need both of them at his side when it came time to deal with Yako.
“I’ll need to bring him to me before he finds a way to die,” Remy thought aloud. A fledgling shaquora was at risk of un-creation shortly after their rebirth. Older turned vampires, purebloods, and even the occasional werewolf would prey on them.
The red glow of Remy’s eyes intensified in the darkness of the musty hotel room. Jelani was staying out of reach, fine. A smile slithered across his face. If Jelani wouldn’t come to him, he would go to Jelani’s friends. What would he do when he went home and found that he had nothing left? In his anger he would likely come looking for Remy, and then it would be too late.
Melinda was careful to remain quiet. The wall between them would not insulate her laughter. He threatened to kill her, but he wouldn’t do it until she was no longer useful to him.
She sat on the bed and thought about their recent conversation. Remy was getting impatient with her, which was what she wanted. The less patient he was, the less likely he was able to probe her mind to any real effect. She shook her head at the humor of the situation to keep herself from crying.
If she and Remy were human, she would have had little difficulty turning him in circles. The fact that he could intuit her thoughts forced her to be very careful about her feelings and what she allowed to occupy her mind. By telling him the truth about Jelani’s skills, but then adding the lie about him fighting Yako, she had perfectly hidden the truth from him. Of course he wouldn’t believe that Jelani would survive a fight with the Eldest Hunter.
Melinda didn’t know whether Jelani had fought Yako or not, but she knew that Remy would see her impressions of Jelani’s abilities and had to think fast. It was always like that. If she tried to plan what to say to him, he would know. So she had to rely on quick thinking to keep him away from the truth.
She rubbed the side of her face where Remy had struck her. He knew she was lying to him, but he couldn’t prove it and hadn’t yet figured out what she was lying about. Once he did, that would be when Melinda’s life would be in danger.
She left her room and exited the lobby of the dank motel. Remy was too busy sitting in the dark thinking about his plans to be bothered. She almost laughed. He wanted Jelani and Melinda had every intention of bringing the two together. After witnessing the havoc Jelani had caused at that dark rock, Melinda was confident that Jelani would be able to kill her master. If she could find a way to convince that ninja-like Eldest Hunter to join in the fun, so much the better.
26
Alisha tapped her foot, willing the elevator to hurry to the bottom floor. Daniel had tried to hide the truth from her, that he had just spoken with Jelani, but she knew him too well. He’d tried to deflect the conversation, even flat out lie to her about it, and she loved him for it. Daniel and Wen were great friends. They knew that the situation was difficult, and had gone to great effort to help her through it. Still.
If Jelani was out there, she would speak with him. There was so much unresolved between them and she had questions that needed to be answered.
A soft ‘ding’ indicated the elevator had reached the lobby. As soon as the doors opened, Alisha hurried out of the building and went around the front to the boardwalk. She tried to look casual while scanning the darkened area for any signs of vampires. A few joggers and cyclists passed by, then several couples followed, out for a walk. Feeling at least a little safer, Alisha went out onto the boardwalk and leaned on the rail, looking out at the parked yachts and the quiet ocean, and the mountains shrouded in the darkness beyond.
What the hell is she doing? Jelani thought, seeing Alisha tentatively stepping out onto the boardwalk. It was after nine o’clock and though there were people around, there weren’t many. She might have felt safe with people passing by, but Jelani had already seen two vampires take a casual interest in her on two separate occasions.
At first he thought Daniel had foolishly told her they’d met up tonight, but knowing Alisha, she’d read it in his face as easily as she could read Jelani. That was the thing about Alisha. She could read a lie well enough, but if she knew you personally, it was practically impossible to lie to the woman.
He dropped from the roof, silently descending the sixty feet to land in the middle of a clump of trees and a flower garden. He stepped out and moved quickly. The last thing he wanted was for her to be snatched away. He knew it could happen. He could have easily done it himself right now with no one around.
“You walk the night as if it’s safe.”
She jumped and turned around to face him. “Jelani! Don’t do that. You nearly gave me a heart attack.”
“Then you know how I felt when I saw you walk out here.”
“You saying you’re not glad to see me?”
“You know better than that.”
She leaned back against the rail, but he could tell it was a show of comfort. It must have taken some courage to come out here and wait, hoping he was still around.
“Alisha, why are you here?”
“I live here.”
“You know what I mean.”
She turned those beautiful hazel eyes on him that he loved looking into. “I want to know what’s going on with us.”
Jelani didn’t know how to answer. I’d like to know that, myself.
“There’s a lot going on right now and I don’t think the best thing is for us to worry about this.”
Alisha stepped closer and wrapped her arms around him. “I know a lot has changed, but I’m wondering if there’s something still there for us, and if there is something I can do to help you.”
Jelani knew what he wanted. But he wasn’t sure if what he wanted and what was right was the same thing. He felt an ache in his chest just looking at her.
“I don’t think there is anything you can do to help me, except stay safe. Which pretty much means never step outside at night again until I get this situation rectified.”
Alisha crossed her arms. “Judging by your choice to answer my second question first, you’re planning on giving me the noble and heroic speech about how it’s too dangerous for us to be together.”
“Not going to give you that speech at all,” Jelani said, trying not to notice that her arms were crossed under her breasts. They were the perfect size to him; not too small and not too large. I have got to be the biggest pervert alive. “I’m not going to stand here and tell you that I don’t want us to be together, because I do. I’m also not going to tell you that I think us being together is a good idea.”
“Do I get a say in this?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Oh, really?” She shifted her weight from one foot to the other and started tapping her foot. Jelani’s super sensitive ‘man intuition’ told him that he might not have said the right thing.
“So let me get this straight …” They each took a step back to allow a jogger to pass between them.
“Guess we’re in the middle of the sidewalk,” Jelani said with a hollow chuckle.
Alisha was having none of it. “You,” she jabbed her finger at him, “are going to stand there and tell me that I have no choice in this situation. You’re saying that you’re telling me that you aren’t allowing this to go any further.”
Jelani cleared his throat. “It’s not like I’m telling you what to do …” she arched an eyebrow at him. “Not like I could do that anyway. But what I’m saying is that we can’t continue like this. I just awoke to find out I’m some new kind of thing that I personally find horrifying, and I’m looking for a Hunter who’s also looking for me.”
“I can’t think of a crazier thing to do, Jelani.”
“Not exactly crazy. Things are not the same as they were.”
Alisha hugged herself and looked away. “You’ve told me.”
Jelani hesitated, but then figured it might be best if she knew what kind of thing he’d become. “I told you what I’m going to do, Alisha.”
“I know. But part of me hoped otherwise.” A gentle breeze blew her ponytail to one side as she turned back to him. The lovely sight crumbled when he saw the resignation on her face. That expression was like a cold hand clamped around his heart.
“You’re planning to … kill him.”
He spread his hands. “What else can I do? Just like that guy that was after us back then, the one you helped me—”
“That was self-defense,” she said.
“What do you think this is? If I don’t get rid of this guy, he’s going to keep coming after you, whether the coven orders it, or to use you to get to me. As long as Remy walks the night, all of you are in danger.”
“I hate that he did this to you,” she said, stepping forward again and wrapping her arms around him.
Feeling her body pressed to his made all of his concerns melt away. Jelani returned the hug, closing his eyes and breathing in grapefruit shower gel mingled with her own personal scent. He could have stood there forever, feeling every muscle, every cell in his body, tingling with energy. He felt her chest rise and fall with each breath. He heard each inhale and exhale, felt her heartbeat increase. He also heard the blood rushing through her veins.
“Spend the night with me,” she said.
“That’s not a good idea.”
“I’m not totally clueless, Jelani. I know there’s a risk, but I also know you.”
“Right now, I don’t even know me,” Jelani replied.
“Then maybe I know you better than you know yourself.”
“I shouldn’t go back there. Wen hasn’t seen me yet. I don’t want to just pop in like this. She might not be comfortable with me and I wouldn’t blame her.”
“That you’re saying things like this to argue against coming home proves my point.”
Alisha turned around and leaned back into him. He let out a sharp breath and tried to cover it up by clearing his throat. She let her head fall back against his chest and reached back to find his hands. As always, her soft and strong fingers felt perfect when intertwined with his own.
“I don’t want to go in there.” He tried to make his voice sound firm.
“Someone down there is calling you a liar, baby.” She pressed harder against him, arching her back ever so slightly. A hungry groan escaped him, and he could feel the heat rising in his blood. He felt with the tip of his tongue and found that his fangs were extending, along with other things.
“I didn’t say I don’t want to go with you,” he said, once he trusted himself to speak. “I just don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“You don’t give Wen enough credit.”
“That’s not what I’m talking about.”
She started away, but not before dragging his hands across her buttocks as she moved. She held one of his hands and pulled him after her. Jelani allowed himself to be led away, making a valiant—if failing—effort at refusal. The result was walking behind her and admiring the way her waist moved with that little side to side twitch, the shape of her hips, and the roundness of her—
“Jelani.”
“Hmm?”
“Quit staring at my butt.”
“Huh? No. Yeah. Okay.”
“Hmm. Doesn’t seem like you’ve changed that much.”
“I have.”
“Not completely.”
They reached the front door to the building, and Alisha unlocked it. Stirred as she had him, the sound of the key sliding into the lock was a loud echo in Jelani’s ears. They stepped in and went for the elevators. He watched the numbers illuminate as the descending metal box drew closer. Each number that lit up and went dark again was like a countdown to a mistake until finally the doors opened.
“Alisha—”
“Please,” she stopped him. “I’ve heard why you think we shouldn’t go up there and I understand. But I want to be with you. I need to be with you, at least for tonight.”
She pulled him into the elevator and they ascended. Less than a minute later, the doors opened again and they stepped into the hallway. It had been little more than a month, but it felt much longer than that. It was like coming back to a place that was familiar but different.
Alisha unlocked the door and opened it slowly, peeking in. “Hey, girl,” he heard from inside. Poor Wen. Poor, gentle-hearted Wen. Never had Jelani heard such sadness masked as cheer. “Are we playing hide and seek, now?”
“Hey, girl,” Alisha responded. “Um. I’ve got a visitor.”
There were a few tense heartbeats of silence before he heard her voice again. “Jelani?”
He saw Alisha nod. Wen must have nodded back, because Alisha opened the door and stepped in. She stepped aside into the kitchen and Jelani stopped at the doorway. He and Wen had a clear view of each other.
“Come in, Jelani.” Wen’s voice was tiny, almost like a child’s.
“You’re sure?”
She nodded, not taking her eyes off him. He stepped in and closed the door. After he removed his shoes, he walked slowly through the hallway, past the kitchen, and stopped at the edge of the living room.
Wen, who had been standing straight and still, with her hands clamped together in front of her chest, dashed around the couch and ran toward him. Before he could say a word, she slammed into him, wrapping her arms around him in a crushing hug.
“We’ve been so worried about you,” she said in between sniffs. “We didn’t know what happened.”
Jelani patted her on the back, touched beyond words by his best friend’s fiancée; his good friend. He fumbled for words. “Saaya came by to update you guys, didn’t she?”
“I don’t trust what she says,” came the muffled reply. Now they were rocking side to side, and Jelani resisted the urge to laugh. Wen had to be the cutest, most kind-hearted person he knew.
“You making out with my fiancée, now?”
They let each other go and Jelani turned to see Daniel leaning in the doorway. He had a half-smirk on his face, but his eyes and posture were less relaxed.
