Xo Novel
Chapter 34
You'll pay for this, Bernie.
It's not an empty threat, but he doesn't scare me like he used to. I send a thought back his way.Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.
Maybe I just want to see you naked, Darius. And this is the best way I can think of to make my dreams come true.
A little of the anger leaves his face, replaced by a slight trace of intrigue. I turn away, proud of myself for the sly reply, and also wondering how much truth there is to it.
I join AJ behind the bar, surveying the scene I've created: a few girls swarmed around Darius, all of them sipping magical cocktails whipped up by Rune, Joe scratching a man-turned-wolf behind the ears. Also, we've got five guys lined up at the bar staring at AJ, ready to order a tenth beer if it means she'll give even the slightest smile. Not a bad night at Morgan's, I'd say.
"I'm sneaking upstairs to feed and change Rain," I tell AJ. "You keep everyone happy and drinking."
"Try this before you go." AJ hands me a cocktail that fizzes with magic. "It's called a Sexy Runedezvous," she says, unable to hold in her giggling. "Get it? Runedezvous, like rendezvous but--"
"I get it," I say with a laugh, 100% sure Rune did not name or approve of the name for his concoction. That's all AJ. I sip on the drink and the flavors burst on my tongue, then the magic and alcohol mix in my body to create a nice mellow buzz. "Damn. No wonder this is such a hit."
I hand the drink back to AJ and duck over to the back exit, hoping to make a discreet getaway since I know the Sexies get nervous if I'm out of sight. Once I get up the stairs and into my bedroom, I quickly change Rain and then start to feed her. When she's got a good latch and a steady gulp going, I head into the living room--
--And run smack into Darius.
"Jesus!" I yell, causing Rain's eyes to flare open before going back to a contented half-mast. "What the hell are you doing up here?"
He stands very close to me, closer than he's ever been, aside from the times he was showing his teeth and hissing some kind of threat.
"We don't want you and the child alone, Bernie. Under no circumstances, no matter how quickly you think you'll be back."
He's serious but sweet, a tone I've never heard in his voice. Then he does something even more unexpected.
"I was very upset I had to follow you. I was about to start dancing."
Oh my God. Darius made a joke. I'm too surprised to laugh. His lips twitch into something close to a smile, and that's about as much of a reaction to humor as I can expect from him. "Right, sorry," I say. "I thought maybe the pledge would have mellowed that protectiveness."
Darius shakes his head. "We aren't worried about each other. We worry about whoever else might be out there."
Again he smiles, this time it even reaches the edges of his lips, and I'm getting exposed to a whole new Darius. He steps even closer, our faces now inches apart. With all the antagonizing, I'd forgotten how perfect his features are, how easy it is to get lost in his dramatic gaze. As he starts to speak into my mind, it nearly causes my knees to buckle.
I must say, Bernie, the thought of you dreaming about me in the nude was... stirring. Oh shit. I awoke a lusting vampire.
Minutes ago I was ready to take a fae right there on the bar, not long ago I was sharing bathroom space with a naked werewolf, and now my body's begging to be wrapped in a vampire's arms. This kind of sexual energy can't be normal for anew mother. The werewolf hair stitching must be having an effect That feels like a safe thing to blame all this on.
Before I can think of how to respond to this advance, Darius stiffens. My gaze had been locked on his lips but now I glance up and realize his eyes have gone completely white. His body trembles and he stares blindly into the empty space above my
head.
"Darius? Darius, what's wrong?"
I don't want to raise my voice, but I'm seconds away from running down the stairs and screaming for help. Just as my nerves are about to break, he comes to, his body relaxing and his eyes returning to their normal piecing darkness. He stays still, thoughts clearly whirring around in his mind.
"What? What happened?" I ask, afraid of the answer.
"I've communed with my father, the King. He received word of our predicament... and passed on some news."
All news is bad news at this stage of my life, so I don't have any question that I'm about to hear something terrifying.
"Apparently... " Darius continues, "The Order of the Star has returned."
And, once again, the bad news makes zero sense to me.
"Okay. And I care because...?"
"Because that's the group after your child," he says. "It's a collection of witches with bad intentions, but the members disbanded over a decade ago. It appears they've reconvened."
Of course. More magical enemies to deal with. "If they're witches, do I know any of them?"
Darius thinks for a moment. "I don't know." He looks at the floor, then back into my eyes to deliver the real bombshell.
"But it was amongst the Order that I first met your grandmother."