Beneath a Blood Moon - Book Two (Moon Child Series)

Chapter Seven

Luca POV

Whilst the girls excitedly made their way upstairs to plan their outfits I headed to training, then to my office where I spent my time catching up on Beta work, replying and forwarding emails to Seth and other boring work. When it was time to get ready it took me only moments to dress for the club, in a simple black suit and deep red button up shirt, unbuttoned a little at the top, and comfortable dress shoes. I was now impatiently waiting for the girls, who were taking their sweet ass time. With a huff I leant against the bannister of the stairs and glanced at my watch for the thousandth time. Viktor chuckled as he came to lean beside me.

“Women like to take their time when dressing, it is something you will learn young one.” I chuckled at his words and pushed myself off the banister, ready to climb the stairs and tell them to hurry it up. When I turned to the top of the stairs I froze, my heart skipping a beat. Standing there, was Amelia. Her blonde hair was pinned up into a neat, yet messy bun, small tendrils falling on the side of her face, framing it. Her curvy body was clad in a beautiful red dress, with a torso hugging bodice and a flowing skirt that reached her knees, held up with a halter neck. My eyes felt like they were popping out of their sockets. She was breathtaking. Mia walked past me, patting my shoulder with a chuckle.

“Got a bit of drool there, brother.” Her words snapped me from my reverie, and I glared at her. Amelia descended the stairs, walking towards me. She stopped just before the last step, where I stood. I held my hand out for her to take and she did, with a shy smile. Ever since that kiss in the alley my mind and heart were at war with each other. It had been my wolf that had initiated it, but I was the one that took back control during it. And I hadn’t stopped it, even though I probably should have. She had just felt so good in my arms, her lips on mine. Shed felt…. Right. Shaking my head of my thoughts, I got my head back into the task at hand.

I led her out to the car and slid in next to her, and we were off. The club was located 30 minutes away from the pack territory and was thrumming with people, many waiting patiently to enter the establishment. The outside was very much like you would expect a club to look like. Plain black brick walls, double doors guarded by a bulky looking bouncer, and a large neon sign above the doors announcing the name of the club.

Viktor parked on the street a little walk away from the club and we headed up to the bouncer guarded doors. The big bulky, bald man stared at us impatiently as we cut the line and stood before him.

“You on the list?” he sighed. Mia smiled at him.

“Of course, Mia Greystone and company.” The mans eyes flicked to the list, running down the names on there, after a few moments he nodded, and allowed us to walk in, much to the disdain of those who had been waiting patiently. I don’t know what I was expecting the club to look like on the inside, but it was definitely not what we walked into. It was very much a dancing club, for those who enjoyed ballroom and the tango. Many people were dressed to the teeth with dancing attire, others just in nice clothing. But it appeared as though everyone was having a great time, even those who were not as experienced at dance. The music playing as we entered was a fast-paced tango, and I watched in awe as couples strode across the dancefloor with passion. Pulling my attention from the dancing couples I took in the rest of the club.

The entire first floor was dedicated to the dance floor, the bar and booths for sitting were all located on the second floor that overlooked the first. A familiar looking white owl flew towards us from the second floor and landed on Mia’s shoulder, indicating with its head where to go. We followed Mia as she made her way to the winding stairs that led to the second floor. When we reached the second floor the owl took off with a loud hoot and flew to a booth at the far end of the room, that looked over the entire dance floor. The owl perched itself atop the shoulder of gorgeous woman with silver hair that hung straight to her waist, and intense purple eyes. Her voluptuous form was clad with a tight fitting deep purple dress. As we approached her, her plump red lips spread into a smile.

“Viktor, I didn’t know you would be coming.” She rose from the booth and pulled Viktor into a tight hug, which he returned.

“Cordelia, how long has it been?” she took his hand and led him to the booth, and we followed behind.

“At least a few centuries.” She replied with a chuckle. Mia slid into the booth beside Viktor, and Amelia and I took the open spots opposite them. Cordelia’s eyes turned from Viktor to Mia as she sat down, a kind smile on her face. “I bet you are wondering why I summoned you all here?” Mia nodded. “Well, I saw what transpired with the young rogue you captured.” Her eyes turned to Amelia and me, her eyes holding secrets and mischief. “Well caught, by the way.” She said with a wink, causing me to cough with awkwardness as Amelia blushed beside me.

“How did you see what happened?” Mia asked, her tone suspicious. Viktor patted her hand calmingly.

“Cordelia is a clairvoyant witch. An immensely powerful one.” Cordelia looked at Viktor with a kind smile.

“Thank you, dear Viktor. Yes, little one. I am a clairvoyant. I saw that the rogue who was working for Adrienne used that old forbidden spell, and luckily neither of you were hurt.” Her eyes filled with concern as her eyes grazed over us all. “The use of this forbidden magic has gone on for too long. I can no longer passively sit here and let Adrienne hurt the innocent for what she seems to think is a worthy cause.”

“What kind of forbidden magic is she using?” Amelia asked, curiosity getting the better of her. Cordelia turned to her, her eyes bright with knowledge and excitement at being able to share it.

“It is magic that corrupts and darkens the soul, magic that only daemons once wielded when they roamed the earth. Somehow, Adrienne has managed to get her hands on the Staff of Hades.” Viktor tensed in his seat beside Mia, his hands clenched into tight fists. “That is how she managed to gain her magic before her eighteenth birthday.”

My fists clenched at her words. That was how she managed to curse my Fae, and in turn lead me to the torture of her loss. This b***h had to die.

“How do we stop her?” I growled, my canines cutting into my bottom lip as I tried to control my anger. Cordelia turned to me, her eyes revealing her sympathy for me. I didn’t want her sympathy, I wanted Adrienne’s blood on my hands.

“There is a way, a potion and a spell to go with it. An extremely powerful one. But its ingredients are not easy to come by, and you will need to make a few sacrifices in order to claim them.” I sat forward in the plush seat, eager to know more.

“Anything, if it means we can stop her.” Mia and Amelia nodded eagerly, agreeing with me wholeheartedly.

“The spell does come with a price however.” Her eyes turned to Amelia and me, mischief burning in their lavender depths.

“What price is that.” I ask, suspicion evident in my tone. A small shrug lifts her shoulder as she casually leaned back.

“It is only something small. I need to have a little private word here with my dear little Mia. My price is for you two to go out onto the dance floor and dance. With each other.” I look at her incredulously.

“That’s it?” she nods, a smirk taking place on her lips.

“Yup.”

“All we have to do is dance together, and you’ll give us the spell. What’s the catch?” her laughter tinkled through the air, making everyone around us gaze our way.

“No catch. Just you two, dancing. That’s it.” Suspicion never leaves my gaze as I look at her.

Just do it already. Mia mind-linked me, her sweet voice interrupting my thoughts. The sooner we get the spell, the sooner we can get rid of Adrienne. With a deep sigh at her through our mind-link, I stand from the booth and hold my hand out to Amelia.

“May I have this dance?” her eyes glance up at me, uncertainty in her eyes, before she places her hand in mine and follows me down the stairs to the dancefloor. I place one of my hands on her waist and the other in her hand and pull her close to me as a sensual tango begins to play.

“I apologise in advance, I’m a terrible dancer.” I whisper to her as we sway. She blushed and smiled.

“Yeah me too.” The music began to pick up tempo and I felt a tingle rush through my body. Amelia must have felt the same thing, as her eyes widen. My hand drops to the small of her back and I pull her closer than she was before, her body flush to mine as we take the steps of the tango together. Our bodies move of their own accord to the music, dipping and stepping. The music guides us with its sensual rhythm, and I hear her small gasp as my hand slides down the back of her thigh, pulling it up to my waist as I dip her back. Her eyes cloud with desire as we danced. My hands were on fire as we danced, and I knew that Cordelia had enchanted us with the ability to dance.

“Luca.” Amelia whispered as the song started winding to an end. I spun her, her back pressing against my front as we made some difficult steps backward. Her body pressing against mine was making thoughts pop into my head, very dirty thoughts.

“Yes?” I answered, after the temporary distractedness of her body against mine. With a final dip, the song ends, and Amelia appears to be breathless. Her eyes fall to mine as a new slow song started. I lifted her from the dip and pulled her close to me as my body moved on its own accord to the melody. Instead of the heat of the tango, this music held a soft, sensual feel to it. I could see the question still in Amelia’s eyes and leaned in close, my lips against her ear, tingles shooting through them at the contact of our skin.

“Ask your question, Amelia.” She pulled back from me, her eyes holding onto mine as we gracefully stepped into the music.

“Who is Fae?” My heart stopped, and so would have my feet if they weren’t enchanted.

“How do you know that name?” I choke out, my throat clenching painfully. Her eyes lower to the floor.

“I accidentally overheard you and Mia discussing something regarding her. I’d forgotten the folder regarding our target, and so I headed back to the office to get it and heard you both talking.” Her eyes brim with tears. “If she is who you really love, then please just reject me and get it over with.”

I felt sick, thoughts swarming through my mind, making me dizzy. Rejection had never crossed my mind. Why hadn’t it? I’d already convinced myself that I wasn’t going to love another except Fae, and that I didn’t deserve any love that anyone tried to offer me. So why hadn’t I thought of rejecting Amelia?

Because she is our mate. Nero interrupted my thoughts. Yes, she is. But I swore that I wouldn’t do this to myself again. I wouldn’t open myself up for that pain. I wouldn’t allow Adrienne to have another thing to hold above me for her sick little game. My hand rose from her waist, stroking her cheek gently as she leant into it. Before I can stop myself, not that I would want to, I was leaning into her, and then our lips collided. Softly, full of all my confused and tumultuous feelings being poured into it. Her arms reached around my shoulders and pulled me close, a soft sigh escaping her lips as we deepened the kiss.

Um, Luca? My sisters voice in my head had be pulling away with a soft growl. Amelia looked up at me, her eyes dazed and questioning until she saw my eyes glazed over whilst I mind-linked my annoying twin.

What? I growled back at her, my gaze lifting to see her sitting in the booth still with Cordelia and Viktor. Cordelia has given me the spell, and our first lead for it. We’re good to go. I nodded in her direction and took a small step back from Amelia. Her eyes filled with hurt, but she covered it quickly by looking down.

“Mia has the spell.” I said, clearing my throat. “Let’s go home.” I grabbed her hand pulled her from the club, not bothering to wait for Mia and Viktor. Amelia followed behind me quietly, her eyes constantly downcast. When we reach the car, I pull her into my arms, placing my head into her neck and breath her in. Lilies swarm my nostrils as her intoxicating scent goes straight to my head.

“I won’t reject you.” I whisper, gazing up into her eyes. “I can’t.” My voice cracks on the last word and I cover it with a small kiss on her lips. I pull away from her as my sister approaches, and my wolf whimpers at the loss of contact. He wanted nothing more than to take her right then and there. We had finally accepted our mate; it was time to claim her. I hushed him as we hopped into the car, heading back home.

In good time Nero. I told my excited wolf. We have other matters to focus on right now. I wasn’t sure how I’d managed to go from hating the very thought of Amelia, a vampire, being my mate, to having to stop myself from claiming her right then and there in the matter of only a day. But who was I to question the workings of the heart? The thought of rejecting her had been the last push to know my true feelings, and the need to act on them. My thoughts were a jumble in my brain as I tried to focus on not taking Amelia in my arms and claiming her. My wolf pouted the whole way home, and internally so did I.