Deadly Creatures

Chapter 7

The sun blinds me as it peers through the enormous window in front of my face. Shielding my eyes, I climb free from the bed to hear laughter and animated conversation on the other side of the door. "Hey, I found the best new video," one of the guys laughs out. "You have to see it." "Not right now. I'm trying to get Scarlet some breakfast ready before I take her home," Caius murmurs in objection, and I tense up. I definitely don't want to see him right now… not after the i***t I looked like last night. I start picking up my clothes and stepping into them as quickly as I can. My bra is nowhere to be found. Apparently I shed it during the night while I was sleeping, and right now I don't have time to find it. I open the window to the balcony, and I grimace when I see how far down it is. I hate using magic. I force the ladder on the ground to rise to the window, and I tuck my high-heels under my arm as I climb down quickly. With a flick of my wrist, the ladder slides down and back into its place before I run like hell through the woods Caius forbid me to travel without him. After the first briar tears at my foot, I pull on my heels, deciding to brave the woods in shoes never meant for hiking or running. I forgot I broke one of the heels off, so now I have to run like a gimp i***t through the patch of forest. This walk of shame is by far the worst one ever experienced, and I'm still a damn virgin. I stumble onto the sidewalk, and then I remove my heels again as all the judgmental eyes of the quiet street fall on me. Small town slut. It'd be great if I actually got to have s*x while being a slut. I look over my shoulder, worried someone I actually know is going to see me, and then I feel myself colliding and arms wrapping around me to steady me as mail drops to the ground. "Hey, whoa," a familiar voice chuck9les out. I turn to see Nico - fresh, clean, and looking just as sexy in the sun as he did under the moonlight. "Hey," I bumble out. "I guess you had a rough night," he says, amused, while staring at my bare, bleeding feet, my heels in my hand, and my previous night's clothing. Not to mention, I'm sure my hair is a hot mess. "Um, yeah, you could say that. I ended up crashing with someone I know after getting a little too drunk to make it home." My embarrassment has to be radiating from me with a blinding glare. "I see," he says with his adorable grin, while his soft, blond hair blows through the gentle breeze. He kneels down and examines my bleeding feet, making me self conscious because I feel so icky right now. I'm glad humans can't read auras. I'd be mortified if he was an aura reader. "Have you got anything to clean that up with?" he asks while standing back up. "Um, I'm sure I do. Don't worry about it." "Let me come help you. You definitely don't want an infection since you said you have to stand on your feet at work." Sighing, I nod. I really don't know the first thing about cleaning up a wound. I've always had an overprotective mother to do that for me. "You sure you don't mind?" I ask while walking by him, noticing his house is directly beside mine. Great. As if I need another guy clogging up my head. "Positive, where do you live?" I let out a laugh as he picks his mail back up. "Right beside you." He smirks, a menacing twinkle flashes in his eye, and then he stands to his feet to follow me. "I guess I should bring you a cup of sugar or something sometime." I chuckle lightly at his corny joke. He's so tall, like Caius, but he's tanner, and his shoulder are a little broader. His hips are still seductively narrow, like the dark-haired man who I've now slept with but still haven't slept with. This town shouldn't be allowed to have so much s*x appeal. It's too small. If the humans are this hot, I dread seeing the immortals. "Wow, this is really nice," he murmurs as he follows me in. "Thanks," I mumble softly as we head inside, then I feel a little sad as I think back to Caius walking in here just a couple of nights ago. "So, let's see your foot," he ushers while motioning for me to sit down. "It's both of them," I mumble while gripping my head in embarrassment. "Should I ask why you felt it necessary to run home in broken shoes through the woods?" I laugh bitterly while dropping my head back on the couch, and he gets up. "Long story short, I didn't mean to spend the night with this person I know, so I snuck out while I could." A knowing grin falls over his lips, and he bobs his head in a nod. "Ah, one of those friends. Been there. So where's the alcohol, Band-Aids, and stuff like that?" Not really one of those friends. "Under the sink in the kitchen. Thank you for doing this, by the way," I murmur as he heads into the kitchen. "What are neighbors for? The way I see it, small town people tend to band together and shut out outsiders. We'll have to start our own little gang." I laugh lightly, amused by his positive outlook, and he smiles warmly as he walks back in while carrying an armload of supplies. "Well, I owe you for this. My feet are not exactly very pretty right now." He places a small bowl of water at my feet, and then he walks out again. "I'll take care of it." Suddenly my door swings open, and my head whips around to see Caius towering over me. "s**t, Scarlet. You scared the hell out of me. How did you leave this morning?" He takes a steadying breath as he tries to calm down, surprising me with his worry. I hadn't thought about my disappearance scaring him. "You guys must have been in the kitchen or something," I lie. "Why the hell did you just leave? And what's wrong with your feet?" He slides around to be in front of me as he inspects my disgusting feet covered in dirt and matted blood. I didn't like Nico seeing them, but I sure as hell don't want Caius to see them. I start curling them away from his view just as Nico walks back in with an awkward smile. "I'm about to clean them up," he says, making Caius's head whip around, his eyes narrowing. "And you are?" he prompts. "I'm her neighbor. She sort of ran into me this morning - very literally - on her way in." Caius relaxes slightly, returning his gaze to my dreadfully embarrassing feet. "Ah, well, I'm here now. I'll take care of it," Caius says dismissively, picking up my foot. "Stop, please. This is so embarrassing," I grumble while trying to pull my foot back. "Did this happen last night or this morning?" he sighs. I try cling to what shred of dignity I have left by refusing him an answer, but he stares at me expectantly, his eyes telling me he's more stubborn than I am. "This morning," I mumble reluctantly. Caius swears under his breath, scolding me with his eyes just before he resumes his examination. "Scarlet? You okay with that?" Nico asks, putting me in an even more awkward position as he stares down Caius. Caius snorts derisively, and I shrug while tightening my lips. "Yeah, I guess so. I'll see you later, Nico. Thank you." He doesn't seem too happy, but he puts the stuff on the floor beside Caius and walks around behind me. "If you need me, you know I'm not far away. I'll see you after while." Caius makes sure to shoot him a threatening glare, which confuses me, and Nico stared angrily back before walking out very reluctantly. "I leave you alone for five seconds and the wolves are at the door," Caius grumbles as soon as the door shuts. "He was just trying to help. I met him last night at the party before Arthur went crazy." His jaw tenses as he brings the bowl of water closer to him and starts the process of cleaning me up. "Where was Nico when you were being chased around by a pervert?" he scoffs, his jealously a little bit bemusing but somewhat exciting. I bite back a smile as he washes away the dirt from my feet. "I don't know. I think he had already left. I was there a while. Are you jealous?" I poke, and he stifles an embarrassed grin. "I'm not crazy about you spending the night in my bed and then finding another guy in your house less than an hour later." I laugh lightly as he starts towel-drying my feet. "He was getting his mail when I came barreling down the sidewalk and slammed into him. He offered to help, and considering I have to go to work in a few hours, I decided I should let someone who knew what they were doing help out." He looks up, his hands burning against the back of my leg as he stares into my eyes. "Well, you’re in luck. I happen to know a great deal about doctoring up scratches. You shouldn't let strangers into your house." He looks back down, and I laugh again. "Um, you realize you're still a stranger?" I muse. He snickers lightly, and then he shakes his head. "Yes, but I'm a stranger you can trust. You either don't realize how incredibly beautiful you are, or you're far too trusting. Twice I've found you in a bad situation with a drunken asshat at a party, and then I find some random guy in your house. A girl who looks like you shouldn't be so quick to trust." I blush fiercely. Hearing his praises makes me start feeling hot in all the wrong places as his touch ignites that stupid, tempting fire I wish would stop blazing. "I'm a little tougher than you might think." He presses the alcohol swab against my cut, and I wince while reflexively jerking free from his grip when it burns. "Yeah, you're superman alright," he sardonically releases after my whimpering reaction to the burning liquid. "That's different," I huff, my lower lip pouting playfully. His eyes suddenly shift from scolding concern to lusting desire, making me worry the windows in the house are all going to fog over. "Please put that weapon away," he says with a wry grin. "Weapon?" I murmur with a touch of breathlessness while falling prey to his gaze. He abandons my foot, and jerks me to his body as he kneels between my legs. His lips attack mine as his tongue forces itself into my mouth, demanding my arousal. He pulls back, his thumb strolling over my lower lip, and then he smirks. "Yes, that weapon." Swallowing hard, I pull him by the back of the neck back to my lips. His hand slides up my shirt, finding my breast and forcing a moan from my throat before his forceful touch starts becoming more urgent. His passion and desire pours into my mouth. My hand slides down to feel his erection through his jeans, making me all the hotter as the firm piece of perfection tries to break free from the fabric. "Scarlet, you're killing me," he groans against my lips while ripping me up from the couch. "I want you so damn bad." "Then take me," I breathe, moaning louder when his lips reclaim mine. My legs wrap around his waist as he starts carrying toward the bedroom. Then suddenly his phone starts buzzing. No! "f**k," he grumbles while pulling back and lowering me to where my feet touch the ground. I shift uncomfortably, confused by why I can't seem to say no to him. It's as though I lose all control and desire rules my body. "What?" he snaps into the phone, and without thinking, my hand slides down the front of his pants to feel his delicious erection - hard, perfect, and ready to be inside me. His breath hitches, and then he has to clear his throat. The phone is so quiet that I can't hear the person on the other side, which is unusual, given my exceptional inhuman hearing. "You're going to have r… I don't care." He grips his head as my hand slides out of his pants, and then he looks at me as if he's tortured. I know that means he's about to have to leave, and I suddenly feel very dirty again. "Fine. f**k… Just meet me at the gallery in ten minutes." He hangs up, and then he jerks me to his body before his lips crush mine, making me shiver before I push him away. "Elli needs you again?" I mumble under my breath while turning away. "Scarlet, it's not like that. Derek needs my help with something, but I swear I'll be back in no time. Please, please don't be mad at me." My body officially hates him. This is twice I've been on the edge of finally getting rid of my damn innocence, and twice I've been blown off. "I'm not mad. Go do what you have to. I need to… Hey, do you have my phone?" I murmur, ready to start picking up the pieces of my confidence that are still scattered around the floor of my room. "Yeah." He sighs while pulling it out of his back pocket and hands it to me. "I meant to tell you it was ringing earlier." "I have some calls to make." I groan inwardly when I see Justin's number showing up at least ten times. "Scarlet, please say I can see you in a little while." I shrug, not really trusting myself not to f**k him if he returns. I should have more self respect than this. "I don't know. I've got work, you've got… stuff to deal with. I guess we'll see," I murmur dismissively. He huffs loudly, cursing to himself while gripping his head again. "I swear I'll take you somewhere no one can find us," he almost pleads, and I let a laugh escape. "It's probably for the best. This is all moving too fast anyhow. Just go help Derek. I've got to get a shower and put some stuff on my feet." I start walking away, but he grabs my hand and whirls me around. Without giving me a second to protest, his lips find mine, his tongue invades, and his strong hands hold me to him, forcing my already throbbing center to start aching painfully. "Say you'll see me later," he softly demands. "I'll see you later," I murmur involuntarily - a little breathless - as my eyes burn into his. I'm praying the mood stone craziness isn't going on right now, but I look away to be safe. "I'll call you, and then I'll come pick you up before work. We'll go eat or something." Or I'll go in to work early to avoid this. "Sure." He tightens his lips, and with exasperated reluctance, he releases me to rush through my door. Once I hear the click of the front door closing behind him, I let out my own huff. I've never known of any girl having such a hard time losing her damn virginity. I flip on the television to see something that makes me sick. Quickly turning up the volume, I lower myself to the couch when my legs try to fold. "Taylor Andrews has been reported missing since late last night. She was supposed to close up at work, but her mother says she never came home. Police have found proof of a scuffle inside the diner where Taylor works, and they're currently running down every lead. If you have any information-" I shut off the TV. I'm so sick and dizzy after hearing that. I just saw Taylor last night. I'm usually the one closing up. What if the vampire who was after me decided to feast on Taylor in my absence? Picking up my phone to dial Justin, I head back into the living area, the weight of my guilt striking my heart. I saved one girl, but then I got another killed. "It's about damn time you called me back," he gripes angrily, a little worked up. "Sorry. Long story short, I lost my phone for a while. Where were you last night?" "Why? Did something happen? Were you attacked?" The panic in his voice tells me I should downplay the occurrences from last night. "Just some human issues. Nothing that couldn't be handled by a regular person." Though Caius is far from regular. Justin sighs out his relief, and then suddenly he's walking through my front door as a shadow puff of smoke follows behind him, proving he just manipulated the air around him. "Well," he says while putting down the phone, "I followed the vampire you had a run-in with. I was worried he'd come after you, so I wanted to keep my eyes on him. I followed him three towns over, keeping my distance of course, and then I watched him get ripped apart." My hand covers my gaping mouth as I gasp in disbelief. "By who?" "A group of them. I could tell by the way some of them were moving they were his own kind. There were lycans in the mix too - fully changed and snarling like vicious pets. Two lycans and three vampires working together. It's unusual for them to team up and kill one of their own." "Did the vamp I pissed off kill Taylor?" I whimper. "Who?" he muses just as my phone rings. I pick it up, recognizing the number from the diner, and hold up a finger to Justin while answering. "Hello?" "Scarlet, this is Joe. I suppose you've seen the news," he murmurs with a heavy tension in his tone. "Yeah, I just saw it. Are you okay?" I ask sincerely. "Right now I'm just worried about Taylor. I pray she's okay. The reason I'm calling is because I'm closing the diner for the next few days while the police investigate. Whoever did this could come back. Whenever I reopen it, no one is to close alone." "I understand," I murmur while glancing up at Justin who has most likely overheard both sides of the conversation, given his look of dread. I hang up, and Justin grips his head. "How is it you chose this town - one where vampires hang out with lycans, vamps kill openly, girls keep popping up missing almost daily… I mean, what's wrong with Miami or Palm Springs?" I release an exasperated, dramatic laugh while dropping to the couch. "Just my luck, I guess. Did you call Mom?" I sigh out. "I tried, but she's apparently enthralled with the ceremonies. I'm sure she'll call me back when she's free." "Great. I'm sure she'll yank me out of here the second she finds out a turf war is at play." "This is bigger than a turf war. Last night, the other vampires stood by and watched the two lycan females drain the vampire's body of life and blood." "Did you see them in human form?" I ask curiously. "No. I couldn't ever get a look at the vampires either. It was too dark, and obviously, I kept my distance. I didn't want to be next on the menu." Swallowing hard, I stand up and head for the wine. Despite the fact I got entirely too drunk last night, I really need a drink right now. "I need a drink and a shower. You sticking around?" I ask curiously while heading to the kitchen. "Yeah. I need to make some calls, find out how long your mother is going to be indisposed." I nod, the feeling of dread cloaking me as I think of how royally pissed my mother is going to be, and then I pour my drink and carry the bottle of wine with me to the bathroom. One glass isn't going to cut it.