Deadly Creatures

Chapter 24

The loud, thumping music is vibrating the house. The lights are dim, like this is some sort of a club instead of a home. I can see a group of boys clicking away on the remotes while playing one of the violent games. Elli is the only one I recognize and know. There are so many people that it's impossible to find Caius right now. "Blonds are my thing," a drunken goon slurs from behind me. I whip around, quickly tossing his stray arm off my shoulders and take a step back. "Sorry. Drunk strangers aren't my thing." He smiles, his eyes dancing with the thrill of a chase. "Well, let's make them your thing. I'm John." "She's taken," Derek says while popping up out of nowhere, standing close to me in a protective sort of manner. "Yo, man. I though you were with Angela. That babe single now?" What a jerk. Derek's eyes narrow, and then he lets out a derisive scoff. "Even if she was, you wouldn't be able to handle her. Angela's still mine. This is Caius's girl. You really want to keep playing with fire?" The guy's eyes widen, as if he's sobering a little, and then he stumbles backwards. "No. Sorry. Tell him I didn't know." Without another word, he disappears from sight, leaving his balls behind apparently. I've never seen anyone so quick to bow out. "Where's Caius?" I ask, having to yell over the music. "He's out looking for you. I just sent him a text to tell him you're here. He's heading back now." Looking for me? "Why did he go looking for me?" "Because there was another attack in town. We got a call a few minutes after you left. Two girls were found dead in their homes, and it wasn't pretty. He went to track you down and bring you home until daylight. But you're an expert at vanishing into thin air. Where'd you go?" Crap. "I just walked around mostly. There's a spot at the edge of town I like to go. When will he be back?" Before he can answer, strong arms are wrapped around me and pulling me into a glorious embrace. I breathe him in, enjoying his smell like he was made for me. Those incredible lips find my neck and trail across my hidden wound as he kisses me through the fabric. I stifle a wince when he presses too firmly against the still tender bite left behind. Though it can't be seen, it can sure as hell be felt. I turn around, and he draws me in closer just before his perfect lips find mine. I smile behind the kiss that is far too passionate to be displayed in front of so many. "No more late night romps through the town, please. My heart still isn't steady," he murmurs against my lips. I smile bigger as I lean into him. "I take it you were worried?" "Very. I've called your phone at least a dozen times. Did you lose it?" Oh s**t. I left my phone at Clive's before we even left to go set the trap that went terribly awry. I completely forgot it. "I'm sure it'll turn up. I'm sorry you were worried, but I'm a big girl. I managed." By the skin of my teeth, that is. "I heard about those girls they found in town, and it scared the hell out of me. I left shortly after you did, but we couldn't track you down. Since then, I've been worried sick. I sound like a total control freak right now, don't I?" I smile involuntarily to the point it almost aches. Giggling like a fool, I shake my head. The noisy room makes it hard for us to hear each other, but I can tell he likes the fact I'm more turned on than freaked out. It feels good to have him care so much, since I feel the same way. "I love the fact you went all over town looking for me, but I hate you missed your party full of drunk, smitten-with-you women." He laughs at my insincere remark, and then he cups my face in his hands before leaning down and kissing me lightly once again. "I need to go check on Chase and tell him your back. I've got him missing out on all the drunk women, too. I'll be right back. Don't move." I just nod, my foolish grin remaining intact, as he shuffles back through the mass to head outside. I look over to see Derek has claimed Angela's attention. I almost smile, but then my mouth fills with the taste of bitter when I see Elli making her way toward me. Inhaling a sharp breath, I ready myself for whatever cruel, unnecessary thing she spews through her jealous lips. This past month, I've heard it all. "I really don't feel like hearing it, Elli. Just enjoy the party and leave me alone," I grumble as soon as she reaches me. "I don't want to fight. I just came to tell you... look, there's a lot about us you don't know. If you love your family, your friends, your life in general, you need to give up Caius." My blood almost boils. How dare she threaten me. "You start making threats against my family, and I'll-" "I'm not making threats, Scarlet. I'm telling you that choosing Caius has consequences. You'll belong to him. If you don't like the way that sounds, you need to give him up, because he's never going to give you up." She walks away before I can form some well mastered retort. I glare at her back as she mingles into the middle and starts dancing between some drunken men. I wish she'd just stay away from me. "What'd she say this time?" Caius asks as he comes up behind me. "I saw her talking to you through the glass. I couldn't get in here before she said anything." I just shrug it off the same way I always do the things she says. "Nothing that changes anything. I really don't want to talk about Elli." His eyes burn against her back, and I'm sure she can feel his glare. She's either enjoying his attention or avoiding his scowl. Either way, I'm sick of his eyes being on her. "How about showing your girlfriend some attention and forgetting about your ex." His eyes fall on me as he sighs. "She's not my damn ex." If you say so. "Then stop worrying about her. Let's enjoy the night." As someone cuts the lights up a little, I notice something that had averted my attention earlier. Blood stains his shirt in various places. "What happened? Are you bleeding?" I panic. He drops his gaze and his eyes widen as he lets a few curse words flow out under his breath. It's obvious he didn't expect me to overhear his swearing, since he said them so low, and then he starts walking toward his room. I follow him quickly, still waiting for a response. "Caius," I prompt. "It's not mine," he says, finally easing the knot tensed in my stomach. "Whose is it?" I shut the door behind me as he strips off his shirt. The light stains don't reach his skin, and I sigh in relief when I see it really isn't his. "There was a hurt girl with a bloody... nose. I helped her out. I didn't realize it had gotten on this shirt, too." "Too? Did you have on another shirt?" He ignores me, but I quickly drop my inquisition when I see the divine lines of his body calling to me. Without noticing my gaze on him, he starts rifling through his closet for another shirt. He finally catches my scandalous eyes and my lip clutched between my teeth, and a dark grin appears on his beautiful face. "Feeling the weight of a few weeks?" he teases, though it's obvious he's just as turned on as I am right now. "A little." Just as he's about to make his way toward me, a loud crashing sound breaks free on the other side of the door. He rushes out with me on his heels to go investigate. Elli is standing over the blond I saw draped around Caius earlier. The pretty girl has a bloody mouth, a reddened eye and a swollen lip. Her body is a tangled mess of disaster as she lies unconsciously on the ground. The music halts and the lights come on quickly. "What the f**k?" Caius scolds, his arms angrily flailing to emphasize his fury. "I told you she better not taunt me again. I don't deal with that female drama shit." My ass. That's all she f*****g does is start drama. "Elli, you can't-" Caius stops short of whatever he was going to say as his hands go through his hair. Angela walks up, and Derek joins her to scoop the limp girl off the floor. "Crank the tunes back up. It's not like it's the first time someone has gotten laid out in here." Derek laughs, but his eyes narrow at Elli as if he's silently scolding her. The sound kicks back in, and Elli goes so far as to wink at Caius. My fists clench at my sides as I hold my breath. I'm so sick of her! "We'll talk about this later," he growls, but she just shrugs and smiles before walking off. He turns back to me to meet my scrutinizing glare burning into him. "Please don't," he says before I even start to speak. "What? Tell you how old this has gotten? It's always the same. She acts out to gain your attention, which you always give her immediately after. And people say I have daddy issues." My sardonic release isn't lost on him even under the deafening music that has resumed. I walk away, pushing through the partiers on my way to grab my own drink. One second things are really hot, but Elli is good at icing the flames. I grab the first empty glass I see and pour some of the chilled rum into it. Caius catches up to me just as I draw in the first sip. "Scarlet, I really don't want to fight about this. I don't know what to say besides I'm sorry for upsetting you." I just shake my head as I stare at all the oblivious people enjoying their short lives. This isn't my world. This isn't my place. I shouldn't be here with him, messing up his short life while he has time to enjoy someone he can be with. "Caius, I'm sorry, too. I'm going back to my place tonight. This was all... It was crazy. We barely know each other, so me moving in was a stupid move to begin with. I've got a lot going on with my mom right now, and it's obvious you have stuff to deal with as well. I'll come get my clothes tomorrow." I put the glass back down and start toward the door. Before I can reach it, he's pulling me back, halting my retreat. "I understand you're mad, but why does it feel like you're breaking up with me?" My chest becomes heavy and each breath is painful. Staring into his perfect emerald eyes, I want to tell him how I really feel. I could lose myself in him forever if I had the choice. I would happily give up immortality and keep a short life span just to be with him. Unfortunately, even if I could do such a thing, there aren't any guarantees. I'd rather leave without anything souring our memories... even though Elli is sour enough. "Because... because..." Damn this is so hard. My tears start breaching my eyes as I walk out onto the deck. "Because you think you are," he says as he shuts the door behind him, blocking out the music. The quieter air outside leaves us alone with what's about to happen. The weight on my chest grows to be unbearable as I nod and let a few tears trickle free. "Because Elli's a b***h? Baby, we can get out of here for a while. I'll let the others deal with housebreaking Elli. Just come back in with me, and we'll pack a bag right now." He's making this so much harder. Why does he have to be so perfect for me if I can't be with him? It's not fair. More tears fall as I stare at the dark lake in front of me. His hand slides up my back, and I fall apart. "Scarlet, I know you've got a lot on you right now," he coos. He pulls me into his arms as I continue to weep into my hands, shielding my pain from his eyes. "Don't push me away." I have to. "Caius, let's end this before it gets too hard to end. Before we get hurt," I whimper. He just pulls me tighter, bringing me so close he's all I can smell, feel, or taste. My tears just fall that much harder. "It's impossible to end, Scarlet. As for getting hurt, you're already crying, and I'm already in love." My heartbeat stops momentarily before springing back to life and rushing around in a frenzy. My ears buzz, making me worry I've lost my mind. There's no way something this incredible yet catastrophic is happening right now. "Caius, don't say something you don't mean just because you're afraid of losing-"