Some would say that her tutu, combined with a studded black biker bra and combat boots, made her look cute. But they didn’t. This woman wasn’t cute. Instead, she had a sexy, intriguing allure that I couldn’t look away from. The minute I saw her, I knew that she was exactly what we were looking for.
Sometimes I just knew things, and today was one of those days. From the minute I awoke this morning, I knew that today would be the day. We’d been looking for the human with a particular mark for months, probably longer than a year even. The assignment was exhausting, although it did have its perks, but I was ready for it to be over. We only had to verify that she had the mark, and then we could move on to the next phase of our plan.
The squeaking door jerking open caught my attention and my eyes flicked to the shadowed figure inside. It was too dark to see any details of his face, but I could clearly see a naked chest that led down to loose jeans hanging on his hips. An uncomfortable feeling swirled in my chest and I was tempted to jump down to get a better look. I forced myself still as he spoke to her, his voice a low growl in the darkness.
They spoke in mumbled tones for a few moments before he stepped back and she entered the home, then slammed the door behind them. I counted to a thousand in my mind, just in case she was only dropping by for a second. When she didn’t reappear, I jumped down from the tree and crept closer.
The gate to the fence was lined with firethorn climbers and I peered into the climbing bush as my curiosity grew stronger. Firethorn had magical properties, which included the cleansing of your auras, as well as other healing properties. The plant was common enough around here but since it had been intentionally planted, it could mean something more.
What if the human we’d been looking so long for was actually a supernatural?
My eyes narrowed in thought.
Could she be fae?
I could just walk up and ask her. Or force her to tell me through my special powers, but decided instead to take a more subtle approach. Rhys would be proud.
I quietly opened the gate and it creaked loudly in the night.
I stilled, waiting for a reaction. When none came, I slid silently through it and crept across the lawn towards the windows. The closer I moved, the more the uncomfortable feeling in my chest grew into a twisted, aching feeling.
She’d come here, visiting a guy, in the middle of the night.
Of course, he was probably her boyfriend. Or, as the humans liked to say, a booty call.
For some reason, the thought made me angry.
Shoving down the feeling, I peeked through the window, then was disappointed to discover the curtains were thick enough that I could only see the soft light and nothing else. Frowning, I turned around and leaned against the harsh aluminum, tilting my head to the side, trying to listen.
“Fine. If that’s what you want,” a deep voice growled out, “but I won’t go past two weeks. You know I’ll go crazy if I stay here too long.” Something inside me relaxed. It didn’t sound like they were screwing.
“It’s not like you have anything else to do,” I heard her say.
“You’ll also have to do my grocery shopping,” he ignored her comment, “bring me lots of Pop Tarts.” Her humming sound was her only response, and he continued on. “Oh, and I need a new stash of hash. I’m running low.”
Now I could hear a slight protest. “I just got you some.”
“I know, but it’s been worse lately. I’m smoking more than usual.”
There was silence, and then she spoke. “I can tell, your place looks like shit.”
His voice was so indifferent, I could almost hear him shrug. “It always looks like this.”
“Not this bad though. When was the last time you took out your garbage?”
“Are you judging me?” His voice hissed, then lowered. “You have no fucking idea what it’s like.”
Wow, this guy sounded like a prick. He was too angry to take out his trash?
“I know I don’t, and I’m sorry,” she rushed in. “I just think that it would help to clean—“
The sound of hissing caught my attention and I turned around to see her cat facing me, his back arched and his hair on end. Shit. I stepped forward, needing to quickly calm him so it wouldn’t draw their attention. The cat only backed away from me, his meowing noise growing louder.
Frustrated but knowing it would be better if I was calm, I squatted down, holding my hand out and whispering softly. “It’s okay, kitty.”
The cat suddenly stopped its howling, its ears perking up, a suspicious look on his face. Taking that as encouragement, I lay on my belly, my hand still extended. “See? It’s okay.” I made a kissing noise. “Come here, kitty.”
The cat slowly crept forward, its tail up. When he got to my hand, his paw stretched forward and he tapped it, then quickly withdrew, jumping back.
Remembering that I had a piece of chocolate in my pocket, I slowly reached in, careful not to startle him. I pulled it out, unwrapping it. As soon as it was in my hand, the cat stalked forward with a curious look on his face. I held it out and he leaned down, his whiskers tickling my hand as he sniffed it.
“There you go,” I crooned.
A soft tongue came out and a rough wetness touched my hand as the cat licked the chocolate. I gave him a little bit of time to get comfortable before I slid upwards in a sitting position. He settled on the ground right next to me, purring as he licked the sweet candy. I smiled, rubbing his head and he leaned into my hand, encouraging me. After petting him for a while, he rolled over, showing me his belly. Laughing softly, I took a chance that he wouldn’t scratch or bite, and rubbed his belly in soft strokes. He purred even louder.
“What the hell is going on?”
The voice startled me and my shoulders jumped, my head jerking towards it. Blayde was standing at the top of the stairs of the trailer, her arms folded over her chest, an angry look on her face. The guy stood at her back, a scowl on his face. It was then that I noticed his eyes were dark globes of blackness. I’d never seen eyes so dark before. A chill moved down my back.
Well, shit.
5
Blayde
What the actual fock? I stared down Tuddle the Traitor with disbelief on my face. “You’re letting him pet you?”
Tuddle just blinked big, childlike eyes up at me. He didn’t even bother to climb back on his feet. In fact to add injury to insult, he wiggled his little body, encouraging the demon even more.
My mouth dropped open. I couldn’t believe it.
I stiffened, my nose widening in disgust. “What a hypocritical tramp.” Tuddle was the one who warned me not to mess with the demons and here he was, on his back, snuggling up to one of them.
Maverick’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion but I ignored him, taking advantage of the fact that Tuddle wouldn’t dare talk back to me, not in front of the demon. Tuddle stood up, his whiskers sniveling in disapproval and offense. He lowered his head, picking up a small, brown square, then trotted off towards my car. My eyes widened when I saw what was in his mouth. “You gave my cat chocolate?” I screeched, running down the stairs. “Chocolate is bad for cats.”
I chased after Tuddle, which is much more difficult than you’d imagine. He was too smart for a cat and it took me a full five minutes of running after him in circles around the yard. He stayed within reach just enough to taunt me before he’d dart ahead again.