Youve changed, he said.
In two weeks? She wanted to snort. She couldnt. He was right.
Yeah. Hed already placed the equipment on the nightstand, the ink ready to go. He lifted the tiny gun and pressed the needle deep. There was a sharp sting, a persistent burn and the buzz of the little motor. Maybe her homesickness had toughened her upshe didnt even flinch.
Do you think Ive changed for the better? Stop. Dont pursue this. You might not like what you learn.
I liked you how you were.
He sounded bitter. She had to pursue. Which was weak? Reliant on you?
You werent weak.
Well, I wasnt strong, either.
And youre strong now? Ouch. Im stronger. So you dont like me now? Why are you pursuing this?
I like you. What I dont like is the company you keep, he added loudly.
This is boring, Tucker said, pacing at the edge of the bed. Someone entertain me.
They ignored him.
How did you and Tucker hook up? Riley asked. His touch became more aggressive. And I dont mean that in the romantic sense. Unless theres something you need to tell me. And if thats the case
Its not, theres not, she rushed to assure him. Things might be over between them, but she didnt want him to think shed jumped into something with Tucker. After stabbing Adenwhich I still havent forgiven him for she said just as loudly as Riley had Tucker came looking for me. He saw me leave my house with a bag and followed me.
I followed you. You did everything in your power to lose me. Him, you kept around. Yep. That was bitterness, pure and fervent. More than that, him had been said with so much disgust, Riley could have been discussing a case of raging diarrhea.
In his mind, he probably was.
Yeah, she said, tone softening, but I care about hurting you.
Nice, Mary Ann, Tucker said dryly. Real nice.
They ignored him.
Riley paused. Set the ink gun aside, and reached for her. His fingers traced over her jaw, caressing. Mary Ann didnt mean to, but she leaned into the familiar, calloused touch, her eyes closing. Just then, they were the only two people in the world.
She breathed him in, pretending she was normal, he was normal, everything was normal. That wild, earthy scent of his reminded her of the outdoors, and she wished for more, was desperate for moreuntil she remembered what had happened to the last creatures of the night shed encountered and couldnt pretend anymore.
Theyd convulsed, their skin palingpalinguntil theyd become chalk white, resembling painted Halloween decorations. Bruises had formed under their eyes, their lips had chapped, and theyd screamed. And screamed and screamed and screamed, the pain too much to bear.
Mary Ann.
She must have stiffened. Her eyelids sprang apart, and she saw that Riley was frowning with concern. Concern. No, no, no. Did I hurt you? she asked in a rush. Had she drained him, even a little?
Im fine. You didnt hurt me.
The concern had been for her, then. She relaxed, but only slightly. Why did he have to be so wonderful? Youd tell me if I did?
Of course. Im not the suffer-in-silence type.
No, he wasnt. Something shed always loved about him.
How are you? he asked. Are youfeeding properly?
Not yet. Ive been living off my immense overindulgence, but the full feeling is fading, she admitted. Ill be hungry very soon.
Very soon isnt now. We have time.
Time together, he was saying. Time before she had to start worrying.
When would he learn? She always worried. Just finish the wards, she said on a sigh.
All right. But this conversation isnt over.
Yeah, it was, but she didnt comment, and a few hours later, she was the proud owner of six new wards.
Sexy, Tucker said, wiggling his brows at her.
Do you want me to pluck out your eyes? Riley snapped as he dismantled the equipment and stuffed it into a bag.
Fine. Tucker held up his hands, all innocence. She looks disgusting.
Disgusting? Thanks a lot, you traitor.
Tucker shrugged, unapologetic. We tried dating, we failed. Therefore I know not to put my eggs in your basket. If I do, theyll be met with a hammer.
Okay. Were eggs a metaphor for his balls? Because that was disgusting. Still, it had Riley nodding, genuinely happy for the first time all day.
Youre not putting your eggs in my basket, either, she informed him.
He, too, shrugged. Youll change your mind.
Justkeep your lips away from me! If he kissed her, shed cave, she always did. His mouth weakened her, and that was that.
He gave her a secret smile, one that promised hed be all over her when they were alone. And shed like it. She shivered. No being alone with the wolf!
I didnt say anything about kissing you. Did I?
Sick, just sick. Tucker pretended to gag. Stop flirting in front of the innocent bystander.
I doubt youve ever been innocent, she said dryly.
And dont you have somewhere to be? Riley demanded. Like with your pregnant girlfriend?
Penny. Mary Ann hadnt yet called her today and wondered if the girl was still hunched over a toilet, vomiting out her guts.
For the first time since Tucker had stepped in front of Mary Ann, begging her to let him help her so that he could make up for what hed done to Aden, claiming he only felt right when he was with her, that he could fight his darker urges as long as he kept her close, he appeared utterly defeated.
Penny will find happiness without me, he said without emotion.
Well, heryourbaby wont. Hell be part demon, and Pen needs help raising him.
His defeated pallor washed away with the flush of longing.
Did hecould he reallylove Penny and want the baby? Maybe some part of him did. But maybe he also knew being with them would destroy them in ways leaving them alone wouldnt. His dark nature might cause him to do things he would regret for the rest of his life.
Mary Ann knew the feeling. Being without Riley was killing her. She missed him a little more every dayeven missed him while he was beside herbut she would do anything, anything, to keep him safe.
So, are you done with Mary Ann? Tell me youre done. Because Im ready for my turn, Tucker said, rubbing his hands together a second time.
Riley snorted. Yeah. Right.
Hey, I dont want to be cursed, either. And as Im a valued member of this team.
Our definition of valued must differ.
Tucker popped his jaw. Just like our definition for shifter must differ. To you it probably means one who can change shapes. To me it just means asshole.
How about I ward you with permanent impotence? Riley withdrew the gun and shook it at him. How about that?
Unnecessarily cruel, wolf. Im hurt. Really. Tucker wiped pretend tears from his eyes. Those witches and fairies are hot, and if Im captured by one of them, I need to be in working order. You remember how I like to work, dont you, Mary Ann?
Oh, no. He wasnt dragging her into this. We never had sex, and you know it.
You were too busy nailing everyone else, Riley snarled at him.
Yeah, like your mom, Tucker said.
My mother is dead.
There was a beat of silence. Yeah, like your dad, Tucker said without an ounce of remorse.
Actually, Rileys dad was dead, too. No reason to mention that aloud, allowing Tucker to come up with someone else he could have nailed. You two are suchguys, she said, standing.
Hes a guy. Riley shrugged. For the most part.
Tuckers eyes narrowed. What are you saying? The rest of me is a girl?
Hey. Riley held up his hands, palms out, in a mimic of Tuckers earlier profession of innocence. Im not the one who admitted to nailing a dude.
That was a lie, Fido. An insult to your parents that youre clearly too dumb to get.
Can we go now? Mary Ann asked before they could fight. Again.
Yes, Riley said at the same time Tucker said, What ever.
Thankfully they traveled the fifteen miles to Dr. Daniel Smarts former residence without incident. She would have preferred to go alone, but hey. At five, shed wanted a pony. Shed learned to live with disappointment.
No one answered the door after a bout of hard knocking from Riley, followed by an equally hard bout of knocking from Tucker, as if even that was a competition, but their little group of dysfunction didnt leave. They sat on the porch swing, Mary Ann the meat in a testosterone sandwich, and waited.
Shed checked the county records, and Dr. Smarts wife still owned this place. So, Tonya Smart hadnt changed the name on the deed, which most likely meant she hadnt remarried.
Maybe shed rented it out, though. Maybe she wasnt here because she worked weekends. Maybe she would take one look at Mary Ann and tell her to get lost. She definitely wouldnt want to answer questions akin to, Was your husband a weirdo who could raise the dead? But Mary Ann was going to try.
The sun shone brightly, clouds floating by and obscuring the golden rays every few minutes. Mist formed in front of her face every time she breathed. As she unrolled her shirtsleeves for added warmth, she asked, Hows Aden? ashamed for not asking sooner. In her defense, he was the reason she was here.
Recovering, was all Riley said. No thanks to Tuck.
Can you just let it go? Tucker snapped. I said I was sorry.
Absolutely I can let it go. The day youre dead.
Mary Ann pinched the bridge of her nose, certain her head would explode by the end of the day. She had never wanted to become a referee, but thats what they had reduced her to. Next go-round, she was going to demand a paycheck!
After two hours of the back-and-forth insults, her headache was more of an enemy than the witches and the fairies, and she was very close to convincing herself Tonya Smart couldnt help her. Of course, thats when she heard the purr of a car motor, the crunch of tires coming up the drive.
Mary Ann hopped to her feet. Her butt had fallen asleep, and the abrupt movement awakened it with a vengeance.
Let me do the talking, she told the boys.
What are you going to say? Tucker asked.
Just watch and learn, demon, Riley said. Shell say the right thing, thats what.
Tucker pouted. You told him your plan, but didnt tell me?
No. He just trusts me. Now zip it. She hadnt told either one of them because she hadnt yet figured out what angle to pursue. But this was crunch time. She had to figure it out now.
Ms. Smart emerged from the vehicle. She was in her mid-fifties, with light brown hair, a trim form, her clothes neat and tidy. She was pretty in a motherly way, and at one time, shed probably been beautiful.
She carried a sack of groceries and smiled warmly as she approached. Mary Ann wished she could see her eyes, but they were hidden behind sunglasses.
Can I help you?
She was human, Mary Ann thought, surprised her mind now worked that way. Nowadays, the first time she met someone new, she immediately sized them up.
Her aura is black, Riley muttered, and he sounded confused.
What exactly did that mean? No time to ask. Yes, you can help me. My name is Mary Ann. Youre Tonya Smart, right?
Right, she replied, just a bit hesitant now.
Finally. A break. Im justwell, my mother died the same day as your husband. Was she really going there, right from the beginning? In the same hospital. Yep. She was. She gave birth to me, andthat was it. The end. How stupid did she sound?
Some of the warmth faded, wariness taking its place. Im sorry for your loss.
Thank you. Im sorry for yours, as well.
Ms. Smart nodded in acknowledgment, shifting the grocery sack to her other arm. Her gaze must have skidded over the boys, because the wariness became laced with fear. Why are you telling me this? Why are you here?
We wont hurt you, Mary Ann assured her. The boys can leave if they bother you. In fact, she said, glancing at them, go. Now.
Though Riley looked like he wanted to protest, he reached out, grabbed Tucker by the shirt collar and dragged him away. They didnt go far, stopping under a large oak in the front yard.
So which one are you dating? Ms. Smart asked.
Neither. The dark-haired one. Neither, she added.
Smart laughed, relaxing once more. Oh, to be young again.
Mary Ann found herself studying the boys. Riley, with his dark hair and rough, fighter face, resembled a devil. Tucker, with his pale hair and innocent features, resembled an angel. Yet, personality-wise, the opposite was true. Doesnt matter right now.
She returned her focus to the woman and cleared her throat. One of my friends was born that same day in the same hospital. St. Marys, she added, in case Ms. Smart thought she was lying. Proof was in the details, after all. Hes looking for his parents.
Confusion flittered across that aging face. And you think my Daniel could be his father?
No, nothing like that. Its just, my friendand mewecan dothings. Weird things. From the corner of her eye, she could see Riley fighting the urge to close the distance and sweep her away. She shouldnt be admitting this. To anyone. Especially not to a virtual stranger who might mention what shed said to the wrong people. People who could come after Mary Ann and Aden. There was no other way, however.
Besides, shed done her homework. Daniel Smart had to be Julian. The pieces just fit. I wondered if
What? Smart insisted.
I wondered if Mr. Smart could doweird things, too.
A heavy pause, then, Weird things. Like what?
She couldnt say it. She just couldnt.
Never mind, Smart said a split second later, her voice cold. I want you to leave. Dont come here again.
Please, Mrs. Smart. This is a matter of life and death.
The older woman pounded up the stairs and skidded around Mary Ann. At the mention of death, however, she paused at the door. Without facing Mary Ann, she whispered, Are you trying toraise someone?
Raise someonefrom the dead. She knew. She really knew! Someone ignorant of what Julian could do would not have known to ask that kind of question. Mary Ann wanted to whoop. No, no, I promise you. Nothing like that. By sheer will alone, she managed to remain sedate. Im just trying to find the person who couldraise something. A person who died the same day I was born. Someone who might havepassed that ability to someone else.
If Daniel Smart was Julian, his last wish might have been to talk with this woman. Tossing out these half truths as she was, Mary Ann risked alienating her, but she couldnt just spill the entire truth, either. Not yet.
Silence. More of that dreadful silence.
Then, My Daniel couldnt do what youre asking.
Oh. Shed been so certain. Maybemaybe Smart was lying. There simply wasnt another explanation for what Mary Ann had read.
But his brother could, the woman finished.
Okay. There was another explanation.
He disappeared that night, too, and hasnt been heard from since. Now please. Leave. And remember what I told you. Dont come back here. Youre not welcome.
TWELVE
AN HOUR LATER, MARY ANN found herself nestled inside The Wire Bean. The ridiculous name aside, she liked the place. The internet café was cozy, with plush couches and small round tables, as well as booths with multiple plug-ins right there on the side.
She pretended to sip a mocha lattebecause actually drinking it would have made her sick. Human food was no longer hers to enjoy, only the magic and powers of others. Not that she was bitter. Except that she was freaking bitter!
Anyway. The drink had been paid for by Tucker.
His version of let me get this was casting an illusion so that the girl at the registerwhod smiled and flirted with him and Riley to an annoying degreethought shed been handed a twenty when in reality, Tucker had handed her a nice helping of air.
Riley had voiced a complaint. Tucker had looked at him and said, Really, Rover? You stole Mary Ann a laptop, and you question my methods? Really?
Yes, really.
At least my victim isnt going to cry all night about losing the first ten pages of his book report.
Well, arent you just the do-gooder, the shifter sneered.
At one timelike, an hour agoall of this bickering would have bothered her. Right now? Hardly a blip on her radar. She was busy.
Of course, then theyd argued about who got to sit next to her. Flattering, as well as insulting, since it was merely a pissing contest and not a true desire to be near her. Riley won. Barely. And only because he tripped Tucker and the boy fell face-first into the coffee-stained tile.
Now her shifter was leaning back, his arm stretched out behind her, and Tucker sat across from her, scowling at them. Mary Ann continued to pretend to sip and type, breathing in the delightful fumes while searching for answers about Daniel Smarts brother, Robert.
You know, Tucker said. Im actually a pretty good guy when its just me and Mary Ann. You kind of harsh my mellow, Fido.
Ill pretend thats true.
Its true, Mary Ann said without looking up from the screen. Just like I negate Adens abilities when Im around him, I negate Tuckers evil.
Id argue the word evil, Tucker said.
And you, she went on, ignoring the demon, negate my negating ability.
Poor Tucker, Riley sneered. Having to deal with being a bad boy.
And dont you care that Im calling you by different dog names, Max? Tucker said with an obvious sulk.
No. And by the way, Max is my brothers name.
Wait. Tucker leaned forward, lips twitching into a grin. Your brother is a wolf-shifter and his name is Max?
Yeah. So?
So you do know thats, like, the most popular dog name of the year?
What are you, a statistical handbook?
Frowning, Tucker ran a hand through his hair. If youre not gonna react to insults the right way, Im not sticking around. First I called you Fido. No reaction. Then I called you Max, and you corrected me. Youre lame. He slid from the booth. Ill be outside. Smoking. Maybe drinking.
Dont stab anyone, Riley said with a wave of his fingers.
His expression darkened. Do you have anything to add to this conversation, Mary Ann?
Thats great, she said distractedly, having already tuned them out.
He pushed out a sigh. Find me when youre done.
Sure, sure, Riley assured him. Then flipped him off.
Tucker stomped out of the café, the bell chiming over the door.
What a douche, Riley muttered. Im going to kill him before this is over, you know that, right?
Thats great.
And youll be okay with that?
Thats great.
Youre not listening to a word Im saying, either, are you?
Thats great. Seventeen years ago, people had not Facebooked or tweeted their every thought, so finding Robert Smart was a little more than difficult. But she was finally getting somewhere.
She found a news story about him, and that led to another, and another and still another. Each one had to do with Robert Smarts ability to locate dead bodies and communicate with the dead. But none of them mentioned raising the dead. More than that, there was no mention of his death. So, she might be getting somewhere, but it wasnt doing her any good. Until
Bingo! A story about his disappearance. Excitement rushed through her as she read the first few lines. Hed disappeared the same night his brother was killed. Andoh. Disappointment replaced her excitement. His body was never found, and he never married, she said. He had no children, no relatives other than Daniel and Tonya. Which meant talking to his family was out. Tonya was likely to call the police if she caught sight of Mary Ann again.
Thats great, Riley said, mimicking her. Then, without taking a breath, he added, But he could be out there talking to the witches or the fairies, you know.
And if he had no family, what kind of last wish would he have had? Not to say goodbye to them, of course, as Mary Anns mother had wanted to do with her. So, what had he wanted?
She needed to know. In order to leave Aden, Julian had to do what his human self regretted not doing. But the souls didnt remember their human lives until someone reminded them. Right now, she was the only one who could remind Julian.
Mary Ann, Riley prompted.
Maybe if she printed out his (previous) life story and read it to him? Maybe then hed remember. Or, maybe it was time to switch gears and spy on Adens parents. Yeah, maybe. The deed to their house belonged to Joe Stone. Paula, the mom, hadnt been mentioned. Were they still together? Separated?
Mary Ann?
What? Oh, yeah. Riley had said something. Robert, witches, fairies. Of course hes not talking to the witches or the fairies. Hes dead.
A long, drawn-out sigh had warm, minty breath washing over her. I meant Tucker.
Oh. Then go follow him. Kill him. Whatever. Please. I just need a few minutes of peace.
A beat of stunned silence. Are you trying to get rid of me?
Yes. But for some reason, its not working.
Wonderfully calloused fingers settled on her chin and turned her face. Mary Ann? His eyes glittered with amusement.
What?
Youre sexy when youre focused. With that, he leaned over and kissed her. Right there in front of everyone, he slipped his tongue into her mouth. He was warm and wet and as delicious as she remembered. Shed never been one for public displays of affection, but she found herself leaning closer, wrapping her arms around him, sinking her hands in his hair.
He knew just how to move his tongue against hers. Just how to apply pressure, how to ease off, how to take her breath and give her his. And the warmth, she couldnt get enough. She pressed closer to him, so close she could feel tendrils of energy flowing into her mouth, down her throat and swirling inside her stomach.
She knew that sensation.
Panic infused her, and she wrenched away. They were both panting, but Riley was glazed with a sheen of perspiration. Her heart raced as she gasped out, I was about to feed off you.
I know. There was no upset in his tone, which surprised her.
And you didnt pull away from me? You idiot!
His lips quirked up at the corners. I liked what we were doing.
He was amused? Idiot was too kind a word for him. But, see? This was exactly why shed run away from him. He didnt take his safety seriously.
Scowling at him, Mary Ann dragged her legs between them and pushed him. Right out of the booth. He landed on his butt with a shocked humph. Get out of here before Ibefore Iknee you in the balls!
More quirking. He took his time standing up. Ill find a witch. If youre hungry, you can
Her anger deflated. He was trying to take care of her. How could she stay mad at him? Im not. And she wasnt. Not fully. Not yet.
You know what happens when you let yourself go withouteating. Just let me
No. Yes, she knew what happened. She hurt. Worse than shed ever hurt in her life. Im fine. She didnt want him messing with the witches, possibly getting bespelledalthough the impotency thing hed mentioned to Tucker might do them both some goodand she certainly didnt want to be responsible for another death.
The witches were going to hurt you. Now you can hurt them first.
Technically that was true. She could hurt them. When her hunger reached the point of pain, she fed without thought or intent. Witches first, fairies second, but one day neither race would be enough. Shed crave the others. The vampires, the shifters. Even humans. But as she was now, only partially hungry, she would have to touch the witch to feed, and she just didnt want to get that up close and personal if she didnt have to. For all the reasons shed previously mentioned, but also because, well, she liked a few of them.
TwoMarie and Jennifercould have killed her a dozen times. They hadnt. Theyd talked to her, instead, and walked away. She kinda felt like she owed them.
Go find Tucker before I decide youll make a tasty snack, she said. Wait. First tell me what you meant about Tonyas aura being black.
He frowned as he slid back into the booth. Usually that means the person is going to die. But hers was an old black, kind of faded to a gray. Ive seen that kind of aura a few times before, but usually on people who had somehow cheated death through magic or been cursed for a long, long time.
Was that what would happen to Adens aura, then? Slowly fade, maybe rot? So her life was saved through magic? Or she was cursed? Which one?
I dont know. I didnt get a magical vibe off her. He shrugged. But that could just mean the curse is so much a part of her, like her lungs or her heart, that no one can sense it. Or it could mean that magic wasnt used.
So what youre telling me is that you have no freaking clue?
Correct. So what youre telling me is that you dont want me to stay with you? Because after that tasty snack comment, I want you to
Go, you nympho!
Laughing, he stood and blew her a kiss, then stalked from the shop. Mary Ann forced her attention to return to her laptop. Her hands were shaking as she typed. And what do you know? She typed without thinking and ended up with a search on Adens parents. Again. Maybe her subconscious was trying to tell her something.
Fine. Shed go with it. And another thing. Her next ward, she decided, was going to prevent boys from muddying up her thoughts and ruining her concentration. But somehow, she doubted even that could protect her from Rileys appeal.
ADEN SURPRISED VICTORIA. Rather than walking into the throne room, where his guests awaited him, and demanding answers, rather than feeding himself, he first prepared himself for the possibility of battle. A task that caused several tension-filled hours to tick by, morning giving way to afternoon.
She listened to a one-sided conversation he had with Elijah and knew Aden was upset because the soul hadnt predicted this, and he hadnt prepared. She listened as he spoke with the councilmen, then Maddie, learning what he could about the nine warriors awaiting him. She breathed a sigh of relief when he placed guards and lookouts in every room in the house as well as outside. She watched as he armed himself, looked away as he changed into a new T-shirt and jeans, and waited with him for the wolves, already tired from patrolling, to come in from the forest.
There was no time to think about their kiss and his anger over her lack of virginity, which was out of character for both past and present Aden. Did he suspect the boys identity? Would he hate her when the suspicion was confirmed?
Okay, there was time to think about all of that, but she couldnt allow herself the luxury. She needed to focus, to be at her best. Just in case Aden wasnt. He still hadnt eaten, and she didnt know why.
Something else she didnt knowwhy he had stopped what he was doing, twice, to announce that he wasnt going to dance.
Now he marched along the scarlet rug, Victoria just behind him, wolves flanking him, and a handful of his strongest vampire warriors behind them. Vampire citizens lined the walls, watching him, forming a hallway that led straight to the throne room.
Victoria caught whispers like just appeared, trouble and war, and each caused dread to work through her.
Whoever the warriors were, they could obviously teleport, since they had not stormed through the house but had just appeared in the throne room. And to appear somewhere, a teleporter had to have been there before. Which meant Vlad had once entertained the warriors.
As Aden approached the throne room, two of his sentries threw open the tall, arched doorways. Without a pause in his stride, the new and as-yet-uncrowned vampire king entered the room. Victoria expected more whispers, something, but the only thing to be heard was the thump of multiple pairs of boots and the scrape of wolf claws. Then Aden stopped, as did everyone behind him, and there wasnt even that. Just silence.
The newcomerstaller and stronger than Victoria had imagined, and shed imagined very tall and very strongformed a backward V. A war formation. Too many times to count, shed seen her father act as the center of just such a V. It was a pose meant to intimidate, to show unity. A kind of you mess with one, you mess with all thing.