He felt his protective instincts kick in recalling the recent alerts he had received. âWill you spend the evening with me?â The innocent sounding question hid a double meaning, as he tasted the want.
Kyoko slowed her breathing once again ready to fight her feelings. She frowned knowing it would be too dangerous to be alone with him. Suddenly, she wanted to thank Suki for ordering her around.
Seeing her frown Kotaro quickly added, âWe can do anything you want to. Rent a movie and stay in⦠or go out.â
âRent a movie and stay homeâ¦â Kyoko repeated wishfully thinking that was exactly what she wanted to do. Then noticing Kotaroâs eyes light up, she quickly amended, âAt least thatâs what I wanted to do and if I hadnât been dragged into someone elseâs plans. I would have loved to stay up watching movies with you. But Iâm sorry Kotaro. I canât.â She gave him an apologetic smile mentally stomping her foot at the thought of missing out on a very warm evening with the handsome security guard.
Kotaroâs shoulders dropped an inch but he smiled anyway knowing she wasnât trying to hurt his feelings. He could even tell that she wanted him to stay and he wondered at the pull of that want⦠was it the same as his wants? To him, Kyoko was the most precious gem on earth and he would do anything he could to make her smile and keep her safe at the same time.
After all, he had waited over a thousand years just to see her again.
Needing to make sure she was protected and out of harm's way he asked, âSo what plans do you have, maybe I can join in the fun?â He gave her his most mischievous smile hoping it would work. If not then he could resort to stalking her⦠the corners of his perfect lips tilted in a secret smile.
Kyoko knew Suki would never go for that. Girlâs night out meant âgirlâsâ night out. She also knew that if Kotaro found out she was with only Suki⦠he would tag along, somehow showing up as if by accident. She had seen him do it many times.
Where Toya was pushy, Kotaro always tried to be subtle, even though when you put the two guys in the same room they seemed to act a lot alike and would constantly annoy each other. Both guys had a heart of gold and she knew it. In a way she loved them both⦠so much that it was painful, which is why she chose not to choose and just stay single for now. Honestly, she didnât want to hurt either of their feelings.
But one thing Kyoko knew for certain was if Kotaro thought she was going out with Toya tonight⦠he would not bother to follow. At least she hoped not.
âIâm sorry Kotaro, I already have plans with Toya but I promise we will rent movies or something another time.â Kyoko lowered her eyes not liking the fact that she was lying to him but it was the only way to get him to let it go. Watching the floor she noticed him take a step forward and she instantly took a step back biting her lower lip when she felt the table behind her.
Kotaro felt the jealousy vibrate within him but he held it in check. His only comfort was that if she was with Toya tonight, at least he could count on her not being one of the next missing girls.
Plus, he knew Kamui was secretly watching over both Toya and Kyoko. Mentally, he had to admit Toya was overprotective of her and would keep her safe. He wanted to be the one with Kyoko tonight, the one protecting her. But even though he didnât like it, Toya would not let any harm come to her.
He watched her slowly raise her eyes to his and could see the worry in her gaze that he would try to stop her⦠he wanted to stop her but he wouldnât. In time she would make her own choice.
Nodding his head slightly in reluctant acceptance, Kotaro reached for her hand and held it for a moment, locking ice blue eyes with stormy emerald ones. He could tell she had a rough day by her eyes. He could always read her feelings through the color of her eyes⦠he had learned that over a thousand years ago. He only wished she would remember.
âThatâs a deal then Kyoko. Iâll check in on you tomorrow. Be careful beautiful.â Leaning forward he brushed his lips across her forehead then let go of her hand, turning to leave.
Kyoko smiled. âThanks, Kotaro.â Her forehead still tingled where his warm lips had touched her. She was glad he was easier to deal with than Toya. He would often kiss her cheek, forehead or hand, leaving that spot tingly and warm.
She wondered what he would think if he knew she had never been kissed on the lips. No one would ever believe that at the age of eighteen, she was still as pure as she was⦠well physically pure. She blushed again knowing her thoughts were not too faultless. She would blame the traitor that lived within her chest and sped up every time she thought of him.
Kotaro opened the door to slip out but not before throwing her a smile over his shoulder and adding. âJust remember, youâre still my woman.â He quickly left, shutting the door behind him, grinning wolfishly at the comment.
He knew she wouldnât cross the line with Toya and wasnât worried. Even in the past when he and Toya had butted heads, she would take up for him over Toya. She had always loved Toya but Kotaro knew it was he she was truly in love with. The speed of her heartbeat when he was around had always given her true feelings away⦠in this lifetime and in the past. He only had to wait for her to realize it once again.
Kotaro inhaled softly savoring her scent. Even now he could smell her purity and knew she was not one to take something like that lightly. She was so innocent of the real world.
The thought made Kotaroâs smile fade. He wasnât so sure he ever wanted her to find out about the dark side of this world⦠didnât want to risk her happiness. Even he himself was not what she thought he was. He knew she would accept him either way but the memory of burying her kept his lips sealed from speaking of the past. Some things were better off never remembered.
As Kotaro walked out of the building and back onto the sidewalk, he looked up from the yard below toward her window wondering what she would do when she found out about him. And yes, he would tell her the truth⦠just not yet. How do you explain that you are older than any normal human and that you have powers like she has only seen in the movies?
Kotaro shook his head as he started back toward the college contemplating his next move regarding the missing girls.
He knew what was happening to them and that they were most likely already dead or at least undead. His eyes flashed in anger for just a moment, revealing the darker side of his Lycan soul. He needed to catch the scent of those damn bloodsuckers and the one who led them before they found Kyoko again.
Chapter 3
Kyoko flipped through the closet looking for what Suki had talked her into buying last weekend. She giggled to herself remembering Shinbe had followed them on the shopping spree offering to let them model anything they needed an opinion on. What had topped it all off was when he had snuck into the girls dressing room and talked to Suki through the curtain.
Shinbe had been talking in a high pitch voice to trick Suki into thinking he was the attendant for the ladies room and offered to zip her up.
Suki had said yes to the offer of help and turned her back to the curtain. Kyoko had almost fallen over when Shinbe went flying across the dressing room to land against the wall on the other side.
She had asked Suki how she had realized it was Shinbe and Suki had responded with. âI donât think they would let a lesbian work in a girlâs dressing room so when he put his hand inside my dress instead of on the zipper⦠it was kind of a dead giveaway.â
She had asked Suki how she had realized it was Shinbe and Suki had responded with. âI donât think they would let a lesbian work in a girlâs dressing room so when he put his hand inside my dress instead of on the zipper⦠it was kind of a dead giveaway.â
âPoor Shinbe,â Kyoko sighed as she pulled out a frilly white belly shirt with silk sleeves that from elbow to the wrist were bell shaped and flowing. Actually, she thought it was very pretty. It kind of reminded her of an angelâs robe but sexy. It was short enough to show her belly button with the hip hugger black mini skirt she had bought.
After putting the clothes on and finding what shoes she wanted, she pulled the hair around her ears and some from the back, up high into a scrunchie, leaving the rest to hang down attractively. Applying a small amount of makeup and a necklace holding a small crystal teardrop, she deemed herself ready for whatever Suki was getting her into.
She secretly wished she could have told Kotaro where they were going but even she didnât know the answer to that. She chewed on her bottom lip realizing she was already missing him then tried to shove the melancholy feeling aside knowing Suki would detect it.
The last thing she needed tonight was her best friend asking her a million questions that she didnât want to answer.
*****
Shinbe ran his fingers through the blue highlights that shimmered within his dark hair as he leaned against the doorframe grinning. He had rushed over to Sukiâs when he had received her call saying she was going to be gone this evening and not to come over.
âSheâs delusional if she thinks she can get rid of me that easy,â Shinbe cocked an eyebrow as he waited.
When she opened the door with her hair still wrapped in a towel, Shinbeâs first words were. âAww⦠did I miss you bathing Suki?â He smirked seeing Sukiâs eyebrow twitching. As soon as he had met Suki and Kyoko he had felt the need to stay near them at all times. He had often double dated with Toya and the girls.
Suki knew Shinbe considered himself âher boyfriendâ just because he was the only one she dated but Suki had never agreed to the ball and chain part. She tried to hide the blush that threatened to rise up and take over her face as she retorted, âIt would take bleach and a wrecking ball to get a dirty mind like yours clean.â
He leaned closer to her blocking out all else as his amethyst eyes darkened attractively. âIf you let me⦠come in⦠I think we could find a reason for you to take another bath.â
Suki felt her heartbeat speed up at the sound of his husky voice and took a couple of steps back as he took several steps forward closing the door behind him. Deciding not to let him get the upper hand, she gave him her best warning look and was rewarded when he stopped his pursuit of her. If he ever found out how much of a hold he had on her⦠she would really be in for it.
âHey Shinbe, look, I have to finish getting ready because I have plans tonight with a friend. I already told you on the phone, remember?â She had known he would come over anyway⦠if for no other reason than to try to find out where she was going.
Taking the towel from her head, her long hair still damp, Suki headed for the bathroom still talking loud enough so that he could hear her. âWe can do something tomorrow night, okay?â
Shinbe leaned against the bar separating her kitchen from the living room. He was about to start voicing his complaints when his gaze fell on a flyer lying on the counter. Picking it up, he quickly scanned the page. Both of his eyebrows rose in enlightenment.
THE BIGGEST AND HOTTEST CLUB IN THE CITY
CLUB MIDNIGHT
FRIDAY NIGHT SPECIAL
LADIES NIGHT
The words ladies night was circled. Shinbe cocked an eyebrow as he laid the paper back down on the counter and walked toward the bathroom. He hid his smile as he entered without knocking and slid in behind Suki as she had the brush poised to slide through her hair.
âTomorrow then,â Shinbe whispered seductively in the shell of her ear then dipped his lips down to kiss her shoulder. He turned to leave not saying another word⦠hiding his knowing grin.
Suki stood motionless, staring in the mirror, not liking the vibes she had just gotten. It was unlike Shinbe not to beg and plead with her. Not wanting to look a gift horse in the mouth, she hurried and finished getting ready. Afraid now that Shinbe had something up his sleeve, Suki decided she would show up at Kyokoâs a little earlier than planned.
*****
Several miles away, piercing red eyes gazed out the window of a penthouse suite overlooking the city. Long waves of silky black hair cascaded down a bare back in contrast to skin as pale as the moon. His angelic face was striking, with sharply defined angles and his body was lean and hard like that of the mystical god Adonis.
His naked body glistened from the moonlight, muscles dancing with each movement he made. He was beautiful to anyone who looked upon it, yet his dark soul was malicious and deadly. A smile graced his perfect lips as his thoughts turned to the events of the night before.
Turning from the window he began to prepare himself for the evening. His gaze strayed to the Queen Ann chair next to the fire and the young college student that sat lifeless in it. Hyakuhei smirked as he thought of the fresh blood he had dined on the night before.
âPity, she was such a beautiful girl.â He licked his lips recalling his pleasure of taking the girl and feeding on her. He could never tire of the young women he lured out and took for himself.
Tonight he would be visiting a popular nightclub to hunt his prey and needed to be sure his âchildrenâ were taken care of. âLadies nightâ was always ripe for the picking and was a buffet of never ending flesh for the nightwalkers.
He was a powerful vampire lord and none would dare cross him or question his strength. Pleasure had been his only desire for over a thousand years but now he wanted more. He wanted what was rightfully his. A frown marred his face as he pondered his quest, the object that had become his obsession as he waited on it to be born into the world once again. The legendary Guardian Heart Crystal.
The sacred crystal was a jewel that was said to be able to give a vampire the ability to walk beyond the night and into the daylight. In the legend it is said a girl with untainted blood and the heart of a child, would possess the jewel within her body. She would be a priestess of the highest ranking and power, the protector and keeper of the Guardian Heart Crystal.
His dark gaze returned to the night sky where a blood red moon loomed high above. âI have lost you once dear priestess but make no mistake, I will find you again.â His eyes narrowed as he promised the night. âI will possess both you and the crystal this timeâ¦â
*****
Suki had taken Kyoko shopping last weekend for this very reason, only she didnât tell her friend what it had been for. Suki had also bought herself an outfit. Pulling it out of her closet, she wiggled into it with excitement. It was an all-black and very tight body dress. She had fallen in love with it the moment she laid eyes on it.
âGood thing Shinbeâs not aroundâ, Suki thought to herself with a knowing smirk as she eyed the dress in the mirror. It was very short but didnât show too much⦠just enough to tease and let the imagination roam. Pulling her dark hair back in a matching black scrunchie, Suki applied some makeup and grabbed her keys, heading next door to Kyokoâs apartment.