This wont take but a minute, Ren said and smiled deviously knowing exactly what Zachary had been in the middle of. He knew Storms sense of humor well enough to know that the way the Time Walker saw it timing was everything.
He took his sunglasses off and slid them into his pocket knowing that for a moment he would have to look Lacey directly in the eyes while using the Phoenixs power.
Chapter 4
Lacey finished getting dressed, avoiding the mirror as much as possible as she silently ranted to herself. Why the hell did that guy insist on coming to her rescue she was just fine thank you very much. Sure, shed had her moments of being scared out of her wits but nothing she couldnt handle. Her irritation drained out of her knowing now that the demons had found her she wouldnt be alive long enough to get even with him.
She closed the trunk and shoved it in the corner before skirting the wall so she could stay out of the mirrors reflection on her way toward the door.
Rens smile became downright wicked when the doorknob began to turn and he teleported directly in front of the bathroom door. He didnt let her take more than one step before quickly reaching out and palming her forehead, simultaneously cradling the back of her head with his other hand to keep her still.
Tilting her head up, he leaned forward and locked his mercury gaze with hers.
Lacey parted her lips to yell at him but her voice suddenly failed her when she saw dark flames erupt in his beautiful silver eyes. In an instant, detailed flashes of the past year began to race through her mind so fast that she could hardly keep up with them. The flood of emotions that followed the visions overwhelmed her.
Scared of what was happening, she tried to pull out of Rens tight hold, but with her mind going into overload her body went numb and she couldnt move.
Ren held Lacey still as a multitude of memories flooded his mind letting him see everything and even experience some of the emotions that went along with them. It was pure stubbornness that kept him from falling to his knees from the impact. He took it all in, from the moment she had met Vincent up until the vision of the creature reaching through the bathroom mirror for her.
He breathed heavily through his nose seeing the intimate moments between Vincent and her and felt a near blinding jealousy tinged with hatred for the man that had gotten her in this dangerous situation. How dare he touch her so gently after showing such disregard for her life?
Having seen enough, Ren released her with a harsh growl which was immediately followed by a loud crack that echoed in the quiet room. His head snapped to the side when her palm struck the side of his face and he knew he deserved that, but there was no way in hell he would ever apologize for the invasion.
How dare you do that to me you jerk, Lacey quietly raged. Seeing the dark flames slowly vanish from his silver eyes, she knew without a doubt that hed watched the memories along with her. Who the hell do you think you are invading my private thoughts like that?
Yeah, thats the reaction I normally get too, Zachary managed with a wide smirk on his face.
Lacey peeked around Ren to see whod spoken but only caught a fleeting glimpse of two other men as they vanished into thin air.
Why? Lacey demanded, completely dismissing the fact that shed just seen someone teleport out of there like theyd been beamed up to the mother ship. That didnt rattle her half as much as the fact that the man in front of her had just stolen all of her secrets. And you have the nerve to call me a thief?
Ren looked down at her with a stoic expression, You wouldnt have told me anything otherwise, and if you remember correctly I was nice enough to ask several times. You left me no choice but to call on a very powerful friend to help me get the answers I needed. Its a good thing I did too, because youre in a hell of a lot of trouble.
The trouble is mine to deal with, not yours, Lacey countered.
Ren leaned closer to her and smirked when she backed up against the door frame. For your information, not everyone around here is a bad guy and might even be able to help you out of this mess your in. He raised a dark eyebrow before slipping his sunglasses back on.
Im sorry if Im a little skittish about trusting people right now especially another demon, Lacey said wishing he would take the sunglasses back off. Surely you can understand why.
Ill let you in on one of my secrets if it will make you feel better, Ren offered quietly. I am human, but I have the ability to copy take on the traits of other paranormals as long as theyre inside my succubus range.
Lacey frowned, Succubus? I thought a succubus was female in fact I know theyre female. Wouldnt that make you an incubus?
Ren shook his head, Im not a real succubus, thats just what weve always called it considering I seem to suck any power out of thin air when around anyone that has enough power for me to do so. And its not by choice either it happens whether I want it to or not. If Im around more than one paranormal, then I get more than one type of power.
So you are a thief, Lacey pointed out with a satisfied smile.
Ren's smile matched hers as he quickly corrected her assumption, I cant take their power away from them but I can match them equally, which comes in very handy when I find myself fighting one.
If you dont know what you really are, then how do you know that youre not a demon or at least a half breed? she asked curious now.
Because demon blood is black, Ren said remembering the way Vincent had earned her trust. He glanced down at the sharp looking letter opener on Gypsy's computer desk. Picking it up, he sliced it across his palm and let her see the crimson color that had time to bead up on the wound seconds before it began to heal.
Lacey's stomach muscles clenched when he hissed softly from the self-inflicted wound. She quickly looked up at his face feeling guilt wash over her for causing him to do it just to prove to her that he wasnt lying. In a way, he reminded her of Vincent human yet not.
As you can see I bleed just fine and its red. Ren tossed the opener back on the desk. I am completely human as long as there are only humans nearby but as it just so happens, there is a demon war going on here in L.A. This place is teeming with demons and other paranormals at the moment. I even know of a couple Gods that are hanging around. My powers tend to change as they all move in and out of my range.
Why are you telling me this? Lacey asked knowing that was something he should always keep secret she would have.
Think of it as a penance for forcing the truth from you by snatching it out of your memories. Im sorry it came to that, Ren said honestly. I have my moments of being a right bastard but know this I will do my best to protect you if you let me. That means the next time something comes at you from a mirror, you dont lie about it you scream for me.
Lacey blinked when he said scream for me and her mind hit to gutter. You cant read my thoughts right now can you? she quickly asked feeling heat rush up into her cheeks.
Ren frowned and tried to hear what she was thinking but all he was getting was silence. then it dawned on him that she had more than one mark on her body. He had seen it when shed almost lost her towel in the bathroom. It made him wonder what other secrets she was hiding.
Ren frowned and tried to hear what she was thinking but all he was getting was silence. then it dawned on him that she had more than one mark on her body. He had seen it when shed almost lost her towel in the bathroom. It made him wonder what other secrets she was hiding.
The small symbol that is tattooed just under your left breast is actually a barrier that keeps others from reading your thoughts, he said now knowing why he could hear Nick without trying but couldnt hear her even when he had been concentrating so hard.
Lacey could feel the heat rise into her cheeks as she stared up at him unable to decide if she was turned on or pissed off. It didnt take a genius to figure out just what his attention had been on when hed first barged into the bathroom. She could have sworn she saw the silver of his eyes glowing through his sunglasses and glanced away as her heartbeat sped up.
Well glad to hear that the tattoo actually works, she managed with a straight face before spinning around to retrieve the trunk out of the bathroom. She would be dead soon but her clothes still needed to be hung up and besides, she couldnt just stand there and stare at him all day it was turning her on.
Not hearing anything else, Nick moved away from the top of the stairway where hed been eavesdropping and walked out into the main part of the shop. He grinned and gave Gypsy a thumbs up, making the young woman smile fondly at him.
He glanced around the room counting how many customers were browsing. So far there were five and she hadnt had to invite any of them in. He kept his eyes on the leader of the local Wicca group as she approached Gypsy wanting to know if the shipment shed ordered last week had arrived.
Gypsy ducked into the back room and he started to follow her in case any of it was heavy but paused when the bell above the door jingled. His sixth sense was way higher than a normal humans and Nick had to suppress his growl as he turned to see the demons just beyond the doorway.
They both looked like they were ex-military with their buzz cuts and hard expressions, but hed become a pro at spotting demons recently. Like soulless vampires, their scent always gave them away.
A very handsome young man stepped between them and into the store before pausing. He looked over his shoulder at his two companions that were still standing just outside the threshold and wanted to laugh when he noticed them looking down at the floor directly in front of them in agitation.
When they both looked up at him accusingly, he just smirked and shrugged his shoulders, Sorry chaps. He could tell they knew he wasnt the least bit sorry judging by the way they were glaring at him but he didnt rightly care what they thought. Looks like I get to do this solo after all.
Dismissing them, he turned and let his gaze search the store for the old codger or the granddaughter he had come here to see.
Nick stood to his full height and slipped his hand into the deep pocket of his trench coat where the lining of the pocket was cut out, giving him easy access to other things sewn into the leather. He had a small arsenal of weapons that he wouldnt hesitate to use, quiet things he could use on an enemy without gaining the attention of the other customers.
He followed the man as he walked toward the counter and noted how he wasnt looking at anything else in the store. Nick had a feeling the stranger wasnt here as a shopper and his demon guard dogs that were now watching him through the window was not a good sign for Gypsy's first day back in business.
The stranger gazed curiously at Gypsy as she came out of the back room with a box and went to the other counter where a woman was waiting on her.
Nick moved, placing himself between Gypsy and the strange man watching her. Can I help you?
The man gave him the once over with a bored expression. He hated to tell the shops bouncer, but he wasnt that easily intimidated. Reaching into the inner pocket of his jacket, he removed a formal looking envelope. I am only a messenger and mean no harm. I have an invitation for the proprietor of this establishment.
Nick reached for the envelope but the man pulled it away, placing it back inside his jacket.
Its for the owners eyes only, the stranger informed him with a British accent and the raise of an elegant eyebrow.
Nick inhaled deeply but only found the scent of a human. He turned around and leaned against the counter staring back out at the two demons who were watching the stranger with dark brooding eyes.
You keep very odd company for a human, Nick commented not expecting an answer and he didnt get one.
Gypsy looked toward the window and saw the two men staring into the shop instead of entering. She immediately glanced around for Nick, finding him with a man shed never seen before.
The man had black silky hair that sported a slight wave to it and barely reached his shoulders and a thick gold loop earring in one ear. His tanned cheeks were bare but he had a closely shaven mustache and designer beard that was only as wide as the mustache so that it framed a set of perfect lips. The perfection didnt end there as she noticed long dark eyelashes that framed dark brown eyes that were the persona of bedroom eyes.
She had no doubt that he could probably seduce any female that crossed his path without much effort at all. Yeah, the guy was drop dead gorgeous and if the last couple days had taught her anything, it was that normal humans never ever looked that good. That knowledge made her nervous as she tried to hurry and ring up the womans purchase.
Becoming frustrated, Gypsy glanced across the counter at the pretty girl who always spent so much money in her shop then sighed thankfully when she was handed a large wad of cash and told to keep the change.
Thank you, Gypsy smiled and then noticed there was a list of pricey, hard to find items written on a piece of paper among the cash. She glanced back up at the other female realizing the young woman must know about the sudden influx of demons to be making such strange requests but she didnt have time to discuss it right now.
Ill give you a call when the items come in, Gypsy nodded as if shed simply ordered a box of chocolates.
As the customer walked away with her box of questionable items, Gypsy glanced back toward Nick seeing the two men now facing each other and by the looks of it they were sizing each other up.
Can I help you? Gypsy asked coming up on the other side of the counter.
The stranger turned away from Nick and smiled, I sure hope so. By chance, is the old codger that runs this store here today?
Gypsy's polite smile faltered but she had answered this question more than once since taking the store over. Im sorry, but he passed away a little over a month ago. She watched as a quiet sadness crept into the mans eyes and it put her more at ease. With that kind of reaction, surely he wasnt here to cause any trouble.
Then maybe his granddaughter is available? the man asked calmly.
I am his granddaughter. Is there something I can help you with? Gypsy asked politely.
The man frowned slightly in confusion but quickly covered it up with a polite smile, Maybe. I was told to give this to the owner. He slid the envelope halfway out of his pocket so that she could see the edge of it. With Mr. Quick Draw beside them he didnt trust that it wouldnt be snatched away.
I am part owner, Gypsy said with pride now that Lacey was back.
The man looked like he was contemplating something but finally set the envelope on the glass surface and pushed it toward her.