Dark Desires

Chapter 2

Talon

Holding Bridgette’s hand, I tried not to look at her arm as the doctor stitched her up. Well, doctor was a nice way to put it, fixer might be more appropriate. I wasn’t sure that the old woman had ever been to medical school or had any formal training. It didn’t matter to me. The room at the back of her house was sterile and always open for those that needed it.

She had patched us both up more times than I could count and saved my life on two separate occasions.

I took a shallow breath, trying not to breathe in the harsh scent of rubbing alcohol and the coppery scent of blood.

“If it’s bothering you that bad, just go. I’ll be fine.” Bridgette said through clenched teeth. I looked up at her, knowing that she was trying to be tough. Even as she winced and shook, her green hair was stained dark with flecks of blood. I didn’t know if it was hers or the shifter she’d fought with. Her lip was split, and she was far paler than normal. There was no way that I could leave her here, no matter how much I wanted to. She gripped my hand harder, letting out a hiss.

I just hoped that Nevie could forgive me. I’d make it up to her.

“I know you will be, but I’ll stay here til you’re patched up. Then I’ll take you to my place.” Tomorrow, I’d make sure she got home. Then I’d rest. Maybe I could talk Nevie into joining me?

“Just about done.” The doctor said, dabbing some antiseptic onto Bridgette’s arm. I looked up as she placed a bandage over the stitches. She looked up at me. Her cold silver eyes that almost matched her gray hair moved between the two of us. “Do a better job of keeping her out of trouble, kid.”

I wanted to tell her that I’d tried my best, but Bridgette seemed to cause trouble wherever she went. We’d walked into it this time, without realizing it. At the bar, tension had been high, but I hadn’t realized how bad. I’d left my bag with Bridgette when I’d gone to the bathroom. When I walked out, it had been to a fight between her and a creature twice her size.

Most of the time, there was an unspoken alliance between the hunters and shifters. Something had broken it. I had a feeling it was the beast that we’d seen. I’d gotten us out of there as quickly as I could, but it wasn’t unscathed.

My ribs ached and already the side of my face was swelling. The only thing I could think about was Nevie and how I’d missed our date and the thing that was out there. Hunting some woman who didn’t know that she was in danger. When we were out of here, I was going to call Nevie and grovel. Then I’d start tracking the beast.

I’d make this up to her. I just hoped she realized that I wasn’t disappearing on her.

Bridgette stood up and motioned for me to take her place. I held my hands up, shaking my head.

“I’m fine, nothing’s broken.” The doctor eyed me, and I let out a sigh. Pulling off her silver spectacles and letting them hang from the chain that she wore around her neck. “I’ll take it easy and be good as new in a few days.”

She nodded, collecting the blood-soaked bandages in a bowl. Lifting my bag, I pulled my wallet out and grabbed a couple of bills, handing them to the doctor. She pulled off her gloves, taking the money from me and tucking it into her flannel shirt pocket. She dipped her head before nodding towards the door. Bridgette limped to the door, and I shifted my bag around, tucking my wallet in and digging around for my cell phone.

“Let’s get home.”

“I need to call my girl.” I said, digging through my beat up backpack.

“You’re seeing someone?” Bridgette asked, and I could hear the hitch in her voice. I didn’t look at her because I knew that she wouldn’t understand. That she wouldn’t want to hear it.

“Yeah, fuck.” My fingers brushed against the cracked screen and I already knew what I would find. I pulled out my phone, frowning at the plastic rectangle with its smashed up screen.

“Does she know about us?” Bridgette asked, and I shook my head. Tucking my phone back into my bag and slinging it over my shoulder as we walked to my bike.

“I’m hoping to never have to tell her about what we do.”

“Talon, that will only put her in danger.”

Grabbing the helmet off my bike, I looked at Bridgette. I knew what she was saying was the truth. Telling Nevie would put her in more danger. “I just can’t. Maybe a little later? Right now, it’s too soon. She’s not like us.”

“If you ever want someone like us, I-”

“Bridgette.” I said, cutting her off. I handed her the helmet. “Thanks, but she’s it for me.

She nodded her head, looking down as she pulled the helmet on. She didn’t say anything as she moved her leg slowly over the back of my bike, scooting into place. I slipped my helmet on, throwing a leg over my bike as I pulled the keys from my pocket. Putting them in the ignition, I twisted the key.

My Harley roared to life. I pulled out onto the darkened road. Steering us towards the highway after I got Bridgette to my apartment. I was going to go see Nevie. I just hoped she could forgive me for messing up our date.

I tried to let the roar of the engine soothe me as I drove it didn’t. All I could think about was Nevie and that thing that was out there.

Pulling up in front of my apartment, I waited for Bridgette to hop off my bike. I pulled the keys out of the ignition, taking my house key off the ring and handing it to her.

“Don’t break in. Go get some rest.”

“I will.” She said, pulling off her helmet and handing it to me. Her eyes were red and I could tell that she had been crying. She shuffled towards the entrance to the building. I watched her, worrying about my friend. It would be easier this way. She needed to know about Nevie and how I felt about her. The two weren’t even close to the same. I’d never be able to love her as more than a friend.

Putting the key back into the ignition as the door closed behind Bridgette, I started my motorcycle. The sound filled the quiet night. I turned back onto the street. Normally, I would have walked the few blocks to Nevie’s place.

Tonight, I couldn’t. Breathing hurt, and I knew that I wouldn’t be able to walk the distance. The drive was short and before I knew it, I was in front of her place. I took my helmet off, sitting it on the back of my bike. Looking up, I saw her light was still on and I smiled, glad that I’d caught her before she could go to bed.

Though the idea of slipping into bed and wrapping myself around her to sleep was one that I knew we’d both enjoy. If she woke up like she had this morning, I knew that we’d both have a good time. I needed to make sure that things were okay between the two of us first. That she knew that I hadn’t meant to break our date or ignore her calls.

Pocketing my keys, I slipped off my bike, letting out a low hiss. I hadn’t moved my body enough, and now my muscles were stiff. Gingerly, I walked towards the door to the building. The metal and glass were cool under my hands. I opened the door. Looking at the forever broken elevator as I made my way to the stairs, I cursed her landlord. Why he didn’t fix it, I had no idea. Taking the stairs was something I didn’t mind. I wanted us to be fit. Today I wished that things were easier. I was lucky that she was only on the second floor and not on the fifth.

By the time I made it up to her apartment, my hands were shaking as I pulled out the key. I just wanted Nevie to hold me and be a balm to my soul. Placing the key into the lock, I turned it and unlocked the door. Pushing it open. When I did, my heart caught in my throat.

Hands were wrapped around her throat as his lips pressed against hers. Her eyes were closed and her hands were fisted into the front of his shirt. “Nevie?”

Nevie’s eyes shot open and she scrambled away from him. His golden eyes opened, he slowly looked towards me. A predator angry that I’d stopped his hunt. I stormed into the room, my pain forgotten as the need to protect Nevie took over all logical thought.

Hauling him off the couch by his shirt, I shoved him towards the open door. How could she let one of these creatures touch her? How could she not feel what he was?

“Let me guess, the best friend?” He chuckled as he caught himself from stumbling back. Looking at me, his lips twisted up into a smile.

“Shut up.” I growled. Rage moved through me. All I could see was him touching Nevie. How she’d looked. I knew that look. She was mine, and I wasn’t going to let someone like him hurt her.

“She invited me in.”

“She didn’t know better.” I all but dragged him past the door, shoving him into the hallway.

“You do, don’t you?” He quirked an eyebrow up at me as he leaned against the wall. Shoving his hands into his pockets, “The way she tastes is unforgettable.”

I stood in the doorway, blocking him from Nevie. I knew what he was trying to do, and I wasn’t going to be baited into a fight.

“Talon.” Her voice was breathless as she rested a hand on my arm. I looked back at her, stepping back and closing the door, twisting the lock.

“Not now, Nevie.” I shifted my bag around to the front of my body. Pulling out a purple leather pouch.

“That won’t keep me out, little hunter.” The man called through the door. This time, his voice didn’t sound human, it sounded like the snarl of a beast. I dumped the contents in a line along the bottom of her door before turning to face her. His voice was gravelly as he spoke again. “You can have her for tonight, but I don’t plan to stay away.”

“Talon. What are you doing?” Her voice was slowly rising. I knew that I had to tell her now. She’d stumbled upon trouble, and she didn’t even realize it. “What was all that about?”

Looking away from the door, my shoulders dropped. “Nevie, why don’t we sit down and talk.”

“Talk, talk about what? What happened today and why are you beat up?” She crossed her arms over her chest and I sucked in a breath. When she was angry, she was always so hot. Her eyes all but filled with fire, cheeks flushed except for the two pinpricks of color. It called to a part of me that I knew I couldn’t let out.

“It’s about me and about him.”

“So you disappear after this morning and I’m just supposed to act like everything is all normal after you ignored my calls and some woman answered your phone?” She glared up at me and I sucked in my cheeks, trying to control myself. She had no idea what she was doing to me. I no longer felt tired. I wanted to slam her against the wall to show her who she belonged to.

“Sit down.” I ordered, dropping my bag to the floor.

Her eyes widened. She stepped closer to me, a challenge in her eyes that I had my body hard with the need to tame her. “What if I won’t?”

“Nevie.” I warned, and she lifted an eyebrow, pressing her lips together.

“Talon.”

“f**k it.” I growled, pressing my body against hers. Pushing her up against the wall as I devoured her. Her hands came up to my chest, she tried to push me away. Grabbing her hands, I threaded my fingers through hers, pinning her in place. She bit my tongue, and I growled into her mouth. Loving the way that she shook against me. I kept up the kiss, my tongue moving against hers in a fight for dominance.

When I felt the fight leave her, I pulled back, taking in a sharp breath. “Are you ready to listen?”

She glared up at me, nodding her head as she tried to catch her breath. I kissed her forehead before stepping away. If I kept touching her right now, I knew that I’d take things too far, and that was a conversation we needed to have another day. One where she wasn’t pissed at me and we could both think with level heads.

“What happened today?”

“A friend came to find me with a problem.” I said, not sure how to word things.

“The friend that answered your phone?” She grumbled, looking away from me.

“If it was Bridgette, then yes.” My lips tilted as I tried not to smile. “Were you jealous?”

“No,” Nevie said and I lifted an eyebrow up at her. Pressing my lips into a thin line. “Ugh, fine, yes. I was jealous.”

“Bridgette is just a friend, nothing more.”

“She answered your phone when I called and I thought, well. I thought that this morning didn’t mean anything to you. That I was just a hookup.”

I grabbed her hand, running my thumb across the back of her knuckles. “I promise you that she’s just a friend, Nevie. I meant what I said. It’s just us, boyfriend, girlfriend. Just us, you could never be just a hookup.”

She nodded her head, worrying her lower lip as she peeked up at me. “What happened to your face?”

Letting out a sigh, I stepped away from her, walking to the couch. This was a conversation that would be best had while we were both seated. I sat down, grabbing one of the beer bottles off the table. It didn’t matter if it were his. Those creatures couldn’t carry diseases. I took a long pull from the bottle. The taste of Nevie’s fruity chapstick made me relax.

She sat down beside me, her back against the armrest of the couch as she watched me. Her hazel eyes studying the swelling of my cheek and eye. Looking at the molted skin that I knew tomorrow would be a deep plum color.

“Nevie, there are things out there-” I paused, trying to think about how to word this as she moved her arm along the back to the couch. Her head tilting to the side. When she looked at me like that, it was hard to keep from kissing her. I was already on the hunt, and I knew that it was for the beast. A part of me wanted to see what it would be like to hunt her down. “Things that are dangerous and not human. Things like that guy that was here earlier.”

She laughed, shifting around to draw her leg beneath her bottom. “Talon, are you kidding me? Omen, he’s not-”

“How long have you known him?” I asked, already knowing that she didn’t, not really. She was my best friend, and I knew most of her other friends. She’d never mentioned an Omen before and I’d never seen any picture of him. She wasn’t the kind of girl that had randomly invited strangers into her home.

Nevie liked the romance and getting to know the person. She squirmed in her seat at my question, her fingers picking at a loose thread on the couch. I didn’t want her to be nervous like this around me. I needed her to know that Omen wasn’t human. That he was dangerous to someone like her. She was innocent. She didn’t know about creatures like him. About what I did, I was about to bring her into a world that I’d hoped would never touch her.

“I, I. Well,” she stammered. I watched her chest rise and fall as she took a deep breath. “Tonight, I met him tonight.”

“And you invited him to your home? Without really knowing him?”

“Okay, so I know it wasn’t a smart move.” She said, glaring at me, “I was hurt and it, it felt like someone was following me when I was walking home.”

“Kinda of like last night?”

“You could feel it too?” She asked. I nodded. Something had been following her home. It was one of the reasons I’d been choosing to work later. I knew that I had to keep her safe, and today had kept me from doing that.

“So what are you and what’s Omen?”

“I’m a hunter, Nev.” I said, rubbing my clammy palms over my jean covered legs. I’d never been more scared to tell someone about my secret in my entire life. “My family, we hunt those dangerous non-human things. That thing that was touching you, that was kissing you. He wasn’t human.”

“Talon, if this is some kind of joke-”

“I wouldn’t joke about this. I was brought up to kill them. Vampires, succubus, demons, all those scary things that hunt humans.”

“Great, next you’re going to tell me that werewolves and dragons are real.” She dragged her fingers through her hair, and I turned to look at her.

“Yeah, but shifters usually don’t kill humans.”

“Then what do they do with them?”

“Most of them are just looking for a mate, be it shifter or human.”

“Mate?”

“Yeah, um, dragons can pick their mates. The rest, well, it’s fated.” I said, watching as she tried to take it all in and process it. I could see that she still didn’t believe me as she pulled her other leg up, folding it beneath her bottom.

“And you, does that apply to what you are as well as a hunter?”

Shaking my head, “No, I’m just human with a little magic.”

“So just my boyfriend?”

Smiling, I held open my arms to her. “Yeah, just your boyfriend.”

“I’m still mad at you.” She said before she crawled closer to me.

“I know, I’m sorry.” I wrapped my arms around her, kissing the top of her head. She tucked herself against my body, and I wanted to pull her into my lap.

“So, um, what all is out there?” Her voice was soft and almost hesitant. “I mean, if I believe you. I think when you got beat up, you hurt your head.”

“Every creature you’ve probably ever heard of or seen in a horror movie is real.”

“So, um, what was Omen? I mean, he seemed nice, like he wasn’t going to hurt me.”

“Vampire, that thing was a vampire.” She shivered, tucking her body closer to me. “I, I just don’t get why he brought you home? Most of them would have fed off you and glamored you into forgetting before sending you off on your merry way.”