Demons at Deadnight (2011), page 5
Ayden pitched an arm around my waist. The gouge on my side ached at the contact but I didn’t resist. I needed the support. I was still weak, unsteady. And it wasn’t from the demon attack, or Herman and his goons.
CHAPTER NINE
After a couple of flights Ayden insisted I sit down. Good idea since I was light-headed and achy, but the halls were deserted and I didn’t want to be alone with him. Embarrassed. Awkward. Uncomfortable. Self-conscious. And that was just a short list of the sentiments swirling my tide-pool of emotions.
“You couldn’t just wait?”
I looked up at his aggravated tone. “What?”
Ayden shook his head, jaw clenching. “You had to go wandering off? I told you to wait. Now I’ve got this whole Herman mess to deal with.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I missed the memo where I take orders from a he-man wanna-be I don’t even know. And you didn’t have to deal with anything. I would’ve been fine without you.” Wow, I sounded like I believed it.
He raised one eyebrow and laced his fingers behind his head. The move opened up the leather jacket and stretched the T-shirt over a torso I could personally attest to be in amazing condition.
“Really?” He lathered that one word with sarcasm. “I’m curious. What was the plan?”
Okay, kick Herman between the legs and run didn’t sound so impressive compared to Mr. Ninja Moves here.
“Well, I can assure you it didn’t include making me the town trollop on my first day of school, thank you very much.”
“Did you just say ‘trollop’?”
“Only a guy would come up with such a brilliantly stupid plan.” I folded my arms and rolled my eyes. “And I bet you’re so proud of yourself. Making your grand entrance. Then assaulting me. Some hero.”
Ayden snorted. “As a matter of fact, I am. My grand entrance saved your hide. And if I recall correctly, you assaulted me, sugar lips.”
“You—you set me up. Took advantage of the situation.”
“Me?” He raked a hand through his hair and sputtered several unintelligible things until he finally found purchase with, “I took advantage? You slapped your lips onto mine. Uninvited, I might add. So actually, I was supporting your hair-brained scheme. Playing along the best I could to make the charade seem authentic.”
Ouch.
I couldn’t stop the rush of heat to my face and stood to cover the humiliation.
“Like I had a choice. I would’ve preferred a less disgusting exit but,” I took a deep breath, “it got us out of there.” I brushed nothing off my shirt to keep from looking at him. “So thank you for your lame help and we’ll forget this whole ridiculous incident ever happened. Good-bye.” I stormed away.
“Aurora.” I could almost hear him roll his eyes.
I flicked a hand over my shoulder in a disdainful wave as I stomped down the hall. After turning a few corners, I found a dead end, doubled back.
And almost ran into Ayden who was leaning against the wall with an infuriating nonchalant air.
“You lost?”
“No!” I huffed and tried another route.
A heavy sigh and a jostling of the chains hanging off his jeans echoed behind me. I sped up.
“You’ve got to be kidding me. Aurora. Wait.” A few quick strides and he blocked my path. “Face facts. You’re lost. You need a guide. I’m your only option. We’ll call a truce so you can quit being stubborn and follow me. Besides, you said it yourself,” he tucked a knuckle under my chin and lifted my face to meet his brown eyes dancing with mirth, “I’m smokin’ hot. And irresistible.”
I swatted his hand aside and turned my head. My fingers came up to scratch an imaginary itch under my nose in order to hide the traitorous twitch at the corner of my mouth. “I never said—”
“See, what’d I tell you?” he said, triumphant. “You’re smiling.”
“Am not.”
“Fine, we’ll call it a lecherous grin. But I’m not that easy. You’ll have to buy me dinner before I let you dance your tongue down my throat again.”
“What?! I did not!” …Did I?
“And don’t get me started on your hands roaming everywhere. You’re like an octopus. Honestly, I feel violated.”
I nearly choked in my mad dash to a vehement denial, but his laughter deflated my frenzy.
“That’s not funny.”
“Come on. It was a little funny.” He shook his head, shoulders still shaking from the laugh at my expense, his grin wicked. “You should’ve seen your face.”
“You’re a jerk.” But my voice had lost its edge. Any outrage died right about the time he flashed that pirate smile. Coincidence? I hoped so.
“Duly noted. Now,” he twirled his finger to indicate an about-face, “let’s go. I’ll be a perfect gentleman and take you directly to the gym. Scouts honor.” He put up two fingers, then winked. “Provided you can keep your hands off me.”
I squinted a glare. “You’re just not gonna let that go, are you.”
“Can’t think of why I should.”
“Something tells me you were never a Boy Scout.”
He leaned forward. “Trust me. I might surprise you.”
“Doubtful,” I murmured, then glanced around at the empty, unfamiliar hallways and slapped my hands against my sides in frustration. “Where is everyone? And why is this place so big? And put together like some madhouse maze?”
“We’re in lockdown, remember? Students are quarantined in the cafeteria or stuck in class. Plus, we’re in the vacant part of the building.”
He put a hand to the small of my back and guided me forward. Once we were headed down the hall, he dropped the contact. I felt a stab of disappointment and wanted to throttle my subconscious for betraying my good sense.
“And this used to be an insane asylum.”
My head jerked in his direction. He wore a satisfied grin.
I smirked. “You’re messing with me again.”
“Tempting as it is to mess with you. Again.” He slid me a sideways glance that sent my cheeks scarlet. “It’s true.” His arm swept a large arc across the expansive space. “It’s got over a century’s worth of dark history. Remind me to tell you about it sometime.”
“I’m not sure if that’s cool or creepy.”
Perhaps the ghosts of crazies past still lurked in the corridors, their madness infecting the very walls surrounding us and leeching into our bodies. That could explain why I felt like I was losing my mind.
***
We were down the hall from the girls’ locker room when I saw the fairy. This one couldn’t decide if she was blue or green as her iridescent body, wings, and dust kaleidoscoped between shades. She hovered outside the door, buzzed a quick spiral and disappeared through the wall. Was the school infested with these things?
“Look.” Ayden grasped my arm and turned me to face him, his expression the epitome of contrite. “I was rude.” He gave a quick bow of his head. “I apologize.”
My gaze flicked sideways. He was easier to deal with as a jerk.
His grip on my elbow didn’t let up. “Tough first day, huh?’
My laugh came out as a throaty snort. Classy. The earth did not heed my request to swallow me whole so I had to say something. “Yeah, well, could be worse.”
“How?”
I looked up. Big mistake. He had that half-grin thing going, oozing charm, and all I could think about was that kiss. I knew it was just a physical reaction intensified by the rush of adrenaline in a moment filled with threats and violence, but it had still…affected me. I shuddered a breath. “Right. I’ve really got to get changed. Soooo.” I lifted the arm he was holding.
He glanced at the locker room door but didn’t let go. “How’s your dad like the hospital?”
I pointed a thumb over my shoulder and edged backward. “I’ve gotta change.”
He started to say something, but I jerked free and raced through the door. Once inside, I leaned against the wall. Could the day get any worse?
The fairy flitted out from a row of lockers, shrieked when she saw me, and whizzed out of sight again shouting, “She’s coming!”
Looked like it just did.
An ugly thought crossed my mind. I headed for my locker, picking up speed as the idea festered and bubbled puss. I skidded around the corner into my row and—
“Hello, Aurora.” Jayden paused his frantic attempt to shove my things back into my open locker. He wasn’t alone, but I didn’t recognize the other criminal.
Slightly shorter than the twins but taller than me, stocky and solid, with dark mahogany hair that fell in smooth glossy waves, ending in curls on his neck. He wore lots of black which accentuated ice-blue eyes so pale they straddled the border into grey. Full of surprise at first, his expression swiftly collapsed into anger. But not at me.
“Oh, that’s just great,” he growled. “Can’t anyone do anything right today, mate?” His accent held a mouthful of long vowels. “Today” came out “to-die” and the “mate” clinched it. Australian.
“Find anything you like?” I smiled. “If not you could drop by the house later and raid my closet.”
Jayden nodded. “I understand this looks incriminating.”
“Ya think?”
“Yes, I do,” Jayden said evenly. Sarcasm wasn’t the genius’ strong suit.
The Aussie said, “Shut it,” and everything went black. The you-have-to-blink-to-make-sure-your-eyes-are-open kind of black. Some clanging ensued, running feet, a smattering of unintelligible mutters, then the lights restored.
I made sure I was alone before checking the damage. When I figured out what was missing and my mind clicked things into place, I didn’t know if I was more furious or scared.
CHAPTER TEN
Adrenaline apparently feeds my sense of direction because I made it to the cafeteria without assistance. The crowded space rumbled with animated conversations, mostly about the “bear.” I scanned the expansive room seeing colossal archways, thick columns rising to acres of carved ceiling, and enough stone and iron to build a skyscraper. Someone had mentioned this had been one of the grand ballrooms. And grand it was.
I could imagine the room filled with long wooden tables full of fine china clinking against shimmering silverware, massive bowls, platters of gourmet food, and crystal glasses bubbling with the finest champagne, all glowing under romantic candlelight.
But the standard high school issue all-in-one plastic and metal picnic pretties dotted the landscape. I spotted the group I was looking for through large arched glass doors covered in lacy iron scrollwork. They led out to a large deck where oblong tables rimmed with chairs had umbrellas sprouting from the center. When I reached the doors, students were coming in so I slipped through and onto the patio unnoticed by the only remaining occupants.
“Logan, dude, I thought you had him,” Gigantor said to the small albino guy with impressive driving skills.
“You were close,” Tristan nodded. “And damage was done.”
I moved before I lost my nerve and plopped down into a stiff chair.
“Hey, babe!” Gigantor’s smile twinkled from across the table. “I knew you couldn’t stay away. My animal magnetism. Glad to see you didn’t fight it.”
I deadpanned, “Wow. I’m all a twitter, you big hunky ladykiller you.”
He grinned and nudged his buddies. “She thinks I’m hunky.”
“I think you’re a jerk.”
Gigantor reeled back. “Whoa, babe, I like a fiery woman, but what’s with the hostility?”
“Which one of you whacked me on the head?”
“What?” They all looked genuinely confused.
I leaned on the table. “In the parking lot when the de—the bear attacked.”
Gigantor’s and the Albino’s heads swiveled to Tristan who put his hands up in supplication. “No clue.”
“Really? Then who dumped me in the gym? And your buddy, Jayden, just happens to find me and take me to the nurse? Please. Then Herman and his goons just happen to attack me and Ayden just happens to save me and we traipse all over school buying time for Jayden and the Aussie to rifle through my locker and steal my jewelry?”
Jayden and his pal had taken my chains, bracelet, and cross. The only thing I had to fight off demons was this stupid gargoyle shirt, which, added on to the rest of my stellar day, probably made me look fat.
Tristan’s brow furrowed deep, and freckles twitched. “Herman attacked you?”
“Since when does Ayden get to save the girl?” Gigantor said. “That’s my job.”
The Albino smirked. “Since when have you ever saved a girl?”
“It hasn’t come up before, but clearly, it would be my job. I’m the hunky one.” He pointed at me. “She even said so. Hah!” His playful fist into the Albino’s shoulder rocked the chair.
“You guys are unbelievable.” I shook my head and thumped back hard in the unyielding chair. The front legs lifted, and the seat threatened to tip over. I flailed for the table. Wicked fast, Gigantor reached a meaty paw that swallowed up my hand. He pulled me and my chair onto steady ground.
He shook my hand, his head bobbing a quick bow. “Blake, milady, your knight in shining armor.” He winked. “Can’t let Ayden have all the fun.”
Tristan frowned. “Meet Aurora. My new neighbor.”
“Oh, we’ve met.” Blake released my hand which stung with pins-and-needles. I flexed it a few times to help return the blood flow. “She’s my latest stalker. And this is Logan.” Blake thumped the Albino on the back.
Jeans and sneakers were Logan’s only normal attire. Most high school guys didn’t wear a white dress shirt, dark suit jacket, and matching button-down vest with a designer tie. He may have been small in stature, but he was big on style. A regular poster boy for Mr. GQ Goes High School. He wouldn’t meet my gaze.
“Impressive driving earlier. How’s your car?”
Logan concentrated on straightening his cuffs, but I caught a satisfied smile and he blushed. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
This was getting me nowhere. If they conked me on the head and left me in the gym, they weren’t about to admit it. Frustrated, I shoved my chair back. The scrape vibrated up my spine and jimmied the pain in my side back to life.
A ribbon of unease tightened around my chest when I heard a smooth voice say, “You guys aren’t going to believe this.” Ayden strolled into view.
Perfect.
Seeing me he murmured, “Aw, crap,” and retreated. Before I realized what I was doing, I shot out of my chair, grabbed fistfuls of his smooth, supple calf-skin jacket, and pulled him close, our faces only a breath away. But I was in no mood for a kiss.
Ayden went rigid as bedrock and in a voice cold enough to liquefy nitrogen said, “Hands off.”
“You played me.”
Ayden’s eyes were angry, dark as bitter chocolate. “I saved you.”
His intensity intimidated but I didn’t flinch. While I couldn’t pinpoint the exact moment when I reached the end of my rope, the frayed ends were clearly in my grasp now.
I tightened my grip on his jacket, ignored the nearness of his body, and instead, concentrated on my sense of betrayal. “No, you distracted me so your buddies could steal my things. You played me and I don’t like it. I want my stuff back.”
He cocked one eyebrow. I wanted to cock one too but between the two of us, only Gorgeous George here possessed that cool talent.
“Fine.” His gaze bolted onto mine and his husky voice slithered like warm syrup down my spine. “I played you. Like a fiddle. But you struck the first note. I just finished the song. One that you ended up liking a whole heck of a lot. And that makes you angry, but it doesn’t change the fact that you’d love me to it do over,” the tips of his fingers feathered a slow caress down my cheek, “and over again. So how about it, Aurora? Shall I play you again?”
His lips moved closer to mine. The question hung like a threat, heavy and dangerous in the sliver of air between us. A network of tingles radiated from his touch out over my skin, shimmering pleasure just under the surface. My chest tightened and my abdomen twisted in scorching knots. I remembered my fingers in his hair, the feel of his skin under my fingertips, his hard body against mine.
Blake said, “Okay, I feel like I need a shower. Is anyone else watching this? I’m definitely the one saving the girl next time.”
Ayden and I were locked in some vortex of volatile emotion. Neither of us moving or backing down. If I so much as breathed our lips would once again make contact. So I clenched my fists tighter and—
“Cool dow—ugh!” Jayden stepped between us right as I slammed my knee into what should have been Ayden’s…personal package area.
Or as Dad liked to call it when he provided self-defense training, “The Sweet Spot.”
Jayden doubled over, grimacing in pain. “I didn’t anticipate,” he wheezed, “such an intemperate response.” He managed a stiff, yet appreciate nod in my direction. “Bravo. The male genitalia is excessively sensitive. And susceptible to—”
“You!” I pointed an accusing finger at Jayden. He wasn’t my intended target, but I consoled myself with the fact that he didn’t deserve it any less. “Were in on this whole thing.”
Jayden swung his hair back over his shoulders and made a consoling gesture with one hand. “Wait.”
I heard an “Okay” that rhymed with “O-Pie” and Mr. Down Under appeared at the fringe of our growing group, my jewelry dangling from his fingertips. It was like these guys just materialized. “So the girl’s got crosses and—” His pale eyes registered my presence and instantly clouded for the coming storm. “What the bloody hell?”
Gotta love my charming effect on men.
I lunged for the trinkets in his hands.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
I would have ripped the glittering metal from his grubby fingers except I was hauled backward. Ayden’s arm wrapped around my ribs above the cut in my side, but struggling was painful. I relaxed. His grip loosened but his body stayed taunt.
“Let this one go,” he whispered close to my ear. Then louder, “Tristan.”
