The Wicked Kiss (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #2)(3)

“Everyone knows who he is. You’re laced with his energy. You have to be the wolf he’s bonded to. Right?”

Was no information considered sacred anymore? Or, was it just that obvious to others? I didn’t like that my business was getting out and about.

“Right.” I nodded. There really was no point in lying. “You know Arys?”

If he hadn’t already looked frightened, he did now. “I know that I don’t want any beef with him. I said I was sorry.”

This might be easier than I thought. “Ok fine, I’ll forget all about it if you do me a small favor.”

His expression grew suspicious, but he didn’t turn and run. So far, so good. “What?”

“Take me into the back so I can find my friend.” I nodded at the heavy, black velvet curtain that hung ominously over a door in the back, next to the bar. A piece of bright red hair fell in my eyes, and I gave my head a toss.

The vampire stared at me as if unsure of what to do. After a moment, he shrugged.

“Alright. I’ll take you back there for a few minutes, but that’s it. I don’t need to get in shit for this.”

“You won’t. I promise.” After a moment of consideration, I offered him a hand. “I’m Alexa.”

He appeared hesitant before accepting. He felt cool and clammy, like he hadn’t fed in a while. “Shawn.”

“Sorry to inconvenience you, Shawn, but I really need to get back there to my friend.

This won’t take long.”

“I’ll get you back there, but I’m not responsible for whatever happens after that.”

Shawn glanced at the bartender and then back at me. I guessed that was who provided access to the velvet-covered door. “Who is your friend?”

I debated on not telling him but didn’t think the information would be that critical.

Kale was a regular here anyway.

“Kale Sinclair. I work with him. He’s needed for something.” I fudged a little on my reasons, but Shawn didn’t need to know.

He suddenly had this look of recognition, and he gave a little laugh that surprised me. “Oh Kale, yeah, he’s been here a lot lately. I’ll take you to his room.”

Shawn turned away towards the bar, and I followed him, feeling the eyes on me from behind. The bartender never even looked at us twice before handing a room key over to Shawn. I guess regulars had an all access pass.

Kale had his own room? Was it just me, or was that kind of disturbing?

When Shawn approached the black curtain, my breath caught in my lungs, and adrenaline rushed forth to set my heart racing. I was nervous and completely unable to hide it. This was so not my domain.

Before sweeping the curtain aside, Shawn turned to me, a pensive look on his face.

“I’ll take you to his room and then go to this one.” He held up the key in his hand. “After fifteen minutes, I’m coming out, so you have to make it quick.”

I studied him, scanning for any reason not to put my trust in him, at least temporarily. “Thanks Shawn. I appreciate this.”

He cast a wry smile over his shoulder at me. “No problem. Just make sure to put me on Arys’ do-not-harm list.” He chuckled slightly, going silent when he pulled back the heavy curtain.

I really didn’t think he was joking though, and I made a mental note to do my best to do just that, as long as he was true to his word and didn’t somehow screw me over.

The curtain led us into a small foyer-type area. There were chairs and a small table off to one side and an ashtray and mini bar to the other. A hallway branched off either side of the foyer, a red carpet leading the way.

Wall sconces hung with candles burning to light the way down the dark halls.

Paintings hung along the way, but otherwise, the halls were dark and bare. Shawn turned to the right, and I felt my skin begin to crawl.

I followed him down the hall, noting the numbers on the doors. On this side, they were odd, going one, three, five and so on. I assumed the even numbers were the opposite way. Shawn stopped suddenly between doors, his voice low as he whispered.

“Number thirteen is Kale’s. I’ll be in seventeen. Remember, fifteen minutes.” Before I could reply, he had continued down the hall and disappeared into the dark.

The door closest to me was number seven, so I had a few more to go. As I drew closer to Kale’s room, I began to get increasingly anxious. I was a fit of nerves when I stood outside, staring at the number on the door. There was a strange energy in the hall that bit at my skin like angry red ants.

The hallway was so silent that I imagined each room to be soundproof. Either that, or there was something going on in these rooms that I did not want to know about.

I steeled my nerves, knowing that it was now or never. I raised my hand to knock but never even came close to landing the motion before the door jerked open, revealing a pale young woman with red hair, clad in a silky nightgown. Her neck was an assortment of red, swollen bite marks.

I stared at her in shock, and my words died before I’d given voice to them.

Chapter Two

I gaped openly at her, my tongue tied as I tried to spit some words out. She eyed me with an obvious disdain, and I resisted my sudden urge to grab her by the throat.

“What do you want?” she asked with contempt heavy in both her tone and expression.

Before I could answer, Kale’s voice rang out from behind her. “I told you to let her in.” The red head glared at me, but it was a pathetic attempt. I’d seen worse.