The Wicked Kiss (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #2)(71)

“What can I say?” I shrugged, trying for casual. “I couldn’t resist.”

“And, so you shouldn’t.” Jez leaned over to nudge me; an approving smile revealed tiny fangs beneath her ruby red lips.

“Where did Arys go? He took off out of here in a hurry.” Ky looked curious, and I frowned in response.

“He just left?”

“Yeah, right before you showed up. Weren’t you with him?”

“I was. I went to the ladies room.” If I thought about Arys hard enough, I could still feel his presence in the vicinity.

A strange sensation began to unravel as I grew suspicious. Where was Arys and what was he up to? He had been acting a little sketchy since he arrived. Something told me I wasn’t paying enough attention. The intensified power running through me was trying to come to the forefront of my mind, trying to make me aware of something.

“Speaking of the ladies room,” Ky interrupted my thoughts. “Is it insanely busy?”

“Not when I left.”

“Good. I’ll be right back.” She grabbed her purse from the tabletop and got up from her chair. She was soon just a green figure among the rest of the crowd.

I scanned the crowd but saw no sign of Arys. I could still feel him when I concentrated, but that didn’t tell me much.

I pushed my chair back with a loud scrape. “I think I’m going to go hunt down Arys.

If I miss him and he comes back, tell him I’m looking for him,” I said to Jez.

She waved a hand at me dismissively before sipping from her bright blue drink. “I’ll keep an eye out in case he comes through here.”

Just to be sure, I went around the building once to confirm that he was not inside. I even ran up to the second floor where the atmosphere was more laid back. TVs hung from the ceiling, each playing the same hockey game. My vampire wasn’t up there either.

I hadn’t thought so.

Kylarai said she’d seen him leave the building. I didn’t think twice about going outside in search of him.

Exiting the building brought a welcome relief from the noise. The front entrance was packed with people milling about, most of them smoking cigarettes. A small group of girls whined about the cold fall night as I passed. I didn’t find it too bad.

I lingered near the front of the bar for a minute, searching mentally for Arys. I was certain I felt him down the alley to the left of the building, on the way to the parking lot.

That alley intersected with the one at the back of club, where we’d been such a short time ago. Arys was known to sneak away down the alley when luring a victim into his grasp. Though he hadn’t done that as often since we’d become involved.

Despite being drawn to the alley, my gut instinct was telling me to stay away. I was confused and not liking this one bit.

I stared down the dark alley but made no move to venture further. My senses were straining to discover what it was that was eluding me. I could feel it nagging at the back of my mind, something I couldn’t put my finger on.

Feeling like the first ditzy girl to get murdered in a slasher film, I took a few steps down the alley, then a few steps more.

“Arys?” I called, careful not to raise my voice.

I stopped when I had left the safety of the parking lot lights. I looked up at the moon and tried to use its calming serenity to focus harder. I was able to tune out the rest of the night, staring up and seeing only that glowing silver light in the sky.

The energy of everything around me grew more pronounced and I was able to identify everything from the ground beneath my feet to each star overhead. And that’s when I felt him. I sensed the sudden approach behind me and whirled to face the unwelcome vampire.

“You smell absolutely divine.” The melodious voice was rough, yet dangerously attractive.

It caused my stomach to tighten, a wave of nausea sweeping me. I was suddenly breathing too fast. My mind raced with several thoughts at once. I was already defensive, but I couldn’t see an immediate way out of this.

I stared at Harley with horror etched on my features. He grinned, my worst nightmare come to life. I swallowed hard but didn’t dare speak.

“Why so surprised wolf? Surely you've been expecting me.”

Chapter Sixteen

“Where’s Arys?” The words just came out. I hadn’t meant to ask.

Harley took a moment to look over my attire, successfully making me feel like a piece of meat. I was silently praying that he was not enjoying what he saw. The slow grin that spread across his face caused my hope to die.

“That’s a great question.” His dark eyes glittered in the moonlight as they bore into me. “You’re bonded to him. How is it that you don’t know?”

I shifted uneasily, knowing I’d never make it far before he caught me. “It doesn’t work that way.” Energy danced along my fingertips, summoned by fear and instinct. Like before, Harley paid it little attention. He didn’t fear me in the least. I wished I could say the same.

“So tell me more about how it works.” He feigned casual very well, crossing his arms over his impressive chest. He wasn’t as well built as Arys or as firm as Shaz, but he could do a lot of physical damage if he wanted to.

“What do you want?” My voice was as shaky as my legs were in my heels. I was regretting my decision to wear them.