Of A Darker Nature (20 page)

“You’ve got a lot of nerve showing your face here, bastard.”

“We have some business to take care of,” Marcus said, completely unruffled.

Scott gnashed his teeth. “Get out.”

“I don’t like you either.” Marcus glared at the shorter man. “It angers me to have to ask a favor from you.”

“Whatever you want, the answer is no. Get the fuck out of here. Go back to that bitch you serve.”

The tension in the foyer was thick, almost suffocating in its intensity. Someone was going to get hurt.

The vampire’s hands clenched at his side. “Can we rely on you and your kind to help us? Our numbers are down since the fire. Those who didn’t die have been converted by the witch.”

“That’s not my problem, Marcus.” Scott narrowed his eyes on the vampire and snarled.

“It will be, should the witch overthrow Isabella.”

Scott’s bark of laughter carried no humor. “You bloodsuckers never want to get your hands dirty, do you? You honestly think we’ll just do whatever you and that crazy bitch tell us to do?”

Marcus chuckled. “Why should it change now? The hierarchy has been in place longer than either of us have been alive. It isn’t up to you, me, or even Isabella.”

“Maybe it’s time for a change.”

“You’re just a bunch of halfwit animals that can’t control yourselves once you change.”

“Some of us can and do!” Scott gritted his teeth. “And you’re one to talk after what you did tonight.”

“I’ll accept some of the blame.” Marcus looked anything but amused. His gaze cut to Emily, and he touched the tip of his tongue to his right fang. “But the little fox wanted it. She can deny it, but the pheromones she put off told a different story.”

Scott’s face reddened and he narrowed eyes on the nosferatu. “If you lay a finger on Emily again, so help me I’ll…”

“You’ll what? Rough me up? Make me regret it?” Marcus made a low, dangerous sound deep in his throat. “Keep making threats and we’ll see just how far you’re willing to take this, puppy.”

The situation was a powder keg ready to blow. They needed an intervention and quick. “Guys?”

Both men ignored Emily’s attempt to draw their attention.

“I was happy someone was there to keep her safe. I just wish it was anyone but you.” Scott lowered his voice to match the vampire. “Oh that’s right, I know all about you. I know what you and your enforcers have done. Some think Isabella’s getting what she deserves.”

Marcus grimaced. “It goes a little deeper than that, Scott. Innocent people are being harmed.”

Scott clenched his teeth. “Don’t think the shifters or werewolves have forgotten what you did to them either.”

Marcus lifted a shoulder. “Just doing my job, Scotty. If your kind doesn't control its members, my enforcers will take the responsibility. Besides, I’ve done more than my share for Degas and the local pack.”

“So what if you’ve done a few good deeds for the pack leader? It doesn’t right a whole lifetime of wrongs.” Scott’s posture was stiff, and he practically vibrated with anger. “Degas may be able to overlook some of the maiming and killings, but not all of us are so willing to forgive. Or forget.”

Marcus scowled at him. “Look, I didn’t come here to discuss the past, so just shut up and listen. I know you’ve been going to shifter meetings. Remind Degas that we’re in this together. If Starr makes a play for Isabella, I want to know if we can count on the shifter community to help us out. She’s gunning for your kind as well.”

“That crazy bitch you call your master started this.” Scott’s entire body seemed to shake with anger. “It seems only fitting she ends it.”

Marcus’s dark laugh startled Emily. She backed into Beau. His hands fell upon Emily’s shoulders to steady her, but didn’t let go.

Marcus scratched his chin and grinned, making sure Scott caught a view of his fangs. “Starr fears your kind just as much as she does mine. Are you too stupid to realize she’s not going to stop at just exterminating vampires? Starr’s going after everyone. And need I remind you, Starr has plans for your dear little Emily?”

Marcus stepped closer. There was a fierce scowl on his face that Emily recognized. If Scott wasn’t careful, he might get hurt.

Scott’s fingers elongated into claws. The tips of his ears became points, and his cheekbones slid into a new shape.

Holy crap, he is going furry!
She should do something, but what? She couldn’t be sure Marcus had entirely regained his self-control, and she wasn’t about to chance Scott’s safety.

Emily put herself between them, hoping she wasn’t about to get torn apart. “Let’s just calm down, okay? We can discuss it after everyone cools off.”

Beau grabbed her by the upper arm and yanked her backward. He didn’t take his gaze from the two hostile creatures. “This could get ugly. You do not want to get between them.”

Coarse brown hair sprouted across Scott’s cheeks and the exposed skin of his arms.

Emily was glad to have Beau’s supportive grip on her arm. She was suddenly lightheaded, and her legs wanted to pitch her onto the floor.

“Why are they doing this?”

Scott lunged at Marcus, clawed hands held like weapons. The vampire caught him in mid lunge and hauled him off his feet. Scott kneed him in the ribs and forced Marcus to drop him. Scott bounced back to his feet and latched onto Marcus’s forearm with a mouth that looked less and less human.

Marcus grasped a handful of Scott’s hair and yanked his head back. His mouth tore away from Marcus’s forearm. Blood dripped from his mouth and chin.

Whipping his head in their direction, Marcus glared at Emily and Beau with dark, dangerous eyes. “Get her out of here.”

Beau didn’t question the order. Instead, he gently pushed Emily along, effectively steering her through the parlor and away from the two creatures. They pushed out the door onto the covered porch. Inside, someone crashed into the desk. A bark resonated through the building followed by a loud thud.

Emily allowed Beau to lead her down the steps. Both were cautious of the shadows in the parking lot. “What was that all about?”

Beau didn’t answer. Instead, he swallowed her in a bone crushing hug. “It goes way back. Shifters have never liked my kind. Throughout the ages, we’ve thinned out their population to control them. They've done the same to us. They don’t like the fact that they must abide by the laws set forth by vampires.”

After he had released her, she stepped back and hugged her arms around her middle. Scott and Marcus had yet to come outside.

Beau tucked a strand of hair behind his ear. “It doesn’t help that the enforcers took down a werewolf who was trying to take power from the current pack leader. If he’d kept the killings within the pack, things would have been covered up like usual. Vampires respect their traditions. But the guy killed visiting members of another pack as well as a few vamps who were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Marcus thinks he also ate a human or two. The enforcers were just doing their job, but the pack feels it wasn’t their right to hand down punishment.”

“But Scott isn’t a werewolf.”

Beau nodded. “That’s true, but the shifters are more closely related to them than they are to us. It’s only natural that they’d hold fast with their own kind and those they associate with.”

Something slammed against the foyer door. “Great, Marcus will be good and worked up when he comes out.”

“No, he’s alright now.”

Beau seemed to know Marcus fairly well, but his instincts might be askew on the matter. “Really? It doesn’t sound like he is to me.”

“I’m positive. Scott would already be dead if he weren't. Just be conscious of the things you do from now on. It’s been a while since I’ve worked with him, but I know he wouldn’t harm you on purpose. He isn’t like that. Just play it smart. If he walks away from you during an argument, let him go. Remember we feed off emotions as much as blood.”

Emily’s fingers reached for the heart charm. With a sheepish smile, she dropped her hand to her side. “You were freaking out while I tried to find him. Now that he’s here, you’re okay with it? I don’t understand.”

His smile was wistful. “I didn’t want you to go looking for trouble. Now that you’ve found it, there’s not a lot I can do about it.”

“Why didn’t you tell me you used to work for the mistress of the city?”

“Would it have made you think differently about me?”

“Well, no, I suppose not. It just seems like everyone has a secret, and I’m always the last one to know.”

Beau jiggled his keys and laughed. He stopped abruptly when a battered Marcus moved down the steps.

Her vampire stalked closer, and she spied a smear of blood on his cheek. Bite marks ran up and down his arms. A particularly nasty one left his shoulder raw and weeping. She’d never admit it in a million years, but she was concerned about his well-being.

Beau studied the front of the funeral home. He didn’t seem all that worried about Scott. “Did you get everything worked out?”

Marcus’s shredded shirt front flapped in the light breeze. Angry red gashes could be seen peeking through the dark material. “Yeah, we’ve reached an agreement. He’s cleaning up now.”

Emily fought to control the fear and anger boiling inside her. “Is he okay?”

“Of course he’s okay.” The corner of Marcus’s mouth twitched. “And I’m fine too, thanks.”

She moved forward, intent on finding out for herself.

Marcus blocked her path. “He locked the door behind me. He doesn’t want to be bothered.”

Tears brimmed at the corners of her eyes. “He might need help.”

Marcus reached for her, thought better of it then dropped his hand. “We didn’t make that big of a mess and he hasn’t changed back to normal yet. It’s probably best to call him once you get home.”

Beau seemed to study the other vampire for a moment. “Are you sure you’re okay or should I stay with her tonight?”

Marcus smiled, his fangs glinting in the streetlight. “I’m in full control.”

Last night, Marcus parked behind her car as usual. He’d sat on the porch for a while, catching lightning bugs with a flick of the wrist.

Emily felt like shopping today. No, she didn’t have the money for it, but mostly she needed to get out of the house. Besides, she still needed to pick up paint for at least the living room. She’d reconsidered the calm storm sample that Marcus had suggested. It would be perfect for the bedroom.

Emily stared at the refrigerator for a few moments, unsure of what to do. Marcus had run out of blood—not that it mattered since it had been cursed—and she didn’t relish the idea of becoming a meal.

She peeked inside the freezer, hoping it would magically restock itself. A brand new pint of ice cream sat nestled between a bag of ice and a frozen dinner. It was thoughtful of him to remember her favorite flavor. And just what was the vampire hinting at by buying Karamel Sutra?

The Bug refused to start. Each time she turned the key it made a hollow
click-click
noise. She rested her forehead against the steering wheel. “Stupid hunk of junk.”

She mopped the sweat from her brow and touched the keychain once more. A little sweet talking was in order. “C’mon, baby. C'mon. I didn’t mean it. Start for mama.”

Much to her despair, the Bug answered with another
click-click
.

“You’re gonna burn up your starter, ma’am,” said a masculine voice just outside the left window.

Emily lifted her head and shrieked. A beefcake with a crew cut smiled down at her.  Stylish shades obscured his eyes, and he looked half-baked in a dark suit. His colleague, who was older and slightly shorter with the same hairstyle and fashion sense, moved toward the car. He wasn’t smiling.

Emily dove out the other side of the car. She tumbled to the ground, scrambled up then took off toward the house.

“Wait, Miss Cross!” The younger of the two lumbered onto the porch after her. She closed the door on his foot, and he grunted with pain.

His panting partner joined them. “Mistress Isabella sent us.”

“What's with you people?” Emily struggled to shut the door.

The older guy rammed his shoulder against it. “Why can’t we just do this the easy way? Get her, Chad.”

Chad grabbed Emily around the middle and hauled her off her feet. She kicked and twisted despite their assurances that they weren’t going to harm her. Her elbow brushed the unmistakable form of a gun.

Emily didn’t exactly relax, but she did cease her struggles. These two apparently were armed.

The older guy followed them outside and closed the door behind him. “I doubt this will take very long, Miss Cross. Isabella has a proposition for you, and she’s willing to pay you for your trouble.”