Of A Darker Nature (32 page)

“I can’t, Emily. I care about you, and it tears me up inside to see you involved in this mess.” When he received no response, he continued. “Why’d you sleep with him? You’ve been off kilter ever since.”

“How’d you know?”

Scott tapped his nose. “I can smell him all over you and your scent is on him. It doesn’t take a genius to figure it out. Surely there was a better way to get the information you needed.”

“I’m in love with him, Scott.”  Her voice caught on a sob.

“He’s a corpse, Emily. You’re fucking a dead man.” He glared at her and shook his head. “He can't give you the things you need.”

“Don't.” 

“His obligation to Isabella will always come first. She is his sire. He can't abandon her unless she releases her power over him.” He plowed on, despite the tears streaming down her cheeks. “Don't you want to get married someday? Have babies? He can't give you children. He can't walk alongside you on a sunny beach. His way of life is different than what you're used to.”

“Don’t you think I know that?” Her voice cracked. “It still doesn’t change how I feel about him.”

“You’ll grow old, but he’ll remain the same. Do you honestly believe he’ll be at your side when you become old and withered?”

Emily stood and straightened the hem of her shorts. She didn’t need this tonight. Not from him. “I think I like you better in coyote form.”

“Is that so?” He tossed the remote aside and glared up at her.

She turned away. “Yeah, at least you can’t talk back.”

“I think I might teach you a lesson. That way when you’re ready to talk, my little doggy brain won’t be able to make heads or tails of what you’re saying.”

“Stop it, Scott.”

“I’ll be too busy chasing my own tail.” His fingers undid one button at a time on his shirt just to prove he might actually do it.

“I'm not in the mood to argue.”

This dumb dog act was just that—an act. He still fired on all cylinders in the other form. At least, she suspected he did.

“Good night, Scotty. Don't pee on the rug.” She tossed an extra blanket onto the couch next to the pillow she’d left for him. Before he could prove his point, she stomped to her bedroom. 

Emily sat on the porch, watching Scotty play in waning afternoon sunshine. A startled rabbit darted out from under the honeysuckle vines. The rabbit spotted the coyote and froze.

Scotty ran with his leathery black nose inches from the ground. His lips curled back from his teeth, and his ears lay flat against his head. The rabbit’s powerful legs carried it across the yard, Scotty close to its cotton-puff tail. The small brown rabbit burst into the trees, and the coyote stopped to scratch an ear.

“Get over here, you mutt.” She breathed a sigh of relief and patted the porch beside her. For a moment there, she believed he might harm the little critter. She scratched behind his ears, and he flopped onto his back, exposing his belly. “You are such a mongrel.”

The most god-awful racket came from inside the house. Both Emily and the coyote scrambled to their feet only to find Corey making his way toward them. He sang along to Marcus’s iPod.

“Good lord, he sounds like a dying cat.”

Scotty’s hazel gaze met hers, ears perked and twitching. She scratched his ear and said, “Maybe you could howl along with him? It’d probably sound better.”

Scotty answered by nipping the seat of her jeans.

Corey pushed the screen door open to join them on the porch. He popped one earphone out of his ear, allowing it to dangle past his shoulder. His gaze roved over her body, and he offered a toothy grin.

Despite the facial piercings—a labret, nasal, and one remaining eyebrow ring—he looked almost respectable tonight. Instead of his usual clubwear, he’d donned a pair of Marcus’s jeans and one of his old t-shirts. The clothes were too big and sagged on his smaller frame. He had even combed his hair instead of working it into its usual spikes. He reached for Emily only to have his fingers snapped at by Scotty.

Corey jerked his hand away. “Jeez, you should put a muzzle on him or something.”

Emily grinned. “He’d just chew through it.”

Scotty cocked his head and panted. Soon, he lost interest in them and sniffed the honeysuckle in search of another rabbit. She wished he would change back to human form, but he was undoubtedly still punishing her for the comments the night before.

“Marcus is on his way.” Corey leaned against the porch railing. His eyes searched hers for a moment. “I hope he lets me stay a while longer. I like it here. It’s so quiet and low-key. It reminds me of home.”

Emily raised an eyebrow. “He thought it was boring.”

A slow grin formed on his face. “No, he didn't.” 

Instead of commenting, she went inside the house. Emily took her ponytail down and brushed her hair. She pulled on a fresh pair of jeans then made her way down the hall.

“I was only supposed to see if she’s alone, I swear!” A frightened voice said from the direction of the kitchen. It sounded like a teenage boy.

Emily hurried toward their voices and found Marcus pacing around the table. A dark look of contemplation warped his face. The boy squirmed in the chair.

“What’s going on,” she demanded.

Degas sat on the other side of the teen and rolled the sleeves of a dark green shirt over his elbows.

Marcus placed his hands on either side of the boy's chair. The wood creaked beneath his grip.

Degas asked, “What do you want to do with him?”

Marcus leaned forward and smiled dangerously. “How old are you now, Riley? Fifteen? Sixteen?”

Emily edged around Marcus and glanced out the window. Where had Corey and Scott disappeared to?

Riley gulped and ducked his head. “Sixteen, sir.”

Marcus didn’t look impressed. “And I suppose you’d like to see seventeen?”

Another gulp. He looked up at Marcus with wet, pleading eyes. “Yes, sir.”

“Why should I spare your life?” Marcus’s voice was low and dangerous. “Give me a reason.”

“You’re my godfather, Marcus!” The kid's voice trembled.

“I’ve ended the life of people I care about. I killed my brother.” Marcus’s face was just inches from Riley’s. There was no regret whatsoever in his voice. “Being related to me didn’t save him. How could being my godchild possibly matter?”

Emily gasped at this admission.

Marcus glared at her. “What? You didn’t see that when you invaded my mind?”

The kid dropped his head as fat tears fell onto the tabletop. “I’m sorry.”

“No, you’re not,” Marcus growled. “By working for the witch you’re putting every vampire at risk. You’ve put your mom and dad— the entire shifter community in danger. Don’t you understand the consequences of your actions, boy? Starr is out to get everyone, not just vampires.”

The secrets just got darker and darker, didn’t they? Emily couldn’t ignore the tug at her conscience. “He’s just a kid, Marcus.”

Degas’ eyes filled with regret. “Scott found him snooping around down by the road. He admitted to working for Starr.”

Riley’s gaze turned toward her, searching out his only advocate. His eyes widened with fear and uncertainty. “I wasn’t going to do anything, I swear!”

Marcus tossed a gruesome hunting knife onto the table. Its blade was at least five inches long with a gut hook at the end. The steel blade glinted in the kitchen’s light. “We found this on him. What do you think he planned to do with it? Trim your rose bushes?”

Emily swallowed hard. She stared at the wicked blade and tried to tamp down the sudden anger and fear that rose within her.

“They told me she had people watching her,” Riley defended. He spoke fast, his words slurring together in a rush to escape his mouth. “I brought it to protect myself.”

Degas’s joints creaked when he pulled himself up out of the chair. “What do you want done with him, Marcus?”

“Get this pathetic asshole out of my sight. Take him to his mother, let her know what he’s been up to. The shifter community and his parents should do what they want with him.” 

Emily read between the lines. Marcus had wiped his hands clean of the kid. Perhaps being Marcus’s godchild had saved him after all. Degas seized the kid’s arm and hauled him out of the chair. He practically dragged him out of the house.

Marcus sank into the chair Riley had just vacated. Emily noticed the tension in his shoulders ease.

“Where did Scott and Corey go?”

His eyes had not yet faded back to light blue. “Why? Can’t stand to be around me?”

“Don’t be so melodramatic.” She remembered Beau’s warning that she shouldn’t argue with him, but she was finished being stepped on. “You used me too. You were trying to find out if I was part of Starr's coven. You thought my boss was running a disposal.”

“That isn't what this is about.”

She wished he'd leave, yet longed to be in his presence just a bit longer. It wasn't fair that he could twist her emotions like this. “You’re right, it isn’t.”

He stood and came around the end of the table. His movement was stiff and angry. “Why don’t you just come out and say it. You’re mad that I slept with you. Believe me, fucking some broken, needy piece of ass isn’t the worst thing I’ve ever done.”

Emily covered her mouth with a shaking hand. Tears sprang to her eyes. What had she expected from him—an apology? At some point he’d backed her against the sink. All the light had gone out of his eyes, swallowing them in midnight blue.

Emily held her ground. “Yeah, because screwing a nutcase you hate makes so much more sense.”

“What is it they say about keeping your enemies close?”

“I know you plan on overthrowing Isabella if you get the chance. I know what she’s done and how much you despise her. Only I didn’t say anything because I have feelings for you. I thought you cared too.”

He leaned closer.

“What are you doing?” Emily fought to keep her words even and steady. The frantic thud of her heart drowned out all other noise.

“Shut up, Freckles.” His hand tangled in her hair, and he leaned against her. His lips found her, and she no longer cared that the cabinet bit into her back.

Despite the warning bells going off in the back of her mind, Emily wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him close. No wonder girls always went for the bad boys.

Marcus pulled away first. His eyes were dark and dangerous. “Drink from me.”

Emily pushed against his chest, but he refused to let her escape his embrace. “Holy crap, are you insane?”

“I think things are going to be disastrous in the next few days. Drink my blood so you’ll be stronger.”

“The Beltane?”

He nodded solemnly. “My blood will give you strength. It only lasts for a short while, but you just might live through this.”

Revulsion swam through her. The memory of his kiss tingled on her lips. “I should have known you were up to something.”

"Yeah." He rewarded her with another smirk. “I’m a monster, remember?”

Emily sighed, wishing she could just rewind the last few days and start over. Things had gotten too complicated in a short span of time. “What would Isabella say about it? I think we’ve gotten into enough trouble, don’t you?”

“I like being in trouble.” Marcus dropped a kiss on her forehead. “Do this for me, Emily.”

“I can't.” She shook her head. “I won’t.”

“I don’t want to turn you.”

“The answer is still no.” She remained wary. Something about this whole deal smacked of insincerity. Was he scheming something else or would he really respect her wishes?

“Oh. Should I leave the two of you alone while you get reacquainted?” Corey asked from the doorway. 

“I was just leaving,” Marcus answered, but still didn’t take his gaze from hers.

Corey backed out of the room, seeming to realize he was unwanted at the moment. “I’ll be, uh, yeah…” His sneakers made quick steps into the other room.

Marcus turned away from her. He stopped, seeming to reconsider. She took a step toward him, thinking something was wrong. Instead of saying anything, he turned and pulled her into his embrace. His mouth sought hers out; the urgency of it startling.

She ran her fingers through his hair, wanting to confess her love. What she wanted was to forget about the deceit and lies. She wanted to ignore Isabella and Starr. Was it too much to ask for if they just forgot everything but each other?

His teeth sank into her left shoulder. Searing pain forced a surprised yelp from her throat, but she was unable to pull away. Her feet were no longer on the floor, and his arms felt like iron bands around her. For a moment, she relished the idea of sharing a part of herself with him. Emily's head fell back, and she groaned in pleasured pain before she fully regained her senses.

“Marcus, stop!”

He lifted his head, a droplet of blood glistening on his bottom lip.

She smacked him with an open hand.

His eyes darkened with danger. “Drink from me, Emily.”

The
click-click
of claws and boots raced closer. Scotty growled and launched himself at Marcus. Corey grabbed at him but missed.

Marcus caught the coyote by the scruff of the neck. Scotty yelped as he was slung across the floor. His body struck the refrigerator. Bottles and other items rattled inside. He slowly got to his feet, shaking his head.

Emily caught her reflection in the kitchen window. A dash of scarlet stained her shoulder, and the strap of her tank top was soiled. She touched the twin punctures and winced. “But we’re on the same side…”

Marcus lowered his gaze. “You’re not my enemy, Emily. You’re just…” He turned from her, moving toward the doorway. “Mine.”

Emily couldn’t help the sob that caught in her throat. “What does that make you?”

“I am nothing.” Without apology, her vampire left the house.

Scotty hurried after him. A yelp came from the yard, followed by a slamming door. The Corvette’s engine revved down the dirt road, and he was gone.

“That didn’t go so well.” Corey inched closer. His dark gaze locked on the blood glistening against her skin. “You should’ve taken his blood. Not only would you have inherited some of his strength, but also his ability to heal faster. He meant well.”

Emily stared at him. Her heartbeat still thundered in her ears, and her shoulder stung. Somehow, he’d managed to bite her in exactly the same spot he’d fed from before. “You’ve got to be kidding.”