Chapter Seventeen: Some Like It Hot
The walk back to the warehouse returned some semblance of normalcy to my thoughts. It also gave my hormones time to kick in. I'm disgusted at my reaction to what just happened. It wasn't even like this when I killed Professor Wirth.
Each step is agony as it puts pressure against my center. My clit's throbbin' with every breath I take and my body's beggin' for some action. The need to fuck or fight's gettin' stronger and I can feel the vibration of tension just beneath my skin.
I thought about goin' to a club to let off some steam but it ain't happenin'. My recent loss of control made me realize I need to stay away from humans as much as I can 'til I figure somethin' out. I ain't about to cry over that pig bastard, but it ain't somethin' I wanna risk a repeat of.
I nod at the guard at the gate and he lets me inside. I walk across the lot to the warehouse and enter. I'm immediately surrounded by two of the youngest members of my unit. Their excited chatterin' sets my nerves on end and I snap.
"Jesus, just shut the fuck up!"
Their eyes widen and silence prevails. I give the older one a derisive smile.
"Thank you! I get that tonight was the first time ya went on a raid, but now ain't the time to harass me." I turn my attention to the other one and roll my eyes. "Kid, just put ya fuckin' loot in the damn provisions cage and it'll get sorted out eventually."
Dionne shoves past a few vamps and nods at me. "Sorry about that. I told him to do it earlier. Guess he was just too excited to listen."
I push the kid in the direction of the cage and turn my attention back to Dionne. "Everyone get back aight?"
"Yeah," He nods.
"Good. I'm gonna dump my stuff in the cage and then head out."
A hand on my arm stops me from goin' and I turn to glare at him. He holds up a hand to placate me.
"Don't dust the messenger. I just wanted to tell you that I talked to Joaquin after we got back. He said to send you up to the fourth before you leave."
"Aight," I mutter and then I make my way over to the provisions cage.
I pull out the knives I retrieved from the display case at the pawnshop and toss 'em in the open cage. I pull out the one I used on the cop and sigh regretfully. I toss it in, too. As nice as the knife is, that ain't somethin' I wanna hang onto.
I head to the stairs. I've been curious about the fourth floor since he gave me and B our tour. I wonder what made him decide to let me in on the secret.
As I near the top of the stairs, the scent of incense hits me. It's strong and it makes my stomach queasy. I force myself to continue and the guard at the top of the stairs moves aside to let me pass. A strange vamp I ain't seen yet is waitin' for me at the landin'.
"Follow me, please. Joaquin waits for you in his quarters."
"Yeah, yeah," I mutter in annoyance.
In all truth, I ain't sure if it's the news he gave me or his chipper tone that has me irritated. I glance around as I reluctantly follow him to the sectioned off area to the right. Tables I'm guessin' to be lab stations fill the center of the room. Books, beakers, tubes, and unrecognizable items clutter the tops of the tables.
A few bookshelves line the back walls and another sectioned off area is to the left. Several vampires and a couple of humans are workin' at various projects. My guide's voice draws my attention away from the workers.
"Here we are," He says as he knocks on the door.
I stop behind him and cross my arms over my chest. A muffled command filters through the door and he opens it, gesturin' for me to go inside. I step around him and tense when the door closes behind me. I lift my gaze and take in the room.
It's a simple bedroom. A dark red rug covers the floor and a king size bed is tucked against the far wall. There's a dresser in one corner and a desk to my right. Joaquin is leanin' against the desk and there's an older vamp sittin' in one of the guest chairs in front of the desk.
"There you are, Troy. I hear the raid was successful."
"Yeah, it was."
The old vamp stands and turns to look at me. I can feel the power comin' off him almost as strong as Red's and I tense in response to the unseen threat. He clears his throat and grins.
"Aren't you going to introduce me to your lovely companion here, Joaquin?"
"Ah yes," He grins. "Aiden, this is my newest recruit, Troy. Troy, this is my trusted warlock and friend, Aiden."
"I'm pleased to meet you," Aiden says as he reaches for my hand.
"Uh-huh," I drawl as my gaze takes in his hand and then lifts to his. I arch an eyebrow.
He chuckles and withdraws his hand. He glances at Joaquin with a smirk.
"She's a spirited one."
"Yes she is," Joaquin replies proudly.
It takes everything I got to keep from smackin' the hell outta him. This isn't the best time for me to be here. Fuck, I gotta get outta here 'fore I do somethin' stupid.
I clear my throat. "So Dionne said you wanted to see me?"
He gives me a grin I'm sure he thinks is charmin'. In reality it just comes off as arrogant and pisses me off even more. I shove my hands into my pockets and ball 'em up, diggin' my nails into my palms. The skin breaks where I left crescent marks back in the alley but the pain helps me regain a little control.
"Ah, yes." He turns to Aiden. "We'll take this up tomorrow. I have some unfinished business with Troy."
Lust flares red hot in my gut at the promise in his tone. He's a bastard, but he's hot and my body can't help but respond when he's offerin' the release I need. I've always been a slave to my urges and this time ain't provin' any different.
"All right then," The older vamp responds as he walks past me. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Troy. Hopefully we'll have more time to talk soon."
"Yeah, sure," I mutter as Aiden closes the door behind him.
Joaquin walks over to me with an even, rollin' stride. His hand lifts to trace my jaw and a shiver races up my spine. His gaze catches mine and he gives me a smile.
"You hunger for more?"
He cups my cheek and my eyes flutter shut as I answer almost inaudibly, "Yes."
His hand drifts down to my neck and his thumb rubs my throat. His blunt nails drag across my skin and I moan. I feel hot breath brush across my check.
"Your body yearns to be caressed, doesn't it?" He whispers in my ear.
His body presses into mine and I lean into the contact. This isn't right, my mind screams. He's not the one I want.
"You crave that brief flare of life that rushes through you with release," He continues.
An image of B's face, flush with desire enters my mind. She's the one I want, I whisper internally. Another one drifts to the surface. The image of her eyes floodin' with tears and her face darkened with anger sends a rush of primal agony through me. I bite back a cry and pull Joaquin to me, bringin' our mouths together with bruisin' force.
B won't ever be mine. I killed any chance we had when I drained that fuckin' pig tonight. I'll be lucky to even be able to call her a friend when this is all over with.
I shove Joaquin back 'til his knees hit the bed and we fall back onto it. I straddle his hips and pin him down to keep him from tryin' to get on top. I shake my hair out of my face and sneer at him.
"I don't sub for anyone," I hiss and then I kiss him hard and wet.
Chapter Eighteen: The Girl in the Mirror
I can't sleep 'cause my body's still hummin' with tension. I came when I fucked Joaquin, but it didn't give me the release I needed. Good sex usually cleans my clock, lets my mind go blank for a while, but not tonight. My memories keep playin' over and over and won't give me any rest.
He wasn't happy when I got up to leave earlier, but I told him that I just don't do overnights. I left for home 'fore he could make any more noise about it, thinkin' B's the only one I wanna curl up with. Now I'm here, lyin' in my pile of blankets and her scent's all around me. I can still smell a hint of her arousal in the air and it's drivin' me nuts.
"Fuck," I groan.
Maybe meditation will help me relax enough to get to sleep. I blow out a harsh breath and close my eyes. I let my breathin' slip into an even, rhythmic cadence as I search for that spot in my mind that's completely silent. I scrunch my face up in concentration and then I growl in frustration.
I open my eyes and scramble into a sittin' position against the wall. I fold my legs into a yoga style and prop my forearms on my thighs as I lean back against the wall. I let my eyes shut and even out my breathin' once again. A loud silence suddenly cuts through the racin' thoughts that have plagued me all night and tension drains from me.
I float in that peaceful existence. A faint smile creases my lips and a fuzzy lassitude fills me. Slowly I drift off into familiar dreams in the early mornin' hours.
I know somethin' ain't right as soon as I open my eyes. This definitely ain't my house. I'm surrounded by stone walls and the floor is covered with fine grains of red sand. My brows furrow in confusion and I force my gaze to move. Opposite the wall where I'm chained are two tunnels, a bright light shines from one and the other is dark as pitch with hungry flames lickin' at the openin'.
I try to move and the rattle of metal against metal alerts me to the fact that I'm bound. I pull, only to find that the chains are bolted to the wall. I tug with full strength and the metal doesn't even creak in protest. I try again and nearly lose my balance in the shiftin' sand beneath my bare feet.
I take a deep breath and slump back against the chilled stone. I stiffen and look down at my naked body. This can't be good. Fuck.
Usually when someone goes as far as to strip a Slayer and chain her up, they mean business. I don't know how I got in here, but I gotta get out 'fore whoever did this comes back. I ain't ever been a fan of bein' on the opposite end of the torture session.
Fuck, what if Joaquin figured me out? He could've had that fuckin' warlock of his work some kind of mojo when we were in his room earlier. I'm fucked if that's what this is. I struggle with the chains again, wrappin' 'em around my fists and pullin' with all my strength.
A sound reaches my ears and I freeze. I strain my ears to try to catch it again. It comes a few seconds later and the hair on the back of my neck stands on end. I've sharpened a lot of blades and steel on rock is one of the most distinctive sounds I've ever heard.
The shrill scream of metal against rock echoes in the cave for a long span of time and the poundin' of two sets of feet on the sandy ground signals someone's fast approach. A dark blur bursts forth from the lit tunnel and slides across the sand to come to a stop on her knees in front of me. The dark wavy head of hair starts to lift and my world shifts on end.
The cave falls silent for a long moment as my eyes lock with a set of pure black ones. I shake my head and shift my gaze to take in her face.
"This ain't possible." I utter the words without thought.
Flames flare from torches that have suddenly appeared in sconces on the walls. The light dances across her lithe form and sends shadows dancin' over her white tank top as she stands in one fluid motion. She gives me a feral smile and laughs as she dusts the sand from her ripped up jeans.
"Oh, but it is, little girl," She replies in a gravelly voice that reminds me of all-night benders. Y'know, the kind where ya drink whiskey and smoke 'til ya can't see straight?
As impossible as it seems, I know who I'm lookin' at. She holds herself with a predatory grace that's as familiar as my own skin. A dangerous energy radiates off of her that puts me on edge. She is the Slayer.
The scream of metal comes to a sudden halt and our heads jerk in the direction of the dark tunnel in unison. Supple leather, so tight it looks painted onto her muscular legs, leads up to blood red silk draped over a flat torso. Dark, corkscrew curls fall over her shoulders in waves, framin' a hauntingly familiar face contorted in angles and ridges that give away what this new mirror image is.
"Well ain't this just a happy little gatherin'," She snarls.
She flips the daggers in her hands and crouches to return them to the sheaths on her calves. She straightens and her yellow eyes catch mine as a deprecatin' smirk twists her mouth. She lets her fingers slip through the flames lappin' at her clothes and swaggers into the cave.
Her gaze flicks over to the Slayer and a sneer crosses her lips. She keeps walkin' 'til she's right in front of me and they circle each other warily. The vampire throws a right-handed uppercut and the Slayer ducks out of the way. The vamp's momentum carries her past the Slayer and they switch sides.
The vamp charges the Slayer and tries a double right-left combo, managin' to get the Slayer twice in the gut. I hiss and double over as pain radiates out from my own and I lift my eyes in stunned surprise to see the Slayer retaliate. The roundhouse kick catches the vampire in the jaw and I groan as I feel an answerin' pain in mine. The copper tang of blood fills my mouth and I lift my head to see the vamp lick blood from the corner of her mouth.
The vamp pulls a dagger from her boot and they lock eyes as she straightens. There's a short lull in the fightin' as they circle each other once more and then the vamp lunges for the Slayer. She flips over the vamp's head and quickly turns to face her again.
"So afraid you'll lose ya gotta bring a weapon into it? You're such a fuckin' loser."
"I ain't afraid of nothin'— 'specially not a little bitch that can't even control herself."
"Ha, so that's why ya let B haul ass, hmm?"
"That was all you, motherfucker."
She throws an uppercut with her left and when the Slayer's committed to blockin' the punch, the vamp lets the other hand carry the blade across her unprotected middle. I cry out and double over, my arms jerkin' reflexively at the chains. My shoulder blades protest the sudden strain and I clench my jaw as I straighten, regrettin' it as the older pain makes itself known.
"See what we're doin'? We need to work together," The Slayer snarls.
I look up to find the Slayer and the vamp lookin' at me and I freeze. The Slayer's wrapped one arm over her own belly and she's pointin' at me with the other hand. I follow the direction of her finger and wince. Blood's tricklin' slowly from a long, narrow gash spannin' the width of my lower belly.
The vamp smirks and saunters over. She reaches for me and I try to jerk away from her touch only to hit the stone wall. She swipes a finger over the wound and brings it to her mouth. She slips the digit between her lips and moans in pleasure.
"Fuck, I taste almost as good as B does."
I gag as a renewed taste of blood floods my senses. I glare at her and she lets her finger slip from her mouth. She pouts at me.
"Why ya gotta take away my fun?"
"Fuck you."
She quirks an eyebrow and lets her gaze flick to the chains and back to me. "Maybe later," She snickers.
She returns her attention to the Slayer who has made her way over to stand next to her. She considers her for a brief moment and then snorts.
"I'd rather work with that bossy little blonde bitch than you."
The Slayer laughs and shrugs. "Have it your way then."
Before she can react, the Slayer hits her with a left-right triple combo. She follows it up with a spin-kick that sends the vamp reelin' backwards and knocks the dagger from her hand. She doesn't give her time to recover before she's on her again.
It all blurs together as I'm lost in the pain. Bruises form and blood runs down my body from the various wounds my counterparts inflict on themselves and me. It all comes to a screechin' halt and I'm left huddled up, waitin' for the next strike to start it over.
Confused, I painstakingly force my swollen eyes to open and peer out. Through a fuzzy, red-tinted haze I see somethin' that makes my blood run cold. They're standin' just a few feet away, the vamp's arms pinnin' the defeated Slayer to her as her mouth hovers over a bared neck. Smirkin' victoriously despite the split in her lip still tricklin' blood down her chin, the vamp watches me expectantly.
She catches my gaze and lowers her mouth. Her fangs sink into the Slayer's throat and hoarsely, I scream out as the Slayer's pain becomes my own and blood fills my mouth once more. The sound of my distress rouses the Slayer and her eyes flutter open. She slumps back against the vamp and lets her gaze catch mine.
"This is what you are," She says weakly. "Accept it. If ya stop fightin' it, you'll be aight."
"She's killin' you," I choke out. "How do I accept that shit? I ain't like that anymore."
She smirks in response and lifts her hand to tangle it in the dark curls at the back of the vamp's head. The vamp retracts her fangs and lifts her head. Their eyes lock and then their mouths meet in a messy, copper flavored kiss. A wave of dark lust flows over me and then they separate, a thin string of red saliva trailin' between 'em 'til the Slayer wipes it away.
She drags her eyes back to mine and smirks. "Not everything's as it seems. Take a look at your body and you'll see."
My brows furrow and I look down in confusion. My eyes widen and I jerk my head back up to look at the vampire. As with mine, her wounds are slowly closin'. I lift my eyes back to the Slayer's.
"Why?"
Instead of answerin' me, the Slayer turns in the circle of the vamp's arm and cups her face. She strokes her thumbs over the contours of the vamp's sharp cheekbones. The vamp's eyes flutter shut and she sighs, bringin' a soft smile to the Slayer's lips.
Finally, she rasps, "I can't kill her. I don't have enough of a hold on this realm to do that. If I defeated her, it would only last 'til the next fight."
I'm hearin' what she's sayin', but I'm gettin' a little distracted. There's just somethin' really fucked up 'bout watchin' me gettin' all touchy-feely with myself. I shake my head and try to force my mind back to the convo at hand.
"Aight, but what's stoppin' her from killin' you?"
The vamp buries her face in the Slayer's neck again and one hand drops from the Slayer's lower back to squeeze her ass. I blink as the conflictin' sensations of pain and pleasure accompany the taste of blood. The Slayer chuckles huskily and looks over her shoulder at me.
"She can't kill me 'cause she'll go fuckin' nuts without me."
"Then why were ya fightin'?"
"Ya mean ya can't figure it out?" She snickers.
I roll my eyes. 'Course I can. I'm a stubborn bitch who refuses to give in even when I should. And I like to fight.
The vamp finally lifts her head away from her neck and brings her gaze back to me. Her eyes go unfocused for a sec like she's lookin' through me and then she sneers.
"'Course it ain't gonna matter if ya don't get a hold of yourself. Then again, looks like purgatory here's got a hold on ya."
"What the fuck are ya talkin' about?"
"You're hangin' on by a thread. You're just the part of the soul that bonded with the Slayer."
Chapter Nineteen: The Killer in Me
I suck in a harsh breath as I surge awake. The first thing I'm aware of is that I'm back in my livin' room. The second thing is the pain. My entire body aches.
I force myself to move so I can turn the lantern on. The dim light confirms what my body's tellin' me. All ready healin' wounds are scattered over my bare thighs and my tank top's been shredded. I brush aside the white cotton scraps to see extensive bruisin' all along my torso and the long cut on my belly from the vamp's dagger.
I hesitantly lift a finger to probe at the jagged edges of the wound and a jolt of fiery pain shoots through my belly. I tense and wait for the pain to subside before I stand. My thoughts are racin' from the realization that it wasn't just a nightmare.
I retrieve my cigarettes from my jacket and light one up. I inhale deeply and then blow the smoke out in one long stream. I pace the floor as I try to achieve some sort of calm. That dream may have been full of info, but ain't none of it helpin' any right now. I'm just as agitated as I was 'fore I went to sleep, if not worse.
I'm on my third cigarette 'fore my thoughts gain any form of clarity. I come to a stop in front of the fireplace and I press my hand against the recent crack in the brick wall. I take a hit off the cigarette and shake my head.
What the fuck was the point in that shit? Did the PtB decide it's been too fuckin' long since they fucked with my head? I take another puff and shake my head. I don't really think they had anything to do with that 'cause it wasn't their style.
So maybe I need to think about what the incest twins were tryin' to tell me. I grimace. Somethin' 'bout both of 'em kinda irks me. Maybe it's 'cause they've both driven me to murder? I may have held the weapons, but those two helped me get there.
I turn to lean against the wall and run my fingers through my hair. My eyebrows furrow and I sigh. I ain't gonna get any rest 'til I do, so I might as well get it over with. I let myself consider some of the things I remember 'em sayin'.
I get why the slayer let the vamp drink from her. It was to show me that I need the Slayer so I don't get lost to the hunger. But what was that shit about my soul?
Does that mean I still have one? Wait, no. They said only part of my soul was bonded with the Slayer. So that's why I've been in control at times, I guess.
But why do I keep losin' it? If they know that they need each other to survive, then why do they keep fightin'? They've obviously accepted the status quo.
I lift my eyes and a sardonic smile crosses my lips as understandin' dawns. It's too fucked up for words.
All this time I've told myself and everyone else that I've accepted everything. Bein' a Slayer, the blood on my hands, and then when Dane turned me—each time I tried to act like I was five by five when the truth is, I was just hidin' behind it instead of acceptin' it. Each sitch became just another defense mechanism for me.
I've used the fact that I'm a Slayer to hide that there's still a hurt little girl inside me. I've used it to make excuses for my behavior. Then when we killed Finch, I used that as an excuse to run. Then I used the excuse of bein' a killer as a reason for my behavior, too. When I was turned, I used that as an excuse to turn my back on my callin'.
Even after I went to jail, I didn't really accept that I was a killer. Sayin' it is a whole 'nother thing. I was just tired of the internal conflicts. I had 'em even then.
I'm losin' control 'cause I ain't ever really had it at all. I keep strugglin' against what's happenin' and 'cause my soul's incomplete I ain't strong enough to win. I'm fightin' my instincts and 'cause of that, the Slayer part of me is tryin' to stay calm instead of keepin' my urges in check. They were tryin' to tell me that I gotta accept what I am to get through this.
The question is can I accept that I'm a killer? If I accept that I'm a Slayer and a vampire, then I'll have to. And I think that's what I've been fightin' against all this time.
It just goes to show that B really is THE Slayer, 'cause she accepted it a long time ago. I realized that almost ten years ago when we went up against The First. She was able to accept that she got those girls killed, but me? It still burns me when I think about the ones I was responsible for.
So can I accept all that? I close my eyes and let my head drop. I call up every memory I have of bein' a Slayer, each person I've killed, every moment of the past four years and I let it all play out as I make myself feel everything.
The feelings are almost too fuckin' much. The blind hatred I felt for Kakistos, the adrenaline of a good, hard fight, the dark thrill of a hunt, the burnin' lust after a kill. It all swells up, tightenin' my chest with agony and bliss 'til it pours out my eyes in tears.
My fingernails dig into my palms as I fight the urge to run and I force myself to stay still as it continues. The incredible warmth I feel when I drink from someone, the sensation of holdin' someone's life in my hands, the high of bein' in control, the hunger. It makes me shake with need.
The adrenaline of goin' all out with someone who can take it, the feelin' of knowin' someone's got my back, the completeness of movin' in time with someone else. It reminds me that there's so much more to life.
I feel myself startin' to calm down and still the memories come, softly now. The warm pressure of B's body curled into mine, the desire to sink into her and lose myself, the pleasure/pain of lovin' someone else, achin' to touch her 'til she screams my name, drinkin' and knowin' it's her blood that's warmin' me. It makes me quiver with desire.
This is who I am. I'm the vamp, and I'm the Slayer. There ain't any changin' that. I enjoy those things 'cause I was made to do 'em.
A surge of power flows through me and a slow, satisfied smile spreads across my lips as I let my eyes flutter open. I take a deep breath and revel in a contentment I ain't ever felt before. I stand there for a long time as my mind drifts aimlessly, just enjoyin' the unusual sensations.
A thought occurs to me and I tilt my head. Will it work? Doin' that would put the worst of it on my shoulders. Am I up for it? I smirk in answer to my question.
I know what to do now, and I know I can do it. I glance at my watch and then head for my bag. Eight thirty's late enough, there's no point in waitin' any longer.
I pull on a pair of jeans, a tank top, and my boots, and then run a brush through my hair. When I step outside onto the porch I idly note that there's a full moon out tonight. I set off down the driveway towards the cemetery, puttin' a little swagger in my stride.
Oh yeah, I'm a killer aight. My face morphs to game form and I chuckle. It's time I show everyone just what I can do.
I arrived at the crypt first for once. I sent B a text message on my cell while I walked over here, so it shouldn't be much longer. It's kinda hard to believe that dump I'm stayin' in is just a few blocks over from HQ. The neighborhoods are so fuckin' different it seems like they should be in different nations.
A familiar tingle works its' way up my spine and it takes me a moment to realize just what it is. A wonderin' grin spreads across my lips. Instead of the jarrin' jolt of energy I've been gettin' when a Slayer's around, it's more like what it used to be. It ain't quite the same but it's so much more pleasant than the mini-shocks treatment.
The door edges open and she slips inside. Her eyes meet mine immediately and I'm surprised to see hers widen. Her eyebrows furrow and she warily steps closer to me.
"What?" I ask sharply, uncomfortable with the scrutiny.
Her mouth opens and shuts a couple of times and then she finally manages to stammer, "Y—your eyes a—are black, Faith — I mean, l—like shiny black."
"Oh," I mutter.
Well, how the fuck else should I respond that that? It ain't like I can just look in a mirror and see for myself, now can I? I just gotta take her word for it.
"What's your point?"
"Why are they like that?" She asks tensely.
I grin wickedly. "Let's just say I've gotten in touch with my inner me."
She winces. "You know, Faith, I'm really not feeling too confident after that statement."
I laugh and hold up my hands. "Don't worry so fuckin' much, B. I'm fine."
Her eyes trace my face and confusion clouds her expression for a sec. Then she shakes her head and lets out a soft sigh.
"What's happened?"
"It's really kinda complicated, B."
That's puttin' it mildly. I ain't sure how to explain it without comin' off like a complete fuckin' lunatic but I gotta try. She won't go along with my plan 'til I do.
"Can you at least try to tell me so I'm not freaking out over here, Faith?"
"Aight," I blow out a breath. "So I had this dream."
She starts to interrupt and I hold up a hand. "I'm gettin' there, so just chill."
I hop up onto one of the stone coffins in the middle of the crypt to sit. "The dream was like a Slayer dream on Orpheus. I was chained to this cave wall and the chains were Slayer proof. Then two of me come out of these tunnels, 'cept one's the Slayer and the other's the vamp. They fight, and I'm sufferin' through everything they do to each other.
"I kinda got lost and then the next thing I know they're all over each other and tellin' me I gotta accept what I am." I pause, ignorin' the odd look that passes over her face.
Should I tell her the rest? It ain't like my soul really makes a difference in this sitch. I shrug internally and decide not to. She doesn't need to know. Tellin' her I lost control 'cause my part of my soul's stuck in purgatory ain't gonna help. That and for some reason, the thought of tellin' her rubs me the wrong way.
"What else happened, Faith?"
I shrug. "I woke up and found out it wasn't a dream." I rub the still healin' cut through my shirt. "I got the marks to prove it."
She crosses the room to me and puts her hands on my knees. She tilts her head and asks softly, "So what does it mean?"
I catch her gaze and hold it. "It meant I had to accept that no matter which way I look at it, I'm a killer. And I have."
Chapter Twenty: Communication Skillz
I can see the denial comin' 'fore she even opens her mouth to speak. Her eyebrows furrow and she shakes her head.
"F—Faith, that isn't—"
"What?" I interrupt. "It ain't true? Try again, baby."
She steps away and crosses her arms over her chest. I hop off the coffin and saunter over to her. She backs up and I follow 'til she's pinned against the wall. Leanin' one arm by her head, I lower my face closer to hers and an irrepressible grin creases my lips.
My voice lowers to a guttural whisper as I speak. "There ain't anything like the rush I get when I drain someone, B. Feelin' their life fadin', their struggles growin' weaker, the warmth that floods me. Havin' that power over someone else, it's..." I shake my head roughly and growl. "It's amazin'."
She swallows hard and chokes out, "Faith, that's... You're losing control."
"No," I answer softly. "I'm more in control than I've ever been, B."
It's the truth. I'm lettin' myself revel in the feelings instead of rejectin' 'em. And for the first time, I can think about it and not feel like I'm about to go off the handle. I ain't afraid anymore.
"Listen to what you just said, Faith. You just admitted that you enjoy killing someone."
I search the heartbroken hazel eyes and give her a sympathetic smile. I run the backs of my fingers along her cheek. B's eyes slide shut and she leans into the caress.
"B," I say softly. "It's part of who I am. I can't lie and say it ain't. What I can say is that for the first time ever, I feel like I can stop myself from crossin' the line. I know I can."
"But how do you know?" She asks almost inaudibly. "How do I know I can trust you?"
I kiss her forehead and let my hand trail down her neck to her chest. I flatten my hand out over her heart and smile sadly.
"I just do. I know it's hard, but I just need ya to trust your heart for a little while longer. Can you do that for me, B?"
Her eyes open and she gives me an inscrutable look. A minute passes 'fore she nods almost imperceptibly.
"Okay," She says shakily.
"Thank you," I breathe and lean forward to kiss her forehead again.
"Don't make me regret this," She mutters softly as she ducks under my arm.
"I won't."
I turn to face her and watch as she paces the floor a couple of times. She stops, blows out a shuddering breath, and then turns back around.
"Was that the only reason why you called a meeting?"
I grin broadly. "Nah, it ain't. I came up with a plan to help us beat this motherfucker."
Her eyes brighten and I got all her attention now. I get a little thrill at the sight of the tiny, proud smile twitchin' at the corners of her lips. Fuck, I'm such a sap. I shake the thought off and see an expectant look directed at me. I hate to disappoint, so I tell her.
(Buffy's POV)
"You — you're insane!" I sputter.
She did not just say that! She wants to go up against Joaquin alone? Surrounded by all his people?
I don't care if she plans on having us there too. Who knows what kind of tricks he has up his sleeve? He isn't a typical vampire. He actually has a brain that doesn't revolve around blood twenty-four/seven.
She crosses her arms over her chest and levels a stubborn look at me. I return it with equal measure.
"B, you said you'd trust me."
I throw my hands up and growl. "Well in that case, I'm insane!"
"What's so fuckin' crazy about it?"
I sigh in exasperation. "What makes you think he'll even accept a challenge from you?"
The smile on her lips grabs my attention. It's one of those that make my hormones sit up and beg. Damn it, I cannot be thinking about that right now.
"Let's just say I've made it personal, aight?" She drawls.
My heart clenches and I let my gaze fall. I don't want to ask, but part of me has to know. I try to steel myself for the answer.
"Just how close have you gotten to him, Faith?"
"Close enough."
I glare at her and snap, "Faith! Just give me a straight answer. That's all I want."
Her face darkens and she crosses her arms over her chest. "I fucked him, aight? That what ya wanna know?"
My chest tightens and I clench my jaw shut tightly. She walks over to me and gently grasps my chin, forcing me to look in her eyes.
Her voice lowers intimately and I'm shocked at the contrast between her actions and her words. "Ya wanna hear how fuckin' wicked it felt, B? Just how good I felt ridin' him? Or maybe ya wanna know why I was so tightly wound in the first place?"
Images play out in my head and I try to ignore them. The thought of him touching her has me so freaking angry and I'm struggling not to cry. This is the control she was claiming to have? I don't want or need to hear any more.
She starts to speak again and I interrupt, "Just shut up, Faith. You know, I really doubt that you're in any sort of control right now."
I'm surprised to see her smile. She shakes her head and chuckles.
"I was just tryin' to get ya to shut up so we could get back on track, B. We ain't got time to fuck around right now."
"Fine," I mutter. "Just explain why you're so convinced your plan's going to work."
She grins. "He has an ego as big as mine if not bigger, B. He's gonna be pissed as Hell when he realizes just how much he fucked up."
"Your point is? They still outnumber us. Just 'cause you take him out doesn't mean the rest of the threat goes away."
"He's keepin' the larger part of his army somewhere else. Only a couple hundred stay 'round here. We had worse odds with the First and most of our girls weren't even trained then."
I have to admit that she has a point there. But it still doesn't sit well with me.
"What about the weapons? We can arm ours as much as we want, but we can't dodge bullets, Faith."
A wicked grin forms on her full lips. "I finally got to check out the fourth floor. They got a lab up there. Ya wanna know somethin' interestin'?"
Odd subject changes worry me, but that glint in her eyes worries me more. It warns me that she's about to get incredibly, annoyingly, smug. I look at her warily.
"What?"
"Orpheus smells a lot like incense when it's bein' prepared. It's really sickeningly strong. First I thought they were burnin' a lot of incense, but there wasn't any. They were, however, workin' at their lab stations with beakers and Bunsen burners all 'round. Know what that spells?"
I narrow my eyes at her. "I know you have a point somewhere."
Her eyebrows twitch. "Three of 'em, but I guess ya don't meant those."
It doesn't take a genius to get the first two points she's insinuating, but a third? My eyes drift over her body and I flush when I realize what she's talking about. I shake my head and groan. Okay, mind on the job and out of Faith's pants, please.
"Then get to it," I answer dryly.
"Ya really know how to take all the fun out of it, y'know?" She lifts her hands as I glare at her again. "Aight, it means they can't fire guns inside. Orpheus is flammable."
"You frighten me," I mutter. "Why do you know so much about that drug?"
She snickers. "No mystery there. I wanted to know about it 'cause I used it back when I had to put Angelus back in his Angel shaped box."
Damn, she's hot when she's smug. Okay, not thinking that! Jesus, I need help.
No, what I need is for this to be over with so we can get to the more important things. I need to see a woman, this woman, about my hormones. Then we can deal with our issues. Not usually my thing, but I doubt I'll be able to think straight until we get that out of the way.
"So when do we do this?"
No! I did not just agree to this crazy as Hell plan of hers! Oh, God, I did. I need to have my head examined.
She gives me a dimpled grin. "Sunrise, day after tomorrow. Post teams outside the exits and at the gate to keep the demons from escapin'. I'll leave the rest for you to decide."
I can only nod and hope to God that this plan of hers works. We're going in half-blind, but I'm trying to trust her like she asked. I just hope it doesn't blow up in my face.
Her stomach growls and she presses her hand to her belly. She looks at me and sighs. "So, are we 'bout done here?"
My gaze drops and I shrug. "We've gone over the particulars. I just gotta set things up with Giles and get the girls ready. I guess that means you're done for tonight."
"Aight," She mutters. "I gotta motor, then."
She turns to go and I hesitate. I should just let her go do what she needs to, right? It doesn't mean anything just 'cause she drinks someone else's blood. It's not like she's going to kill them, right?
Her hand touches the door handle and I call out anxiously, "Wait!"
Damn it, I need to learn to leave well enough alone. Why do I do this to myself? It's just that the thought of her pressing up against someone else and sinking her fangs into their skin, it makes me angrier than the thing with Joaquin. I need help.
She looks over her shoulder at me. "What's wrong?"
I bite my bottom lip and look up at her through my lashes. "Where are you going?"
"Ya really wanna know?"
I nod and she laughs disbelievingly. "Why ya gotta make things harder, B? Ya know damn well what I'm goin' to do."
I run my hand through my hair and then let it drop. What to do? I recall the other night when I was so worried about her. I blow out a harsh breath and lift my head, decision made.
I slowly stroll over to Faith, lettin' my hips swing a little more than usual. Her eyes flick to mine as I step up to her. I press my hands against her belly and run them up the flat, muscled surface. My palms brush over her breasts, feeling her nipples harden at the touch, and I stop with my hands on her upper chest.
I lick my bottom lip and ask softly, "Do you really have to involve anyone else, Faith?"
Tension rolls off her in waves. She clenches her teeth and growls. "B, just lemme go."
I tilt my head, letting my hair fall away from my neck. I watch with satisfaction as her gaze falls to take in her fading marks still very much present. I run one hand up behind her neck and twine her hair around my fingers.
"C'mon, F," I taunt. "I know you want it."
"I don't wanna hurt you, B," She says softly, her face showing her conflict.
"You won't."
I tug her hair, pulling her closer until her face is right at my neck. Hot breath brushes against my skin and I shiver. She hesitates and then the tension suddenly drains from her. Her lips brush my skin and then I feel the pinch of her fangs as she bites me.
I'm getting lost in the fog that clouds my thoughts and I go easily as my body responds to her. I bite my lip and wrap my other arm around her neck to hold on. I pull Faith as close as I can and press my body into hers. She wraps her arms around my waist and growls against me as she feeds.
As a Slayer, this should disgust me, but it doesn't. At least not right now. Who knows how I'll feel when all this is over and I've had a chance to process it. Right now though, all I can do is moan in response as my clit throbs and a thin trickle of blood escapes her hungry mouth to run down my chest and beneath my tank top between my breasts.
Chapter Twenty-One: Whatever It Takes
I look out the window into the darkness of the early morning as I rub at the bite mark on my neck. It burns, but it usually does afterwards. I snort when it occurs to me that she bit me in the same spot Angel did. I'm willing to bet she did it on purpose, too.
I lean my forehead against the glass and groan as my amusement fades. The next little while is going to be a pain in the ass. I'm waiting for the others to join me in Giles' office so we can talk everything over.
I'm not looking forward to it. There's always someone who disagrees with the plan. Of course, it's usually me when I'm not the one who came up with it. I roll my eyes.
Faith would be having a party if she heard me admit being such a control freak. I sigh and shake my head. They're going to give me a hard time after the other day and I'm really not in the mood to have to argue this out.
A weak grin tugs at the corner of my mouth. No, what I'm in the mood for is silk sheets, hot, sweaty sex, and a very intense vampire-Slayer. I sigh for a completely different reason.
I'm glad I took the time to clean up before I sent one of the younger Slayers to round everyone up. But if my mind keeps up the vivid imagery, it's going to be a moot point. I shift my stance, uncomfortably aware of the low pulse restarting in my groin.
Footsteps pull me from my introspection and I turn around. I lift my gaze to see Spike and Angel entering through the open doorway. I immediately recognize the moment they see the bite mark. Their reactions are freakishly similar, really.
Angel's jaw muscles clench and his gaze jerks from my neck to my eyes. The anger is obvious and I'm not surprised to find hurt lurking beneath it. I just hope I never have to tell him that I'm glad it's her mark and not his anymore. I may have fallen out of love with him, but that doesn't mean that I don't love him at all.
I've been upset with him since Spike spilled the beans about Faith, but I'll eventually get past it. I was just angry 'cause he didn't tell me where she was. That he tried to kill her gets under my skin also. But, I've tried it too so I really don't have room to talk.
Kind of depressed and too tired to dwell on it further, I let my eyes dart away from Angel's. I glance at Spike, finding an angry, accusing look being directed at me. I just want to get this over with. I lift a questioning eyebrow, knowing he'll take the bait.
"What the bloody Hell happened?" Spike sputtered.
"That's a damn good question," Angel adds.
Oh God, shoot me now. Before I can even attempt to answer them, Giles comes in. He looks from them to me and shakes his head as he crosses to his desk.
"What seems to be the problem at this disgustingly early hour of the morning?"
"That's just what we're trying to find out," Spike growls.
I roll my eyes and rub my temples, feeling a headache starting to form. I bring my gaze to Giles, the least annoying person in the room at the moment.
"Let's just wait until everyone else is here, 'cause I don't want to repeat myself."
"All right," Giles answers slowly. "You will be telling us why you've been bitten again, correct?"
No, no, and Hell no. Eh, I don't suppose that's the answer he's looking for. No, I can't tell him that and I certainly can't say that it's 'cause I'm a kinky, jealous bitch.
The rest of our group file in and I let out a breath of relief. I'm off the hook for now. I wait until they're settled in their customary positions around the office. Their eyes look at me expectantly and I briefly consider where to start. Then I lean back against the sill, and crossing my arms over my chest, I proceed to tell them the plan we discussed.
When I finish, my eyes drift over my friends curiously. I'm not too surprised when it's Angel who speaks up first. While he may be over two hundred years old, he is still very much a male. Worse, he's a male whose pride has somehow been slighted.
"How do we know she hasn't turned on us? This plan could just be a setup."
I open my mouth and then let it snap shut. I have to struggle to keep from giving him an answer that's completely derogatory. What is it with me and egomaniacs?
Willow catches sight of my expression and scrambles to explain, "He—he does have a point, Buff. It was just the other day when you told us that she was losing control."
They're right, but it doesn't make me feel any better. I search out and capture Giles's gaze with mine. I give him a pleading look.
"She had that dream thing you were talking about, Giles. She described it to me."
A slight smile forms on his lips and he leans forward in his desk chair. He nods encouragingly at me.
"Tell me what she said."
I lick my lips nervously and try to recall exactly what she said. I knew letting myself get distracted by her general, all around hotness would be trouble. Yup, here goes trying.
"She said she was chained in a cave with Slayer proof chains. Then she said something about there being these tunnels. Two of her came out of them and one of them was a vampire and the other was a Slayer. They fought and she was suffering through whatever they did to each other.
"I guess the pain overwhelmed her 'cause she said the next thing she knew was they were all over each other and saying she had to accept what she is."
Oh yeah, I clearly remember that last part. I was confused at first when she said it, but it didn't last long. Then my mind had a field day supplying all sorts of triple X images, every one of them starring me, Faith, and her double.
Giles makes that weird humming sound he does when he's thinking and nods. "Yes that sounds about right. Was there anything else?"
I bite my lower lip in contemplation and then I nod. "Yeah, she said she was still hurt when she woke up." I look down at the floor. "She also said she feels more in control than she ever has before."
"I see," He says in an approving tone as he looks down at a notebook open on his desk.
I hesitate and then I ask softly, "Giles?"
He looks up at me again. "Yes?"
"I don't know if it has anything to do with it, but her eyes were kind of weird."
His brows furrow and he asks, "How so?"
"They were completely black and they kinda glowed."
I'm startled by the sudden, blindingly brilliant smile he gives me. He chuckles.
"That's wonderful! It means the Slayer is in full control. Your eyes were like that when we did the spell to defeat Adam."
Now that I think about it, I do remember Will talking about that. My eyes widen. Before I can ask anything, another voice interrupts me.
"That means she's like, super Slayer right now doesn't it?"
Xander really does have a way of phrasing things sometimes, you know? And he just took the question right out of my mouth.
"Essentially, yes," Giles replies.
That definitely explains the take-charge attitude she was displaying. I shake my head and clear my throat.
"What does that mean for us exactly?"
"For me, it means that right now I'd follow her into any fight, vamp or not," Kennedy pipes up.
I'm inclined to agree with her, but I was committed to it all ready. I have reservations, but they really don't have anything to do with being afraid of her. Being afraid for her and the other Slayers is another matter all together, though.
"You can't be serious," Spike interrupts.
"We are," I answer resolutely.
"You're going to just send these girls into this, knowing that you're delivering them into the hands of someone who might just be their worst enemy?"
"Hey!"
Kennedy starts to stand up and I wave her off. I give Spike a look that explains exactly what I really want to say. The words I give are just the nicer ones.
"No," I answer, letting steel seep into my voice. "I'm sending them into this, knowing that I'm delivering them into the hands of one of our own."
And I really do believe it now, I realize with a faint snort. How much did it take to finally convince me of that? I shake my head and blow out a breath.
No, I realized it when she was in my face telling me how it feels to take a life. What she feels then isn't too much different than what I'm feeling right now at the prospect of bringing Joaquin's army to its' knees. It just scares me, 'cause she isn't the only one who has issues with accepting who they are.
I turn my back on Spike and Angel and walk towards the door. I pause in the doorway and turn to look at them again. I wait until I'm sure I have everyone's attention.
"I told Faith to do whatever it takes to get this done," I start. "And that's exactly what she did. Now I'm gonna put my money where my mouth is and make sure someone's got her back."
I pause as I glance around, making sure to catch everyone's gaze at least once. Then I continue, "I'm going to get the girls ready, with or without you. I just hope my friends trust me enough to know I wouldn't drag them into this if I didn't think we could do it."
I glance around again, gaining a wink from Will and a smirk from Ken. God, she reminds me too much of Faith sometimes. I shake my head and turn to leave the room.
There are preparations to be made and I need to get away from that room. I won't be responsible for what I'll do if any of them decide to question me any further.
Chapter Twenty-Two: Caught Red-Handed
(Faith's POV)
I'm lyin' on my pile of blankets starin' at the ceilin' as last night plays over and over in my head. I should be thinkin' 'bout the battle that's goin down in less than two hours, but I can't get B outta my head. I caught that flash of jealousy in her eyes when she realized exactly why I wanted to leave. I keep havin' to remind myself that it doesn't mean anything, that she doesn't know everything that's happened.
I've been tellin' myself that the only reason she let me drink from her last night was to protect anyone else from me. It ain't doin' me any good. Every time I try, my mind calls up the memory of her firm body rubbin' against me and the scent of her arousal.
Nope, my mind just keeps screamin' that B wants me. My body's screamin' it too. My libido's gonna be the death of me.
It took everything I had to let her walk out that door last night. Not just 'cause I wanna fuck her 'til she's walkin' funny either. I just wanna hold her close for a while; no sex, no feedin' involved — just us. Not somethin' I ever thought I'd hear myself say, y'know?
I hated tellin' her 'bout Joaquin, but she just wouldn't leave it. Then I wanted her to drop it, so I said that other stuff. Afterwards, I wanted so fuckin' bad to tell her it didn't even hold a candle to just kissin' her. But we needed to get the ball rollin' so I couldn't.
I wish this was over with all ready, but at the same time, I don't. She ain't gonna want me when I tell her 'bout that pig bastard, and I can't be with her unless she knows everything. I smirk. When did I get so bloody fuckin' noble?
I shake my head and sigh. I don't know what I'm gonna do when this is finished with. I doubt I'll be satisfied with goin' back to Georgia. This little adventure's shown me just how much I've been missin' life as a Slayer.
It ain't just the violence that draws me to this life, either. Though, that is a fuckin' wicked good reason. I miss knowin' that my actions have saved someone's life. But if I really think about it, Slayin' is just another way to hold someone's life in my hands.
Somethin' is startin' to become disturbingly clear, though. What the vamp was sayin' 'bout me just bein' part of the soul and needin' to get hold of myself? I think she meant that part of my soul's in purgatory and that unless I get it back, I'm gonna lose control again.
Fear tightens my chest at that thought and I close my eyes as I swallow hard. So I know what I gotta do. I gotta get my soul back. But how can I?
The front door slams open and I jerk, startled. I go to flip to my feet and hear the hammers of at least four guns cock back. Dionne shoves through the crowd of vamps standin' in my livin' room and raises his gun, aimin' pointblank at my forehead.
"Take your guns from your holsters and drop 'em," He growls and then adds, "Slowly."
I do as he says and then look at him curiously. I decide to take a chance. I doubt Joaquin wants anyone but him to dust me so I think I'm safe for now.
"What's up, man? I ain't did shit."
"Fuck if I know. Joaquin just said to bring you in. Put your hands behind your head."
Slowly, I do so. What the fuck is this all about? I know there wasn't anyone tailin' me last night. I checked on the way there and on the way back.
He gestures another vamp over. "Frisk her." He glances back at me. "Don't try anything funny, got me?"
The vamp steps forward to pat me down and I grind my teeth together to keep from sayin' anything. I don't wanna chance pissin' Dionne off. He seems like the kinda guy who wouldn't think anything of endin' me and tellin' his boss I tried to get away.
The vamp's hands spend a little too much time at my tits and I look at him. I harden my expression, lettin' it speak for me. He jerks his gaze away from mine and quickly finishes the search, comin' up empty handed. I wasn't expectin' company, so I didn't bother to pack anything other than my guns.
The vamp pulls my hands down to the small of my back and slaps a pair of handcuffs on me. He finally steps back over to the others and Dionne holsters his gun, gesturin' for the rest to do the same. He walks up and grabs the cuffs, jerkin' me to my feet.
I move with the motion, climbin' to my feet as he pulls to keep any strain off my shoulders. I don't wanna give him the satisfaction of givin' me a dislocated shoulder. He motions the other vamps out and gives me a shove forward to get me movin' too.
Outside, he motions two vamps to either side of me and then moves ahead to walk with the rest of his unit. I glance over my guards to get a good idea of what I'm dealin' with here just in case I gotta haul ass. Both are in fairly good shape, but they ain't any real threat. I'd be more worried about the modified guns they're carryin' than anything else.
I turn my attention to the others and assess 'em as best I can. Strong, confident, well-armed, I'm sure I can deal with 'em fine. The biggest threat is Dionne. That big son of a bitch could probably break me if I let him get his hands on me.
I shudder. Kinda reminds me of Dane. But he ain't Dane, and I ain't just a Slayer anymore. That reminder calms me down and I turn my attention to my next task.
Rollin' my shoulders and pretendin' to stretch, I tense my arms and tug at the handcuffs. The metal gives slightly and I smirk as all the tension I was feelin' fades. Thank God for stupid ass sons of bitches like these.
The walk over was uneventful. My guards just ignored me and I gladly returned the favor. It ain't like they could tell me anything useful anyway. If Dionne doesn't know why Joaquin sent for me, I doubt these fuckers do.
We enter the warehouse and I bite back a chuckle. There are vamps and demons crowdin' the first floor, and some are even leanin' against the railin' on the second. There's a general air of primal excitement jarrin' my senses.
A low buzz of conversation rises as a few catch sight of me. I see some pointin' at me and the leers on their faces make the hair at the nape of my neck stand on end. Silence suddenly falls and then the crowd parts to let us through.
I look across the room through the now open space in front of me and lock eyes with a pair of angry, almost black ones. Joaquin's sittin' at the head of the table, Aiden standin' to one side and an open space on the other. His expression clouds for a brief second and then goes blank.
"Ah, Ms. Lehane, so glad you could join us," He drawls.
I chuckle slightly. I'd all ready figured he'd discovered who I am. I just wanna know how.
"Y'know, most vamps don't like it when I'm 'round," I say conversationally. "Glad to see not everyone feels that way."
His lips twitch and he smiles humorlessly. "I'm sure."
Without lookin' away, he gestures to my escort. "Take your places, gentlemen."
They all spread out, Dionne movin' to the open space on Joaquin's left. I lift a curious eyebrow as I'm left standin' alone.
He shrugs. "I figured you would rather remain standing for this as well, yes?"
"Whatever."
I saunter over, lettin' a relaxed smile spread across my lips. My gaze catches Aiden's for a brief sec and he jerks in surprise. I wink and then drag my eyes back to Joaquin's as I continue 'round the table. I don't stop 'til I'm standin' just a few feet in front of Aiden.
I lean my hip against the table and run my fingers over the grain of the table. Joaquin's eyes follow the movement and then lift back to mine. He shakes his head.
"Are you not even the least bit worried?"
I shrug. "What would be the point? I ain't got a clue what ya problem is, yet. I mean, is it 'cause I ran out on ya the other night?"
His face darkens and he snarls, "Don't toy with me, bitch!"
I smirk. "Aight, is it Irish/Italians from Southie? Maybe it's ex cons ya got issues with?"
"You are really trying my patience, Slayer!"
I snap my fingers. "Ah, that's it!" I laugh and shake my head. "Knew I forgot to tell ya somethin'."
He stands and stalks over to me. He grabs the front of my tank top and jerks me forward, pullin' me face to face with him.
"Keep talking and I will make your change real, Slayer!"
I grimace as some of his spit flies out and hits my face. I wipe my cheek against my shoulder and look at him. I try not to say it, really I do, but it just comes out anyway.
"Say it, don't spray it, stubby!"
He releases me only to grab me by the throat and then he tosses me backwards. I land on my back on the table and look up to see him lunge at me. I bring my booted feet up and kick at his chest, sendin' him flyin'. He slams into the cages and slides to the floor.
I don't wait for him to get up. I flip to my feet on the table and roll my shoulders. I let the motion flow all the way to my wrists and bring my arms up, snappin' the chain between the handcuffs. I look up to see Joaquin runnin' towards me, game face on.
I let my face shift to the familiar angles and ridges in response. My body shifts over my center of balance and my fists hang ready at my sides. I snarl when Aiden reaches out to intercept him.
Joaquin rounds on him and growls, "What?"
I watch curiously, wonderin' what's up. That fucker's grated on my senses since I first met him and he's actin' weird. I raise an eyebrow as Aiden looks up at me.
"What magic are you using to keep up that appearance so convincingly that I cannot even sense it?"
I laugh in disbelief. I wasn't really payin' attention earlier when Joaquin made his comment, but now I'm gettin' it. They think I ain't a real vamp.
I trail my tongue over my fangs and flip down, landin' in front of 'em. I smirk at Aiden.
"Ain't any magic involved," I drawl.
A clock on the back wall of the room catches my attention and I snicker when I realize I'm right on time. My eyes drift back to Aiden and I close the distance between us. I gaze at him for a sec, lettin' my amusement show. Just as he starts to speak, I move.
In one sudden violent motion, I grab his shirt and jerk him to me. I shove my fist into his chest—skin, muscle and bone givin' way. My fingertips close 'round his heart and our eyes lock. Horror widens his eyes and I pull my hand back, tearin' his heart out.
His body reels and then falls backwards. I open bloodied fingers and let his wetly glistenin' heart drop to the floor. I step on it and turn to face Joaquin, lettin' the heel of my boot grind it into the cement. Aiden's body bursts into ashes as it hits the floor.
That's one less problem we gotta worry 'bout. He was the unknown in this sitch. I don't know what he might've been able to do, but now it ain't gonna be an issue.
An explosion shatters the silence of the warehouse just as Joaquin lunges for me. I laugh and meet his attack just as those around us react to the sudden arrivals. Slayers are pourin' through the now wide, jagged openings where the front and back doors once were with the weak, grayish early mornin' sunlight chasin' after 'em.
I go through the motions of the fight, duckin' and throwin' punches and kicks. A familiar primal energy surges through me, urgin' me to give myself up to it. I hesitate, givin' him an openin'. An uppercut rocks my head back and I roll with it, liftin' my head back up to face him and I lick at the blood poolin' in the corner of my mouth.
Our eyes lock and I let myself go. One last thought goes through my head 'fore all I know is the drivin', feral ecstasy of battle. I didn't even have to challenge the motherfucker.
