Part 18 (1/2)

The singer stopped, mopped his s.h.i.+ny forehead. A b.u.t.ton pressed and canned music rang out through the room. Patrons resumed their loud chatter. Beer bottles clinked, while the street outside roared with revelry.

He drew her close and bent his head next to her ear.

”Give in, chere. You asked me to let go. It's your turn now.” His deep whisper sent a delightful s.h.i.+ver coursing down her spine.

The promise of s.e.x gleamed in his dark green gaze. Her body hummed instinctively to the sultry call of his demand.

”I need to go powder my nose.”

”Hurry.” Damian playfully tapped her nose.

She grabbed the little jeweled purse, pushed through to the ladies' room. Antic.i.p.ation raced through her as she stared at herself in the mirror. Rosy face, pulse racing, pupils dilated. Jamie ran water on a paper towel, dabbed her hot face. Arousal suffused her entire body. Her phone rang. Jamie fished it out of her purse, flipped it open.

Opening the phone, she s.h.i.+vered upon reading the message.

MUSM. I want U. U will b mine. 2nite. DAMIAN.

Miss you so much. I want you. You will be mine. Tonight.

She thrilled to the challenge. Jamie shut the phone, dropped it into her purse and returned to the bar. Damian leaned against the counter, a small smile on his lips as he palmed his phone. She tilted her head.

”Not bad. Not bad at all.”

He pocketed the cell, touched her mouth. ”KOL.” Kiss on the lips. Damian didn't wait for her answer. His mouth on hers was teasing, light. He flicked his tongue lightly over her bottom lip.

Jamie pulled back, trembling, hot. Needing him.

Satisfaction gleamed in his gaze. Damian's long, strong fingers curled possessively about hers. He tugged her out into the street and the chilled night air. Two college-age boys staggered past, foamy beer splas.h.i.+ng over their cups like seawater spilling from a s.h.i.+p's deck. Sights and smells a.s.saulted her heightened senses. The scent of sour sweat, the stench of stale beer and Damian's delicious, curiously refres.h.i.+ng scent. He looked far too urbane and sophisticated for the Quarter's decadent revelry. Yet an air of natural authority clung to him, as if he ruled these streets, and with a flick of a finger could command all to do his bidding.

The more she pulled back his layers, the more exposed she felt, and the more dangerously she teetered toward something more lasting and permanent. Like that four-letter word.

Love.

Love was scary. People professed it and then twisted it into something dark and sinister. All she'd ever wanted was a family who accepted and loved her for herself, but they all tried shaping her into their image of the perfect Jamie. Her parents molding her into a good daughter. Her uncle beating her into a meek niece. Mark dismissing her into an approval-seeking sister. Renee chiding her into a safe neighbor who didn't practice magick.

Damian gently squeezed her palm. ”What's wrong?”

Jamie offered a brave smile. ”Just pensive.”

He stopped and pulled her to the side, letting pedestrians pa.s.s. Damian sheltered her with his big body.

”Tell me,” he insisted.

The tenderness in his voice undid her. ”I can't,” she whispered. She leaned against him. For once, she just wanted someone else to take charge, someone else to take over and protect her from all the fears r.i.m.m.i.n.g her mind.

He slid a palm around the back of her neck. Instead of soothing, it stirred all her senses. Her nerves screamed to life. He leaned close enough for her to count the dark stubble shadowing his jaw. She felt open, wet and aching. His touch lingered over her neck, featherlight, erotic as he stroked her skin. Damian's gaze scanned the crowd streaming past them.

”Let's go home. Too many eyes,” he said authoritatively.

They turned a corner. As they went to pa.s.s a dark, narrow alley, her hackles rose. Damian ground to an abrupt halt, thrusting her behind him.

”d.a.m.n it,” he muttered. ”I knew we shouldn't have come out. Too dangerous.” He glanced at her, looking torn. His gaze then landed on the door of a locked business. He herded her toward it, waved his hand, unlocking the door and pulling her inside as he handed her his cell phone.

”Stay here. Morphs are in the alley. If you see one approach, punch number one. It's my signal for Rafe. He'll respond instantly.”

”Damian, let me help you. I have powers now.”

He shot her a warning look. ”Stay here,” he growled, then shut the gla.s.s door behind him as he left.

With a wave of his hand, his clothing vanished. Barely had she registered the sleek, smooth muscles of his long legs and taut a.s.s, than he shape-s.h.i.+fted into a large gray wolf. The wolf raced toward the alley.

The h.e.l.l with this. She wasn't some helpless woman in need of rescue. Jamie wriggled her fingers, feeling the power rise up. She went outside, cautiously approaching the alley.

Her vision sharpened as moonlight speared the inky black alley. Blood splattered the wall nearby. She recognized Adam, the Draicon admonished by Damian for letting her escape. Four hulking creatures with thin, wispy hair and yellowed fangs attacked. Morphs. They slashed his arms and legs, snarling as sharp talons raked over his chest. Her stomach gave a sickening lurch.

From the back of the alley, a lone figure charged forward, a dagger in his hands.

”Ricky,” Adam yelled. ”Watch my back!”

But instead, Ricky kept running. The Morphs dropped back, didn't attack him. He ran out of the alley, nearly colliding with her.

She watched Damian attack and kill most of the Morphs, but one got away. Ricky stepped before her. His breath came in short, stabbing pants as he dropped the dagger.

Stretching out her hands, Jamie aimed a surge of energy at the dropped dagger. The snarling Morph leaped at her as Damian sank sharp fangs into its hindquarters. She sent the dagger hurling straight into the Morph's heart.

The Morph exploded into a shower of gray ash, covering Jamie, Damian the wolf, the brick walls.

Shocked, she stared at her hands. Gray streaked up her arms now. Her head pounded again.

Burns marked Damian's muzzle. He shape-s.h.i.+fted back to his human form, waved a hand and clothed himself again. Adam s.h.i.+fted back, as well, shrugged into his clothing then joined them.

Blood streamed down his side even as the vicious cuts on Damian's arms began healing. A violent trembling affected his hands as he wiped gray ash from her face.

”Did it hurt you?” he demanded.

She couldn't speak. Damian gripped her shoulders. ”Jamie, tell me.”

”I'm okay,” she managed.

Damian flipped open his cell phone, barked an order. In a few minutes, Raphael and Gabriel appeared on their motorcycles, Rafe abandoning his to ride with Gabriel. Damian took over Raphael's bike and motioned for her to join him.

She went, knowing it was pointless to argue, and logical to leave.

When they arrived at his house, Damian herded her upstairs. In her room, he closed the door. Turning, he loosened his tie, pulled it off, removed his jacket and tossed it aside. Fury sparked his eyes. His big body tensed as he removed her gloves. Her nails, wrists and part of her forearms had turned the color of a leaden sky.

Jamie lifted her chin, ready to duel.

”I told you to stay put. You could have been killed, Jamie.”

”And I knew how to protect myself. Everything's cool.” She drew in a breath. ”It's no big deal.”