Revealing the Monster (Playing with Monsters #4) - Amelia Hutchins Page 0,27
stated with a sinister laugh, shrugging his broad shoulders.
“Children,” Alden chuckled, running his hand over his mouth to stifle the silent laughter that shook his body. “Play nice. I’ll send out word to the enforcers and hunters in the area and make it known at the guild that these areas are unstable. Lena, I’ll pull those items we discussed, and you can drop by once you’ve found what you’re looking for at Nightshade and have addressed your problem.”
“What problem is that?” Zahruk asked, his eyes narrowing on me.
“It’s personal,” I returned, watching his head nod.
“They normally are, Lena. Empty that baggage, though, like Alden suggested, because if you collect enough of it, it will weigh you down until you’re drowning. Pretty things should never suffer when it’s so easy to fix the issues plaguing them.” Zahruk vanished before I could say anything, forcing a strangled groan from my throat. He’d heard everything, and I wasn’t sure he’d keep it to himself.
“Is he trustworthy?” I asked, feeling something icy near me.
“I’ll keep your secrets, little fury,” Zahruk whispered, brushing his lips against my ear. “Be more careful what you whisper in the future. Lucifer is listening for you in the wind. Vlad is aware you’re on your way. The club is moving now, fueled by magic from Faery. Two blocks east, catch it before it moves again. Your guy is inside, hiding from you.”
I shivered, turning to look at where he should have been, but only a hint of dark sexual energy remained in his place. Zahruk was trouble for every woman with working sexual organs. Since Ryder had crowned him King of the Horde, he’d evolved into a carnal being that leaked pheromones on unsuspecting women. Mainly me.
“I’ll escort you to the door of the club, but I need to get back to the guild,” Alden announced.
“Your offer is sweet, but I should be the one walking you to the guild to be certain you get there safely.”
He snorted, shaking his head. “Kid, I’ve been running these streets since I could walk. Also, I’m not suicidal enough to leave you alone with Lucian around. He’d have my spine ripped out through my mouth if he knew you were out here by yourself.”
“Fine, let’s go. I don’t want to spend all night chasing down a magical vampire club that is sporadically relocating to stay hidden from us. Not to mention, I wouldn’t be surprised if Spyder hasn’t already figured out I’m hunting him and has gone to ground.”
“I doubt he’s hiding that hard, Kid. Spyder is a man, and you’re a woman. He wants what you got,” he chuckled.
“Alden, really?” I gasped in mocked horror.
“I may be old enough to be your father, Lena, but I’m all man. I have working eyes, and all my parts still function perfectly.”
“I’m going to need you to stop now, considering you were with my mother.” He smirked, but there was sadness in his gaze. He shoved his hands into his pockets as we began making our way toward Nightshade.
“Your mother was quite the woman. She’d be proud of you if she were here. She was concerned about how you would adjust to what you had become. She may have worried about it, but she loved you more than she feared you.”
Chapter Eight
Here, Spyder, Spyder. Here is your chance to ride her. ~Lena
I entered Nightshade without issue, stopping at the bar to kiss my favorite bartender, Vlad, on the cheek. He laughed, shaking his dark head as his silver eyes surveyed me. Today they weren’t swirling, which normally gave me pause. Let’s be honest; swirling eyes that studied you intently should freak anyone out. He wore a tight, sleeveless shirt that exposed the tattoos, covering his arms from shoulder to wrist. Jeans hugged his slim hips, and he looked as if he’d just stepped out of a magazine for men’s physique.
“Here comes trouble,” Vlad chuckled, pouring two fingers of scotch into a chilled glass before pushing it toward me. “What brings you in here tonight, Lena? I’m surprised Lucian allowed you out with the Devil hunting you.”
“I’m not afraid of Lucifer,” I admitted, drinking deeply of the cool scotch. “It appears that he intends to lure me to him by using Makenna. He seems attached to her, playing the perfect father. It’s creepy and endearing at the same time.”
“Lucian didn’t let you out, did he?” Vlad countered, running his hand over his mouth before grabbing a towel and wiping down the pristine bar surface. “Should