Slade (Venom Series) Book Two Page 2

  “Liam is a horn-dog. He’ll say anything if it gets him what he wants. Although, I don’t think he realized that she was a shape-shifter until afterwards.”

  “And he’s a werewolf?” I asked.

  “Liam is a Lycan,” he said. “There’s a difference.”

  “What is it?” asked Melody.

  “He can transform into a wolf whenever he wants to. Werewolves have to wait until the moon is full. They are a lesser species.” Slade smirked. “Kind of like the Roamers.”

  I smirked. “So, what you’re saying is that you guys from Europe are a much better breed?”

  “They can’t compete with our speed or strength. Obviously, their creators weren’t of the same stock.”

  “Let’s cut to the chase, are you safe to be around?” I asked, feeling better now that I’d eaten most of the burger. I was tired of skirting around the fact we were part of his food supply.

  “I normally don’t feed directly from humans. I have a supplier,” he said.

  “You have a supplier?” I repeated.

  “Yes, back in Romania. She provides most of my blood.”

  “Is she your girlfriend or something?” asked Melody.

  “It’s not what you think and no, I do not have a girlfriend. She provides me with packages of blood from a blood-bank.”

  “When was the last time you fed?” I asked.

  His eyes met mine again. “Don’t concern yourself with that. I’ve got things under control.”

  “For how long, though? I mean, it’s you and us. If you suddenly feel the need to feed, it is our concern,” I replied. “And, what about that episode back at Club Nightshade? Didn’t you just admit that you lost control and almost went after Melody?”

  “I didn’t though,” he answered sternly. “So, don’t worry about it.”

  “Have you fed since leaving the club?”

  “No.” He grunted. “Dammit, are you this tenacious with everyone?”

  “She is,” said Melody, grinning. “It’s her nature. Used to drive me crazy when we were kids.”

  “If you hadn’t lied so much, I wouldn’t have had to ask you so many questions,” I countered.

  “Whatever. I did not.”

  “Obviously, some things never change.”

  She turned around and glared at me.

  “Don’t give me that look. You started it.”

  She sighed. “And you’re so perfect.”

  “I never said I was. Look, I just want to stay alive. There’s nothing wrong with that,” I said, defending myself.

  “You’re right,” said Slade. “I guess I really can’t blame you. You both witnessed some horrible shit the last couple of days. Plus, you’re dealing with whatever may have happened to your parents. It certainly doesn’t look good for them.”

  He was right. It didn’t. After Slade and Melody had picked me up from the hospital, they’d taken me back to my house. I’d cried when I’d noticed the blood on my mother’s pillow and the broken lamp next to the bed. Other than that, there’d been no other sign of a struggle. Nor any sign of my parents. Afterwards, we’d driven to Melody’s house, which had also been deserted. Fortunately, there hadn’t been any blood. Just an empty house with a shattered patio door and some broken dining room chairs.

  “We don’t know for sure if any of them are actually dead,” I said quickly. “They could still be alive. Maybe even… grandma.” The thought of seeing our grandmother getting mauled by such wickedness was enough to make me sick. She was so sweet and kind. She didn’t deserve any of this.

  Melody’s head whipped around. “Grandma? Where was she?”

  “At your house. The last thing I heard, she was comforting Aunt Jody.”

  “Because of me?” said Melody, her eyes filling with tears.

  “Yes. Aunt Jody was worried sick about you. Seriously, Melody, if you wouldn’t have snuck into Club Nightshade… we wouldn’t be in this mess.”

  Melody began to cry and I suddenly felt like a royal bitch.

  “Oh crap. I’m sorry,” I said.

  “No. You’re right,” she sobbed. “It is my fault. Actually,” she turned to Slade and her eyes narrowed through her tears. “It’s your fault. I wanted to see you in concert.” She turned to look back at me. “Slade even took me back to his hotel. I think we may have had sex.”

  I rolled my eyes. It was just like Melody to blame someone else for her actions.

  “That’s bullshit. I did not take you back to my hotel room and we definitely didn’t have sex,” he said, his jaw set. “I didn’t even talk to you Friday night.”

  “Actually, your band members said you took her back to your hotel,” I replied, remembering the conversation. “Are you calling them liars?”

  “I don’t care what they said. They were obviously misled, which makes me believe that Faye was behind it,” he answered.

  “What do you mean?” asked my cousin, wiping the tears from her cheeks with a napkin.

  “Think about it. She’s a shape-shifter. She more than likely changed into me, and that’s probably who you were with Friday night.”

  Melody gasped. “Oh, my God, I might have had sex with that lizard thing?”

  I chuckled.

  “It’s not funny!” she cried.

  “Do you remember actually having sex with anyone?” asked Slade, who was trying to keep a straight face.

  “No. I just woke up alone in a hotel room Saturday. I stuck around for a while and then decided to take off. When I walked out of the lobby to try and catch a cab, two of Faye’s security guards shoved me into this dark SUV.” She frowned. “To tell you the truth, I can’t remember much between the time they took me and seeing you in her office.”

  “Well, if it makes you feel better, I doubt Faye molested you. She probably just drugged you so you’d pass out.”

  “I hope so, because I don’t know what I’d do if I thought I’d had sex with a monster or even another woman. She is a female, isn’t she?”

  Slade shrugged. “I presume so. To be honest, I don’t know for sure.”

  “Why would Faye go to all of that trouble? Why didn’t she just drug Melody and bring her back to the club instead of letting her stay at the hotel?” I asked.

  Slade shrugged. “Who knows? Maybe she wanted to make me look like an asshole.”

  “Or… maybe she was trying to trick your band members,” I said. “Even Liam seemed pretty shocked when he found out that you had left with Melody.”

  “Again, it wasn’t me and I guess that would confuse the hell out of him. Particularly since I’m always giving him hell about sleeping with fans.”

  “So, that’s not your thing? Sleeping with fans?” I asked, knowing that he must get propositioned quite a bit. After watching him on stage, I’d gotten a little hot-and-bothered myself.

  “No.”

  That was hard to believe. “Why? Isn’t that a perk of being a rich and famous musician?”

  “It’s only a perk if that’s what you’re into. I’m not,” he answered.

  “Are you gay?” asked Melody, staring at him wide-eyed. “Not that there’s anything wrong with it. I’m just curious.”

  I was too. I waited to hear his response.

  He smirked. “No, but even if I was gay, I’d still not be interested in having sex with groupies.”

  “Why?” asked Melody. “I mean, you’re single. You don’t have a girlfriend. Do you… do vampires have sex?”

  “Yes,” he said, chuckling. “We have lots of sex. And, for the record, I’m not saying that I don’t have sex. I enjoy it as much as the next guy. I just chose not to have sex with…”

  “Mortals,” I said.

  “Exactly.”

  “Why? Are you not attracted to us?” I asked.

  Our eyes met in the mirror again and there was a flash of something sexy and feral in his gaze. “I’m very attracted to you.”

  My heart skipped a beat. Was he talking to me? My lips suddenly felt dry and I licked t
hem.

  “Then why deny yourself?” asked Melody, trying to flirt with him.

  “Maybe I shouldn’t,” he answered, still staring at me.

  There was no mistaking his meaning that time and something went ‘swoosh’ in my stomach.

  “Wow, is it me or should we stop talking about sex,” said Melody, fanning herself. “It feels weird with Chelsey in the car.”

  “Why?” he asked.

  “Just, because,” she answered, thankfully not telling him that I was a virgin.

  “Can we stop somewhere?” asked Melody, after a few seconds.

  “For what?” he asked.

  “A bed,” she replied. “I need a bed. Now.”

  “To sleep?” he asked.

  She grinned coyly. “Yes, unless you have something else in mind.”

  My jaw dropped at her directness.

  “I think you both need a rest after what you’ve been through,” he said, evading her question.

  Sulking, Melody stared up at the moon. “So, what about you? Do you need to find a casket or something? To rest?”

  He looked over at her. “A casket? Really?”

  “Yeah, to protect your skin from the bright light of the sun,” she said. “Or maybe we can just find you a really dark room?”

  He grunted. “I don’t need protection.”

  “So the sun isn’t your enemy?” she asked. “I thought vampires had to stay away from it.”

  “No,” he said. “Well, some of us do.”

  “Why only some?” I asked.

  “Recently ‘turned’ vampires need to wear dark sunglasses and keep out of direct sunlight, or it can be quite uncomfortable.”

  “But not you?” she asked.

  “No. I’ve become immune to its side effects over the years. I can even hang out at the beach if I want to.”

  “Because you’re that much older?” I asked.

  He smirked. “I’m ancient.”

  “How old are you?” asked Melody.

  Slade was silent for several seconds and then rubbed the back of his neck. “Let’s just say I’ve been around long enough to witness plenty of unnecessary bloodshed. Most of it through wars that you’ve read about in history books.”

  Melody chuckled. “Wow, you really must be old.”

  “Like I said before. Ancient.”

  “Well, you don’t look much older than us,” I said.

  “That’s because I can’t age physically.”

  “That would be awesome,” sighed Melody. “To never grow old.”

  “It’s a curse. Hell, I’d gladly go back to being mortal if I could. You can’t imagine how exhausting and depressing it is to live this long and watch others around you… die.”

  “So, you weren’t born a vampire?” I asked, surprised.

  “No.”

  “Were you forced into it?” asked Melody.

  He didn’t reply and there was a tense silence.

  “Slade, how did it happen?” I pressed, intrigued.

  “To be honest, it’s something I’d rather not talk about,” he answered gruffly. He turned on the radio. “Let’s find a hotel so you girls can sleep, and I can find out what’s happening with Liam and the others.”

  “Great idea,” said Melody. “I’d love a shower, too. Find a place that has those soft, fluffy robes, will you?”

  “I’ll do my best. Is there anything else?” he replied.

  “A room with a Jacuzzi would be totally awesome, and … a mini bar? But, don’t go out of your way to make it happen, Slade,” she said, fluttering her eyelashes a little. “I mean, unless you don’t mind going out of your way? I would assume you’re used to staying at places that offer those kinds of amenities.”

  He glanced at her. “A mini bar? How old are you?”

  “Old enough,” she said, grinning mischievously.

  “I doubt it.”

  Her smile fell. “Hey, after everything I’ve been through, I could use a stiff drink.”

  “She’s eighteen,” I said. “Barely.”

  Melody turned around and smiled coldly. “He wasn’t asking you.”

  “I know and that’s why I told him the truth,” I replied, smiling back.

  She sighed and turned around. “You’re such a buzzkill.”

  “To be honest, Melody, drinking alcohol isn’t going to help the situation and, in fact, you need to stay focused,” he answered. “So I suggest both of you get some sleep so you’re on your game tomorrow.”

  “On our game?” repeated Melody. “What do you mean?”

  “Think about it – the danger isn’t over and you’re going to need all of your wits about you. Faye wants you dead. We’ve left Shore Lake, but they could find us. ”

  “You’re going to protect us, right?” asked Melody, wide-eyed.

  “I’ll take you somewhere safe and help you locate your family, if they’re still alive. After that, you’re on your own,” he answered.

  “What do you mean, we’re on our own?” she balked. “You can’t be serious!”

  “We’re going back to Europe,” he said. “The band, that is.”

  “What do we do once you’re gone?” she replied, looking back at me and then over to him again. “Neither Chelsey or I have any money. We don’t know where to go. We’ll be screwed.”

  I reached forward and touched her shoulder. “Hey, Melody, don’t worry about it. We’ll figure it out.”

  “Figure it out? Are you kidding?!” she replied shrilly. “What do you think we’re going to do once he abandons us? It’s not like we can protect ourselves against something like Faye and those… Roamers.”

  “We’ll go to the FBI,” I said. “They’ve got to help us. We’ll tell them everything and make them help us.”

  “I wouldn’t. I’m sure the FBI is aware of what’s been happening. Hell, they’ll more than likely lock you away to keep you from talking, or worse…” said Slade.

  “Worse? You mean they’d kill us?” I asked.

  “That’s very possible. We are classified information. Hell, the majority of the people running the government now are immortals or linked to one of us. They’ll definitely want to keep their real identities from going public.”

  “I guess that doesn’t surprise me,” I mumbled, feeling hopeless. “Having that kind of power and strength, of course they’d be the ones running things.”

  “Yes, so the best thing you can do is not talk about any of this and just… start over,” he said.

  “Easy for you to say,” replied Melody. “You’re rich, you know people. You don’t even have to hide. But us… we’re probably going to have to live on the streets until we figure out what to do.”

  He was silent for a few minutes and then gave us another option. “You’re welcome to fly to Europe with us. I’m sure we can find you a place to stay. Maybe even a job.”

  “Really?” Her face lit up. “You’d let us come with you?”

  “If it keeps you off the streets, yes. I’m not that much of an asshole.”

  She turned back to me, her eyes twinkling. “Did you hear that, Chelsey? We’re going to Europe!”

  I stared at her in alarm.

  Had she already given up on our family?

  “Not me. Thanks for the offer, Slade, but there is no way in hell I’m flying out of the country.”

  “Chelsey, think about it,” argued my cousin. “We really don’t have a choice.”

  “Yes, we do. Look, Slade, if you really want to help us, you’ll find our parents. After that, we’ll be out of your hair.”

  “My boys are already working on it.”

  “Good,” I replied. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  We drove for miles in silence. After a while, Slade turned up the stereo just as the song, She Will Be Loved began to play, by Maroon Five. I closed my eyes and listened to the lyrics, my eyelids growing heavy. Then Slade’s phone began to ring.

  “Yeah,” he said, answering it. Someone spoke o
n the other end and a few seconds later, he swore under his breath.

  Melody looked at me.

  “Okay. Yeah, I guess I’ll have to,” said Slade, not sounding happy. “See you soon.”

  “Was that Liam?” I asked after he hung up.

  He tossed his phone on the dashboard. “Yep.”

  “Did he have news?” I asked, holding my breath.

  “I’m not going to beat around the bush. He found out what happened to your family, Chelsey,” he said in a somber tone.

  My stomach clenched into a tight fist. I could barely breathe. I didn’t want him to say the words. The ones that would make it real.

  “Well?” asked Melody, not yet getting it. “What did he say?”

  He let out a ragged sigh. “I guess there’s no easy way to say it… They are all dead.”

  MELODY SUCKED IN her breath. “No,” she answered. “Are they absolutely positive?”

  I nodded. “Yeah. Liam found...” I stopped myself from saying ‘their remains’. “He found them. It was too late.”

  “He saw their bodies?” asked Chelsey.

  I turned back to look at her. “Yes. I’m… sorry for your loss,” I replied gravely, although it sounded inadequate, even to me.

  Her jaw tightened and Chelsey looked away. She looked so utterly beautiful and vulnerable, her full lips trembling in the darkness.

  “What about my mother?” asked Melody, fighting tears. “Or our grandmother? Do they know for sure if they were also killed?”

  “Unfortunately, it sounds like the Roamers may have murdered them all.”

  “How in the hell did they find out where we even lived?” cried Chelsey. “I just don’t get it. How they could have worked so fast?”

  “Maybe from your friend Susan,” I answered, resisting the urge to pull over and offer some kind of comfort to the girls. Not just a pathetic – “I’m sorry your parents were ripped to pieces. Where to now?” But, I needed to keep my distance. Even now I had to ignore the tantalizing smell of their youthful bodies, which wasn’t easy. I hungered for Melody’s blood, but I ached for Chelsey in ways that I’d denied myself for decades.

  “Actually, I lost my purse after they kidnapped me,” said Melody, grabbing a napkin. She wiped the dampness from her cheeks. “My driver’s license was in there. Along with my fake one.”

  “That and Caleb knew my address, too,” muttered Chelsey.