Lover's Betrayal: Misfits of the Lore Series (20 page)

“You have no right to bully me like this. I’m not the little weakling I used to be and I won’t let another man hurt me again.” Olivia spoke the words calmly, but with a tone that demonstrated her strength.

Lucian dropped to his knees in front of Olivia and grabbed her hands. He gently kissed the palms of both. Olivia’s skin felt like it was on fire. Suddenly her anger had turned into an intense desire. The pounding in her head ceased. “What did he do to you, Livy?”

“It doesn’t matter anymore.” Olivia tried to free her hands from Lucian’s tight grip, but he would not release her.

“It matters to me.”

“Why? Do you want to avenge me, or gloat?”

Lucian rocked back on his heels, stunned to hear that Olivia believed he would rejoice in her pain. “You can’t possibly believe that I wanted you to suffer. After all we’ve been through, do you really think I wanted that bastard to hurt you?”

“Why not? I hurt you. It’s only natural for you to want me to get what I deserved.”

Lucian stood up and walked to the other side of the room, putting as much distance between them as possible. “It pains me that the one person I thought knew me better than I knew myself doesn’t really know me at all.”

“Too much has happened, Lucian. I don’t really know who I am anymore. None of this matters, though.”

“It doesn’t?”

“No. Not right now, at least. Julian and I have a lead regarding Kaden’s case. We need to focus on this as your deadline is less than twenty-four hours away.”

Lucian poured them both a glass of blood. They drank as Olivia told them everything Kaden revealed about Madeira. Lucian was not as impressed with this evidence as Olivia, but he begrudgingly acknowledged that it was worth a further investigation. It was not like they had any other strong leads.

Kaden had given her the name of the club where Madeira worked in Las Vegas. It was called The Lore. Kaden described it as a playground for all Lore creatures that were different. Most were half breeds or hybrids that did not fit within any particular breed. Others were mutant forms of certain breeds that did not develop as expected. They were expelled from their clans who only had an interest in purebloods. Most of these creatures lived underground, away from the rest of society. All that changed about ten years ago when a half breed vampire and a non-shifting Lycan opened up their home to others who had been abandoned by their clans. So many flocked to them that they were forced to move their compound to the desert where they created their own clan, the Misfits of the Lore. They opened up several underground clubs in Vegas to provide an outlet for all those that felt isolated from their breed.

Kaden mentioned that Madeira’s younger sister, Yasmine, was a waitress at The Lore. Olivia and Lucian were hoping they could talk to her and maybe others who had some information about Madeira’s relationship with Kaden. Kaden did not know anyone else at the club. He never met the half breed vampire who partly owned it, but he did see the non-shifting Lycan on a few occasions. He never spoke to him.

Olivia was intrigued by such a place, where those that felt like they did not belong were given a home and were accepted. The reality of that place made her wonder how many different creatures were out there. She had seen a few breeds, but clearly there were more than she ever realized. Looking at Lucian, it was apparent that he was not familiar with all these breeds either. Although the Council deemed itself in charge of all immortals, they clearly did not know the scope of their domain. There was a whole other world out there that the Council had not reached. No doubt the Misfits of the Lore wanted to keep it that way.

Olivia called the club, requesting to speak to Yasmine. There was a long pause as she was put on hold. Another woman picked up. “Can I help you?”

“Yes. My name is Olivia. I am looking for a young woman who I was told works in your club. Her name is Yasmine. I really need to speak to her.”

“How do you know Yasmine?”

“I don’t know her exactly. My son was friends with her sister Madeira. I’m trying to get more information about Madeira.”

There was another long pause. Suddenly, a gust of air knocked Olivia and Lucian back a few steps. They stood there watching this swirl of wind that slowly revealed an incredibly gorgeous, tall, dark-haired goddess. Her wavy hair reached her hips and her large eyes were a stunning shade of emerald that was amplified by her flawless caramel-colored skin. She was dressed in a short leather skirt and a matching black tight leather shirt. Her black jacket was longer than her skirt, and reached the top of her boots just beyond her knees.

Olivia was puzzled by this remarkable beauty standing confidently in front of them. She may have looked like a supermodel, but this woman was all Amazon warrior, as evidenced by the sharp swords she held in each hand.

Lucian stood in front of Olivia as if to protect her, but despite this woman’s kick ass appearance, Olivia did not feel threatened. She was also not stupid and was not going to approach this woman while she stood there with those blades ready to strike.

After several awkward moments, the woman smiled and her blades disappeared in the sleeves of her coat. “I’m Reysa. I’m the woman you were talking to on the phone. I thought it would be better to discuss Yasmine in person, so here I am. Sorry to pop in like that and freak you out. I don’t mean you any harm unless you have harmed my friends, and then I will have to cut you into little bitty pieces.” Reysa smiled, revealing her fangs.

She said the words in such a charming adorable way that if you did not pay close attention, you might not realize she had just threatened to kill you. This woman was dangerous, Olivia thought. She might look like an angel, but there was no doubt those blades were not for show. She knew how to use them and wouldn’t hesitate to eliminate any threat.

This woman’s sudden appearance was startling to say the least. Olivia knew that Corinne was not the only creature who could dematerialize, but Corinne’s ability worked only with places she had already visited. This woman was able to track them to a foreign place with speed and accuracy.

“How did you dematerialize here? Have you traveled here before?”

“No. I just followed your voice.”

“How’s that possible? I’ve never known another vampire who could do that.”

“Well, I’m a mutt. Half and multi-breeds are usually more powerful. We get the best of all our genetics, but we also get all the weaknesses.”

Olivia watched Reysa closely, but there were no obvious signs to determine her species. “What are you?”

“I don’t know you well enough to tell you that. Just know that this dematerializing thing is nothing. I can and will do more to protect my own.”

Lucian’s arm tightened around Olivia as if sensing a threat against which Olivia needed his protection. Olivia squeezed his arm lightly, urging him to stand down and let her handle this woman. Although Reysa’s expression and tone were forceful, Olivia felt no fear. There was something about this woman that Olivia could not help but admire. She possessed a strength and confidence that Olivia wished she had.

“Understood. It’s none of my business, and I apologize for asking.”

Instantly, the tension was gone and Reysa smiled brightly, displaying a childlike innocence. “No apology necessary. I just have to be careful until I know who I’m dealing with and right now, you’re still a stranger. As I’ve always been warned, we have to be extra careful with strangers.”

Olivia caught that brief moment of sadness that Reysa swiftly dismissed. Part of her wanted to reach out and say something to this stranger to ease that pain, Olivia thought that this strong warrior woman in front of her would prefer not to address that flash of fragility. “We appreciate you talking to us. We need your help. We’re just trying to find out who killed Madeira. She was one of seven women who have been slaughtered recently. My son Kaden is being accused of the crime. He was friends with Madeira and I know he would not have killed her or any of these other women. I’m trying to prove his innocence and find the real killer.”

“Is this your bodyguard?” She motioned to Lucian, who still looked like he was ready to strike at any moment.

Olivia laughed. “No. This is Lucian Santoro. He heads the Council and is investigating these murders.”

“What Council?” Reysa asked.

Surprised by her question, Lucian finally spoke. “The Council in charge of all immortals, of course. We reside in Sorrento. There are ten of us on the Council. We pass the laws all immortals must follow, and enforce those rules. We’re the enforcers of all creatures of the night.”

Reysa looked at him dubiously. “Sure you are.” Olivia tried to stifle her laugh as Reysa placated Lucian. Olivia was definitely a fan of this woman.

“How can you not know about us? We are the authority.”

“Not over me and my people. I never heard of you and frankly, I have no interest in your authority although I do find you quite amusing. Are you so arrogant as to believe that you and your team of ten sitting in Sorrento have authority over every immortal in the entire world? Seriously dude, you need a reality check. This is 2010. The Roman Empire was impressive during its glory days, but it’s dead and buried. Italy is just a pretty country where one can get good wine, pasta, and gelato. Good men as well, but that’s not really relevant. It’s certainly not the centerpiece for all immortals, and if the immortals I knew even thought you were trying to rule them, you and your band of delusionals would have been assassinated by now.”

“How dare you speak to me in this manner?”

Reysa bowed. “My sincere and humble apologies, oh great king of the immortals.”

Olivia could no longer refrain from laughing. She could see the veins popping out of Lucian’s forehead -- a sure sign that he was about to blow. Reysa could not care less as she stood there with that taunting grin on her face. Olivia needed to neutralize this situation, although she admittedly was enjoying every moment of it. “Reysa, can you help us find Yasmine?”

Reysa’s smile turned somber. “I wish I could. Yasmine is missing. She has been for weeks. That’s why I came here. I was hoping you knew something that could help me find her.”

“Maybe we can help each other,” Olivia offered.

“I think that would be best. I can tell you that I don’t believe your son killed Maddy. She talked about him a lot. They were close, although not as close as she would have liked. She clearly adored him. He was definitely the bad boy type, but he was good to her. I can’t imagine he would have hurt her in any way. It doesn’t make any sense.”

“Did she tell you about her plans to see him?” Lucian asked.

“Yeah. She said he was hurting and needed her, so she wanted to be there for him. He had been there for her when she needed someone to talk to. I gave her the money for the airfare to come out here and see him. God, I can’t believe she’s gone now.”

Olivia could see how much pain Madeira’s death caused Reysa. Her maternal instincts kicked in and she walked over to her and clutched her hand. “It’s not your fault. No one could have predicted what would happen. Buying her that ticket was an act of kindness for a friend. Do not blame yourself for what some monster did to her.”

“Thank you.” Reysa smiled, comforted by this stranger’s kindness.

“Did you speak to her when she was here?” Lucian asked.

“Yes. She called me once she arrived and told me she was safe. She called me later that night to tell me that everything was going well. She felt like she was helping Kaden and that they were growing closer. She seemed really happy. I was happy for her. She asked about Yas, but Yas wasn’t around at the time. I told her Yas was fine and that we missed her. She promised to come back soon and that’s the last I ever heard from her.”

II

Olivia promised to allow Reysa to speak to Kaden. She provided Olivia and Lucian with all the information she had. Lucian did not want to admit anything, but Olivia knew that he had doubts. Kaden killing Madeira just did not fit. She was stabbed repeatedly and drained of all her blood. Her death was slow and methodical. Considering her phone call to Reysa assuring her that all was well with Kaden, it was hard to believe that a few hours later he would have killed her.

Reysa paused in front of Kaden’s door. She turned to Olivia. “You asked me what I am and the truth is, I’m not quite sure. I never knew my mother, and my father refused to talk about her after she died. I haven’t seen him since I was four. I knew he was a vampire, but he never told me about my mother. All I know is that I have these strange pointy ears like an elf, but I’m not an elf. I can do some other non-vampire things, but my abilities are inconsistent. I’m just a mutt without a true identity.”

“What you are is a courageous warrior who protects her own. The details of your nature are not nearly as important as what you do. From what I can see, you’re some lady. Both your parents would be proud of you. Trust me. I’m a mother. I would be honored to have a daughter like you.” Olivia pushed open the door and Reysa followed.

Kaden was sitting on the ground where Olivia had left him. It looked like he had not moved. He turned to face his mother, but saw a pair of sexy black boots that seemed to have no end. He continued to slowly look up trying not to salivate at the sight of the dark porcelain skin just above the top of the boot followed by a short black miniskirt. Eventually his eyes worked their way up to see the most perfect face. She was heaven. A real life Barbie that was ten times sexier. For the first time in his life, Kaden was speechless. He was also embarrassingly aroused.

“Kaden,” Olivia called out to him.

He heard his mother’s voice, but could not take his eyes off the statuesque brunette in front of him. He wanted to taste that milk chocolate skin. Olivia gently squeezed Kaden’s arm and that seemed to wake him from his trance. She could see that he was mortified by his schoolboy reaction to this stunning woman. She was pleased to see that Reysa had a similar reaction to Kaden.

“Kaden, this is Reysa. She was a friend of Maddy’s. She owns the club you were telling me about, The Lore.”