Whispers of Darkness (The Deadwood Hunter Series) (5 page)

Lexia looked at herself in the mirror. The dress Caden had bought her was beyond stunning; it was so simple and yet so sexy. The black material fit her like a glove showing the curve of her hips and breasts, the high, straight neckline was sophisticated and grown up. The material skimmed over her shoulders and disappeared, leaving a deep cutout, showing off her whole back.

The dress was short, it left a lot of her skin exposed but she didn’t feel slutty, she felt stunning.

Running her hands through her hair, she frowned. “Alice!”

“YES?” Alice called back.

“I have nothing to do my hair with!”

Alice appeared through her doorway a second later, a blood red dress covering her small frame. “Fuck, Lex! That dress is sexy as hell!” she said with a whistle.

Lexia turned and grinned. “Don’t look too bad yourself, chick!”

“So did you seriously just say you have nothing to do your hair with?”

“Yes, remember I have been housebound forever and have only had guys buying me things. I’m lucky I got a hair brush!”

“I honestly do not know how you survived living like a caveman! Be right back.”

She laughed as her friend ran from the room and shouted ‘Caden!’ from the top of the stairs.
What was she planning on doing, sending him out for hair supplies?

A few minutes later Alice walked back through the door, Caden on her heels carrying a suitcase that must have been heavy from the way he was carrying it.

“Put it on the bed,” she ordered with a wave of her hand.

“Alice, you realize I have super human strength and could have carried that myself?”

“Lex, just because you can do a man’s job, does not mean you should,” she said, her hands on her hips.

Caden snorted and then looked up, his breath catching in his throat. “Wow... Lex... Wow,” he stammered, his eyes trailing over her body.

“Yeah, yeah, ogle later, we have work to do,” Alice said, shoving Caden out the door.  “That man has a serious crush on you!”

“He does not! He’s like my brother,” Lexia muttered, opening the suitcase.

“Yeah, a brother that just undressed you with his eyes! Linc will rip his throat out sooner or later. Shame, really he’s hot,” she laughed, fanning herself.

“Shut it!” Lexia flipped open the case to find hundreds of hair products, makeup, curling tongs, and straighteners. “Jeez, Alice how long are you planning on staying?”

“Well, I had to be prepared, you know, just in case something crazy happened and we ended up on the run.”

Lexia burst into a fit of giggles. “Alice!” she spluttered unable to talk through her laughs, “Honestly! How would you carry this running for your life?”

“Well, obviously that’s what the three men downstairs are for,” she huffed.

Lexia couldn’t answer. Another round of giggles hit her as she imagined two cats and a wolf trying to carry a suitcase.

“Laugh all you want but I’d be the one looking good while you look like a homeless person!”

When Lexia finally controlled her laughing she turned to Alice’s disgruntled face and asked, “So what are we doing with my hair?”

“Let’s curl it some more. Here,” she threw the curling iron at Lexia. “You start that while I finish my makeup then I’ll do the back for you.”

Lexia stood in front of the mirror, hot curling iron in her hand and she couldn’t stop smiling. It was silly, really, being so happy over such little things like doing her hair and having Alice next to her applying makeup. Such mundane things and yet Lexia had missed them so much; she guessed you never really appreciated the little things in life until they were taken away from you.

“Tell me you’re putting makeup on,” Alice asked.

“Yes, no need for a lecture,” she answered, sticking out her tongue.

“Well you haven’t worn any since I’ve been here. I know you’re all mated and shit but no need to let yourself go!”

“Oi! Cheeky bitch” Lexia said with a giggle hitting Alice in the shoulder. “I don’t have any makeup, it has nothing to do with being with Linc.”

She rubbed her shoulder. “That freaking hurt, Lex, and why didn’t you have one of them get you some?”

“Because I was too busy worrying about Hunters than what my face looked like.”

“Well, here, use mine and no Hunter talk. Today is a Hunter-free day.”

“Sounds like my kinda day. Here, do the back will you?” Lexia handed over the curling iron and set to work on her makeup.

“Jeez, Lex, we should have taken you to a hair salon! You have so many split ends.”

“Could you have imagined walking into a hair dresser with those three? They’d have tackled the poor hair dresser to the floor when she reached for the scissors!”

The girls burst into a fit of laughter again and then heard Lincoln shout up the stairs.

“Are you two getting ready or just rolling about laughing? Five minutes and we need to go!”

“Yes, boss!” they both shouted together and started to laugh again.

Lincoln walked back into the kitchen as there was a bang on the ceiling and another round of laughter; he couldn’t help smiling and shook his head.

“What are they doing up there?” Caden asked him.

“No idea but it’s nice to hear her laugh again.”

“Yeah, it sure is,” Caden smiled.

“To be honest, Alice never shuts up but she wasn’t happy. I think you’re going to have a hard time splitting those two up,” Tate commented.

“Lexia might be all laughing and joking now but by tomorrow the smile will have left her face and she’ll be back to worrying about everyone, ”Lincoln commented.

“She takes too much weight on her shoulders,” Caden said the happiness leaving his voice.

“If only there was an easy way to wipe those bastard Hunters off the face of this planet,” Lincoln said through gritted teeth; his beast within stirred and for a second he thought he might lose control.

Caden clamped his hand on his shoulder. “Hey mate, just chill okay? Breathe, Linc, you can’t help her like this.”

Lincoln let out his breath and forced the cat deep within himself, he needed to get out of the house and up into the hills. He needed to be a panther.

“You alright?” Tate asked Lincoln.

“Yeah,” he answered, walking away.

“This is the longest he’s ever been without shifting,” Caden explained.

“Wow, shit, really? Will you be okay tonight?” Tate asked.

Lincoln stiffened his shoulders but didn’t turn to look at them when he answered, “I’m fine. Cade likes to exaggerate, is all.”

Before Caden could say another word, the kitchen door opened and Lincoln turned around to say ‘finally’ but his voice caught in his throat as his eyes caught sight of Lexia’s bare back. She turned, looking for him, and then smiled the widest smile he’d seen in a long time.

He couldn’t contain himself any longer, his panther flashed into his eyes and he took three long strides to close the distance between them. Her eyes widened but her smile never dropped and he took her into his arms.

Lexia froze as her panther stalked towards her. She wasn’t sure if he was coming to attack her for wearing such a revealing dress or to kiss her. His big strong hand spread possessively across the bare skin on her back, the other ran down squeezing her bum. She couldn’t help the giggle that left her throat and he pulled back staring into her eyes.

She was looking at her panther in her man’s face; there was a burning desire in his eyes, he looked like he wanted to sink his teeth into her. She could see the sharp points grazing his lips and for some reason she found herself tilting her neck, baring her exposed flesh for him.

She wasn’t sure where the thought had come from or how she knew that’s what her panther needed but as his eyes widened and his head dipped, she didn’t tense or stop him. If that was what he needed, to mark her as his, then she would let him. She realized she would do anything for him.

But he never bit into her flesh. The sharp points of his teeth grazed across her neck and then he closed his mouth and placed a gentle kiss on her neck.

He pulled back up and she stared into human eyes. “You look amazing, Lex.”

He pulled away from her and they both turned to find the other people in the room frozen, eyes wide and shocked.

Lexia didn’t like the way they were staring. “Shall we go eat?” she asked, forcing a little too much enthusiasm into her voice.

Alice picked her jaw up off the floor. “Have I ever told you he’s fucking scary?”

Lexia laughed walking towards her friend and wrapping her arm around her shoulder, they started to walk for the door. “He’s not scary, he’s just a wittle puddy cat.”

She laughed at the growl that came from behind her. “Besides, I can put him on his ass if I need to,” she said a little too loudly.

Everyone started to laugh except Lincoln. “Shut up and get in the car,” he grumbled, opening it with a beep.

Lexia slipped the last of her starter into her mouth with a moan.
God it’s good to eat real food.

“Was that nice?” Lincoln asked her with a cheeky smile.

“Yes,” she answered, leaning forward and placing her elbows on the table. Resting her chin on her hands as she stared into his eyes. “How is yours?”

“Not as good as the view,” he said with a smirk.

“Is that so?” Lexia arched a brow and slipped her foot from her stiletto shoe. Lifting her foot she placed it on his knee, suppressing a smile as his eyes widened and he nearly choked on his food. She ran her foot slowly up his leg. “Are you looking forward to dessert?” she asked, caressing his now hardening cock with her foot.

“Yes,” he said in a breathy whisper.

“You’ve not even eaten your main meal yet!” Alice interrupted.

Lexia dropped her foot with a smile and turned her head to look at Alice. “I know but dessert is always the best part.”

There was a low rumble that came from Lincoln’s chest making both Tate and Caden turn and look at him.

Lexia laughed. “He’s fine, boys, no need to worry. I know how to calm that beast of his,” she said, placing her foot back on his thigh and smiling wickedly at him.

Their plates were cleared from the table and Lexia took a sip of her wine, enjoying the cool fruity taste as it slipped down her throat.

“I’m just going to nip to the restroom before the main course arrives,” Tate said getting to his feet.

No one even looked at him as he walked away but for some reason, Lexia’s stomach dropped, her foot slipped back into her shoe and she stood abruptly mumbling, “Toilet” as she walked away.

Following the sign for the restrooms, Lexia came to a corridor. She walked forward, the ladies was the first door on her right but she carried on to the men’s. She stopped, closed her eyes, and felt to see if there was anyone inside; there was one life force inside but she was sure it wasn’t Tate’s. She’d not taken much notice of his aura but was certain the man inside the toilets didn’t have enough power to be a shifter.

So she carried on down the corridor towards the fire exit at the end, she stopped and sent out her other sense; someone was outside, someone with power. The door had a sign that said it was alarmed but she was certain Tate had walked through it so she pushed it open and as she walked into the cool dark night, she felt the vibrations in the air from a hand coming towards her.

Lexia ducked as it sailed past and then clamped her hand onto her attacker’s throat. Squeezing, she pushed him back into the wall.

“Now Tate, that’s no way to treat a lady,” she said with a smile, squeezing her hand tighter as he struggled.

“I’d stop moving if I was you, it wouldn’t take much for me to crush your wind pipe.”

“So, Lex, do your eyes always turn gold?” he wheezed.

“Only when I’m upset or pissed and right now I’m very pissed. Tell me Tate, what were you doing out here?”

But before he could answer the fire door opened and Lincoln walked out, “Lex?”

“Hey baby, look what I caught!”

“Lex, what’s going on?”

“Tate was just going to tell me weren’t you?” she flexed her hand against his throat in warning. “No lies now, I’d hate to have to beat the answers out of you and ruin my dress.”

“Alright, just loosen your grip so I can talk,” he coughed.

“Try anything and you’ll be dead before you even take a breath.” Lexia loosened her hand but still kept it pressed against his throat.

“A couple of days before we left for here I was approached by a Hunter; he said he didn’t want anyone to get hurt and to ring him when I knew your location.”

“Why?” Lincoln growled, the panther flashing into his eyes as he took a step closer. “You were picked because you had no family, no ties to be threatened with!”

“Money,” Lexia whispered, her hand tightening again as fury swirled in her veins, the Hunter within her awakening, “you risked my best friend’s life for fucking money!”

“Your best friend is a fucking she-demon. No amount of money is enough to put up with her shit,” he spat.

Lexia lost it, she tightened her grip until he was gasping for breath, and she felt blood on her fingers as her nails dug into his skin. She brought her head close to his, her eyes glowing so bright she could see a gold glint reflected in Tate’s eyes. “Give me one good fucking reason why I shouldn’t end you. How dare you risk the lives of the people I love for money! You are a disgrace to your kind.”

“Lex.” Lincoln’s hand rested on her shoulder and the storm raging inside of her calmed for a second. She pushed Tate, slamming his head into the wall and stepped away. “Fuck!”

“Why can’t I have just one normal fucking day! Just one day with no fucking assholes and Hunters! One fucking day where I don’t have to kill someone,” she said through clenched teeth, her hands in fists as she paced the alley.

Lincoln stepped towards Tate. “How long do we have before they arrive?” he growled.

“I never rang him, I swear, she had me before I had chance.”

“Give me your phone.” Lincoln took the phone from Tate’s hand.

“Move and your dead,” he said to Tate.

There was a contact ready to dial. “This him?” Lincoln asked.

“Yeah, Derrick. I swear he doesn’t know where you are and he doesn’t know where Alice is. He approached me on the street.”

“Good,” Lincoln let his claws slice through his skin as he sliced them across Tate’s throat; Tate never even realized what he was doing, his eyes widened, his hands clamping around his throat as he collapsed to the ground.

Lexia was pacing, so mad at her life, and at herself for thinking she could have just one normal day. She turned to face Lincoln at the mention of the name Derrick. But as she turned she heard the unmistakable sound of flesh being sliced and saw Tate drop to the floor, his hands gripping at the blood squirting from his neck.

“What did you do?”

“Saved you from burdening yourself with another soul you’ve taken.”

“Did he say the Hunter was called Derrick?”

“Yes why?”

“When I was taken into my house, it was Derrick who stopped a Hunter from putting a bullet through my head and then when I jumped from my window, he was there, he could have stopped me but he just stood and watched... There’s something about him, I can’t work it out but he’s different.”

“Well, different or not, he wants you and he can’t have you.”

“What are we going to do now?”

“Now you’re going to go make sure there is no blood on your dress and go eat your main.”

“But what about him?”

“Grab his legs we’ll move him further down the alley, make sure no one finds him.”

Lexia grabbed his legs careful not to get his shoes on her. “This is just what I thought I’d be doing when I got dressed tonight.”

“I’m sorry baby; I wanted your day to be perfect.”

“It’s alright. I’ve come to accept that my life is fucked up and at least I have you, Doc, and Alice with me.”

They dumped Tate on the ground and Lincoln scrolled through Tate’s phone before dialing a number.

“What are you doing?” Lexia asked.

“Shush. No, it’s Lincoln Turner... Tate? Tate’s dead... What happened was the man you picked to keep Alice safe sold us out to the Hunters... Yes I’m pissed and no I stopped him before he had a chance, but you need to go check on Alice’s family and arrange to have them relocated... I don’t care how hard that will be! This is your mess, clean it up... Alice is fine but she will need picking up... You have two days to get her and Caden will meet you, I can’t risk Lexia’s location being compromised... Tate is down an alley behind Al Ranchito Mexican... He’s your problem not mine; he won’t be found easily, but I’d make sure he’s gone before sunrise.”

Lincoln hung up the phone and tossed it to the floor, his foot landed on it crushing it into pieces.

“Who was that?”

“That was Caden’s friend who set up Alice’s new life off the record.”

“So he’s going to come clean up this mess?”

“Yep, now come on before Caden and Alice wonder where we are.”

“You really just want to go back inside like nothing happened?”

“Yes, I want you to finish your birthday like I’d planned.”

“And how was that?”

“Be good and you’ll find out later,” he whispered against her neck before she slipped into the ladies bathroom.

“I’ll meet you at the table,” Lincoln called as the door closed.

Lexia washed her hands, scrubbing over and over at the blood in her nails.
Thank god Alice said to use red nail polish.
She took a deep breath and looked at herself in the mirror; her hair was still perfect and after a new coat of lipstick so was her makeup. She straightened her dress and sighed.
You’d never know I’d just seen someone die.

“Okay Lexia, time to put on your happy face; you’ve had a lot of practice at it lately, so it should be no problem at all,” she said to the girl staring back at her, the girl who she didn’t recognize any more.

Lincoln was at the table talking to Caden as she walked up; Alice was about to ask were she’d been when the waiters arrived with their food.

“I’m afraid our friend didn’t feel too well so he had to leave, we will no longer need his meal,” Lincoln said as they placed Tate’s plate down, Lexia’s heart leapt into her throat but Lincoln was as cool as ever and they took the plate away, no questions asked.

“What’s happened to Tate?” Alice asked.

Lexia voice stuck in her throat, she felt her emotions threaten to spill over.

“We will discuss it later, right now we are going to enjoy the rest of the night,” Lincoln answered for her and she smiled at him gratefully.

Lexia tried to act normal and enjoy her night but she’d lost her appetite and ended up just rolling her food about her plate.

“Do you want to go home, baby?”

“Yes, I do, I want to go home and drink vodka until I pass out,” she sighed.

“Your wish is my command,” he grinned.

Twenty minutes later Lexia slumped onto Caden’s sofa not caring at all if everyone could see up her skirt.

Alice towered above her, hands on hips. “What the hell’s going on? I planned on drinking all night!”

“Oh don’t worry, babe, I’ll be drinking! Doc! Bring me the vodka!”

“Ice?” he called from the kitchen.

“Nope.”

“Lemonade or coke?”

“Neither and forget the glass, too!”

Lincoln’s head popped through the door. “Lex, you are not drinking from the bottle!”

“Doc, shut Linc up and bring me that fucking bottle!”

“Will someone please tell me what the fuck is going on and Caden I need vodka now, too!”

Caden walked through from the kitchen. “Okay Lex, here is the vodka and four glasses so we can all share,” he said with a wink.

“Always so sensible, fine! Fill it up to the top.”

Once all four of them had sat, Lexia on her second glass of vodka, Lincoln spoke, “Tate tried to sell us out to the Hunters.”

“What!” Caden and Alice gasped.

“I knew there was something about him! He just rubbed me the wrong way; when he left to go to the “toilet” I knew something was up,” Lexia said.

“So you killed him?” Alice asked.

“No, I did,” Lincoln answered.

“Caden, more vodka!” Lexia said, waving her glass in front of him.

“Lex, take it easy,” Lincoln warned.

“Yeah yeah, I have a high tolerance now with my super human blood and all; just one more to numb my brain, please!”

Lincoln nodded his head at Caden who started to fill up her glass. “There are far better ways to numb your mind then drinking, baby,” Lincoln said with a wicked smile that had shivers running across her skin.

“Really and what might that be?” Lexia replied.

Within a second, Lexia’s glass left her hand and she was scooped up over Lincoln’s shoulder her bottom in the air, bare from her dress riding up.

“Linc!” she squealed.

Caden shook his head and sat back in his chair, but Alice jumped to her feet, her hands going to her hips, which was becoming her signature stance.

“You can’t just go upstairs and fuck her brains out! What about me? My family? Who’s going to protect us now you’ve killed off our bodyguard?” she huffed as Lincoln headed to the door, slapping Lexia’s bare rear.

“Oh calm down, Alice, I’ve sorted everything out and your family is fine. Now if you’ll excuse me I’m going to go make Lexia scream the house down.”

Alice turned with a huff to Caden. “Can you believe them?”

“Actually, yes, they’ve been here a while now and act like that quite often.”

Alice slumped into the chair next to Caden. “So we’re supposed to just sit here and listen to Lex get fucked into oblivion?”

“Yep, pretty much. Drink?”