and inviting was not something that I would have associated with Moss, but then, what did I know about the man other than the fact he was a psychopath with a hot and heavy aura?
Moss wasn't in the room, but something was. His scent was obscure, oddly hinting at earth and air. I stopped just behind one of the thickly padded sofas and let my gaze roam until I pinned his vague shape in the shadows. Another spirit lizard. Like the other versions I'd seen, this one also had suckered ringers and toes, so there was definitely gecko in their DNA mix somewhere. How 'spirit' entered the equation was anyone's guess, but I figured it might have something to do with the fact that even in a room lit by the glow of a lamp, he was almost invisible.
Not that he was cloaking himself as a vampire might. He didn't need to. He was as naked as a newborn, and his skin was as black as the night. In the dusky light, he was little more than a black outline, a figure who had a basic shape but no distinct features. He didn't even have any noticeable type of genitalia—male or female—so why I kept thinking of it as a 'he' I'm not sure. Maybe it was the shape of his face—there was something a little more masculine than feminine about it.
'So,' I said brazenly, 'what the hell are you? The welcome wagon?'
His thin lips curved into a smile. His eyes were blue—all blue. No white, no black pupil, just a dark, almost midnight blue. Pretty, but eerie. 'Most first time visitors feel fear when they first see me. Second timers even more so.'
I took the time to look him up and down again. 'And what is there to fear?'
'Looks can be deceiving.'
'Obviously.' I let my gaze slide around the room. 'Nice place—yours?'
He shook his head. 'I am here to prepare you.'
I raised an eyebrow. 'For what?'
'Sex, of course.'
My gaze jumped down his body. 'With what?'
'With this.' As he spoke, genitalia appeared, dropping down from inside of his body, finding shape and size between his legs. It was like watching a blow-up doll inflate and find form, only weirder.
'Interesting way to deal with the problem of getting kicked in the balls,' I noted dryly.
He smiled. As he did so, spines appeared along his cock, flicking upright to reveal pointy ends.
'That,' I added bluntly, 'isn't coming anywhere near me.'
'Yes, it is.'
'You try, you die.'
'You are here to do as you are told.'
'No, I'm here to have sex with Moss. If he hasn't got the equipment to do the deed himself, then that's tough. I'm not fucking a cactus just so he can get his rocks off.'
The black creature raised an eyebrow, and I would have sworn there was amusement in his eyes. Then all expression froze as his gaze moved beyond mine, and something inside me quailed.
'Interesting,' a voice said from the behind. 'You do not fear the creature and the damage it could do.'
A cold sensation ran down my spine. For several heartbeats, I couldn't move, could barely even breathe.
I didn't know the voice, but I didn't really need to. Not when his evil seemed to permeate the room, sucking away all the good air, leaving only foul.
The black creature mightn't have induced fear, but the man who stood behind me certainly did.
Because that man was Deshon Starr.
Chapter Eight
I forced my feet to move, to turn around. Close up, Starr appeared even more inoffensive than he had from a distance, A weedy, nerdy type who looked as if he'd be more comfortable behind a desk and a computer rather than being the main power behind one of Melbourne's biggest crime cartels.
It was only when you met his gaze that you began to see the truth. There was no life in his eyes, no humanity. Just an endless arctic expanse of bloodshot blue.
Goose bumps skated across my skin, yet deep inside, recognition twitched. Something about those eyes reminded me of someone. Just who, I couldn't quite remember. Not yet.
And yet, there was no one in my life who caused the reaction Starr had—and surely they would have, no matter what form they were wearing. I mean, the outer layer might change, but the soul inside remained the same. And it was the evil that was this man's soul I could feel.
So why was this happening now, and not when I was with whoever he was in my life?
Did the reason have something to do with what Dia had mentioned earlier—that my so-called puberty was twisting and increasing my talents?
Like I needed
Starr wasn't alone, and I thankfully averted my gaze. Anything was better than staring at evil incarnate for too long. The second man was Starr's other lieutenant, and Merle was every bit as impressive as he had been from a distance. I looked him up and down then raised an eyebrow. 'Now, you I'd be willing to play with. Providing, of course, you have something resembling a regular dick.'
The words were barely out of my mouth when his aura hit, every bit as heated and will-withering as Moss's. Sweat beaded my skin and rolled down my back, and the low-down ache of desire became so fierce it was positively painful. His smile was all arrogance.
'If I wanted you, I would have you,' he said, voice soft, flat, yet filled with the confidence of a man who always got what he wanted.
And with an aura like
His gaze skidded down my body, and the desire burning the air increased, until it felt like every inch of my skin was being flayed alive. My knees buckled under the pressure, and my butt hit the back of the sofa. It was the only reason I remained upright.
His gaze rose to mine again. 'And I think I will.'
He began to unbuckle his belt and I wasn't sure if it was anticipation or fear that sent a tingle down my spine. Hell, the sex part didn't worry me, nor did having an audience. It was just
'Merle, put it away,' Starr snapped, even though Merle hadn't actually gotten it out yet. Thankfully.
But the force of Merle's aura died at the order, as suddenly as a switch being flicked. There had to be were in his mix.
'Where's Moss?' Starr continued, his gaze not leaving mine even though his question was obviously aimed at the spirit lizard.
'Greeting the new guards. He will be here soon.'
My heart leapt at the mention of new guards. Did that mean Rhoan had arrived? God, I hoped so. I needed to see him. Needed to talk to him. Get reassurance and guidance and a great big hug.
'Tell him I wish to see him immediately on his return.'
'Yes, sir.'
Starr's gaze slid down my body. It wasn't a sexual look, more the sort of look one boxer might give another right before their bout. When his gaze returned to mine, it hinted at recognition, and that was a whole different class of scary.
'Do I know you?'
I resisted the urge to lick suddenly dry lips and shook my head. 'Unless you've been up to Sydney recently. I've only been in Melbourne for a few days.'
'So why do I feel this sense of familiarity?'
'I can't say, sir.'
