Taunting Destiny(9)

“You need to get out more, Synthia,” Alden replied.

“I plan on it. Getting ready right now to do just that.”

“I meant that you should go out now. Try to enjoy life before Transition hits, ya know?”

I snorted. “Is this a pep talk, Alden? Because, if it is, you need to stop, now. I am far from normal. I have never been that person, and I’m not about to start now. Transition could happen at any time now, and I need to be practical.”

“No, of course you’re right. I just think you deserve something normal for at least a little while. You be careful tonight. Call me if you need help.”

“Will do. Hey, Alden? You should date.” I smiled as I listened to him snort from the other end of the phone.

“Fat chance in hell, and I don't need a pep talk either. Point taken.”

We hung up. The whole conversation was surreal after the way he had behaved at the Guild yesterday. I looked down at the dog, who was now sitting at my feet, still growling at the walls. I took a quick peek at the walls. Nothing different. The wards that circled the room were quiet and still looked like nothing more than a pretty border around the top of the wall where it met the ceiling. I shook my head, before heading to my bedroom to change. It was easy to slip back into Enforcer mode, but the pinch of regret that my team wouldn't be with me this time stung.

“Think you could be my back-up, Mister Fancy Pants?” I asked the now silent dog.

He wagged his tail and lay down at my feet. I watched his head roll back and smiled. “I can do this. I'm strong, I'm fast, and I miss my friends…” And I was talking to myself again. I dug through the small closet and pulled out leather pants and a metal studded belt.

I quickly kicked off the jeans I'd been wearing and slipped into the leather pants, glaring at the dog as he lifted his head and eyed me. “I am not dinner, so stop looking at me like that!” I pulled off the long sleeve shirt and slipped into the leather top that hugged my curves perfectly.

I looked in the mirror and exhaled. My eyes were more of an electric blue right now, rather than the azure I was so used to. I had no idea if it was from my body changing to Fae, or my magic was trying to recharge. Or, worse—a little of both. I applied a touch of blush, some eyeliner, and mascara, before adding the ruby red lipstick to match the Big Apple Red OPI nail polish I was sporting today.

“Okay, Mister Fancy Pants, let's go get you some food and water,” I said, talking to the dog—who was wagging his tail and watching me. But, hey, at least he’d finally stopped barking at the walls.





Chapter Four





Nightshade was full tonight. Humans and Vampires mingled together while Vlad once again, tended his own bar. I smiled and walked over to him. “Full crowd tonight,” I shouted over the music as I took the only free seat at the bar.

Vlad smiled, showing off his wicked set of fangs. “The band is playing, and there’s a lot of press in here tonight. I didn’t figure I'd be seeing you for a while, Syn. What gives?” Vlad said as his silver eyes took in the leather I wore. “Hunting? Because I hope you didn’t come in here, thinking you could take me out.” He clasped his hands over his heart and rolled his eyes in mock fear.

“I'm not hunting you, Vlad. I'm wondering if you have seen a new vamp, someone who doesn't care if he drains the blood bank.”

“We don't allow anyone to be drained inside my club. Ever. Anyone who disobeys the rules inside this club forfeits his life, or hers,” Vlad replied testily. Great, I’d managed to offend him. Like my day wasn’t bad enough, now I’d pissed off Dracula!

I smiled at his play on words. “And what would be the rules?” I asked, narrowing my eyes as he rolled his.

“Don't hunt inside my club, Syn. You won't like the results. This place is a neutral zone; we don’t allow our own to get harmed. Nor do we allow those who come inside to get hurt. If they are dumb enough to leave the premises…” he let his words trail off with the implication hanging in the air.

“So, let's say someone is here, and they’re draining humans…what happens then?”

“The Horde takes care of it.”

“Without its King?” I replied lifting a blonde eyebrow in surprise.

He smiled and leaned over the counter with his elbows resting on it casually. “Look, Syn, I respect you. You get knocked on your ass, and you get up swinging. You have every reason to hate me for what I did to Adrian, and hell, maybe you have every right to mark me as a target, yet you didn’t. You're smart, so do the math. No one is leaving here tonight in a body bag, and no one from the Guild is being allowed through the doors, so if that was the plan…I already sent your back-up packing.”