Hybrid Misfit Page 6

Gene spread his hands and shrugged. “Yes and no. And it’s not just the demons who might come after her. Heaven’s angels may very well decide to eliminate her, too.”

  “I thought God’s rule was thou shall not kill,” I grumbled.

  “Humans,” Gene corrected. “Anything else is fair game. And keep in mind that the position of God and Devil is an elected one. The rules change depending on who’s in power. But, don’t lose hope. Not everyone believes the etching means an end of everything. There is a group who believes the words signal a new beginning, one where the division between Heaven and Hell is removed and the lines drawn between good and evil scuffed.”

  I frowned. “Um, is it me or does opening Hell up sound like a bad idea?”

  Gene grinned. “Maybe, but we won’t know until it happens, will we?”

  I wanted to growl at him for being so nonchalant, but I couldn’t maintain my scowl. How could I when I’d divulged my dirty secret and not scared them away?

  Gene stood. “You’ve given us much to ponder on. I need to report what you’ve told me to those who would see you live. You should be safe. Demons, like vampires, are bound to public places or locations they’ve been invited to. So be sure to not allow anyone to enter whom you don’t already know.”

  “What about angels?”

  Simon rumbled behind me. “By killing the demon, we have hopefully eliminated the threat of your discovery. And even if the demons do know, they’re not exactly on talking terms with the Army of Light.”

  “And might I add,” said Gene with his characteristic mischievous smile. “That the angels never do anything fast. Too many committees and votes compared to Hell’s method, which is do it now or die.”

  Stupid me, even with this reassurance, I didn’t want them to leave. Simon as if sensing my sadness squeezed me and whispered in my ear-the loud purr of a lion. “Wear something pretty and be ready for dinner at eight tomorrow. If you need me before that, call. I will come to you if you need me.”

  I warmed at his words, a reassurance Gene reinforced. “Or make a wish and I’ll come. Fear not, sweet one, we shall keep you safe, even against Legion. Oh, and wear heels for dinner tomorrow.” He winked at me and my cleft quivered as I could read his unspoken intention in his eyes. I could picture myself nude and on my back, my heeled feet up around his neck as he plowed me.

  Heat and moisture pooled between my thighs, a pleasurable sensation that increased when first Simon then Gene kissed me thoroughly goodbye. Then, like a whirlwind, they left, and with them gone, the silence was deafening.

  “Looks like someone is going to get her clock cleaned.” Lana cackled.

  More than once if I’m lucky, I thought with a smile.

  Gene popped them back to Simon’s place before letting out a string of curses that would have made a pit demon blanch.

  “Unfucking believable. The humans experimented on her. A mere child!”

  Simon, calmly went about making them a coffee, reinforced with liquor.

  Gene paused in his rant to glare at him. “Why the fuck are you so goddamn calm? I got the impression from the fist mark you left at her place, that you were pissed.”

  “I was,” replied Simon pouring a generous dollop of Irish cream into the coffees. “Then, I realized if they hadn’t experimented on her, she would have died.” His eyes rose to meet Gene’s whose shoulders slumped.

  “I hadn’t thought of that. And truly, I have no problem with what she is. I am as drawn to her as you are, but, keeping her existence secret isn’t going to be easy.”

  “Why, because some random demon came across her?”

  Gene shook his head. “No, because the vampires who were created from the same gene as her know of her existence.”

  “I killed them.” Simon stubbornly stated.

  “Not all of them. So long as any of them are alive, along with the angelic creations, she is in danger of discovery. Fuck, for all we know, the vampires have already hooked up with a demon and relayed that information.”

  “Only one way to find out,” said Simon and at Gene’s narrowed gaze, his face twisted into a chilling grin. “We find them and question them before we kill them all.”

  “And if Legion already knows of her existence?”

  Simon smacked his fist into his open palm, the loud sound bringing a dangerous glint to Gene’s eyes. “Then we help her fulfill her destiny.”

  Chapter Five

  I fell asleep troubled, and not just because of the demon who seemed to think the fact I lived spelled an end to the world. The guys, and my reaction to them, preyed on me. Why do I feel such a connection to them? It went beyond my wanting to jump them and ride them like an out of control cowgirl. I simply liked-no, make that loved-being around them. I loved the way Simon treated me like a fragile princess. I loved that Gene didn’t just drool over me, he joked with me like I was his friend. After my experience in the hospital with my brothers, I’d shied from friendships with men. I hated that they all looked at me with lusty eyes, never seeing me, the real person-albeit specially endowed with super powers. I had the same problem with human women although not to the same extent as men. With human men, all their actions and conversation with me seemed geared towards one thing-getting my pants off. In the past, that suited me just fine, after all, my mother always taught me to not play with my food.

  With Simon and Gene, the sexual attraction was definitely there, along with the innuendos, but, it went further than that. They saw me for who I was, not just a sexy succubus. They could have taken advantage of me at any time as well, and yet, they’d acted like perfect gentlemen even though I sensed their raging desire. They talked to me and listened without staring at my boobs, which was disconcerting-I wasn’t used to men looking me in the eyes. I wondered how intense gazing into their eyes at the moment of climax would affect me.

  All this musing, though, wasn’t getting me ready. I gnawed my lips as I realized something else.

  I was nervous.

  This was, after all, my first real date. Sure, I’d had guys take me home to see their ceilings, and I’d visited plenty of backseats, but all those encounters had resulted from me siccing my power on the male in question. Dinner in a nice restaurant where I was expected to keep my panties on while the eating happened, how new and different. The jury remained out on whether I liked it. If I truly wanted to be honest with myself-the horror!-then I needed to also admit the upcoming evening scared the hell out of me.

  What if, we have a great dinner, and then go back to their place for some amazing sex, and tomorrow, they don’t call, and I go back to being alone? A part of me was terrified that once they’d conquered my panties, I’d end up ditched at the curb with a broken heart. Stupid me, when did I allow myself to care?

  I really hated having in depth, heart-to-heart conversations with myself. I never liked my own answers.

  I finished dressing and headed out to the living room and my waiting panel of roommates, ready to judge me.

  “How do I look?” I asked smoothing down the skirt of the black cocktail dress I’d bought for the occasion. It went to my knee, and while hugging my curves was far from skintight. It did, however, dip really low in the back making a bra useless, so it had some redeeming slutty qualities.

  “You look fabulous and you know it,” said Lana, taking the sea conch from her ear for a moment. On land, we had cell phones; under the sea, they used conchs and seashells. Go figure.

  “Are you sure?”

  Claire giggled. “I never thought I’d see the day you were worried about attracting a man, or should I say men?”

  I made a face at her. “I’m more worried about looking too hookerish and not being allowed in the restaurant to eat.”

  They reassured me that I looked elegant not high priced. I knew my friends were right-I looked great. On the outside at least, I looked sleek and sophisticated, but under the skirt, I wore a skimpy g-string and my cleft was clean shaven.

  All my soul searching and disturbing conclu
sions still led back to one key point. I was given a second chance at life, and mutant hybrid or not, possible means to the end of the world or not, I’d live life to the fullest and worry about the consequences later. And that motto meant grabbing the boys by their horns-with a firm grasp-and taking what they offered-naked and enthusiastically.

  I also had a plan to take care of my ex-brothers-kind of. But I’d need help, and I knew just the two guys to give it to me-and not just in a carnal sense.

  A knock sounded and I jumped to the amusement of my friends.

  Lana started crooning, “Like a virgin, touched for the very first time.”

  I glared at her and went to answer the door. Upon opening it, I found myself assailed by a jungle-okay not a real one, but the wild tangle of blooms thrust at me certainly must have set back the rainforests quite a bit.

  Startled-my first bouquet of flowers, sniff-I hid my surprise and delight by grabbing the supersized bouquet and heading to the kitchen to find something to put them in. An acre of land came to mind, but by splitting the floral arrangement into every large container I could find, I managed to find the time to calm my shaking hands. Like a virgin indeed, I snickered to myself.

  Chiding myself for being a ninny, I took a deep breath and headed back out to the living room.

  I stopped dead at the sight of them-I didn’t have a choice because I needed to clamp my thighs tight to stop the rush of moisture that flooded my cleft.

  Oh my, they look so yummy.

  I wasn’t the only one who’d taken care with her wardrobe. The guys looked splendid dressed in matching suits with-gasp-ties. The wicked vixen in me could already imagine those naughty neck nooses lashed around my wrists as I writhed beneath their sensual touch.

  I’ll never make it through dinner.

  Their eyes shone with admiration and their smiles reflected their happiness at seeing me. Simon approached me first and grasped my hand in his big paw. He lifted my trembling hand and twisting it slightly, placed a hot kiss on the inside of my wrist. I shuddered and I would have slumped into a boneless puddle at his feet, had he not released my arm to slide his own around my waist supporting me.

  I am in so much trouble if something simple as that makes me lose all my motor skills.

  Gene approached me next, and leaned in, kissing me softly on both cheeks, European style; the subtle aroma of his cologne tickling my senses. His whispered, “It felt like an eternity waiting for this moment,” made me almost close my eyes and swoon.

  A snort from Lana with a “Get a room,” revived me a bit, as did the unexpected blush that crept up my face.

  Claire sighed. “Oh, I can’t wait to find a man who makes me feel like that.”

  “You’ll be meeting him sooner than you think,” Gene said to her cryptically before bowing in their direction. “Ladies, if you’ll excuse us, we have reservations.”

  And just like that I was whisked away. Instead of using a limo, Gene hugged Simon and me, and with a nod of his head, we were elsewhere.

  We stood in the vestibule of a swanky joint, the polished wood, thick carpeting and gold accents screaming old school. I heard the sound of a throat being cleared and turned to see the maître d’. And that’s when I realized, fancy place or not, I doubted Chef Ramsey had ever heard of this place. The lizard man in the suit with the bowtie inclined his head at us and I bit my lip so as to not rudely blurt what the heck is that?

  “We have reservations,” Simon said tugging me forward to stand before the podium which had a thick book open on top.

  “Your name?” asked the lizard thing with what I could have sworn was a sneer.

  I’m not sure what Simon did behind me, but the maître d’ recoiled and adopted a more servile expression. “Of course, sir. Sorry for not recognizing you. Please, follow me.”

  We followed the lizard man-who, to my amusement, had a tail sticking out of the back of his pants. We passed dozens of tables, partially hidden in shadows, but not dark enough for me to not realize that most of the patrons weren’t descended from Adam and Eve. I recognized some species-like the dwarves with their big beards and short, stocky stature. There were some fairies with gossamer wings whose sizes ranged from Thumbelina to human sized. The one eyed scary dude was, if I remembered my mythology correctly, a Cyclops. And at the sight of a bright blue demon, I clutched tightly at Simon’s arm.

  He followed my gaze and patted my hand reassuringly. “Don’t worry. We’ll explain it in a second.”

  His words made my eyes widen, because I immediately grasped the implication. “You’re using me as bait,” I hissed. I’d actually contemplated doing that and it was part of the plan I’d meant to broach over dinner. It annoyed me that they’d acted without consulting me first, even if I’d had the some thought.

  “I prefer the term ‘showing you off,’” Gene replied as we arrived at our table and he pulled out a chair for me.

  I sat automatically and my dates took up a seat on either side of me. The back of my neck prickled as I imagined myself the object of everyone’s stare. I drummed my nails on the table and said tersely, “Explain.”

  To my surprise, Simon answered instead of smooth-talking Gene. “It originally occurred to us to keep you hidden. We planned to hunt down the vamps you were created with and destroy them before they could out you. But, as Gene pointed out, we couldn’t be sure none of them slipped and told somebody who’d find your existence a tasty tidbit to sell. So, while the plan is still to kill them, we’re after bigger prizes.”

  My eyes grew wider and wider. “Are you out of your freaking mind?” I said through clenched teeth. “What part of hordes of demons and angels gunning for me did you not get?”

  Gene chuckled. “Calm down. We won’t let you get hurt. And, there’s one thing you should know: you have more allies than you realize. Angels and demons are just two sects who would be content with things staying the same. Remember how I told you there was a movement to let the prophecy come true?” I nodded still not reassured. “I talked to some of my contacts about you, and you’ll be pleased to know, that they’ll protect you.”

  “Gee,” I said with a sarcastic lilt while rolling my eyes, “I feel so much better now. I get to trust strangers with my life.”

  Simon’s immense hand covered mine. “They’ll have to go through me or Gene first, a sure death warrant for them as we won’t let you get hurt.”

  I would have retorted, but at that moment the most beautiful woman in the world-who happened to have wings of translucent gold-approached our table. I stood, somehow knowing that staying seated in front of her would be disrespectful. There was something majestic about the otherworldly woman that I reacted to instinctively.

  Eyes of gold gazed upon me and I shivered sensing the power in her stare. I fought the urge to kneel before her and after a few moments of silence, she spoke, her voice lilting and musical. “Finally, the one foretold has arrived. Welcome dear one. Should you require aid in your quest, you may call upon me.”

  I looked on her blankly. “Um, thanks.” While I appreciated her offer, I hadn’t the slightest clue who she was.

  “Queen Mab, you do us great honor,” said Gene who’d also stood along with Simon.

  “A token has already been sent to your court in thanks for your kindly gesture,” rumbled Simon.

  The queen’s eyes glowed and her lips curved into a smile that held a touch of avarice. “I knew the rumors of your demise had to be false. Congratulations on your choice.”

  With an incline of her head, the Queen departed leaving behind a scent of sunshine-and a host of questions. We all sat back down just as a waiter-an actual monkey dressed in a suit-arrived with wine glasses. I waited until he’d poured us all a brimming glass full and left before I spoke.

  “That’s it,” I said looking at Simon. “Why is it everyone who meets you acts like you’re some kind of god? Just what are you, and why do they think you’re so scary?”

  “You don’t think I’m scary?” he replie
d sidestepping with a grin.

  “No, but if I don’t get a straight answer, you’re going to discover how scary I can be.” I had my own theories as did my roommates-and twenty bucks riding on the answer.

  “I’m an ice dragon.”

  I blinked. I looked him up and down. Then sighed.

  “What? You asked for the truth.” he said spreading his hands.

  Gene chuckled. “Perhaps you should go outside and show her your magnificent alter ego.”

  “No, I believe him. I just can’t believe how wrong I was.”

  “What did you think I was?”

  I squirmed. “Well, I had a few theories. I had you narrowed down to a Titan-”

  “Much too small,” replied Gene.

  “Or an incubus.”

  “Not pretty enough,” snorted Gene while Simon, looking astonished, blushed.

  “Claire thought you were a shapeshifting polar bear and Lana actually thought you were some kind of deity like Poseidon.”

  Simon grinned. “She thought I was a god? Don’t worry, after tonight, I’ll prove to you that I am and much more.”

  It was my turn to blush as his words spread heat through me. But, I wasn’t quite done with them yet. I took a sip of the wine and almost choked. “What the heck is this?” I asked as my eyes watered.

  “Dragon ice wine, a potent concoction for the uninitiated,” Gene said dryly.

  “I like it,” said Simon stubbornly swigging it.

  “Fine, whatever,” I pushed the glass aside and went for the crystal goblet of water, which certainly hadn’t come from any municipal tap. “Now, before we get off topic, there are a few more things we need to talk about. Like, how is this dinner going to lead us to my vampire brothers?”

  “Oh, someone here will blab,” stated Gene with assurance. “And if the vamps don’t make a move, then we’ll try something bolder. But I’m pretty sure someone will sell them the info. After all, only the blood of a Nephilim can allow a night stalker to walk in daylight.”

  “Whoa, stop right there. First of all, I looked up that Nephilim thing and Wiki says they’re the result of an Angel banging a human.”