Chapter 8
Ren raced down the lone road toward the castle, his motorcycle roaring comfortingly beneath him. Since no police patrolled this stretch of road, he pushed on the gas to go faster. It was an elating sensation, a feeling of perfect freedom that he didn’t get to experience very often and he cherished the moment as one would cherish a rare jewel.
He was almost a mile away from the castle when he felt something slam into him… a wave of power so unexpected that it distracted him for a brief second.
Ren stopped the bike and glared up the road not wanting to deal with new people right now but Storm insisted this was the best way to take care of the threat hanging over the city. Army or not, Ren wasn’t happy about it and would probably remain unhappy until it was all over.
Revving the bike again, he took off down the road at top speed exceeding seventy miles an hour around the hairpin turns. Ren suddenly felt weightless and looked down in shock when his lower body started to levitate off of the bike.
‘Not good,’ he thought to himself as the bike pulled away from his hold on the handlebars.
The motorcycle continued onward and started to wobble before crashing into a tree on the side of the road. Ren floated right on past it, quickly growing angry at not only his current predicament, but the fact that his best ride was now a pile of scrap metal. He looked up just in time to see a thick wooden fence coming right at him.
Crossing his arms in front of his face, Ren braced himself and crashed through the fence, landing in a large puddle just on the other side.
“Damn it!” he yelled feeling an agonizing pain in his shin. Sitting up slowly, he felt along his leg and found the broken bone sticking out at an unusual angle causing a hard bump to form under the skin.
Gritting his teeth in anger, he took out his cell phone and flipped it open, glaring at the device when he saw it was broken.
“Son of a bitch!” he growled and flopped back into the water. “I’m going to kill you Storm!”
Ren laid there for a few minutes and tried to get his anger under control. He hoped that eventually someone would come by and help him out of this situation so all he had to do was wait. He abruptly screamed when he felt the bone in his leg start moving on its own and pushed upright to pull up his pant leg.
“What now?” he hissed at the extra pain the movement was causing.
The muscles in his leg were moving around and he could actually feel the pain of the bone realigning itself. The slight grinding sound he heard when the bone slid back into place made him wince. His teeth were clenched so tight with the pain that he was sure he heard one of them crack but didn’t pay it any mind.
Next came the itching and the feeling of a broken bone that was finally healing itself came with it. The area where his skin had been scraped off and bleeding scabbed over and vanished right before his eyes. His leg had turned purple and was fading to blue and red, then yellow, and finally a light brown before disappearing completely.
Ren watched the entire process with horrified curiosity but it didn’t abate his anger. He still had to walk home and in his current condition, he wasn’t a happy camper.
Using the remnants of the fence, Ren pulled himself to his feet and tested his weight on the previously broken leg. He still felt the pain of the break but he could walk normally and, he was sure, that pain would pass soon enough. Right now, he was not only pissed off, he was wet too and that didn’t make for a good Ren cocktail.
Walking out onto the main road, Ren went back for his bike and righted it. Wordlessly, he started pushing it down the road cursing the day he’d let Storm talk him into coming to this paranormal hotspot. It left him craving the solitude of Storm’s island where no one bothered him over the bull that was going on here in LA.
The remaining bit of that final mile had Ren in even more of a tizzy. Walking the motorcycle into the huge garage, he frowned at the additional vehicles that were now parked there. There was a classic Mustang, a Hummer, a black van with painted windows, an old beat up Pinto, and a station wagon.
Ren did a double take at the wagon and wondered if the person had a family. Shaking his head, he decided he didn’t give a damn and stormed into the castle.
There were two people in the large foyer talking when Ren walked in but he didn’t pay them any mind. He approached his office doors and lifted his hand toward them. The doors opened on their own and Ren stepped inside, slamming them shut to block out the new people eying him with curiosity.
No doubt the new people had tried gaining access to the office to speak with him and couldn’t open the doors. “Too bad,” he said sulkily and headed for his desk.
A grimace appeared on his face as he turned on the direct video feed between him and Storm. When the picture of Storm appeared on the screen, Ren opened his mouth to yell at him but stopped when his superior started laughing so hard he fell out of his chair.
“I don’t see what’s so damn funny,” Ren growled.
Storm pulled himself off the floor and looked at Ren’s appearance on the video feed. He quickly lowered his head so Ren wouldn’t see him laughing again. The action was a complete waste of time as Ren could still hear Storm snickering from under the table.
“Get your time-warped ass off the floor,” Ren exclaimed angrily.
Storm finally got himself situated in his chair again but couldn’t look Ren in the eye. Ren had mud smeared all over one side of his face and his hair was sticking straight up on that same side of his head. A number of small twigs and wet leaves were plastered all over what Storm could see and there was a single wild daisy sticking up from behind one of his ears.
“Send them home!” Ren demanded not caring if he sounded childish. He could later blame his momentarily lowered IQ on hitting the ground to hard. “I just had an unexpected encounter with a couple of abilities I’ve never come across before and wrecked the motorcycle.”
“Don’t worry,” Storm assured him still trying to keep his chuckling under control. ”You don’t have to become bosom buddies with them. Like you, they work alone and know to go to Zachary if they need anything that the castle does not provide.”
Ren relaxed a bit as he noticed that Storm seemed to be in a much better mood than the last time they spoke. He was almost sorry he had to ruin it for him.
“There was another earthquake last night,” Ren stated.
Storm’s amusement faded instantly and he looked at Ren. “Tell me.”
“I’m not sure what it is, but I can feel a distant and very dangerous power each time an earthquake occurs.” Ren explained. “Almost like it’s on the other side of the door trying to get in… or get out.”
Storm frowned, “You may be closer to the truth than you think Ren.” He looked Ren in the eye, “Keep your mind open and try to avoid going closer to those areas yourself until we know exactly who and what we are dealing with.”
Ren was tempted to ask Storm what he knew about it but refrained. If Storm revealed anything about what was going on it could potentially kill him, and that was the last thing they needed.
“Oh,” Storm continued. “Before you take a shower, make sure you look in a mirror.”
Ren glared at the screen when Storm cut off the feed from his end. Leaning back in his chair, Ren wrinkled his nose at the smell of stagnant water all over him and decided he did indeed need a shower.
Getting up, he walked across the office to his private bedroom and bathroom Storm had put in for him, glancing up when he walked by a mirror hanging on the wall. An enraged yell echoed through the castle startling everyone trying to settle into their new quarters.
*****
Kat, Envy, and Jewel walked along the walls finding bullet holes and patching them with plaster. Most of the overhead lighting had been taken down a few days before. The way they’d just been hanging there, everyone was at risk of having the heavy equipment fall on them. Entire sections of the floor were now being pulled up and removed and the glass from behind and around the bar area was in various stages of being swept up.
“I wasn’t meant to work like this.” Steven whined but the grin on his face gave him away.
Nick snorted, “Then go over and work with the women and leave the real work to us men.”
“I never did like this stuffy club as much as Moon Dance anyway.” Steven said with a dramatic sigh.
“Then go get a job at Moon Dance,” Quinn ordered.
Warren had just walked through the front door at the perfect moment and smirked, “You’re hired.”
Quinn growled at the jaguar which made Warren’s smirk widen.
“I guess this is what happens when we let a vampire destroy the place.” Micah grumbled, tossing a large piece of hardwood floor into a growing pile. He’d been moody all week and it was starting to grate on everyone’s nerves.
“The wolves carrying automatic weapons had a little bit to do with it too.” Devon stated. “Look at all the freaking bullet holes in the dance floor.”
“Night Light needs to attract a different kind of clientele besides the mafia anyway,” Kat said. “Redecorating might change that.”
Quinn smirked at her, “Businessmen have deeper pockets than those kids Moon Dance caters to.”
“Be that as it may,” Kat shot back with a grin. “Those businessmen you love so much have spoiled little rich girls and boys that spend daddy’s money at Moon Dance. Then, while their kids are trying to get trashed at Moon Dance and sowing their wild oats, daddy is here trying to avoid going home to face the wife because he’s the one that gave them the money to go in the first place.”
“So that’s why they haven’t shot up Moon Dance yet.” Steven said in awe. “They don’t want to take away the only place that keeps their kids happy and quiet.”
“You stay out of this,” Quinn exclaimed much to everyone’s amusement.
“Dear,” Kat said soothingly. “You’ve lost this argument, now be a good little boy and finish your chores so we can go play.”
“OH GOD, I DID NOT NEED TO HEAR THAT!” Nick yelled and commenced to cover his ears and sing loudly off key.
Quinn pretended to glare at them but couldn’t hold the expression and a smile slipped through. He had a feeling that Kat was missing her family and he couldn’t blame her.
“I need to talk to you for a minute,” Warren said.
Quinn nodded his head toward his office door and let Warren follow him inside. Nick abruptly stopped singing when the door closed behind them followed by a loud exclamation of pain and yelling about who threw the paintbrush at him.
“Just like old times.” Warren said softly.
Quinn smiled, “Yeah, I miss those times.”
Warren’s expression sobered. “That’s actually very close to what I wanted to talk to you about.”
Quinn sat down behind his desk, “What is it?”
Warren straddled a chair backwards while looking at Quinn and leaned forward to prop his elbows on the surface of the desk. “I have a proposition for you.”
“What kind of proposition?”
Warren sighed, “With all of the violent activity surrounding Night Light lately, it might be a good idea to close it up for a while. What I’m offering is this… there is a huge building behind Moon Dance that I purchased a few years ago and I have a good idea of what to do with it now.”
“I’m listening,” Quinn said in a business-like tone.
“I was thinking of our families coming together in a partnership. You and your family would run the club on the other side of the alley and we keep the Moon Dance side. We could combine the two buildings to where the alley will no longer be there.” Warren offered. “It would give you a fresh start and it would put everyone in a safer environment.”
“Maybe that was one thing our fathers had right, even though mine was a damn bastard.” Quinn said after a moment of contemplation. “There is strength in numbers.” He looked at his friend with a thoughtful expression. “Tell me Warren, what made you think of this?”
Warren smiled, “You and Kat. The two of you have already bound our families together and this would only enforce that bonding.”
“What would the name of this place be called?” Quinn asked.
“Since it’s basically going to be a combination of both clubs I was thinking Moon Light.” Warren answered.
“I like that idea,” Quinn said. “A gentleman’s club would be the perfect addition.”
Warren almost smiled. He’d had the exact same concept. In this case he would keep his silence and let Quinn have it.
“So we’re talking about a gentlemen’s lounge, VIP memberships, and a separate entrance?” Warren asked.
Quinn nodded, “That sounds about right. And since there will be so many shifters in one place, not only us but our employees, I suggest leaving the club open 24/7. And, since you want us to move in anyway, we can turn the upper floor into an extension of your living quarters so we can interact with each other. Do you have any ideas for hiring a contractor for something this size?”
“One of the jaguar regulars at Moon Dance owns a construction company. I can get with him this afternoon and find out if he can do it.” Warren said.
Quinn rubbed his hands on his pant legs and stood up. “Let’s go out there and stop everyone from picking on Nick long enough to get a vote. I can still hear him screaming.”
*****
Zachary had just hooked up the last wire and turned on the audio surveillance system when he heard the conversation taking place between Quinn and Warren. He arched an eyebrow at the idea the jaguar had and agreed it was a good plan. Picking up the phone on the desk next to him, he dialed Trevor’s number and listened to it ring.
“What’s up Zachary?” Trevor asked when he picked up.
“I need you to head to Night Light. It appears the cougars and the jaguars are getting ready to merge the clubs. Since they’re all in place, it’s a good time to go over and warn them about the third shifter murder. They are targets again whether they like it or not… and even with the warning they might not see the skin-walker coming. Make sure they understand what they’re up against.”
“I’m a few blocks away from Night Light. I’ll be there in a few minutes.” Trevor confirmed and hung up. He was glad Zachary hadn't asked him if he’d found Jason yet… because honestly, he’d been so busy at the police department that he hadn't even started looking.
*****
Quinn opened the door to his office and shouted over all of the noise in the main room. “Everyone get in here.”
“Ooh, you’re so gonna get it now.” Devon was heard saying.
“Shut up… Nick started it.”
“No,” Nick growled. “You started it by throwing the paintbrush.”
“Enough,” Quinn exclaimed and returned to his desk without looking at them.
When they all filed into the office, Warren and Quinn froze at the scene before them. Everyone, including Micah, was covered in paint from head to toe.
Jewel had streaks of dark blue and purple paint all over her, Steven was covered in spots looking a little like a Dalmatian, and Nick, Devon, Micah, and Envy had large splashes of neon pink paint. However, Kat had a huge streak of white paint going from her hairline almost all the way down to the tips of her long hair.
“I’m mated to a pole cat?” Quinn asked with a tilt of his head then looked over at Warren. “Are you sure you want all of them together in the same place?”
Warren shrugged, “Easier to baby-sit.”
“We’re not children!” Steven exclaimed.
“That’s right,” Nick stated. “We’re adults that act like children when our stuffy older brothers aren’t in the room.”
“Yeah, I second what Nick said. This is a paint war not a mud fight.” Kat said with a sage nod.
“That so did not sound right.” Envy added with a grin.
Devon quirked an eyebrow at his mate, “I like mud fights.”
“Pervert!”
Quinn pinched the bridge of his nose. “Warren and I have discussed an idea and, since it involves both families, we decided to put it to a vote. Once the vote is counted, you can go back to whatever it was you were doing.”
“Goody!” Jewel said and held up a paintbrush dripping with gold paint while glaring at Steven.
Micah was a bit miffed that Alicia wasn’t there to take part in the vote. It had been several days since Damon had called Michael. The message had been short and sweet… Damon and Alicia had left town for a while without so much as a good-bye. He was angry because the last time he’d seen his sister, she’d been laying in the center of the dance floor bleeding to death.
“So what are we voting on?” Devon asked.
“Warren is proposing that we combine Moon Dance and Night Light into a single club called Moon Light that has a VIP gentleman’s area under the cougar side of the club. He owns the building behind Moon Dance and has offered it to us in order to expand.” Quinn answered. “The second level will be converted into living quarters for us and combined into a larger area connecting both floors.”
“If we do this, Moon Light will become the biggest club in the city with the added advantage of never closing,” Warren added, noticing the excited light that danced in everyone’s eyes. Well, everyone except Micah’s but the boy wasn’t in the mood for good news unless it was about Alicia.
Everyone looked at each other before Kat spoke up, “Huddle.”
They all formed a tight circle. Quinn remembered when they used to do this as children and an important decision had to be made. It used to be centered around what game they would play but now it was something of much greater importance. After a moment of quiet discussion, they separated.
“The vote is unanimous,” Kat announced with a huge smile. “We agree.”
*****
Trevor parked the car in front of Night Light and turned off the engine. He’d stopped to pick up Chad on the way so they could crash the meeting together. Trevor was very worried about Envy being in the immediate area where another shifter murder had been committed. He just hoped that with Chad’s help they could talk the cougars into leaving Night Light for a little while.
Walking in the front door, the first thing Trevor noticed was that there was paint everywhere… on the floor, walls, even the bar had been the recipient of paintbrush splats.
“Looks like a paint war.” Chad said after a moment.
Trevor shook his head, “They’re trying to fix the place up and we can’t let that happen.”
“Lead the way.” Chad offered.
Trevor crossed the dance floor, stepping over large puddles of paint and knocked over paint cans before opening the office door without knocking.
“We got problems.” Trevor stated to the surprised faces.
“What kind of problems?” Warren asked.
“We came down to let you know some news about another shifter murder.” Chad answered. “The victim was found a few blocks away with her heart ripped out.”
“That’s three now.” Trevor said. “It would make PIT a lot more comfortable if Night Light closed for a while.”
“Is it Misery committing the murders?” Quinn asked.
“No, PIT has dealt with this before. It’s a different demon.” Trevor answered.
Envy sighed, “As if one demon wasn’t bad enough, now we’ve got two.”
“Well, considering Angelica killed a demon at Love Bites… it never was only one demon.” Trevor corrected her. “This new demon is a skin walker.”
“What the heck is a skin walker?” Steven asked, “Sounds creepy.”
Trevor nodded, “It is, a skin walker is a demon that takes over a host body. The one we have a lead on has a fetish for shifters. In order to stay alive, it needs the fresh blood of a shifter, more specifically the blood still within the heart. We don’t know what it does with the heart, only that the victim is still alive when it’s taken out.”
“Chad’s helping you track down demons again?” Envy asked as she slid her arm around her brother. “He’s human, how will he last against something like that?”
“If you can live with… them,” Chad started, pointing at his new and extended family. “Then nothing I do should worry you.”
“We’ve got a special team coming in that will try to track and kill this demon… they’ve dealt with him before, so they know exactly what they’re up against.” Trevor intervened.
“It also looks like they’ve failed before since the demon is still running around.” Devon pointed out when he noticed Envy looking hopefully toward Trevor. “Maybe PIT isn’t as good as you say they are.”
Trevor's eyes narrowed, “This used to be a team of three werepanthers and, because of this demon… the team is now down to two. It’s the first demon that’s ever given Jessica the slip and it killed one of them doing it. I’m here warning you because the last time this demon came on our radar, it had taken over the body of a werewolf, but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t taken over another shifter… even a jaguar.”
“So, your back to framing us for murder again?” Devon asked with a smirk.
Trevor glared at the jaguar, hating how Devon thought so little of him and he vowed to pay the jaguar back. He felt calm flow through him and his lips hinted at a smile as he realized he could blow Devon out of the water without much effort. He schooled his features when he noticed Envy watching him curiously.
“Hardly,” Trevor said. “We are trying to protect shifters not get them killed.”
“How many members of PIT are shifters?” Micah asked thoughtfully.
“Not as many as you might think.” Trevor said. “Regardless, I’ve done my good deed for the day and delivered the warning. What you do is up to you. Just remember… you have humans among you who also need to be protected.” He had to still his gaze to keep it from traveling to Envy.
“We’re moving to Moon Dance.” Quinn informed him. “If you need us, that’s where we’ll be.”
Trevor nodded and turned around, already planning his revenge against Devon on his way out the door. He was amazed he hadn’t thought of it sooner… actually he had, but had pushed the evilness of the thought into his spank bank for later.
Chad took hold of Envy’s shoulders. He looked at her for a moment before placing a kiss on a part of her face that didn’t have paint on it. “Call me,” he reminded her.
Envy smiled, “I will. Take care of yourself, and if you need more backup, we’re there in a heartbeat.”
Chad nodded and quickly left the office, catching up with Trevor just outside the front door, “You didn’t say anything before about Werepanthers. How are they supposed to help?”
“There were three of them,” Trevor said as they got in the car. “Holden was the weapons and demolitions expert. He could look at a building and tell you exactly how much it would take to blow it to Kingdom Come. Christian possessed a large amount of strength and speed, the only thing I’d ever seen outrun him was a cheetah.”
“There’s cheetah’s now,” Chad ran his hand through his hair and leaned back in the seat.
Trevor pulled out into traffic and headed for the city limits. “But Jessica was the best tracker I’d ever seen and she’s very cunning, too. Holden and Christian were there mostly to protect her while she did her job. The guys would then take the demon down and they’d call it a day.”
“How do you kill a skin walker?” Chad asked.
“You need a special dagger that can bind the demon inside its host body, trapping it.” Trevor shrugged, “When you kill the body… the demon dies.”
“You said one of them was killed by the serial killer that’s been killing off shifters.” Chad pointed out. “Which one?” he held his breath hoping it wasn’t the girl. So far the skin walker had only killed girls in LA.
Trevor remembered the sad incident like it was yesterday, “They’d tracked the demon to an airport in Honolulu and Christian followed it onto a plane. No one knows what happened between them, but just as the plane got airborne it blew… everyone was killed, women, children, families…”
Trevor stopped and Chad respected the other man’s need for silence. PIT seemed to be run a lot like the police force when it came to losing a member… it was always a hard pill to swallow.
