He really liked this city. No wonder Talon and Kyrian had claimed it.
He only wished that he could stay here for a little while longer. Stay where there were others of his kind.
Where there were people who would talk to him.
But he was used to wanting things he couldn't have.
The door on his right opened and a small boy stepped out. The runt was cute enough for an ankle-biter.
He had short brown hair and was sobbing. The kid pulled up sharply at the sight of Zarek standing there.
Zarek ignored him.
"Hey, mister?" the boy said, his voice trembling. "Can you help me? I'm lost.
"
Zarek took a deep breath and pushed himself away from the railing.
He tucked his clawed hand into his pants pocket and turned around. "Believe me, kid. I know the feeling.
"
He offered the child his bare hand and was stunned at how small and trusting the boy was. He couldn't remember a time in his life he would have ever reached out to someone and trusted them not to hurt him.
"So, who are we looking for? Your mom or your dad?
"
"My mommy. She's really pretty and big.
"
Zarek nodded. "What's her name?
"
"Mommy.
"
Now that was really helpful… not. "How old are you, kid?
"
"I'm this many." He sniffed back his tears and held up four little fingers. "How old are you?
"
"A lot more than four fingers.
"
The boy held up all ten. "This many?
"
Zarek smiled in spite of himself. "C'mon," he said, opening the door. "I'm sure there's someone inside
Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) who can help you find your mommy.
"
The boy wiped his face with his sleeve as Zarek led him into the Brewery. They hadn't gone far when he heard a woman gasp.
"What are you doing with my son?"
"Mommy!" The boy bolted toward the woman.
She grabbed the child up and the feral, suspicious look she cast Zarek let him know a hasty exit would be wise.
Some nights it didn't pay to appear dark and sinister.
"Security!" she shrieked.
Zarek cursed and ran back out the door. He leapt over the banister, to the stairs a story below, and quickly lost himself in the crowd.
Or so he thought.
As soon as he was halfway down Wilkinson, he saw Acheron waiting in the shadows.
This was just what he friggin' needed—Acheron to chew him out for locking Nick in the closet and leaving the house while he was under orders to stay put.
Zarek snarled. "Don't start on me, Ash."
Acheron cocked a brow at that. "Start on you for what?"
The hair on the back of his neck rose. Acheron was too relaxed and there was no tensing of his shoulders like Acheron always got when they came into contact with each other.
They had declared their mutual dislike for each other over two thousand years ago.
The man in front of him was acting as if Zarek were one of the Dark-Hunters Acheron was friendly with.
It sent a chill up his spine.
Hatred and anger he could take, a friendly Acheron made him nervous.
"Aren't you here to chew me out?" Zarek asked.
"Now, why would I do that?" He clapped him on the shoulder.
Zarek hissed as he moved away from him. "Who the hell are you?
"
"What's wrong, Zarek?
"
There was no way this was Acheron.
Zarek used his telekinesis to pull the sunglasses off the man's face. Instead of swirling mercury eyes, this man had blue ones.
The stranger narrowed his human eyes on him. "That was unwise.
"
The next thing Zarek knew, he was hit with a god-bolt.
Talon was strapped to his exercise bar, doing inverted sit-ups when Sunshine finally came awake.
Hissing, she sat up in bed, slowly. Languidly. "It's so hot in here," she said, her voice low and throaty.
Talon relaxed his body as he watched her, letting himself hang upside down while his fingertips brushed
Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) the floor. "How are you feeling?
"
She pulled her shirt off, over her head, and he instantly tensed at the sight of the black lace bra cupping her breasts.
"Hungry," she breathed, releasing the front catch on her bra. "And not for food.
"
He arched a brow at that, and at the way she trailed her hands over her breasts, down to her pants.
Oh, this was cruel.
She pulled her pants off slowly, sensually. "I need you, Talon.
"
"I think you need a cold shower.
"
She moved toward him like a stalking lioness.
Mesmerized, Talon didn't move until she reached him and ran her hand down his thighs. She bent her head to nuzzle and lick the back of his knees.
Talon moaned at how good she felt. His body hardened and throbbed as he pulled himself up, intending to unhook his boots from the bar. But he never got the chance. Sunshine waylaid his lips and kissed him passionately.