I’d seen horrors in Arys’ memory, but I was sure that Kale’s past contained worse. Kale had never been one to speak much of his past, but I knew enough to know it was bad. He had a bit of a fetish for the screams of his victims. I shuddered, recalling the night he’d told me that.
I was terror-stricken at the thought of facing him. I would never forget the crazed look in his eyes the night he attacked me.
Raindrops spattered against the windshield, and a boom of thunder shook the night. A thunderstorm was as fitting a backdrop to this night as any. With the press of a button, I closed the sunroof, cutting off the cold, wet spray that hit me in the face. The motion was so mundane and simple, a direct contrast to everything else going on around me.
I didn’t think I could possibly be any more afraid than I already was. However, when I approached The Kiss and spotted Kale’s Camaro parked haphazardly in the club’s “no parking” zone, my stomach dropped. The anger that coursed through me came sudden and unbidden. I was smart enough to fear Kale, but I was also beyond pissed for what he’d done to Jez.
I parked my car so that it blocked his in. I didn’t want him getting away that easily, although I had a feeling that he wouldn’t try to run when he saw me. Fear fled me when I got out of my car and surveyed the parking lot. It was much too quiet. The noise from inside was muffled. I paused, listening for telltale screams.
I dropped my shields, knowing Kale would feel me regardless. I reached out for his honey sweet energy, sensing him immediately. His energy was buzzing with the bloodlust that drove him. Kale was on a bender, and he wasn’t likely to stop any time soon. His energy led me through the parking lot, past the rear exit to the small alley that ran behind the building. How perfectly creepy.
Kale had carelessly tossed aside the bodies of two guys who had the misfortune of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. One of them was still alive, barely. His heartbeat echoed in my ears, and I tried to shut it out. I could do nothing for him now. I forced myself to walk past him without a second look. Unlike Jez, he felt like food.
I hesitated, unwilling to walk into a trap. Kale hadn’t already gone inside to terrorize the club patrons for a reason. He was waiting for me. That realization should have frightened me, but I was numb, slipping into survival mode.
The scent of blood and fear was strong. I gazed into the darkness, my wolf eyes re-adjusting to the absence of light. I saw nothing other than a garbage dumpster and some old abandoned furniture some lazy ass had ditched. Wherever Kale was, he was blending into the shadows with ease.
The sounds of the dying man behind me were especially loud. I swallowed hard, struggling to tune it out. Kale could have at least put the guy out of his misery. I couldn’t do it. I knew the moment I drew close enough to see his bloody throat, I’d be a goner.
“Don’t do this, Kale.” I stared into the darkness ahead, willing him to make this easy on both of us.
I could feel him, lying in wait. As each moment dragged by, my trepidation grew. This was a game to him, and I didn’t want to play.
I grew frustrated quickly. I didn’t appreciate being treated like the mouse in this game. “Here kitty kitty.” The taunt sounded like a challenge, and I regretted it as soon as it left my lips. “You don’t want to play with me, Kale. You could have killed Jez!”
Thunder crashed overhead, followed moments later by a streak of lightning. The brief illumination lit up my surroundings. If I hadn’t been able to feel Kale, I would have believed I was alone out there. Well, me and what was left of his victims.
The air around me never rippled. Not a sound betrayed Kale’s movement. He was just suddenly there, right in front of me. I jumped, choking on a shriek, stumbling as I backed away.
The rain came down harder, and I shoved my damp hair out of my face, peering at Kale like it was my first time laying eyes on him. I barely recognized him. His face was stained with the blood of his victims and his hair was matted with it. The solid black of his eyes revealed how far gone he was. Too late, I second-guessed coming here alone, but I wasn’t going back now.
Clad in his usual stylish attire, pinstriped pants, a dark shirt and his leather duster, Kale looked like my dreams and nightmares united in one painfully beautiful form. He smelled like blood and death and wore the devilish grin of one mad with bloodlust. His blood-soaked power beckoned to me.
I was instantly defensive, gathering my power tight to me. “Kale, I-,”
I was airborne before I realized he’d metaphysically bitch-slapped me. I hit the ground hard, skidding to a stop next to Kale’s forgotten victim. I was on my feet immediately, determined not to let on how much that had hurt. My back and legs stung from scraping along the hard, wet pavement. I prayed that the impact hadn’t drawn blood.