A Shifter's Curse, Raven Steele [the top 100 crime novels of all time .TXT] 📗

I headed straight for the kitchen, not giving another thought about Luke. I had to rummage around a bit, but I finally found a cupboard with a few bottles of alcohol. I grabbed the first one I touched and ripped off its top. I’d already drunk half of it before I reached Lynx’s room.

I stepped into her open doorway; she was sitting at her desk with a pen in hand.

"How are you feeling?"

She looked up at me, and her eyes widened in surprise. She quickly closed the book she had been writing in, a journal probably. She seemed the type.

“I promise I won’t read your,” I waved my hand at her, “thingee.”

She grinned at my already buzzed state (I probably should’ve eaten something) and pulled her legs beneath her, leaning back to rest her elbows on the armrests. "My shoulder’s still a little sore, but other than that I'm doing really good."

"I'm glad to hear it." I tipped the bottle and guzzled nice and long. I offered it to Lynx. "You want some?"

She eyed it thoughtfully, then shook her head. "Rough day?"

“The worst.” I dropped onto her bed. "Just because I'm their newest member, doesn’t mean I want to be there."

I let the words hang in the air, hoping she could read between the lines. 

Her gaze fell to the floral bedspread. "I know you didn't want to hurt me. I could see it in your eyes. What happened that night, I needed it too."

Now her words hovered in the air, right next to mine. I could see through them. We both had secrets, and we both knew it.

I downed another long sip, enjoying the burn of it as it coated my throat.

“Do you work tonight?" she asked.

I shook my head. "But I do have to go with Silas somewhere. Hopefully it won’t take long.”

She visibly shivered. “That guy is straight up creepy.”

I nodded my head in agreement. “Your mother’s shit should be named after him."

She laughed. “Perfect!”

“I’m going to go finish this.” I held up my bottle. “Then get a bunch of sleep before I go. Do you need anything before I crash?"

“I’m good, but thanks."

I rose from the bed, the alcohol making me sway. It never stayed in my system long, so I had to enjoy it while I could. Drinking fast was the best way.

I staggered to my room, drinking as I went. By the time I reached my bedroom, the bottle was empty. I fell face first onto the bed, my body feeling numb. But more importantly, the eyeless girl was gone from my mind. I hoped I’d never see her again.

One thing I’ve learned though, is that we never get everything we want.

I woke several hours later, my body refreshed, but my mind felt fractured, like crushed glass. Remains were scattered everywhere. It took me several minutes to gather them up and try to piece them together again. What formed in my mind was an abstract painting of the world, and how it was changing around me. I didn't like it.

After dressing quickly, I bounded down the stairs into the kitchen for a quick bite to eat. Samira was already there sitting on a chair wiping down a long blade. A second one laid on top of the table.

“Ugh. Do you have to do that in here?"

"It's the only place in the house with four lights."

"Aha." I opened the refrigerator. "Where's Lynx?”

"She said she had some family business to attend to. Where are you going?"

“Headed to Fire Ridge soon. What about you, Sammie?” She grunted at her nickname. I sat down, digging into leftover meatloaf from three days ago. It tasted alright. “So?”

"I have a meeting."

"Does it involve those swords?" I nodded toward her blades.

"It could."

"I have a meeting too. I bet one of those sure would come in handy."

Her eyes narrowed. “Who are you meeting with?"

I pushed the meatloaf around with my fork and shrugged. "No one important.” I wasn't sure if the meeting was supposed to be kept secret. Probably.

"I am traveling with Silas to meet the Sangre Nocturnas.” She said their name the way it was probably meant to be said.

I dropped my fork. "That's where I’m going. Why are you going?”

"It's a business deal. Dominic always sends me on those. I need to make sure the Silver Claws get their fair share." She set the blade next to the other one, gently as if it might break. "How is it that you are going? You’re a brand-new member."

"It's a long story, and not one I want to rehash." I watched the meatloaf mash through the little spaces in between the fork.

She picked up her other blade. “That explains the alcohol on your breath. I hope it gets out of your system soon. You're going to need all of your wits about you when you face the Sangre Nocturnas.”

I breathed into my hand, smelling my breath, and wrinkled my nose. “Hundred percent sober. I know what's at stake tonight. The Silver Claws are looking at expanding their reach into other states. That’ll make it difficult to destroy the beast.”

"But even more important, the drug the vampires want to bring into the country is of the likes no one has seen before. It will destroy many human lives, supernaturals too.”