L'Anima Ladro, InkWeaver [summer beach reads TXT] 📗

much, at least not when it could be avoided, but I would, to get me out of a certain situation.
Sorry, Romeo. I said, trying to get my face to look sincere, even thought I was anxious to hear the answer to my question. I think the attempts amused him. I elbowed the top of his neck, since it was the only thing I could reach with his head in my lap.
You’re not, but I forgive you; just because you’re so cute. I blushed slightly; but I doubt he noticed it. But—he continued—to answer your question: technically, yes. That’s why the theft didn’t work. It takes a lot of energy, you know.
I sighed; but I knew it was true. I had no soul. I didn’t even act like I did. I didn’t hesitate when it came to killing, I didn’t even lose any sleep.
Never mind that. I pushed the disturbing thoughts aside. But there’s something else I want to know.
Yes? Romeo urged me to continue on to my next question. He seemed to never tire of answering them; or asking his own.
When you yelled at Alec, before you, uh…ran…how did you forget making the dents? The ones in the Jaguar? Romeo gave me one of his looks.
It’s what happens when a gargoyle doesn’t manage to get…nourishment. We are naturally born without souls, unlike your race, though, we must steal for one. He seemed proud, when he said this. I realized I must be soulless, for the tone he used for these words would upset almost anybody. It didn’t even faze me.
I didn’t have long to dwell, for at that moment, a shiver passed down Romeo’s spine; the world was a giant white haze again. I managed to get up before he started to shift. The change was quicker this time, and I didn’t hear any yelps. But Romeo, when back in human form, seemed paler. He walked slowly, and unsteadily, back to me.
“Are you okay?” I asked quietly, wondering if his ears were anymore sensitive.
Yes. Romeo replied. Hmm…interesting, apparently the mind thing still worked.
“That was strange.” He said aloud. “I’d never morphed into a wolf before. Gargoyles aren’t like the wolf-folk…it was probably for the best though; a few extra surprises up my sleeve can’t hurt.” I laughed at the casual way Romeo spoke of something like this.
Then he added, “Let’s talk about something else though; even thinking about that hurts! I don’t know how you do it.” I laughed again, and shot Romeo a wicked grin.
“It only gets worse!” I teased. He grimaced and slapped a hand to his forehead.
“No!” We sat laughing for a moment. It took me about that long to realize that my hand was in his. Surprisingly, despite the fact that he’d tried to ‘steal my soul’ or whatever, despite the fact that we’d known each other for only a day, I didn’t kill him. I intertwined my fingers with his as if we’d been like this for years.
He seemed to like my response; he gave my fingers a light squeeze. But then his grinning face went grave. “I almost forgot.” He mumbled.
“What?” I was worried.
“I need to...deal with Alec. He’s seen too much…” Romeo seemed to be explaining this simply for my benefit. He didn’t seem the least bit concerned. Under normal circumstances, I would have been against killing the driver, but Romeo was right; Alec had seen too much. It was a liability.
“Yes, I agree. Just make it quick; he deserves that.” Romeo grinned wickedly at my request. The he reached out and kissed my forehead before I had a chance to react. It was probably better this way, I wasn’t really sure I was ready to choose between letting him do this, or not.
“If you wish it; by the way, are you hungry? I think I am in the mood for a hunt; maybe my wolf side will be hungry for some flesh and blood, where my gargoyle one is not.” He grinned again, “Unless, of course, I’ll have to wait for the full moon?” I elbowed him lightly.
He was out of the room in a second. He was back in three minutes flat. There was dirt on his shirt.
“Sorry it took so long; I had to dispose of the body.” I nodded, and stood.
“It’s fine. I expected you to do something with it; you can’t just leave a body anywhere.” Then I grinned. “You still up for the hunt?” I asked mischievously.
I didn’t expect what happened next. For a fraction of a second, Romeo was in front of me. Then, miraculously, I was over one of his broad shoulders, his arm around my legs, tipping me over backwards. “Only if you are!”
“Rome—” I was cut off when he started to run. It was faster than I could go in my vampire (human) form, and my top wolf speed.
“Rome?” He inquired, “I kind of like the sound of that.” He was still running at his breakneck pace.
“You’d better; that’s all I’m going to call you unless you put me down now!” I wiggled in his grip. Romeo laughed. My hair was whipped around my face. His tickled the small of my back.
“I’ll take my chances.” I hit his back lightly in response. He just laughed all the louder. Then the idea hit me.
I stayed still for a moment, until I felt him loosen his grip. Gotcha! I thought exuberantly. Then, as quick as a flash, I wormed myself free, and grabbed the leg of his artificially faded jeans. It worked…almost. I’d have had him if he hadn’t had heard me.
Instead, we were pitched forwards. I’m still not sure whether he fell on purpose, or just in surprise. Either way, I somehow managed to land under him, squished against the mossy ground. Surprisingly, we were already at the forest.
I remained silent for a moment, feeling his warmth on top of me, before shoving him over. Air brushed against my stomach, and I realized that my shirt had been torn slightly. I didn’t really care; it wasn’t like I was expected on the Red Carpet anytime soon.
Rome (I was going to stick to my threat to call him Rome, since he hadn’t put me down) rolled beside me. Quick as a flash he had his arm around my shoulders, my head resting in the bend of his arm. His other arm was under his head.
“That’s one way to go about losing weight,” I joked casually, “Have it squished out of you by a two ton wolfish gargoyle.”
“Ah, but my services are only for you; Nik.” He replied, laughing merrily. I looked at him, and thought: If he was dressed in Lincoln green, he’d make a nice Little John.
“Thanks.” He said, vainly admiring himself.
Rome. I retorted. He laughed at the false venom I put into my words. He seemed freer, with less people around. More of a joker, and less of a…businessman. I laughed at the thought of Romeo the business man. It seemed impossible.
We sat like that for a minute, before a hollow feeling in my stomach, and the beginnings of a scarlet tint to my vision reminded me what we were here for. To hunt. I realized that I’d never been less excited for a good run, but now…I just wanted to sit here. I didn’t like that; it wasn’t normal, and both me and my wolf-self didn’t like surprises, or oddities. But the hunt was necessary, for me anyway, so I didn’t go into the bloodlust; I wasn’t sure what would happen to Rome, though.
“Are we going to hunt, or what?” Romeo said, and we both were on our feet, suddenly eager to begin. It was as if he’d read my mind—I realized—which he probably did.
“If you’re ready.” I guess he was, because instead of replying, he dropped to all fours, spine cracking. I didn’t even bother getting to the ground, I started changing. I noticed it was quicker for me; less painful. Even my second change hadn’t seemed as bad as his looked, I realized, after I finished the change, which now took me less than a minute.
Romeo was still midway in his; his face was only just lengthening. I kept my distance; if I wasn’t careful, the larger wolf could accidentally fillet my foreleg. In wolf form, he had claws larger than a pocket-knife (a pocket-knife was the average size for a wolf’s claws). And the average wolf had been known to accidentally break the bones of anybody who came too close while they were change.
Most of his bones were in place by the time dared draw closer; now the beautifully colored fur sprouted. The color of the light, clean fog the streets gave off when the sun came up just after it rained.
Rome, I asked, hoping that the use of the stupid nickname would draw him out of the after-change shock, Are you okay?
He glanced at me, and I saw the eyes that I realized I liked, no matter how creepy they were. Yeah, I’m fine…but I’m hungry. Let’s hunt! I grinned at his enthusiasm.
We didn’t bother to say anymore, we just ran.


Chapter 13

I slumped onto one of Romeo’s fancy couches, next to him; he didn’t seem to care that the blood on our bodies would ruin it. “Well, we have to sit somewhere; we’ll just sit in this one every time we come back here bloody.” He said at the skeptical look I gave him.
“I see your point.” I leaned back on the comfortable piece of furniture. I had expected one of those expensive, itchy sofas, but this one was truly comfortable. I leaned my head against Rome’s shoulder; I was more tired than I could ever remember being, except after my first change. I was too tired to care that all I had on was a wolf-hide under-dress. Romeo, of course, had had nothing on after his change; I’d forgotten the wolf-skin. But he couldn’t show up anywhere naked, so he’d given me twenty bucks and told me to bring him back some jeans and a T-shirt.
My wolf-hide looked inconspicuous enough, if one didn’t look too closely, so I didn’t bother doing anything but washing most of the blood off of me.
I could tell that some of the servant’s who’d seen him leave had also noticed that he was wearing different clothes. It’d be kind of hard for them not to notice, considering every maid stared him up and down every time he passed. I was surprised how much this bothered me. I tried to convince myself that it was just fear of being discovered.
“It’s really late.” Romeo said suddenly, knocking me out of my trance. I shook my head to clear it, and gave him a questioning look. “Huh?”
Rome laughed. “It’s late.” He repeated, “Do you have somewhere to stay?” I shrugged. I didn’t matter to a werewolf whether she was sleeping under a roof or in the woods.
“I’ll take that as a no.” He turned away from me just long enough to call to a passing servant, “Fix up a spare room for our guest. The good one…and hurry up about it.” He turned back to me.
“I’ll be fine; it’s not like I’m human.” I complained; I didn’t like being taken care of. It wasn’t in my nature. Romeo gave me a look.
“Neither am I, but I enjoy a bit of luxury now and again. Besides, I have plenty