The Raven

Chapter 30Every Breath You Take 1


“Please reconsider and stay home,” Darren pleaded softy.
Mandy shifted in his arms and tried to stand up. He’d been holding onto her since she’d woken to find herself bathed and in bed. Glancing up at him, she narrowed her eyes. “Tell me again how I ended up in bed-- wet.” 2


He kissed her forehead lightly. “Honey, I already told you that when you got hit with a little too much power, it knocked you out.”
Something about the look on Darren’s face made her wonder if he was telling the truth. He caressed her shoulder and closed his eyes. “Stay home, please. Mandy, you had a hell of a night and you need to rest.” 3


Mandy patted his bare chest and laughed. “We sure did have a hell of night. But, I already told you… I feel fine. Better than fine actually. It’s weird. I have more energy now than I’ve had in over a month.” 4


Darren nodded. “I know, honey, but it would put my mind at ease if you stayed away from the Raven for awhile. I really think it would be for the best.”
He was right and she knew it, but it didn’t matter. She’d let Michelle down too much already and she wouldn’t do it again. “No, I promised Michelle I’d meet her there so I need to go. This is important to me. Please try to understand.” 5


“I get it. I don’t like it, but I get it.” His jaw tightened and he hugged her tight as he whispered, “I thought I’d lost you.”
“What?” 6


“Nothing. Tell you what… I’ll be fine with you going to the Raven if you let me come too.”
Mandy’s eyes widened. “Uhh, I’m not sure that’s such a good idea.” She tried to remember on what terms Armando left, but she couldn’t. The last thing she remembered was Armando bowing and telling them to go ahead and leave. The idea of putting Armando and Darren in the same room again didn’t seem wise. “In fact, I’m sure that’s not a good idea.”
“I told you that the dead guy and I came to an understanding.”7


“Stop calling Armando ‘the dead guy.’” 8


Darren chuckled. “Sorry. Habit, I guess. But I’m serious. We won’t get in a fight again.”
“Right,” she said sarcastically. “I need to talk to him anyway. He might be a bit calmer now. Do you think I’ll be able to smooth things over with him?”
“Are you sure you want to?”
Mandy pulled back from him, a bit surprised by his question. “Of course I do. What makes you think I wouldn’t?”
Darren’s gaze raked over her. A sly smile spread over his handsome face and he winked. “Well, you are lying naked in another man’s arms.” 9


Mandy went to say something witty back, but stopped. He was right. She’d been shocked at first, to find she had no clothes on. But the minute she found Darren lying next to her, staring at her, she felt an overwhelming amount of relief that it wasn’t Armando. What was that about? She’d never been terrified of finding Armando by her side. If anything, she looked forward to waking next to him. Not this time. No. This time she’d been so happy it was Darren that she’d practically thrown herself at him. He’d wrapped her tight in his arms and held her quietly since then. 10


“You’ve changed a lot,” she said, running her hand over his upper arm.
“Changed how?”
“For one, you’re bigger than I remember you being.” Immediately, she shook her head, knowing how he’d take it. “And I mean bigger in the sense of more muscular. You were always that way but now you seem even more so. And….”
Darren let out a manly chuckle and ran his hands through her hair. “Normally, I’d make a joke about being ‘bigger’ in all areas… but… I’ll pass.” 11


“See! That’s another thing that’s changed.” She looked up into his eyes and smiled. “The Darren I remember couldn’t resist being a smart ass. It didn’t matter who he hurt in the process. If the opportunity was there, he took it. But, you pull back now.”
He smiled and nodded. “It’s because we’re older now, Mandy. I’d like to say we’ve matured but I know us a little to well. But, we have grown up just a bit.”
“Have I changed?” 12


Darren bit his lower lip and laughed softly. “Hmm, let me think… you’re still as mouthy as ever. You still have a quick temper. You still have the ability to make the men in your life nuts and you….”
She smacked his chest and pinched him. “Hey!”
“Ouch,” he said jokingly. “You didn’t let me finish. Mandy, you still have my heart and I think you always will. When we were younger, that scared the hell out me. My feelings for you were so intense, so raw, that I hated myself for it and I….”13


Mandy sat up and stared at him. “And, that’s why in the end you pushed me away?”
The look in his green eyes said she was right. “I’m sorry I hurt you. I didn’t know how to deal with it all. Hell, we knew each other forever and from the moment I laid eyes on you… it… it was like I was spellbound. You didn’t seem to notice that I was into you for the longest time. Then, when I finally got you to go out with me, I lived everyday in fear you’d leave.”
“So, what, you date me for years, marry me and then walk out?” 14


“No. Not exactly.” He reached for her but she shook her head. He put his hands down and nodded. “A couple of weeks after we were married, I woke up before you did, like usual. I laid there watching you sleep for the longest time. I don’t know… my mind began to wander and I thought about all the ways I could lose you… all that I wanted to give you… all that you deserved, and it hit me that I wasn’t good enough for you. Not then anyways.” 15


Mandy sat there staring at him. Tears came to her eyes and the emotions she’d run from two years ago flooded back. “You fucking left me because you thought you weren’t good enough for me? What the hell is that about? A piece of me died the day you left me, Darren!” She moved off the bed and snatched the sheet up to cover herself. “You were the first man I’d ever let past my defenses and I loved you with all my heart! It destroyed me when you left without saying a word. Do you know what I did? Do you?”
Darren dropped his head slightly and whispered, “No.” 16


She laughed and put her hand on her hip. “I’ll tell you exactly what I did, Darren. I fucked anything that moved for close to six months! I didn’t care who or what they were, so long as I got to use them and be done with them. I fucked so many men that I lost count… God… I lost count! I lost all respect for myself. I figured that if the one man I loved couldn’t love me, no one could.”
Darren looked up at her, his eyes red and full of unshed tears. “I didn’t know you loved me, Mandy. You never said it. Not once in all the years we were together.”
“I married you, Darren. I thought that spoke volumes!”
She spun on her heels and stormed toward the bathroom. Instantly, Darren was behind her, pulling her to a stop, and closing his arms around her. 17


“Honey, don’t do this. Don’t still hate me for making the wrong decision.”
Mandy snorted. “The wrong decision? Is that what you call almost ruining my life? Gawd, Darren you are the reason I hesitate at every turn with marrying Armando. It has nothing to do with him. I love him and he’s the only reason I’m not still fucking any available man. He made me value myself again. He made me believe I had a right to be loved.”
Darren rocked her gently and held her tight. “Shh, I know that I fucked up. Every day since I left, I wanted to come to you--to make it right between us. But, I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t show back up in your life in the same place I was before. I needed to be a better man, Mandy. You deserved that.” 18


“No,” she bit out. “I never said you weren’t a good man… that you weren’t good enough for me! I loved you for you, Darren. You ripped my heart out only to show up when I found a man who made me whole again. Why didn’t you go when you found out I was engaged? Why didn’t you let me be happy? I deserved that.”
Darren sighed. “If I could do it over again, I would have walked out the minute you told me you were engaged. I’m sorry, Mandy. I never meant to hurt you--again. I’ll go.” He loosened his hold on her and backed away. 19


Mandy turned towards him and caught hold of his waist. Every ounce of her wanted to smack his face--to hurt him half as much as he’d hurt her. Instead, she pulled him close and put her head against his chest. Fighting to get control of her emotions, she looked up into his eyes. “Come with me to the Raven tonight. I want you there. I think I need you there.”
Darren was quiet for a moment. He tipped his head to the side and narrowed his gaze. “Are you asking me to stay?”
Mandy shrugged. “I don’t know what I’m asking you. And, I’ll understand if you do walk away. I can tell you that the idea of you disappearing from my life again scares me. The problem is, I can’t promise you anything above friendship, Darren.” She nuzzled her face back against his chest and hugged him tight. “I get that this is going to send you mixed signals, but if you decide to stay… could… would you… What I want to know is, would you stay with me for awhile? Just until… I don’t know… just for awhile.” 20


“In your house?” Darren asked, his voice strained.
Mandy tried to pull away. Her emotions were running wild and she didn’t want to make a bigger mess of her life than she’d already had. “Forget it. I’m sorry I asked. I didn’t mean it in a….”
“Yes, I’ll stay with you.”
Relief washed over Mandy. There was no way she could survive her best friend being sick, Armando leaving her and Darren disappearing. She pulled back from him and stood tall. “Thanks.” 21


He smiled and glanced towards the bathroom. “No problem. Now, little wife of mine, get your ass in there and get cleaned up if you’re still planning on going to see Michelle.”
Her mouth dropped open and Darren snatched the sheet away from her. Laughing, he dangled it out in the air and winked.
“Darren!”
“It’s good to be home. Now go get ready.” 22


~*****~ 23


Michelle frowned, eyeing her watch. Mandy had stood her up--again. She wasn’t really surprised. It was pretty clear she wasn’t on anyone’s priority list as of late. Dmitri obviously didn’t need her for anything. Michelle blushed, taking a quick drink of coffee. Mike was nearby and she didn’t want him to see her--whatever it was she was doing. 24


“Um, hey, that guy down there wants to buy you a drink. Usually when they ask I tell them you’re taken, but you looked like you could use someone buying you a drink.” Mike winked.
“Yeah, right, they must ask all the time,” Michelle drawled sarcastically in obvious disbelief. She thought of Dmitri standing in the door as her cab rolled off. Or worse, Dmitri in the bathroom jacking off. Worse yet, Dmitri running from her, just short of screaming. Michelle pushed her coffee towards Mike. “Flavor this up, would you?” 25


Mike reached for the creamer.
“No,” Michelle pointed at the stocked cabinet. “That.”
“Michelle, you shouldn’t… I mean, Dmitri said we weren’t to give you liquor. You remember that party where you woke up and thought you’d been abducted by aliens?” Mike grinned.
How in the world did he know about that? Michelle frowned. Mandy. “Dmitri is not my keeper, Mike. If the gentleman at the end of the bar won’t pay, I will. Give me a drink.”
Mind-numbing liquor sounded great. Maybe she’d become and alcoholic. Michelle gave a derisive laugh. 26


“You, ah, won’t have an attack or anything?” Mike asked worried.
Michelle frowned, but his words only reminded her she needed to take a pill. She dug into her purse. No wonder Dmitri didn’t want her. What was her lifespan anyway? Fifty years, tops? He’d live forever. Could she really blame him? “Just forget it.”
Mike nodded, seeming relieved. 27


~*****~ 28


“You don’t have to do this.”
Mandy held Darren’s hand tight and nodded. Just staring at the Raven’s front door made her sick to her stomach. “I have to do this. I need to see Michelle.”
“That’s not what I meant,” Darren said, bringing their joined hands to his lips. He planted the softest of kisses on her hand.
“I have to face him sometime.” 29


“Right, but you just had a hell of an argument with him two hours ago. Maybe you should give it a few more days.” He pulled her close and kissed the top of her head. “But, if you want to do it now then I’m here for you.”
His support meant more to her than she realized and she almost burst into tears again. Crying wasn’t something she did often and already tonight she’d lost control too many times to count. “Okay, it’s now or never.”
Turning, she pulled Darren with her to the front door. She spotted Makonnen, one of the clubs bouncers, and smiled. “Hey, handsome.” 30


At seven feet tall and three hundred pounds he looked like he’d be a bad ass. In many respects he was. But Mandy knew him and Makonnen was a gentle giant. He looked at Darren and narrowed his eyes. “Mandy?”
“Let me guess, Armando told you not to let Darren into the club.”
Makonnen shook his head. “No, in fact, he hasn’t been to the club in days. Dmitri mentioned that he was back from his business trip, but he hasn’t come here… at least not yet. I do know that he missed a meeting he was supposed to have with Dmitri but I figured he stopped off to see you the minute he got back to town.” 31


That was odd. The Raven was Armando’s baby, his outlet. He and Dmitri held partnerships in countless other business but the Raven was the only one he spent a great deal of time at. The hairs on the back of her neck rose quickly and she glanced around the parking lot. The dark night seemed to close in on her. 32


Darren’s hand tightened on hers and he leaned down to kiss her forehead again. “Go on inside, honey, and find Michelle. I forgot something in my car.”
Mandy nodded and headed into the club happy to leave the coldness that suddenly surrounded her. 33


~*****~ 34


Armando watched from the shadows as Mandy stood hand and hand with Darren near the entrance to the club. The jealous streak within him surged up and he clenched his fists tight. He knew she sensed him then. Mandy had somehow picked up on his power, his presence and he felt her fear. He also felt her confusion. Her thoughts were wide open to him now that they’d bonded so thoroughly. She was an open book to him. He knew she still loved him and that although she was afraid of him, she still wanted to talk with him. That wasn’t an option. 35


Armando couldn’t forgive himself for what he’d done to her, to their child. He’d destroyed their happiness with his anger, his demon. Never again would he put himself in a position to hurt Mandy physically. If that meant distancing himself by severing ties then so be it. She would rebound from emotional heartache but would she survive his demon should it get loose again.
He watched as Darren kissed Mandy’s forehead and sent her inside to see Michelle. The werewolf had no doubt sensed him lurking near them and wanted to assure Mandy’s safety. That both pleased and infuriated Armando. 36


When Darren turned and looked in his direction, Armando allowed himself to be seen. Lifting the darkness he’d created to mask his presence, he stepped forward.
“You got yourself under control?” Darren asked, without the slightest bit of fear in his voice.
Fool, Armando thought as he moved towards him. “I am under control, wolf.”
Darren nodded. “I won’t let you talk to her alone. While she seems to think you’re calmer now, I don’t.” 37


“I am happy to see you protect her so. Though, I will admit that I would prefer to do it myself, but circumstances as they are….”
“So what? Are you just going to lurk in the background from here on out or are you going to work it out with her?”
Armando stepped forward and fought the urge to take Darren by the throat. “Why are you so concerned?” 38


~*****~ 39


Michelle tried to her take pill as secretively as she could. Mandy plopped down beside her, scaring her as she swallowed. She coughed, trying not to choke. Mandy’s smile instantly faded to concern.
“Hey, easy,” Mandy said.
“Damn, I thought you’d stood me up,” Michelle said, trying to discreetly put her bottle back into her purse without it being seen. “You’re late--again.”40

“I know, I’m sorry. It…” Mandy looked towards the door, shivering visible. “It couldn’t be helped. You know, car trouble.”
“Hum.”
“So, you called earlier. What were you saying about you and Dmitri?” Mandy asked, straight to the point.
Michelle chuckled. Seeing Mandy’s face, she knew her friend was stressed. She didn’t need to burden anyone. Besides, it was way too embarrassing. “It’s nothing. He’s just a housekeeping psychopath.” 41


“Ouch, you must be in hell,” Mandy teased.
“I am. He alphabetized my notes.”
“He touched the sacred Michelle filing system?”
Michelle tried to frown but couldn’t. Not wanting to get into her and Dmitri’s living arrangements, she turned to a safe topic--work. “Okay, the Christmas Party. I talked to Armando several weeks ago and he said we can have it here.” Mandy frowned. Michelle wondered about it. “Anything you need to tell me?” 42


“Nope.”
“Okay.” Michelle didn’t believe her, but who was she to argue? “I’ve had our assistant send out invitations so we can’t cancel. Are you sure you’re okay? You look pale.”
“Quit worrying. I’m fine. Besides, you’re the one who glows in the dark.”
“Sorry, I’ve been cooped up for so long.” Michelle shrugged and grabbed her purse. She took out her notes. “Here’s the list. Prince Ualan and his brothers should be here.”
“Mm,” Mandy’s eyes lit, “Prince Zoran. I so want to be that warrior’s little slave.”
Michelle frowned. Mandy was always bold about stuff like that--even joking--but this time there was a strange light to her eyes when she said it. If Michelle didn’t know better she’d think Mandy was serious. 43


“Mm, DRAGON LORDS,” Mandy continued, growing dazed. “With their… ah… muscles… Will the Var be here to?”
Michelle tried to ignore the fact Mandy was panting heavily. “Ah, they said they’d try to send an ambassador. Prince Jarek or Reid, I believe. I can’t remember for sure. It’s not a definite. They don’t exactly get along--are you alright?”
“Don’t you think Mike looks good in those pants?” Mandy asked. “I never noticed he has such a nice ass.”
To Michelle’s horror, Mike with his lycan hearing, turned and winked at Mandy. To her further horror, Mandy grinned naughtily and winked back. 44


“Are you possessed?” Michelle said, shaking her.
Mandy blinked at the contact, looking at Michelle’s hand. “Huh? What? I’m with you. Christmas party. Go on.”
Michelle frowned. Mandy looked fine now. Taking up her notes, she went back to planning the party. 45


~*****~ 46


Mandy sat next to Michelle, listening to the list of guests for the Christmas party. Everyone from the King of the Dark Realm to Royalty from far off planets was coming. Normally, the thought of spending an evening like that would have excited her, now it was slightly off putting.
Partying at the Raven had been a constant in her life since she moved out here and now she wanted desperately to get the party location moved. Too bad the invitations had already gone out.
Mandy glanced over at Michelle and watched as her friend dug her hand into her purse and searched for something. She leaned over to grab Michelle’s bag. “For the love of peters, what are you looking for? You’ve been in and out of that bag like ten times.”
Quickly, Michelle tried to snatch it bag. Mandy held it out. “Come on, what are you looking for? Please don’t tell me its condoms because I’m thinking any that are in your purse expired long ago.” 47


“Tell me about it,” Michelle mused as she continued to go for her purse. “Mandy, give it back.”
“No.”
“Mandy, give me the damn purse.”
Shocked by Michelle’s tone, Mandy stared at her. Gawd, she was pale and thinner than she remembered. Michelle was already skin and bones to start with. Losing even a few pounds could leave her looking like the Crypt Keeper.
“Is Dmitri taking care of you?” 48


Michelle’s eyes widened as she grabbed her purse. “No, as a matter of fact he’s… umm… I mean, yes. He’s taking care of me. Why?”
“You’ve lost weight. Does he feed you?”
A dreamy, far off looked appeared on Michelle’s face. “Yeah, he can cook all right.”
Mandy snickered. “You still get turned on every time someone makes you a meal?”
“I don’t get turned on when you cook for me.” 49


“Yes, but you don’t have the same tendencies I have so it’s understandable. Oh, remember that time you had the crush on the pizza delivery guy?”
“At least I don’t think Mike has a nice ass,” Michelle shot back.
Mandy stared over at Mike and licked her lips. Quickly, she shook her head. “Ick. Umm, no… err… no I don’t,” she said, a little to fast.50

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Chapter 31 Tis’ The Season To Be Dumped63

64


Michelle leaned forward and filled her glass with more wine. She caught the worried look in Mandy’s eyes and just laughed. “It’s not like a few glasses of wine are going to do me in. Relax. And go fish!” 65


Mandy arched a black brow, grabbing a card from the pile on the floor before them. “Right, that was an acceptable,” she hiccupped and giggled, “umm, excuse three bottles of wine ago. But it isn’t about to fly now, honey. If you die, I’ll bring you back!” 66


Laughing Michelle shifted herself on the floor of the Raven and found a more comfortable position. Not that there really was a comfy spot on a floor as hard and shiny as a damn bowling ally lane. “God, please don’t try. I can still remember the last time you talked me into a séance. How the heck long did it take you to get rid of those ghosts?” 67


“Ester left as soon as I cast her out, but Martin is still around. Though he hardly shows up anymore.” Mandy’s bottom lip stuck out and Michelle giggled at the thought of her friend being upset that she wasn’t haunted as often. “I do miss coming home to find the house tidied up a bit. Marty really disliked dust.” 68


“Only you would luck out enough to get a ghost as anal retentive as you about cleaning,” Michelle droned. “I’d end up with Jack the Ripper.”
“Ohh, that could be interesting. I’d love to find out who he really was.” 69


“Ask Armando. He’s like ancient. Maybe he’ll know. Hell, could have been one of his chums. It’s not like he’s always been easy going.” Mike’s sudden outburst reminded Michelle that he was with them. He’d had so much beer that she didn’t understand how he was still awake, let alone semi-coherent.
Armando, easy going? Right. 70


Mandy turned slightly and Michelle noticed the unshed tears in her green eyes. It had been well over a week since her friend had any communication with Armando and even Michelle knew it was over between them. Mandy, as strong as she pretended to be about it all, was heartbroken. 71


It was still hard for Michelle to travel around, especially since the damn doctors wouldn’t let her drive anymore. At least not until her ‘little episodes’ stopped. She would’ve ignored their order, but Dmitri watched her like a hawk, or was that watched her like a lycan? She was still waiting for them to tell her how her house burned down. Actually, she was keeping the fact she knew about it to herself, watching all her friends squirm around the subject. 72


She chuckled to herself. Yep, she was drunk. She so needed to be drunk. Mandy gave her a strange look, but Michelle pretended not to notice as she drank more wine.
Since she couldn’t drive, she wasn’t available to her friend, even though Mandy had never asked her to be. Michelle wished someone was there for her. That being said, Michelle was happy that Darren had gotten stuck in the city due to the blizzard. Sure, he was a decent enough guy who seemed to be helping Mandy through some rough times but she didn’t like him. The crap he’d pulled had been the catalyst to all Mandy’s current problems and someone who supposedly cares for you doesn’t do that. 73


Michelle hadn’t told anyone but Mike that she still viewed Darren as pond scum. Mandy had enough baggage to deal with and didn’t need to hear her ramble on about her new choice of roommates. Besides, the only other candidates to keep Mandy company were Mike and James. There was no ‘lesser of two evils.’ There was just Jack and Ass. Mandy didn’t have a Dmitri to run around and wait on her every need. 74


Although, Michelle thought ruefully, if he continues to annoy me, I’ll make him trade Darren for Mandy.
The fact they wouldn’t survive a week together would make it worth doing. They were too much alike. They’d sterilize each other to the point their skin molted. Michelle drank more wine, hiding her laugh. 75


Glancing around a very empty Raven, she still found no sign of Dmitri. Mike had picked her up from his home and brought her down to the club late the night before. He wanted to help with the decorations for today’s Christmas party. Only, due to the blizzard, there wasn’t going to be a Christmas party. Mandy got a ride in from Darren, who had to run into the city at the last minute to close a deal, and Michelle had little desire to watch the two of them together any longer. She’d gotten kind of used to Mandy and Armando being together all the time. 76


Funny, but she sort of felt as though her parents were breaking up. Not that she viewed Mandy as a mother figure. But learning their relationship was over had the same impact on her. It was a cruel twist of fate that two people so meant to be together, couldn’t make it work. 77


Mike caught her searching for Dmitri and shook his head softly. He’d already told her that Dmitri wasn’t coming. It’s not like she really wanted him to brave the elements just so she could pretend to ignore him. He was a great deal more observant then Michelle had ever given him credit for. In the car on the way in, he’d did his best to make small talk before giving up and heading straight to the grand daddy topic at hand—her and Dmitri. Mike had insisted that Dmitri cared for her and that he just needed some time. 78


Time to think of new ways to ‘get off’ without me.
Humiliation threatened to creep back up on her and she’d frankly had enough of it. Taking another sip of her wine, Michelle focused her mind on other things, like how no one could make it through the blizzard to attend their Christmas storm. Oddly enough, it wasn’t so bad. She and Mandy had needed to spend time together and Mike wasn’t being his normal dork of a self. Listening to him snore last night as they camped out on the floor of the Raven did make him seem like more of a man than a smarmy bar barracuda. 79


*****80


Mandy stared at the front door, wondering if Armando would still show up. He’d refused to return any of her calls and when she’d stopped by his house her key no longer worked. That had been the moment she broke down the hardest. It was the ultimate sign of being shut out of his life. Not that she didn’t deserve it. The minute Darren told her they were still married she should have went to Armando and told him all about it. 81


Why the hell did I think I could fix it? Why did I ever even let myself get involved with someone again? I should have learned my lesson after Darren.
Armando had made her feel as though she was worthy of love. Sadly enough, she wasn’t. Her decisions were always wrong regardless how hard she tried to make them right. It didn’t matter anymore. She’d taken it upon herself to write to each and every guest invited to their wedding to inform them that it had been called off. Already, she’d gotten so many calls about it that she’d taken to leaving her answering machine on. She wouldn’t mind talking with everyone about it but felt Armando should be the first she discussed it with. Since he’d vanished and literally locked her out of his life that wouldn’t be happening anytime soon. 82


Shockingly enough, Darren had been her rock for the last week. He’d not once tried anything sexual and he never said an ill word about Armando. That in itself was freaky enough to make her believe the world may be ending soon. If that wasn’t enough, Mandy had been experiencing some odd things. Twice since she and Armando had their big blow up, Mandy’s body had felt as though it were on fire. The heat had been so intense that she’d stripped down, believing her skin was on fire and screamed for Darren. He’d taken her directly to the shower and held her while cold water sprayed all around them. 83


After the heat wave had passed, Mandy could barely move on the bed without something stimulating her, making her crave sex. Darren, who had refused to leave her side, spent the majority of the night fighting off her advances. The very scent of him in the bed next to her made her mad with lust. The intense arousal didn’t pass until late into the next day. She’d been at her desk when her boss, Hank, had walked in. The craving for sex dissipated immediately and she’d been so shocked by its quick withdrawal that she jumped to her feet. The strangest thing happened then—her computer monitor caught fire and her screen cracked. 84


Hank, afraid the company would be sued if she was injured, checked her over thoroughly. The second his fingers touched her skin, a fiery sensation surged through her and into him, leaving him lurching backwards holding his burnt fingers. 85


Other oddities had started as well. She’d been too caught up in thinking about Armando to sleep so she decided to watch see what was on television. Darren refused to go to bed without her so he lay on the couch, holding her in his arms. As usual, it didn’t take him long to fall asleep. The moment she heard his breathing shallow, she realized she’d left the remote out of reach. Not wanting to wake him and not wanting to spend the evening watching infomercials, Mandy cursed softly and glared at the television. A fraction of a second later, the channel changed. Confused, Mandy stiffened in Darren’s arms and watched as the channels continued to change. When Darren squeezed her tight it stopped. They both lay there, silent, knowing something was very off with her. 86


“Do you have any Jack-In-Irons?”
The sound of Michelle’s voice brought Mandy out of deep thought. Glancing down, she did her best to focus on the cards before her. Knowing it was pointless to continue, she laid them down and rose to her feet. “I need some air.”
“You aren’t planning on going out in the middle of a blizzard are you?” Mike asked, concern lacing his voice. 87


Mandy smiled, hoping it would ease his worry. It did. “I promise not go far. Besides, I don’t have a snow shovel in my purse so it’s not likely I can even get too far out the front door.”
Michelle looked up at her and nodded. It was amazing how well her friend knew her. If Mandy told her she needed air then Michelle accepted it. No questions asked. That’s part of the reason they got along so well. 88


“Thanks,” Mandy said.
“Take all the time you need but know that I will not kiss anything that gets frost bite.” Michelle winked.
“Hey, will you kiss anything that doesn’t?” The gleam in Mike’s eyes made Mandy laugh and Michelle snarl.
“Try not to kill each other you two!” 89


***** 90


Michelle watched Mandy grab her coat and head outside. As much as she liked Armando, she really wanted to hit him over the head with something heavy. Sure, Mandy was far from perfect but her intentions were always good. And the month’s Mandy and Armando had been together, Michelle had watched her friend mature before her eyes. Would she regress now? Would she begin using men and discarding them at will? 91


Maybe Mandy’s onto to something. Maybe men aren’t worth the trouble. I could do that. How hard can having casual sex be? 92


Glancing over at Mike, who was now sprawled out on his back staring at the ceiling, singing A Teaspoon of Sugar, she realized just how unequipped she was to do that. Who was she kidding? There was only one man she wanted to have sex with and he preferred his hand to her. 93


So much for the theory men will screw anything they can fit their willies in.
“Stop thinking about him. You’re making my head hurt,” Mike said, rolling over to stare up at her.
“I’m not…grrr…what are you a mind reading too? As if being a sarcastic lycan wasn’t keeping you busy enough.”
Tossing his hands in the air, he smiled. “Hey, don’t attack me for stating the obvious. I already told you he’s into you. Stop worrying about it.” 94


“Pfffttt, yeah right, let’s see how you feel after you throw yourself at a woman you love and she rejects you only to go into the bathroom to masturbate.” The minute the words left her mouth, Michelle froze.
Mike appeared to have grown springs in his ass as he leapt to his feet and jumped up and down. “Holy Shit! Dmitri really did it? Ohmygod, this is too good. He jacked off and you caught him in the act. Man, you should have taken a picture of his face. That would have been a riot at family reunions.” 95


“Shut-up, Mike!”
“Wait, tell me exactly what happened. I need details.”
Michelle cast him a disgusted look. “You want to know what your male cousin looked like while he was…”
Something passed over Mike’s face and he paled considerably. “Right. On second thought, keep the details on that to yourself. But could you elaborate a bit more on the loving Dmitri thing.”
Michelle opened her mouth to tell him she never said she loved Dmitri and shut it fast. I said that out loud? 96


In a roundabout way she had admitted it out loud. “Oh my gawd, I told you I love Dmitri!”
“Well duh!”
It was Michelle’s turn to fall back on the floor and sprawl out. What had she done? The mouth of state now knew how she felt about his cousin. Mike would have a banner up in no time flat to tell the world. 97


*****98


The bitter cold wind whipped past Mandy, leaving her wrapping her gray scarf around her neck. Chilled to the bone, she just stared out into the white wall of nothingness. It was symbolic of her future that she shuddered. For the fist time in almost a year, she couldn’t see past the moment. She’d lived by the seat of her pants so long that one would naturally assume it was like riding a bike. One would be wrong. 99


Where are you, Armando? You would really think that as old as you are, you’d be grown up enough to face me.
For some reason Mandy thought that by concentrating hard on Armando, he would come. Looking through a brief reprise in the excess snow fall, Mandy spotted a tall figure with long flowing black hair walking in her direction. 100


“Armando?” Hope surged through her as she watched the figure approach.
No, I am most certainly not Armando, a strange, deep voice boomed through her head.
“I’m not going to scream. I’m not going to scream.”
Why would you feel the need to scream, Mandy?
“Okay, I might scream.” 101


The heavy snow fall around her cleared, as if by magic. Suddenly, it looked as though she was under an invisible protective canopy. Now, with the snow cleared from her line of vision, she saw the person approaching and he was certainly not Armando. 102


While similar in height, build and hair, the man walking towards her seemed to almost shimmer. The closer he got the more detail she could make out. What grabbed her most were his eyes. They were royal blue. Not a color normally found in nature. It was too intense, too alluring. In fact, all of him was too alluring, from his squared face, full lips, down to his black, knee high leather boots. 103


Taking a step back, Mandy grew nervous about whom or what was approaching her. The only supernatural around for miles was Mike and she doubted he’d be very effective if she needed protection. Hell, Michelle with a stick of gum would be more effective than Mike. He’d put his eye out with it. 104


I mean you no harm.
Mandy bite back a nervous laugh. “Yeah, I’ve seen that movie, buddy.” 105


*****106


Dmitri stood silent in the shadowed office doorway too stunned to move. Had Michelle really just admitted to loving him? His heart raced. The need to go to her was great but the less he was around her, the better he was at controlling the urge to claim her as his own. The last thing she needed was wild lycan sex while she was sick. He’d made an appointment for her with the best supernatural doctor in town. Only problem was he was booked solid and it was all Dmitri could do to get in that year. 107


Mike continued to jump up and down like the moron he was, but on this occasion it was warranted. It seemed to be validation of what Dmitri had heard. How long had Michelle felt this way? What if it was temporary? What if one of the meds she was on caused erratic behavior? If he acted on what he’d just hear would she laugh in his face? 108


Where the hell was Armando? Dmitri needed someone to talk to and he was still missing in action. Talking to Mike was out of the question. The last time he’d taken Mike’s advice, he’d ended up with his hand wrapped around his shaft and Michelle’s pale face behind him.
Now that Mike knew about that little incident, he’d be all to willing to rub it in too.
“Are you ever going to come out?” Mike yelled at him. “You’ve been hiding in the corner for over an hour. I can’t do anymore to help you out, buddy.” 109


Dmitri took a hesitant forward. There was no point denying his presence now.
“Michelle, I need to talk to you,” he said, coming forward. “Alone. It’s important.”
“Won’t do no good,” Mike said. “She can’t hear you. You missed your chance, lover boy, ‘cause she’s fast asleep.” 110


Dmitri sighed. That was the story of his life. Would the fates ever give him a helping hand in this matter? What were they trying to tell him? Closing his eyes, he thought of their relationship—not all of it, just the part where they’d been dating. He stepped to Michelle. Her eyes were closed. Drinking down the last of her wine, he handed the empty glass to Mike.
“I’m just going to put her in the office. The couch is much more comfortable,” Dmitri said.
“Hey, don’t make me send in a chaperone. Mandy’s right outside.” Mike grinned. “Or wait, would the chaperone be needed in the bathroom? I hear you like to fly solo.” 111


Dmitri lunged, but Mike ran out of the way, dashing across the bar to join Mandy outside. Going to Michelle, he lifted her in his arms. “We ever going to get this figured out, sweetheart?”
That was it. If he had to slash a few throats, that doctor would be getting her in sooner.112