Brazen: A Dark Paranormal Romance (The Sephlem Trials Book 2) Read online

  Scott passes me to go to Glen, and I continue to Nathan. He looks over my head, attention drawn to something behind me. “I’ll be back to pick you up,” he says.

  I rise on my tiptoes, not coming close enough to being as in his face as I want. “Where are you going?”

  He tips his chin, finally meeting my eyes. “I need to take care of this issue. See why he came, what he wants, who sent him. And why he was so comfortable.”

  I can understand that, but I hate seeing him go, and I need him like, now. But he always has to go.

  “It’s just the bond, Sparky,” he tries to convince.

  “Nathan, everything is not just the bond. You’ve been using that excuse too much lately. Every time I tell you I need you, you’re all ‘it’s just the bond, Sparky,’” I mock. “It’s not. I seriously miss you, and it kills me seeing you leave. Little pieces of me slowly die and drift off into space, never to be revived.”

  He laughs at me. “Sparks, we slept together last night, and we just saw each other four hours ago before I dropped you off at school, I’ve come up here twice today, and we were just together less than fifteen minutes ago.”

  I grimace. “Okay. So, it may be the bond. But still, Nate.” I tug on his shirt.

  “Okay. You want me to come to class with you?” he chaffs, pursing his lips.

  “No,” I grump, crossing my arms.

  His big hands wrap around my shoulders, and he squeezes them. He asks, “Then what do you want?”

  “I guess nothing.”

  His arms fall to his sides. “I’m going. See you later.”

  I roll my eyes. “Whatever, kiss me and go.”

  “Don’t be like that, Sparks. Don’t be mad.” He slips his index finger under my chin and tilts my head back. Raising a questioning eyebrow, he asks, “Okay?”

  “Yeah,” I slur, breathing him in. Planting a gentle kiss on my lips, he draws back, eyes narrowed and jaw locked. I watch the controlling muscle in his neck jump. “Yeah, that upsets me too,” I jest.

  Nathan chuckles. “It’s the pull, Sparks.” He pats the side of my butt and backs against the handle of the door until it opens. “See you in a bit.” The door slowly shuts in my face, and I lean my head against it, gently slamming my hand against the cold metal. That drives me crazy.

  Counting to ten, I pull it together and turn around to my friends.

  Glen smiles as she hooks her arm around mine. “Come on, let’s go to lunch.”

  “Fine.”

  I go ignored as Glen and Scott are all over each other, as usual, during lunch. The others laugh and joke as they eat. I’d like to leave, but thanks to Roehl, I can’t just get up and go as I want. Nathan still hasn’t told me about their past, what Roehl can do, or why we must wait around to rid myself of him. But I guess we all have our secrets.

  silent interrogation

  Principal Hollander interrupts the end of day announcements to provide the schedule for the seniors to pick up our caps and gowns. Graduation is in only three weeks and, to shine even more light on the event, the Student Council has covered the walls with congratulation signs in every hall of the school.

  “You can’t say they don’t care,” Andrea says, stuffing a ‘Senior Grad’s Luncheon’ flyer in her back pocket.

  I chuckle. “I love it. Remember when we decorated the school last year for the seniors? It made us excited for when it would be our turn.”

  I wait in the office for the guidance counselor to provide me with my revised speech. She loved the one Nathan, and I had come up with, but there are certain things she’d like for me to add. Since we will be in the gym, instead of on the field as they planned, she wants me to request that the graduates not throw their caps in the air. Despite their request, we will toss our caps. It’s tradition! A rite of passage!

  Parked near the door in the student parking lot, Nathan’s leaning against the hood of Taylor’s car. “Truck got messy?” I ask as I approach.

  “Yes,” he grumps, opening the passenger’s door for me. “Olar always finds a way to mess up my shit,” he mutters, closing the door after I’m in. He rounds the car, threading his fingers through his hair. A tell-tale sign of his stress levels overflowing.

  We haven’t spoken to Taylor since the night she told us about her double dealings with Roehl. On multiple occasions she’s tried to apologize, or make small talk, but forgiveness isn’t high on Nathan’s “humanly” traits. Betrayal is like a death sentence in his eyes and once that line is crossed, it’s hard to undo it. He believes Taylor’s not revealed the entire truth, which keeps him from wanting to deal with her at all. She goes ignored.

  The entire family knows about how she offered us up to Roehl to get Nathan to kill their father. Her mate, Justin, is even giving her the cold shoulder. His version of the cold shoulder anyway. It’s difficult being bound to someone and trying to ignore them. He doesn’t talk to her but will offer his touch and a kind smile when everyone else has nothing to do with her. Natalia, also, stands by her side, demanding forgiveness on behalf of her daughter. She called a family meeting last night, wanting to discuss Taylor’s circumstances and how we’re all family and should treat her as such because we love her. Nathan stood and apologized for being rude, but refused to discuss the matter further. We left the room with him saying, “Taylor isn’t a part of this family anymore.” His tone was so cold he left the great room and everyone in it freezing.

  Glen gets in the backseat, throwing her bag on the floor. “Sorry, I was talking to Rachel.”

  “You’re always talking to Rachel,” Scott huffs.

  “Scott, where’s your car?” I ask. “Why don’t you drive it?” Since we started back, he’s been riding with Nathan, which he’d never done before.

  “Because.” He swats Glen’s hand away that’s trying to pick at a scab on his face. “We’re all going to the same place. Why drive two cars? I’m going green.”

  “Right . . .” I drag, unconvinced. Going green . . . Something is up, but I don’t pry. “So, Taylor let you use her car, after you dismissed her yesterday?”

  Nathan purses his lips. “Does it matter?”

  “Still moody I see.” I press my head against the headrest and turn my attention to the houses and trees flying by. “What is it, a lot on your mind? Are you mad about something?”

  “Sparks,” he cuts me off. “You have a lot of questions today,” he says sweetly. “I need a minute to wrap my head around some things.”

  I bite the inside of my cheek and twist my lips to the side as a single shrug bounces my left shoulder.

  Scott bickers at Glen, demanding she not bother his war wounds. He’s been in a mood since missing Prom last week. Everyone’s been giving him a hard time about it because they voted him Prom King. School is Scott’s thing, he’s dedicated and values every minute. Besides keeping Glen under his arm that’s the only other thing he takes pride in. So, missing the epic, once in a lifetime Senior Prom, he’s been bummed out.

  I didn’t care about attending. I mean, we went to junior prom, and that was fun, but things are a little different now. I thought the most important obligation I had was school and it probably should still be. But, not so much anymore. I’m focused more on how to make dark vines not appear on my arms and ears, how to not need my boyfriend every second of the day, what color my eyes are, and if it’s safe to go outside alone.

  We crowd around the island, losing space from the elephant in the kitchen growing larger and larger as Scott and I wait for Nathan to tell us what happened to the Hybrid.

  “Where is he?” Scott asks again.

  Nathan snags a plate from the fridge and pops it in the microwave. “He’s hanging around here, still not talking.” Going back to the fridge, he grabs a couple of bottled waters, and by the time he walks back to the microwave, it’s beeping. “Olar’s keeping him busy.”

  Scott’s fingertips rap against the countertop. His nails are trimmed to the beds where his raps don’t tap but thud. “What’s ne
xt?” he asks, eyebrows lifted so high they duck beneath his honey-brown bangs.

  “I go in.” Nathan responds as he hands me the warm plate.

  I nearly snatch it from his hands, eager to fill my rumbling stomach. I haven’t eaten since last night. “Thanks. Go in how?”

  “To talk,” he answers, taking the seat next to me.

  “I’m coming,” I say, blowing the hot broccoli.

  Nathan fixes me with a narrowing glance, his disapproval for my attending etched in the pinched corners of his eyes. “Tracey, I don’t like you being around this stuff.”

  I continue to eat, ignoring him.

  “Nate, we don’t get any food?” Glen pouts, snatching a slice of my roast.

  “Didn’t you eat at school?” Nathan retorts, pulling my plate a bit further away from her.

  Glen kisses Scott’s cheek and mutters, “Not the food.”

  Turning up my nose, I gag, “That’s nasty.” She laughs, sharing my plate.

  “No. You two don’t get any food.” Nathan punches Scott’s arm. “Get up and make your lady something to eat.”

  “And kill her with my cooking? No,” Scott quips, avoiding Glen’s twenty-fifth kiss.

  Roseland’s presence washes over me. I don’t have to turn around to know he’s entering the kitchen. “Hello, kids,” he chimes, throwing a hand against Nathan’s back. “You’re just getting in from school?”

  “Yes,” Glen answers.

  Roseland leans his hip against the counter, crossing his thick arms in front of his chest. “Nathan?” he starts, taking a bite out of an apple he snagged from the bowl. “There’s a Hybrid hanging in the let-out bathroom. Olar said he was there for a reason. Would you know anything about that?”

  Nathan chuckles but his amusement doesn’t show. “Yes. I’m about to take care of that, with intentions of having him out shortly.”

  “Walking or being cleaned up?”

  Nathan stands. “Depends.”

  I scrape the last of my food from my plate and down the rest of my water. “Let’s do this thing!”

  Nathan fakes a smile and turns away from me, heading for the back door.

  Glen leaves for the stairs. She never sits in on Nathan and Olar’s festive interrogation sessions, and with good reason. She and Scott moved from their downstairs room to upstairs, down the hall from Nathan’s room. They’re more comfortable there, being nearer us. I’ve not yet figured it out, but there’s a connection the two cousins have that helps Scott remain in control. Nearly like, our relationship somehow invigorates theirs.

  The rest of us follow Nathan to where he’s holding the Hybrid.

  The let-out bathroom is hiding out back, behind the garage. I’ve never seen it until now, covered by a thick Willow tree. We entire the detached bathroom that’s about the size of a small bedroom lined with low hanging pipes and rails. The room holds a small toilet far on a wall next to a sink that sits under a dirtied mirror. Smack dab in the ceiling’s middle, a foot-wide shower-head hangs a foot low. Who or what would need this big of a bathroom, and why do the Newcombs have one? Maybe their house is that old. It’s icky in here, and the mold and mildew growing up the brick walls turn my stomach. I drag my gaze from their corrosion to the dirtied tile floor that a drain sits in the middle of, right beneath the shower-head.

  A shadow moving on the floor has my gaze following it up to the hanging Hybrid. Without restraints, he’s gripping the pipe tightly in his hands, as his feet dangle inches from the floor. He looks us over. Jet-black eyes rest on me, and a cautious smile deepens the shadow over his eyes. Though his disguise has diminished, he continues to favor Dad, but with slightly different features: eyes closer together, nose more pointed, and ears bigger. He’s built more slim and taller too.

  I shift my gaze away from him and inch behind Nathan, wishing the stranger would stop undressing me with his unswerving gawk.

  “You wanted to come,” Nathan mocks.

  “Shut up,” I fire back, matching his whisper.

  Nathan’s arm grazes mine as his hand moves to my lower back, and he pats it once before leaving me to stand in front of the Hybrid. Roseland takes the spot he vacated. Scott stands at my other side. I’d object to their overprotectiveness, as I’m completely capable of taking care of myself, but I bite it back, seeing the determination to make it sown deep in the Hybrid’s dark eyes.

  A flicker on the far wall draws my attention to Olar. He’s always got something wicked up his sleeve. Anxiously, I wait to see how this will play out.

  “Johann,” Nathan starts, snatching everyone’s attention.

  The Hybrid drops to the floor, standing eye level with him. “Why are you holding her?” Johann pulls his arms behind his back. He’s yet to take his eyes off me.

  Nathan looks over his shoulder, meeting my eyes for a split second before turning back to Johann. He snorts. “She’s mine to hold.”

  “You should share something so. . .” Johann pauses; dark tongue sliding over his bottom lip as he all but undress me with his gaze. “Exquisite.” His mouth moves as if the word is meant to sound seductive, but everything about his stealthy demeanor makes me want to vomit.

  “No.” Nathan scratches his temple. “I’m selfish.”

  Disappointed, Johann shakes his head. Nathan smirks. He clasps his hands behind his back and stretches. A peculiar comfort settles over the room. This is a side of him I’ve never seen with an enemy; calm, easy going, taking his time. I’ve grown used to him beating the snot out of someone and walking away.

  Johann stretches his arms over his head and leaves them to rest, folded, on top of it. Grabbing his elbows, he steals another glance at me before looking back at Nathan. “Yeah, that would be me too if she were mine.” He points with his elbow. “She smells like you but sweeter. Floral not sugar.”

  “Humph.” Nathan looks up at Johann from a bowed head. “Tell me why you’re here.”

  Johann’s skinny arms drop to his sides and his eyes widen a bit as he, maybe, thinks of a quick response to Nathan’s sudden change in topic. “I came to see what all the fuss was about.”

  “What fuss? Who’s fussing?” Nathan’s brows hitch and eyes narrow. He scratches the back of his head, giving Johann a quizzical expression, but he isn’t at all confused. I’d feel it if he were. “What’s up?”

  “Nate, if I knew she was yours, I wouldn’t have tailed her.”

  Nathan’s strange calm remains as he replies, “No. You knew she was mine when you approached her. Better yet, you knew she was mine when whoever sent you here to check her out or take her.” He takes a step back causing Johann to step forward, not wanting to give Nathan any distance, I assume. “What were your intentions?”

  Johann stammers over his words before compiling, “It was my intention to take her. But deliver her, not keep her for myself.”

  “Deliver her?” Nathan folds his arms on front of his chest. “To whom?”

  “Who else,” Johann dredges up.

  “And her family?”

  “They were of no importance. I was to do with them as I pleased. I would have done away with them before I snatched the girl.”

  Nathan takes a step to the side, and Johann matches it. Nathan shakes his head, asking, “And was it mentioned what the intentions were with her?”

  “No. I was told I’d enjoy bringing the girl. I was instructed not to deviate or be consumed by the attraction. But, that would’ve been difficult to follow through.” Johann’s dark tongue slides over his lips. “I’m already consumed—the moment she spoke. It’s hard to fight.”

  The muscles jump in Nathan’s neck as he bites back his anger, but he’s superb at maintaining this serenity. “Are there others with these instructions?”

  “If I fail, I’m sure there are others to replace me.”

  “Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, Johann.” Nathan’s hand falls on his shoulder. “But you failed. Horribly.”

  Johann’s wide black eyes meet Nathan’s as he promise
s, “Nate, I guarantee you the details were left out.”

  “That may be so, but when you saw her with me, you continued to follow through with your plan. Never faltered.” He takes another step, but this time, Johann doesn’t move. Nathan nods with a wicked smirk teasing the corners of his mouth. “What was in it for you?” I’m itching to know what Nathan has up his sleeve. He’s up to something, but I’m as oblivious as Johann is.

  “What?” Johann’s face contorts. He scrutinizes Nathan in a way that makes his question seem like it was a scientific math problem.

  “I’m curious?” Nathan reveals.

  “Nate, there are others, maybe, three behind me. Whatever happened, he wants her, and he has made them and I want her as well. Allow me the opportunity to change this. I’ll take care of it for you,” he insists, throwing his hand to his chest.

  Nathan grins and the sharp points of his teeth peeks out behind his lips. “Take care of it for me?” He pauses as if he’s considering Johann’s offer. Amusement lightens his eyes, but the malevolence in his smirk and lowering brows diverts his humor. “Not a chance,” he drawls in a stingily deep voice.

  “You know what he wants, he’ll have. You know, Nathan. You know you can’t prevent that,” Johann states, voice shaking as he trembles. Fear stains his face. Whatever Nathan’s next move is, Johann’s not ready for it.

  “You don’t think so?” Nathan stretches his arms behind his back, somehow amused by Johann’s doubt. “After all the things you’ve seen me do. You, knowing the full extent of what I am capable of . . . doubt me?” He whispers the words malevolently.

  Johann arcs over, hands flown to his head. “Get out of my head, Nathan!” he orders, sharp fingernails digging into his hair and piercing his scalp. A scream cuts from his throat.