Smoldered Flames: Part I of the Edonia Series
Chapter 34

Daxter

The way back to the hotel was rather tense. Eros had a permanent scowl across his face and Valeri looked dejected. I wish she knew the way of this world. I regret not teaching the difference in cultures and traditions of each species. Not sure it would’ve prevented much, seeing as my godd- Valeri is a firecracker, but I’m sure it would’ve had her think a split second or two.

I wince internally at referring to her as my goddess now. Heat flames my cheeks as I remember her abrupt departure when I confessed my secret to her so carelessly. Maybe… maybe if I didn’t admit that truth, we could still have been close. But there’s this unseeable brick wall between us and I want it gone.

We trudged back to the hotel and the rigid silence stretched on until we reached the Zephyr suites.

Eros grabs her arm gently. “Valeri, go straight to your room and don’t come out until you are given the all clear.”

“Eros, that’s a little-”

He holds his hand up in silence. “You know as well as I do that Bianka will have informed Kamau of what happened. He will be pissed enough as it is. So it’s best that she steers clear of his wrath.”

“True.” I agreed

Valeri doesn’t object. She merely goes to her suite and closes the door softly. I couldn’t wait to see how the dress would look on her. How each piece of cloth will touch every curve and inch of her enchanting golden brown skin.

Eros snaps a finger in front of my face. “Now is not the time to imagine being between our vixen’s sweet legs.”

I exhale softly. “Alright, what’s your plan?”

The main entrance door slams open and the roars of fury indicate Kamau’s arrival.

“Where is she?!” Kamau clamored.

Eros steps in front of him, holding up his hands. “I sent her to her room.”

“What the hell happened? I put you two in charge for ONE minute and now you’ve chosen war by saving some-”

“Don’t say it, Kamau! Don’t act like she isn’t one of us.” Eros shouts.

“That’s because she isn’t!” Cassius intervenes.

“Ever since she’s been at SU, she’s brought nothing but HELL. I’m quite certain her amnesia is factitious.”

“Are you insinuating that she’s the cause of all the missing victims? Of the pain circulating the families?” I yelled. “If so, then you are as dumb as a Waddellian demon.”

They all turn to me in shock. I gaze deeply into their eyes, begging them to see she wasn’t the problem. She couldn’t be, I’ve seen her medical charts. There was no way she could pull a huge stunt like this. Unless… that necklace…

Cassius’ eyes glint spitefully. “See, even you have doubts.”

I couldn’t say anything. Her disappearance during the Sinful Maestra raid, her DNA signature found on the Hunters’ corpses, and even her “pet” that trails her like a loyal hound. I had doubts, but something itched to the back of my mind though. Why would Valeri do this, if she -herself- is a hybrid?

That last thought I must have spoken aloud, because Eros nodded in agreement. “I agree. Why would a lowly hybrid, such as Valeri, want to capture more hybrids? Let alone wolf packs?”

“For validation.” Cassius sneered.

“Look, we don’t know what goes on in the prisoner’s mind. She assaulted the Pumian Crown Princess. That is known.”

“We can’t have her galavanting around. We’ve got to do something.” I say in hopes of keeping her out of Bianka’s fury.

“Don’t worry your pretty little head Omega.” Cassius smirks.

“And what does that mean?” I ask in alarm.

He doesn’t respond. Instead, Cassius’ teeth sharpened as he gave a toothy grin. Chill runs down my spine. His eyes widen and turn an obsidian. The room darkened as his face seemed to stretch and the smile turned sinister. I shut my eyes and open them again. His face went back to normal, but darkness still lingered.

Valeri

Do you ever get that feeling of being out of place? As if life wasn’t supposed to be this way? And then here you are hoping and praying that the blinders will be lifted from your eyes and you can finally see with clarity?

Yeah, my current situation.

I lean my head back as I try to relax the tension from my shoulders. The steaming hot water seeps into my bones while the anger leaves my body. Dread takes place. I didn’t care about the possibility of the “Pumian empire” reigning hell on me. I didn’t care about the look of disappointment on Daxter’s face or the sacrifice Eros made by shielding me from Bianka’s wrath. My mind was on tomorrow. I’m not sure what it’ll bring. I don’t know if it will be redemption, truth, or a deeper well of secrets. I wasn’t ready, but I’m sure an invisible force will push me off the cliff before my wings can spread for flight.

I slowly get out of the tub and dry myself off. Stanley stands beside the bed, awaiting my next command. What I saw in his eyes earlier had me on edge. It was like someone was trying to access a part of his mind and body… and Stanley was fighting it.

“You may clean yourself off, if need be.” I ordered him softly. I hadn’t taken off the necklace since Cassius’ sudden appearance.

Stanley gives a solemn nod before walking to the bathroom. I hear the shower faucets turning soon after. I checked to make sure the main door was locked before heading to bed. Worry still brewing in the depths of my subconscious.

I wake with a start as someone bangs on my door. Stanley quickly leaps to his feet and nearly cowers. I briskly put on a robe near the bed and rush to the door.

“What can I do for you?” I implore derisively. It was the face of the person I hated most in this world

“Get dressed. You and that pet of yours are coming with me.” Cassius ordered.

I slammed the door in his face. I could hear him grumbling at the opposite side and I snickered silently. Gods I despised him with a passion. There was no way in my mind we would ever work.

What if he wasn’t pussywhipped by the redhead, would we work out then? A deeper part of myself asked.

No, I growled internally, not in a thousand years.

We’ve lived that much and then some…

I ignore that voice and slip another magical leather. The material produces a simple white v-neck t-shirt and black skinny jeans, with white and black high-tops for today. Stanley wore similar attire, except for torn loose jeans. I grab my worn leather back and exit the suite.

Cassius leans against a nearby wall, waiting. When seeing us, he doesn’t say a word. He just heads for the entrance. I don’t engage in conversation, just follow my lovely mate like a ghost haunting the halls of Etorius Gardens.

Periwinkle clouds block out the reviving sun. The crisp wing blows through my hair. We get on the train and it takes us back into the middle of Central City. It drove me crazy not asking him where we were going. I finally got my answer when we arrived at the enormous palace-esque clothing store.

An average looking woman with dark tresses stands out front with five guards.

“Is this the mongrel?”

Cassius grips my bicep tightly. “The one and only.”

The woman points a sharp nail at me. “You have cost me a fortune with the mess you’ve made.”

“I can pay-”

“I don’t want your filthy money, mutt! What I would like is your skin flayed alive and sprayed with lemon juice. That is how much your presence disgusts me!” she snarls.

“Then why don’t you do it?” I dared

She advances quickly and slaps me. “Do not tempt me.”

Cassius throws me to the ground and laughs. “Have fun, mate.” he says via the mind.

The security guards surround me with the cunt at the center.

“I heard that you are part vampire. You won’t use your speed this time, girly.” the woman says in sickeningly sweetness. In her hands are my dreaded nemesis… the Vitality cuffs.

The woman -who I’ve come to learn is the owner of the store- forced Stanley and I to clean the first floor of the store from top to bottom. Literally.

“Clean the ceiling!”

“I want those floors spic and span!”

“Is this a fingerprint?! On the glass displays! Do it again!”

It didn’t help that we had a very encouraging audience. They’d litter the newly waxed floors with food and spilled drinks. Laughter assaults me eardrums as the hours go by. I couldn’t wait to get out of here. I still had to meet up with Greta!

It was midafternoon by the time we were allowed to leave. Cold wind brushes against my skin like an unseeing lover. Adeyemi meets with us outside the store. A glossy red jeep sits behind him. I groaned internally but didn’t speak with him when we climbed in the back.

The road back to the suites seemed to go on forever. Nervous energy sparked deep in my gut. I have hope that there is a different mate deserving of me. Someone who was the opposite of Cassius. Bleh!

“After tonight I’m having you sent back to the tombs.”

“What do you mean, “the tombs”?” I asked with aghast.

“As simply as I stated. I’ve already alerted the Executives and they’ve agreed. You’ve brought nothing but mayhem since you first stepped foot at SU.”

“What mayhem have I brought? I’ve tried to keep my head down since the beginning. Don’t blame me for your precious Pumian princess’ bad manners.” I sneered. “What you need to do is ask her about the disappearance of the children!”

Adeyemi swerves gently and pulls over. He turns around and looks directly in my eye. “What did you just say?”

I narrowed my eye. “She said that if I loved the “little rascals” then I should stay away from you all.”

The relief in his face was disheartening. “Is that the best that you can come up with?”

I glanced away in dismay. “Because it is the truth. Yet, who would believe the sayings of a criminal. Do whatever you please.” I lean forward and stare deep into his eyes, “When the truth comes out, don’t come running to me.”

Adeyemi continues to glare at me. I stare him down until he swivels back to the steering wheel. The rest of the drive back was uneventful.

We enter the Zephyr suites and amicable laughter rings in my ears. Greta sits on a bar stool by the counter, Daxter wears a colorful checkered apron holding a cooking spoon dripping with red sauce, and Eros stands nearby with an old record player, snapping his fingers to a jazzy tune.

Greta hops up when she sees us arrive. “Valeri! Where have you been?”

I give a small chuckle. “Ah, just doing a little community service.”

Adeyemi comes up beside me. “You all have about six hours until our departure. Make them count.”

I grab Greta’s wrist in excitement. We dash to my suite with Stanley in tow. “Alright! I have a shit ton of makeup, nail polish, and such that we can dabble in!”

Greta’s eyes spark with delight. “Well, where should we start?”

“We can do each other’s nails. I believe there’s a flat iron in the bathroom, so I can straighten your hair.” I suggested.

“Okay!” She shrilled.

“Feel free to take a bath. I’ve got a few of those magical leathers you can have until tonight.”

This was the first time I’ve actually seen her with a huge smile on her face. She would grace everyone with a smile every now again or her head would be in the clouds, but here lately she’s been crestfallen. I hope she will replace her mate tonight. She deserved it more so than I.

Greta zooms to the bathroom and shuts the door. I can hear the faucets and the water running soon after. I walk to the couch and set out the makeup and other beauty products on the marble coffee table.

I leave the suite and walk to the main kitchenette. I open the fridge forlornly, hoping to quench my thirst.

“Valeri?” a light masculine voice whispered.

I turn to see Daxter standing a few feet away from me. “Yes?”

He strides steadily to me. “I… I can help with your…” he swallows slowly, “thirst.”

My gums ache hearing Daxter’s desire to help overcome my weakness. I stopped short at the negative thoughts overtaking my mind.

“I don’t think that is a good idea.”

Daxter knits his eyebrows and then realization takes over. “Oh! We don’t have to do… that… exactly. I have a few vials for you to take.”

“Well… thank you, Dax.”

He procured a mid-sized black pouch from nowhere.

“How did you…?”

“This bag is spelled to keep the vials inside frozen in a time lapse.”

I leaped and hugged him tightly. “You didn’t have to do that, Dax!”

Daxter smiled sweetly. “Of course I didn’t.” he blushes.

He leaves abruptly leaving me holding the only connection I have of him.

I say breathlessly. “Suck your stomach in…”

“I’m trying, I’m trying!” she laughs.

“Your laughter doesn’t help this situation.”

Greta continues to laugh. I sigh dramatically. Her dress really was beautiful. The utopian colors of the mermaid gown accent her wheat skin tone. The paradise view plays like a movie scene. Birds flit in and out of each ruffle, the silent teal waves crashing on the sandy shores, palm trees sway slowly against celestial skies.

I finally zip up her dress. “There we go!”

Greta sighs with relief. “Finally! Now, it’s your turn!” she says with excitement.

“I’ve got it, hun. Don’t worry.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, definitely.”

“Alright, I’ll be out here with the rest of your pod.”

I reply a soft “okay” and wait for her to leave. I lock the door and proceed to pull out the dress I got from the store palace.

It was a beautiful original ball gown with one shoulder to the right side. Vivid red is the base color with amber and gold splashing across the dress like flames. Black shadows caress the flames as if to bat them out.

The dress was like a work of heart. It spoke volumes of what I felt was locked away. Something that rages to be let out. The shadows represent Helena and her mysterious ways.

“We leave in twenty minutes!” Adeyemi shouts from the other side.

Luckily my hair and makeup was complete. I quickly zip up the dress with cardinal red high heels. I grab a vial of Daxter’s blood and chug it down before leaving with my bag. Stanley follows after me, he dresses in a black and white penguin suit.

I step out and nearly gasp from what I saw. Adeyemi is dressed in a simple black turtleneck sweater with black dress pants. He dons on a wide circular watch garnished in gold. Cassius -to my disgust- actually cleaned up well. He wore an emerald three-piece suit with crocodile print dress shoes. Eros wears a similar suit decorated in scarlet and black. His fingers are bejeweled again and my nether regions ache from a recent memory of us. Daxter wears a dark blue notch lapel suit. They were mouthwatering good-looking and my eyes couldn’t break away from them.

“Tonight we will take a carriage. Trains take took too long.”

We depart on a lavish carriage wide enough for the seven of us. It didn’t take us long to arrive at our destination. I can see three-headed outdoor post lights lead up to a rather old, but grand skyscraper. Going in, the building is filled with colorful gems and crystals. The Bitch Squad grabs the men of my squad and wander off. The crowd grows as we reach a majestic room filled with a high vaulted ceiling. Round tables line the walls of the room. A kaleidoscope of crystal chandeliers hangs from the ceiling. The walls are filled with murals of animals in various mating positions. At the far end of the room, there is a terracotta figurine of a lion and a lioness. The lioness lays down on all fours, the lion stands behind her in a roaring grimace. It symbolized a protective gesture, showing the fierce loyalty and devotion a mate should have.

A wizened man appears in front of the terracotta figurine. He wore a white penguin suit with a bowtie. “Welcome to our 765th Sacrum Solstitium! Before the full moon arises, we would like for you all to enjoy some refreshments, dance to the beat of the music, and be cordial with one another!”

Everyone begins to dine at the tables and some dance on the dance floor. I sit down at one of the lone tables unused by others with a drink in my hand. I didn’t consume it of course, I just like the swirling sensation of the champagne glass in my hand. I place a hand to head and watch my pod dance with prospective mates.

I see Daxter speaking with the old man from before. He pats Daxter on the back before wandering off. Daxter then turns and makes his way to me. An acoustic rhythm piano begins ticking at the start of a song that rang with familiarity in my ears.

He holds out a hand. “Would you like to dance?”

“Sorry to disappoint, but I can’t slow dance, love.”

His deep chuckle reverberated within his chest. “I can assure you we’ll be bumbling fools on the dance floor. I’m already a bumbling fool for you, Valeri. What do you say?”

The lyrics begin and an angelic voice sings in the speakers.“If I had no more time.. No more time left to be here. Would you cherish what we had?”

My heart began to flutter. I grabbed his hand earnestly.

The heaven sent voice continues: “if I couldn’t feel your touch… and no longer were you with me…I’d be wishing you were here…”

We enter the dance floor and Daxter holds me tightly. I lay my head on his chest and can feel his heart dance with my undead one.

“So every time you hold me.. Hold me like this is the last time.

Our eyes meet and he leans in close as the lyrics go by:

“Every time you kiss me… Kiss me like you’ll never see me again…”

Daxter’s breath warms my face and our noses touch lightly.

“Promise that you’ll love me… Love me like you’ll never see me again…”

A microphone screeches. “Woo hoo! I sure can feel things heating up on the dance floor! Especially this couple right here.” the speaker shouts. He pointed directly at us and I wanted to fold within myself.

A/N:

I don’t own any rights to the song or lyrics of “Like You’ll Never See Me Again” by Alicia Keys.