He grasped her arm, all but tugging her down the stairs to the next level, which he opened onto a massive gym complete with tumbling mats. He shut the door. “Whenever I’m feeling the weight of this life, I hit something, usually Conn.” Cheerful anticipation lit the king’s words. “So. Gloves, knives, what?”
Emotion rose hard and fast within her. “Nothing. We fight free-form.” The need to hit overwhelmed her. He may be trying to help, but the vampire was about to get his ass kicked.
Chapter 23
Kalin nursed his soda in the worn booth at the hopping diner, hunkered down in his new bomber jacket. He fought the urge to scratch his face. The makeup adding color to his skin itched. High school students wandered around, some playing pool, others darts. A cool hangout, although they didn’t serve blood.
Even there, he was cold. As soon as the scientists figured out a gene therapy so his people could venture into the sun, Kalin would move somewhere hot and learn to surf—while taking over the world, of course.
A trio of giggling girls at a corner table threw flirty glances his way. Sophomores most likely, wearing low-cut shirts they’d probably covered with sweatshirts when leaving their safe homes. Sparkly makeup coated their faces. One could pass for a clown. He fought a grin. If the twits had any idea what he could do to them. What he wanted to do to them.
The stench of burnt hamburger formed a bad taste in his mouth. Why anyone would eat there was beyond him.
The glass door opened, tinkling with a small bell. Peggy glided inside, brushing her hair back. Somehow the room warmed. He straightened in his seat, throwing out his chest.
She spotted him, waving and winding through a group of boys playing darts to drop into the booth across the table. Most people, even warriors centuries older than he, faltered and gathered their strength when approaching him. Not Peggy. She moved forward like she had nothing to fear, like he was safe. The idea of protecting her from the cruelties of the world heated his skin.
Her unique scent of roses filtered toward him, making his heart thump faster. She smiled. “Hi. Sorry I’m late. I had to help close the store.” She worked part-time for her parent’s outdoor sports store and knew everything about fly-fishing.
“Hi.” His gaze dropped to the light blue letterman’s jacket hanging on her small frame. The male scent of sweat and cologne assaulted his nostrils. A prickle messed with the back of his neck. “Whose jacket?”
She blushed, running a hand along the frayed collar. “Joe Neilson. You know, the quarterback I told you about?” Her smile revealed perfect white teeth, shinier than the purest pearl. “He finally asked me out.”
Fire rushed through Kalin so fast his breath caught. She’d mentioned the boy, but just in passing. He was a friend who studied with her sometimes. “I hadn’t realized you liked him.” What the fuck had Kalin been doing here? He’d wanted to court her slowly.
She shrugged, her pretty blue eyes lighting up. “I’ve had a crush on him for a while.” As if sensing his distress, she reached across and grabbed his hand. “I’m so glad we’re friends, Kalin. Even though you’re two years younger than me, you mean a lot to me.” She patted his knuckles, the world lighting up with her smile. “In fact, I’ve been tutoring a sophomore I think you might like.”
He’d been the dark guy, too young, yet the guy who had made Joe take notice. Kalin flashed his teeth.
Peggy jerked back, her eyes widening. He closed his mouth, and she gave a startled giggle. Shaking her head, she obviously ignored whatever instincts the gods had given her. “Are you all right?”
“Yeah.” He leaned back, smoothing on a small grin. Reality clicked into place with sharp cracks. Betrayal ripped down his spine, soothing in an odd way. Oh, it hurt. And temper wanted to open wide jaws and kill everyone in the diner. But ... he settled into himself. His skin fit again. “In fact, I was on the phone earlier with a girl who I think is my future.”
“Really?” Peggy waved at the group of girls in the corner. A vein fluttered in her neck, proving she wasn’t quite reassured. Prey did have some basic instinct for survival. “What’s her name?”
“Janie. She lives in the States.” Enough of this. He relaxed, the weight of destiny no longer pressing. “So. You leave for your trip late tonight, right?”
“Yes.” Peggy gave a happy hop in the seat, her smile relaxing as she turned to face him. She’d reassured herself of her safety.
Silly human girl.
“I’m going to visit my aunt and uncle in Omaha ... I’m taking the red-eye. It’ll be a fun two weeks of relaxing and helping on the farm. I love the farm.” She frowned, creating cute lines on the sides of her eyes. “I’ll miss you, though.”
Not as much as she’d miss Joe, apparently. “I’ll miss you too.” Kalin’s brain began calculating plans.
She glanced at her watch. “Oh. I’m supposed to meet Joe for yogurt.” Her frown wasn’t as cute. “Do you, ah, want to come?”
“No.” Kalin stood, stretching a hand to help her up. Her skin felt smooth in his palm. Was she smooth all over? “I need to get home. But you have a great time.”
He walked her out, turning to head in the opposite direction to jump in his truck. Anger tasted like acid in his throat. Something under his rib cage echoed with a pain he’d never felt ... dull and devastating. His cell phone rang, nearly freezing his ear off when he lifted it, and he growled.
“Kalin. Where are you?” Franco asked over the sound of papers being shuffled.
“On my way home. I want the plane ready now ... we’re going to Omaha.” He clicked off, a smile on his face, heat filling his pores. Yeah. Janie was right. Peggy needed to meet the real Kalin.
Moira’s feet danced on the thick grappling mats covering the floor of an entire room, the padding made just to kick butt. The adjoining room held weights, exercise machines, and punching bags. The scent of pine cleanser and sweat seemed embedded in the mats. She focused on the king. “I feel kind of funny kicking the crap out of you.”
His smile held too much anticipation for her peace of mind. “I appreciate the sentiment. I’ve never sparred with a witch before.” A dark T-shirt failed to conceal the tight muscles of his chest, and his loose sweats showed toned thighs. “It’d be an honor if you didn’t hold back. Give me what you’ve got.”
Good plan. She needed to hit him hard and fast. Leaping for him, her knees landed on either side of his head, clapping tight, as she swung her torso down between his legs and clasped the back of his knees. Gravity assisted her in dropping the king face-first toward the mat. She whipped through and landed on his shoulder blades, one knee to the nape of his neck.
He chuckled, the side of his mouth smashed, his palms against the floor. “That was awesome.” Powerful muscles bunched. Dage lifted into a handstand, sending her winging across the room like ice cream on a spoon during a food fight.
She tucked and landed, rolling to her feet. “Nice move.”
“Thanks.” He eyed her knees, maneuvering closer. “So, when Conn and I spar, we talk about stuff. Like why we’re pissed at life.”
“I’m not pissed at life.” She slid, swinging her legs out to knock him flat.
He jumped, knocking her down and landing with feet on either side of her hips. Then he dropped to his knees, both hands pinning her shoulders. “Who are you pissed at?”
Swiveling at the waist, she swung her legs to scissor around the king, yanking him to the side. His head hit the floor with a dull thump. “Fate and destiny. I’m so tired of fighting them.” Releasing him, she somersaulted backwards to her feet.
Dage back flipped to stand. “Perhaps you should stop fighting against everything and start fighting for something.”