Infinitely Human Read online

  And I used this time to finalize the details of my plan for the party. I’d put together the basics, but always made sure I was alone when I considered my options for how best to get my revenge on Gavin. Cora, Mordecai, Aaron, Nathan — everyone could honestly say they didn’t have a clue about what I was planning.

  When Dawg picked me up, I was wearing jeans and boots, but had my summer dress and sandals in a backpack.

  “Barring any unforeseen circumstances,” I told him while I fastened my helmet, “you’re welcome to come back here tonight, but I have to be honest and tell you I argued with myself about it. I had sex with someone else last night, and society says having sex with two men on two successive nights makes you a slut. I didn’t realize that’s why I was holding back, at first.”

  Dawg grinned. “I smelled Mordecai already. No biggie. It’s just training with ya’ll.”

  I shook my head. “I don’t know what it is, but it’s more than training. We aren’t exclusive though, so it doesn’t matter.”

  “Will he be there tonight?”

  “He’s planning to make an appearance. Not sure how long he’ll stay.”

  He shrugged a shoulder. “Okay. Glad you told me. No big thing, but it’s good to know.”

  Riding behind Dawg is a dream. He doesn’t hotdog on takeoffs and stops, so there’s no holding on for dear life. He flows in and out of turns, and leaning with him is second nature.

  I followed him into the clubhouse and received a rousing welcome when we stepped into the front room. I waved and smiled, and hugged Angelica when she neared.

  “I’m glad you’re coming with us,” she said. “Bethany will meet us there. Zach and Destiny are riding up with us, and Horse and Gabby have their own invitation, separate from the RTMC, but they’re riding with us, too.”

  I must’ve looked confused, and Gen explained, “Zach’s kind of turned into the attorney for the supernaturals. We aren’t the only group who has him on retainer.”

  “Are you ready for Monday?” I asked Gabby. She and I planned to go over her notes and analysis on the plane, and in the hotel room once we arrived. She specializes in serial killers, and I’ve become pretty good at analyzing bad guys in general and helping plan how to capture or kill them.

  “I think so.”

  “Don’t be intimidated by the suits. They hold their dick to pee, same as every other male on the planet.”

  Her amused grin told me she appreciated the sentiment, and I hugged her. I couldn’t help myself. Gabby is such a shy little sweetheart, she makes me want to defend her to the death.

  Thundering up the mountain on one of six bikes was an experience. Dawg drove the same, but now it was as if we were part of a dance troupe, participating in a well-choreographed routine. The bikes leaned going in and out of the curves, accelerated together, braked together. The brotherhood was more than just playing video games and fucking women. It made more sense.

  Lots of hugs happened when we arrived, and I ended up in a little seating area with Sophia, Bethany, Gen, Angelica, Gabby, Constance, Briana, Destiny, and Queenie. It was still daylight — I expected Kendra would join us once the sun went down.

  And Gavin.

  He’d used the information he got out of my head to hurt someone I cared about. He hadn’t reached my old teacher in China, but he’d tried, and his actions had forced Sensei to disconnect his mountain temple from this realm. People had been stranded, and it’d affected the entire village in this realm.

  I couldn’t let that stand.

  Eventually, the sun went down, and the vampires came out. Mordecai still hadn’t arrived, which I took to be a good sign. I found Gavin standing with Duke and Sophia, and I casually walked up to them, trying as hard as I could not to broadcast what I was about to do. Scent, thoughts, body language — the old ones can pick up on so freaking much. I focused on how happy I was to see Sophia, instead of my intentions.

  I made it to him, swept my arms out while I manifested two light knives, and cut both of Gavin’s arms off a few inches below his shoulders. They hadn’t even hit the ground before I’d re-absorbed the knives, wrapped my arms around the vampire, and stepped into the nothingness.

  “What are you doing?”

  Despite the fact he bit the words out, he sounded surprisingly calm — but I didn’t answer. This was the tricky part. Mordecai had taught me that the most powerful gods can create a “go here” spot, for people who wish to visit them. If I concentrated on the Siabhra with the intention of showing up as a welcomed guest, it might take me there.

  Or, it might take me to the dungeons. Or his bedroom.

  I focused until the thought was a pinprick of light, and stepped out of the nothingness.

  And felt great relief when we appeared before a large gate, with guards on either side.

  “I have a bargain to make with the Siabhra,” I told the guards. “I may need help restraining the prisoner if the Siabhra will be more than a few moments.”

  Three seconds later, the being I remembered from the island appeared before me, but I didn’t feel the horrid dread. My necklace grew warm, and I wondered if it was protecting me.

  Gavin shrank away from the man and started to fight, but then froze. The Siabhra had done something to keep him from moving.

  “I wish to bargain seven days with the vampire in exchange for the sliver you hold of my cousin’s soul. You may do whatever you wish with the vampire as long as he’s whole and of sound mind when he’s returned to his Master.”

  “He isn’t yours to bargain.”

  “He tried to hurt people I cared about with knowledge he gained nefariously. He went back on a deal to do so. I’m within my rights to kill him, but I choose to gain from his use, instead.”

  “Forty-eight days.”

  “Twenty-one days.”

  “Thirty-Six days.”

  “Twenty-one days.”

  “You are not afraid of me?”

  “I have a healthy respect for you.”

  He stared at me. I looked back. The silence was uncomfortable, but I breathed through it.

  “Twenty-one days.”

  I breathed a little easier, but still needed to be on high alert. “And he’ll be returned sound of mind and body.”

  “Sound of body, and as sound of mind as anyone can be after spending three weeks in my tender care.”

  He tossed something into the air, and when I dove to catch it, he grabbed Gavin and was gone. I looked at the large piece of quartz, but couldn’t see the soul in it. This was Faerie though, where there are consequences for not following through with a bargain.

  I stepped through the nothingness and into Aaron’s office. I knew they’d be in there.

  Aaron, Abbott, Nathan, Bran, and Mordecai were in there. Five pairs of eyes landed on me. None were happy.

  I held up the crystal. “Mordecai. Can you see to it Josh gets the rest of his soul back?”

  He stepped to me, accepted it, and disappeared.

  “What have you done?” Abbott seemed to be barely holding onto his anger. I knew I should be scared, but I wasn’t. Just as I hadn’t been afraid of the Siabhra. I resisted the urge to touch the necklace.

  “Gavin used the knowledge he gained from my head to try to hurt someone close to me. I couldn’t let that stand. I bargained with the Siabhra — he gets to play with Gavin for twenty-one days, and I got the sliver of Josh’s soul.”

  “Fuck, Kirsten.” Nathan was standing against the far wall, and I met his gaze.

  “I get it. I’m a horrible, despicable person. I told Gavin he’d learn to respect me if it killed him to do so, and I meant every word. Apparently, my first little illustration wasn’t enough. We’ll see if he believes me after this.”

  I looked down, saw I was covered in blood, and turned to Aaron. “I have a change of clothes. I’d like to clean up.” Negotiations might go easier if I didn’t smell like the blood of my enemy. Or, perhaps reminding them of what I’m capable of might work in my favor. I wasn�
��t sure, but my instincts told me to get the blood off.

  “Use the yellow bathroom downstairs. If you need to shower, you’ll find towels in the closet behind the door.”

  “Thanks.”

  As it turned out, a quick shower was necessary. Gavin’s blood stained my arms and chest, and a good ways down my front. I tossed the clothes I was wearing in the garbage. Looked like I’d be riding home in a dress. I put my boots into my backpack. They’d been splattered, but I wiped the blood off and would clean them later.

  By the time I’d dried off and changed, I’d stopped shaking. I hadn’t realized how much adrenaline I’d used.

  The woman in the mirror looked shell-shocked. I’d actually pulled it off. Josh would be whole again.

  And I’d made my point about what happens to people who hurt me.

  The necklace adjusted so it was the right length for the v-neck. It didn’t merely hide or show up for various people, it made sure it looked good with whatever I wore. Handy. My toes matched my mint green dress perfectly, and the dark green sandals were a nice contrast.

  I sat on the edge of the tub and took five minutes to meditate, and finally exited the bathroom.

  Mordecai was standing in the hallway when I opened the door. I stood and looked at him, waiting to see whether he was pleased or pissed.

  “This was why you asked so many questions about the Siabhra?”

  “Partly, but I’d have asked even if this wasn’t in my plans. I needed to know.” I wiggled my fingers in an effort to stay relaxed. “Josh has his soul back?”

  “He does. The meeting in Aaron’s office broke up and everyone’s back outside. I’ll walk you out, and I’ll stand by your side, but I won’t speak for you.”

  “Thanks for taking care of Josh. I didn’t expect you to stand by me or speak for me, but thanks for standing with me. I did this on my own and assumed I’d be standing on my own.”

  Everyone in the yard stopped talking and looked at me when I stepped into the backyard.

  It seemed they expected me to say something, so I did. “Gavin went back on a deal. Many of you know what was done to me when I was held captive. I warned him against using information he got out of my head to hurt people I cared about. He didn’t believe me. I promised death, but it turned out I could use him as a bargaining chip, so his life has been spared.” I took a breath and tried to say the next part with as much confidence as possible. “I traded him to the Siabhra for the sliver of my cousin’s soul we haven’t been able to get back. The deal was for him to be returned in three weeks, sound of body and mind.” I shrugged. “Or, as sound of mind as he can be, after spending three weeks as a plaything of the Siabhra.” I lifted my chin. “If anyone has a problem with my actions, speak now or forever hold your peace. I’m tired of people thinking I’m not a threat just because I don’t have claws.” I lifted my right hand and manifested five claws of light. “These are my claws, and while I don’t want to have to use them, I won’t hesitate to do so if you hurt me or mine.”

  I met Abbott’s gaze and refused to look away, though his expression clearly told me he wanted to hurt me in ways I wouldn’t enjoy.

  “I can’t argue the logic behind your actions,” he said, his voice frighteningly calm, “but this puts us at odds. Should you need anything from me or mine, you’ll need to go through a mediator.”

  I looked to Kendra, standing beside him. She shook her head. “Gavin’s my family.”

  I met Abbott’s gaze again. “You might want to control your guard dog better when you get him back. I let him live this time. I may not if there’s a next time.”

  About a third of the crowd breathed in at the same time. I won’t call it a collective gasp, but it wasn’t far from it.

  I caught movement, and noted Dawg was walking towards me with a grin — as if he was proud of me. He stopped beside me, and turned to face the crowd.

  Now I had an old god on one side of me, and a werewolf on the other.

  “She has a point, Abbott.” Mordecai’s voice boomed across the yard. “I know what Gavin did, and what it took for Kirsten to make things right again. Most of the eight months she spent in China was needed for her to fix what he broke. Too bad for you, she gained in powers, abilities, allies, and confidence through the trials of figuring out how to repair the unrepairable.” He leaned down, kissed me on the lips, and looked back to the audience. “If anyone brings harm to Kirsten or the people she loves, you’ll answer to me.” He looked at Abbott. “If anyone in your organization does anything to Kirsten or her people, they and you will answer to me. I will hold you personally responsible, no matter the circumstances. Control your people.” He glanced at me and back to Abbott. “There are worse things than being a plaything of the Siabhra. Not many, but I can be quite creative.”

  Abbott looked at Dawg. “Any threats from you, wolf?”

  “Nah. Kirsten can take care of herself. I’m sure she appreciates Mordecai’s support, but she can handle her own problems. I figure I’d rather have Mordecai pissed at me than Kirsten.” He looked at Mordecai with a roguish grin. “No offense.”

  Mordecai actually chuckled. “None taken. It’s quite possible you’re correct. I’d just kill you, while she’d make your life miserable in ways none of us wants to contemplate.” He looked back to the crowd. “Anything else? Can we return to enjoying the party?”

  “One point,” said Aaron. “I’m friends with both Abbott and Kirsten, and I’m going to do my best to be Switzerland. I hope the rest of you can make a similar attempt.”

  Before I could stop him, Dawg wrapped his arms around me, bent me backwards, planted a short kiss, and stood me back up. The crowd laughed, and I turned my back on them. Dawg took me by the hand and walked me to the edge of the yard, which also happened to be the edge of the cliff. A stone wall came up to my rib cage, to keep people from walking off the edge.

  “Little human bad-ass, aren’t you?” Dawg leaned in and put his mouth to my ear. “Can’t wait to bury myself in you later tonight. Watching you cut his arms off, and then disappear with him? So fucking sexy.”

  “I was going to apologize to you, for putting you in an awkward place.” I took a breath. “I’d planned to tell you I could find another way home if you didn’t want to take me.”

  “Oh, fuck no. You came with me, you’re leavin’ with me.”

  “You came with him?” Mordecai asked from behind me.

  I turned, so I was facing them both. “Yeah. Last minute invitation, but I told him about you and me, just to be sure there weren’t any surprises.”

  I looked back and forth between the two, and wasn’t sure what kind of look they were giving each other.

  “I’ve been told bikers enjoy,” Mordecai paused, as if looking for the right word. “Sharing?”

  Dawg’s brows rose into his forehead. “Not sure Kirsten would take kindly to the suggestion. I’m open to it if you can talk her into it, though.”

  I looked back and forth between them. “Seriously?”

  Mordecai’s grin ignited a fire between my legs.

  “I’ve never…” I took a breath. Started over. “I mean, I’ve been flogged by more than one person at a time, but I’ve never…” I waved my arms, “with two people at the same time.”

  Mordecai stepped back. “I’ll let the two of you discuss it.” He moved away, and I noted a whole lot of supernaturals seemed to still be focused on us. They’d heard every damned word.

  Beautiful.

  I watched the old god walk towards Aaron, and I turned my back on the crowd to look over the city below us again.

  “If you aren’t comfortable with it, say the word and I’ll nix it.” Dawg’s voice was soft. Understanding. He put his hands on my hips a second, and then wrapped them around me, protecting me from the crowd behind us.

  “You’d be okay with it?” I asked.

  He put his lips to my ear and spoke so softly, I had to concentrate to hear. “From a political standpoint, spending time with him can
only help my club. However, the deciding factor has to be how you feel about it. If you’ve never been with two men before, I kind of think you need to at least once, but I don’t get to make that decision for you.” He kissed the tip of my ear and pressed himself to me from behind, so I could feel his cock. “The thoughts of watching you try to take two men at once has my dick granite hard.”

  I turned in his arms and buried my face in his shoulder, and he gave a masculine, cocky chuckle. Somehow, we were turned so I could see the city, with my side to the party. I watched the cars moving below, and sank into Dawg’s warmth.

  I don’t know how to describe what happened next. My guard wasn’t all the way down, though I admit I was having a private moment with Dawg and feeling safe in the comfort of his arms.

  Still, I should’ve been more on guard, considering what I’d just done.

  5

  I only had a split second of warning, and Queenie’s claws ripped through my side. I stepped into the nothingness the instant I sensed her, but not before she tore a huge gash in my side, across my ribcage. My arms had been around Dawg’s neck, my face against his shoulder, towards the view of the city below.

  Fire shot through my side, but I needed to focus. I’d brought Dawg here and I was responsible for him. His arm was sliced all the way to the bone, and he needed to change, but not here. I stepped out of the nothingness onto our new property, and told him to change.

  Two seconds later, he was a wolf.

  “Do you want to stay a wolf, or change back to human? If you’re staying a wolf, I’ll cut your clothes off.”

  And just like that, he was a human again. His shirt was mostly okay, but he unfastened his pants, dropped them to his knees, pulled them up straight, and refastened them.

  “Are you good to go back and fight her with me, or do you need food?”

  “You’re bleeding. You can’t fight like that.”

  “Yeah. I can. Not for long, but I can’t let someone come at me and just run away.” I blew out a breath. “Will this make me a wolf?”

  “Unlikely.”