`Mmm, it is so,' Tashia raised an eyebrow as Renee nudged Mason.
`Not any more. After tonight we will know more.' Renee said, taking Mason's hand in hers and making sure Rose saw. `Love what you've done with your hair.'
`Fu—' Rose went white as Tashia's long fingers dug deep into her shoulder.
`Let's go.' Mason glanced down but didn't pull away.
`Later, then,' Tashia said, grinning at Renee.
Renee gave Rose one last look as Mason pulled the door open. `Stay out of my face, Flowers, or next time I'll tear yours off.' Renee smiled, showing her new, razor-sharp teeth.
Tashia pushed the Flowers girl further into the toilets.
Renee couldn't resist looking back as the door was closing. Her smile widened as Rose threw up on the floor.
`I've never held another woman's hand before, other than Ruth's I mean,' Mason slowed, looking down.
She rubbed her thumb on the back of his hand. `I've never had a man hold mine before.'
`What?'
`Long story. Here.' She went through the door into the club, hoping he hadn't seen her blush. The music washed over her as Mason stood with her. He must like me, she thought.
`You're not like Nikki?' he asked, scanning the club.
`Goddess, no,' she said shaking her head. `Where is she?' Pain shot up her arm as Mason's grip crunched the bones in her hand. His skin cooled in her hand.
`Damn it. Didn't waste any time, did they?'
Renee couldn't speak. Ruth and Nikki lay entwined on the stage as the crowd moved as one to the music. Energy filled the club, pulsing out from the stage.
Renee felt it come; his anger bit into her hand as Mason morphed into Butcher.
`Mason, no!' She pulled him in and wrapped her arms around him. Butcher's twisted face filled her vision; hard flesh expanded against her. `Stop! Don't let him control you!'
`No!' His flesh warmed as Butcher's face faded. `It hurts.' He spasmed as hard flesh rippled across him. Hot and cold pressed against her. `I don't know why that happened.' Mason moved in her arms. `You can let me go.'
`Maybe.' She interlaced her fingers behind him. `Kiss me.'
`What?'
`Kiss,' Renee tightened her grip on him., `me.'
`I…don't think—'
`You want to,' she said, resting her brow against his. Gold flecks moved in his eyes and she smiled as his hands rested on her hips. Strong thumbs caressed her exposed skin.
`Renee,' Mason whispered, wetting his lips. `I haven't kissed another, since I met Ruth. It never felt right to do so.'
`And now?' She waited.
Mason didn't say anything. His body pressed hot against hers as another pulse of energy washed over them. The crowd moaned in delight.
`Close your eyes.'
`Why?' He slid his hands around her, fingers touching the skin of her lower back. `You going to bite me now?' Mason swayed with the music and Renee moved with him.
His hands are clammy, she thought. He's nervous. I make him nervous. Good.
`No,' she said, moving her face closer. He glanced at her lips. `I've never met anyone like you, Mason. I don't care about who or what we are right now.'
She pressed her hips against him and his hands dropped lower, holding her buttocks. Renee ran her hands up his back to his shoulders. `Close your eyes.'
`You're dangerous,' he said, tilting his head, torn between her eyes and lips. `But—'
Renee kissed him. His taste exploded into her mouth as Mason let her in. She felt the blue static sizzle across them again. Her eyes closed as Mason wrapped his arms around her, tasting her, as the room grew hot around them.
She felt it, wanted to have him.
Heat and noise roared around her. It didn't matter to her. All that did was his lips on hers, his flesh against hers. Two words screamed in Renee's mind as darkness washed over her.
He's mine.
CHAPTER 11
Tashia leaned against the door, savouring the sensation of having seen Renee as her true self.
`She's Huntress!' Rose yelled at her. `How is that possible? She's not even a full-blood.'
`Hmm, careful, child.' Tashia frowned at the short, hairless girl stinking of vomit. `I would use this time to make yourself presentable instead of irritating another who might not have the same restraint as Renee showed.'
`Rose, please, let me help.' Lilly wiped her face with a towel.
`And you!' Rose smacked Lilly's hand away. `You made treaty with her House. How could you?'
`Lilly is of age. Her word holds true. Treaty has been made.' Tashia wrinkled her nose at the stench coming off Rose. `Clean yourself up, child. You reek.'
`Goddess!' Rose snatched the wet towel from Lilly's hand and began to clean her face. `What a fucking nightmare.'
`Hmm, a somewhat self-inflicted one, child.' Tashia crossed her arms and watched Rose. The girl irritated her. `Why would you deliberately provoke the Magi at her own ceremony, let alone when the night was already dangerous with Butcher and his wife present?'
`His wife?' Lilly started. `You mean Ruth,' she glanced at Rose, `the one Nikki holds so close, is Butcher's wife?'
`Huh,' Rose snorted. `So Butcher's wife likes to fuck Darkells. Irony.'
`Child,' Tashia drawled, letting her gift seep out into her words. `Curb your words. There is more to what you see. Ruth is blessed by Gaia. A treaty now stands between the House of Eleanor and the Douglas clan, brokered by Gaia herself.'
Rose went white and looked away. She turned on the tap to rinse her head.
Lilly frowned. `Now, that makes sense.'
`What does?' Tashia found herself liking the tall blonde girl.
`When we were out there, Nikki and Ruth mentioned Gaia.'
`Go on,' Tashia moved closer.
Rose spat blood and stood up, raking fingers through her now-sparse hair. `What are you on about?'
`Shut up,' Tashia glared at her. `What did you hear, Lilly?'
Lilly glanced at Rose. `Well, Ruth and Nikki talked about Gaia and Mason. Apparently, Gaia has her own name for Butcher.'
`Her own name?' Tashia's skin tingled.
`Yes.' Lilly twitched under Tashia's stare. `Gaia comes to Ruth in her dreams.'
`Hmm, Gaia's touch is strong in her then.' Tashia watched Lilly swallow. Why was she suddenly nervous? `You reek of fear, child. I will not punish you for talking about this.'
`No. It's not that.' Lilly rubbed her face.
Tashia's senses heightened: something was happening in the club. `Then what, child?' she asked, only half-listening as the walls around her hummed with energy.
`Gaia calls him Hunter.'
`What?' Her focus snapped back to Lilly.
`So what?' Rose threw her hands up. `Only now we know Gaia really hates us.'
Tashia touched Lilly on the face. `Are you sure, child? You didn't mishear her words?'
`No, Ruth said Gaia always calls him Hunter, and he likes it.'
The floor suddenly shuddered and dust filled the air. `Shield yourselves, children!' Tashia ripped the bathroom