I'm still hungry, Siren grumbled, tossing the woman's body aside like garbage. She wiped her mouth, stood, and rolled her neck until it cracked.
After they had leapt from the sixth-floor window, the instant their feet touched the pavement, they vanished. Humans close by were none the wiser.
Within minutes they were across town, and Siren had locked onto her first target: a twenty-something punk attempting to assault a young woman in an alley.
After startling them both, the girl managed to free herself and ran off screaming. Then, Siren struck. He was disarmed and immobilized before he even knew what was happening, then dragged to an abandoned warehouse.
She didn't have fangs yet, so she used his own blade to carve open a vein.
The Ancients hadn't mentioned she'd be stuck in a human body, or worse, that she'd be sharing it. After five thousand years of twiddling her thumbs in stasis, she was more than ready to be unleashed again. But this? This was not what she signed up for.
A Shade? Seriously?
Shades weren't allowed to access their magic. Couldn't transform. Couldn't even tell lies. At least the Ancients left them the basics: speed, strength, agility, and hyper senses. A starter pack.
Still, Siren had her standards.
At least, with the others still sleeping, she had some time to adjust. Lune lurked quietly in the background, allowing her to do her thing.
She'd seen a Fae and a Shade, and two cloaked creatures whose faces she couldn't make out. But something about one of them didn't feel right. It pricked her instincts.
They faded from her focus as she spotted her second victim: a college student harassing a waitress in a café. The moment he stepped outside to rejoin his buddy, he was gone. One second he was sipping coffee. The next, he was…snatched by the wind.
No one noticed.
The last one was a woman, about thirty-five, dealing drugs to kids outside a playground. Siren brought her back to the warehouse and tested her blood. Clean.
Then she drained her too.
I'm going to get another one, Siren said flatly.
No, Lune said, firmly.
And who's going to stop me? You? Siren asked mockingly.
No. Lune responded. But, Cassie isn't accustomed to it. You need to pause and think about her or she'll get sick.
Do you know how long five thousand years is? Siren argued. While drinking the pure essence of dragon blood is nice. Nothing beats the warmth and taste of good ol' human blood.
I understand. Lune said. I've been away for over ten thousand years. I'd love nothing else than to go and hunt and tear into a deer, however, I understand that I'm as strong as the vessel I'm in. If Cassie gets sick none of us will be able to do anything.
So, Siren rolled her eyes, we're doomed in this weak, silly human body?
Lune chuckled. Not doomed. She just needs more care than the other bodies you've had. It's her human state that will keep all of us from tearing each other apart.
Damn. Siren muttered. Ok, let's make a deal.
Let me hear it.
I'll nab one more person then we can go back to the apartment and eat the damn pancakes Kai's preparing.
Then, you won't drink blood again for the rest of the day.
Siren knew Lune wasn't asking. She had two choices: try to over power Lune, and do as she wanted or play nice. Seeing that Lune was twice her age and the one who Cassie's human spirit is most tied to, she chose the latter. She was sent here for a reason. To fight a dark force, she couldn't do that and fight those on her team. Even though her stubborn side really wanted to.
Siren sighed. Then, I won't drink blood again for the rest of the day.
Lune's ears twitched. But, first we've got company.
Werewolves. Siren sniffed the air. But, rogue. Damn don't they shower?
Lune laughed outright, before turning serious again. They're at least three of them. We can't physically overpower them until we've all woken up.
You think if we yell in their ears they'll wake up?
With a smile on her face Lune shook her head.
Wait, why aren't we running? We can get away if we leave now.
Siren looked at Lune who smiled broader.
You want to stay don't you?
Lune smirked. You got your blood. Now, I need to stretch these unused muscles of mine.
Siren grinned. I like how you think. Then her brow furrowed. But you said we can't take all three.
We won't have to. We just need to keep them talking long enough. Help is on the way.
Ahhhh, right. By now he's realized we're gone. So, do you want to sweet talk a pack of smelly wolves or should I? Siren lifted a brow.
They're all yours.
As if on cue, the rusty door of the basement of the warehouse swung open and in stepped three ruggedly handsome, muscular men, around six-foot-five. All dressed in suits.
Siren stifled a gag as their wet, musky fur scent filled every corner of the room, mixing with the stale dust and rust of the old warehouse.
The werewolves glanced at the crumpled bodies on the ground.
"Looks like someone hasn't learned to control her bloodlust yet," one of the werewolves said as he approached her slowly, while she stepped back.
Siren easily identified him as the leader since the other two goons stood there snickering.
"Maybe, I could give you something you can…handle," he smiled.
"Is that so, big boy?"
"I know you're not accustomed to a real man, a real…big man…and you're accustomed to those little twinkle toe vampires."
"The question is, are you accustomed to a girl like me?" she baited him.
His smile grew wider and his goons hollered and cat-called.
Just as he reached out to touch her, she pivoted out of reach with a smirk, and he spun to face her, frustration flickering in his eyes.
"So, what do you want? To take me right here in front of your boys?"
He flashed her a smile. "Babe, you're way too pretty to be taken in a place as filthy as this. Let's go back to my house and then we can have the fun."
He's close. Lune said.
Siren smiled at the werewolf in front of her.
"What if I told you that this is exactly the kind of place you and your boys deserve?"
She heard his breathing pause for a brief second as she continued. "I've met lots of werewolves but none of them reek like the three of you."
Her eyes darkened. "Give me a twinkled-toed vampire over a wet mutt any day."
His charm slipped away and a growl rolled through his chest.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Siren feigned innocence, a smile lingering on her lips again. Did I hurt the little puppy's feelings?"
"You're going to pay for that."
"My nostrils are already paying, I don't think I have any nose hairs left."
"You bitch."
Siren smiled as the three werewolves prowled toward her, growling.
"If I were you, I'd turn around and leave while I still have the chance," Lune said.
Clearly taken aback by the change of her voice from alluring and sweet to smokey and husky, the werewolves paused in their tracks and shared a look.
Siren and Lune smirked as the werewolves' ears twitched.
Suddenly, a deep growl echoed through the room, vibrating through the walls causing them to crack.
The werewolves froze.
In the doorway stood Kai. Blue eyes glowing like twin moons. Rage carved into every feature of his face. Two pure silver daggers gleamed in his fists.
Lune's voice dripped venom. "You should've picked door number one."
She stepped forward, lips curling into a snarl. "Because behind door number two…is death."