Cursed Hearts (Hearts Duology Book 1) Read online

  I pick up my phone to call Cash. With only one week to solve my control issue, his friends sound like the best idea ever. Then I think about Friday with Lena. Either I learn control, or I avoid this date like the plague.

  I scroll through the screen and find Cash’s number.

  “What’s up, Kels?”

  “Set it up. It has to be Colt, though.”

  “Want to start tonight?”

  “Tomorrow, Cash.”

  I hear him talking to someone in the background.

  “After school come to the shop. I’m doing some ink on Colt.”

  Nervousness is not unique to humans. Supernaturals suffer from anxiety as well. We just don’t show it in the same ways. Instead, we screw things up and risk exposure.

  My unease distracts me all day. Fortunately, Lena doesn’t ask too many questions when I ask for a ride. She simply drops me off at Cash’s shop, Wicked Ink, and ignores my foul mood.

  The bell rings as I open the door. Stale cigarette smoke and disinfectant greet me. Over the thumping bass of some dance tune, I can hear the soft whirr of Cash’s tattoo gun.

  “Don’t be shy, Kelsie,” he calls out. “Come on back.”

  I close the door and walk past the glass counter. My brother sits on a stool beside a leather chair. Colt, one of my brother’s longtime friends, is reclined and shirtless.

  “We can stop for today. This design’s gonna take a few sessions.” Cash turns off the gun. He wipes his hands on an ink-stained towel. “How’d you get here?”

  “Lena dropped me off.”

  I’m trying hard not to stare at the shirtless incubus. It’s not an easy feat. Colt Najex is handsome, and he knows it. Every muscle on his chest stands out like they’re chiseled from stone. His abs would make a bodybuilder jealous. Colt’s almond-shaped, dark eyes lock with mine. He runs a hand through his thick, black hair and smiles.

  “Hey, Kelsie. It’s been a long time.” His voice is smooth like silk.

  The last time I saw Colt was at Cash’s twenty-first birthday last year. He had a big party that went on for a couple of days.

  “Yeah.” I fumble with my backpack. “Thanks for doing this.”

  “Not a problem. You’re helping me out as well.”

  Cash finishes applying ointment to the design and then covers it with a clear bandage. He hands Colt his shirt.

  “You have the place to yourself,” my brother announces. “I need to grab a bite.”

  I flinch. “You’re leaving? I thought you were staying.”

  “You’re in good hands. Nothing will happen with Colt.”

  Colt grasps my hand and leads me through the dark curtain separating the stations from the break area. An old leather sofa occupies one wall. Across from it is a table holding a microwave. Next to it is a small fridge.

  “Relax, Kelsie. You’re shaking like a leaf.”

  “Sorry.” I sit beside him. “Every time I’ve tried a hookup it’s gone wrong.”

  He smooths my dark hair away from my face. “This won’t. Remember there’s no way you can drain me.”

  I side-glance at him. “You’re sure?”

  Colt cups my face with both hands. “I promise you.”

  His lips brush mine. It’s a brief kiss, nothing that would endanger anyone. Just simple. Nice. Sweet.

  “When you’re learning control,” he says against my lips, “play with it. Have a little fun.” Colt nibbles at my lower lip. “Don’t go for it all at once.”

  He sits back and stares at me.

  “That’s it?”

  His lips lift. “Eager, aren’t you? Let’s see your technique.”

  Crap! There’s the problem. “I don’t have a technique. I just go with it.”

  “Not anymore.” Colt’s hand snakes through my hair and stops behind my head. “Just because you’re a female doesn’t mean you can’t initiate it. Kiss me.”

  My stomach twists into one huge knot. This is so out of my comfort zone. I try to move away, but he won’t let me.

  “Kiss me, Kelsie,” he demands.

  I lean forward and press my lips to his. I’m trying hard to relax and just go with it, but I can’t. Thoughts of Landry and Gregg still swirl in my mind.

  Colt, however, ignores my hesitation. He kisses me slowly with an intensity that’s dreamlike. My muscles unknot. The fear and unease I felt just moments ago is replaced by something akin to euphoria. I press my body closer to his, and then he breaks off the kiss.

  “Why did you stop?” I touch my tingly lips.

  “I identified your problem.”

  There’s a news flash. I didn’t know he was evaluating my kissing. “Which is?”

  “You’re so concerned about what might happen that it blocks your sensibilities. You don’t feel your powers until it’s too late.” He wipes at his mouth and leans against the cushions.

  “I don’t understand.”

  “Okay. You understand what incubi do, right?”

  I nod.

  “I don’t enter a woman’s bedroom thinking I’m going to get her pregnant. Sure, there’s a great chance it might happen, but I don’t dwell on it. I’m there for pleasure and nourishment, nothing else. I keep my personal fears and concerns locked away.” Colt holds his head back. “You don’t lock away your fears. You bring all of your concerns with you.”

  “Oh,” I whisper and avert my eyes.

  Colt touches my chin and captures my gaze. “Now that we know your problem, we can work on it. I’m willing to help you.”

  “Why?”

  “C’mon, Kelsie. I’ve always found you attractive. Cash told me what your mother will do if you don’t learn this. I can give you an out. If she wants a consort match, I volunteer.”

  No. This was supposed to be a learning opportunity, not another arranged union. “I appreciate the offer, but no thanks.”

  “I don’t see you having much choice. It’s me or the old guy.”

  The front bell rings, saving me from more discomfort. Footsteps echo across the linoleum, and the curtain parts. Cash walks in with a greasy bag.

  “How’d it go?” His eyes dart from Colt to me. “What’s going on?”

  Colt runs a finger across my cheek. “I’ve identified your sister’s problem.”

  Cash places the bag on the table. “Really?”

  “Yeah. Tell your mother that Kelsie has a better match than Reginald McKinley.”

  My brother looks up from his food. “You and my sister? I don’t know about that one.”

  He’s not the only one. Colt continues looking at me as if I’m a shiny new toy. My situation just went from dire to downright extreme. What the hell am I supposed to do?

  “Think about it, Cash. Would you rather see her paired up with some stuffy old man or with me? She can stay in Falls Creek. Plus, I’m a Royal. You can’t get better than that.”

  I’ve had enough of their conversation. “Stop talking about me like I’m a piece of property!” I stand up and get as far away from Colt as I can in the small space. “Both of you are forgetting one small fact.”

  “What’s that?” they say in unison.

  “Love.”

  Colt and Cash laugh.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “Did your mother not teach you that lesson?” Colt says. “Lilin don’t fall in love.”

  I frown. “What about your parents?”

  “They don’t love each other. Mom and Dad have an arrangement. Love would only confuse things. They get what they need from humans. My father was simply a donor and my mother a willing receptacle.” He runs a hand through his hair. “Stop looking for something that’s not meant for us.”

  “He’s right, Kelsie. Love is a human emotion. It’s messy and people get hurt.” Cash shoves a few fries in his mouth. “I hate to say it, sis, but a match with Colt might not be so bad.”

  “You’re kidding, right?”

  “No.” Cash unwraps
a straw and sticks it into a Styrofoam cup. “I’ll talk to Mom tonight. She’ll love the idea.”

  “Well, I don’t.” I pick up my backpack from the floor and stomp through the curtain.

  “Kels, where are you going?” Cash calls out.

  “Home. Don’t worry about me. I’ll call Lena for a ride.”

  Suddenly being in a room filled with testosterone is a little suffocating.

  Lena’s red Jetta pulls up to the curb a few blocks away from Wicked Ink. I toss my bag into the back seat.

  “You all right?” she asks and steers the car into traffic.

  “I’m fine. Thanks for picking me up.”

  “I don’t get it. You asked me to drop you off at the shop, and now you’re walking home. What did your brother do this time?”

  I look out the window. “He set me up with one of his friends.”

  “Oh gosh.” Lena reaches over and squeezes my hand. “Please tell me it wasn’t one of those twins.”

  “The Mazrels? No. It was Colt.”

  “The model?” She looks over at me. “He’s cute.”

  Oh Siren, save me. Of course, Lena would think that. Everyone, human and supernatural, finds Colt attractive. His ability to coerce is perfected. One look into his eyes is enough to hook anyone. His skill is so good that even other incubi fall for him.

  “Well, he’s an ass just like the rest of his friends,” I say.

  “Don’t worry. It’s almost Friday. We’ll go to the concert and enjoy ourselves. Jonah found a great guy for you.”

  “I don’t know. Maybe I shouldn’t go.” Once Mom hears about Colt’s deal, going to a concert won’t even be a concern. She’ll insist I not go out.

  Lena raises her voice, “Kelsie Martin, you are going. I bought the tickets and got you a hot date. All I’m asking is that you try.”

  Why the hell not? If I’m about to lose my freedom, I might as well have a little fun.

  Friday finally arrives along with the double date. Lena has been as giddy as a kid at Christmas time. She wants to take me shopping for a new outfit. I manage to talk her out of it. Instead, I offer that we meet up at my place, and she can go through my closet.

  My phone buzzes with yet another text message. This one’s from Mom. She’s at home and wants to talk. Since I’ve avoided the consort issue all week, her request isn’t surprising.

  I am surprised to come home to an empty house. I take it as a good sign and retreat to my room.

  “Any plans tonight?” Mom asks from the doorway.

  I gasp and look up. "Mom, you startled me. I thought I was home alone."

  "Sorry about that."

  “To answer your question, I'm going to a concert with Lena.”

  She comes in and sits on my bed. “We need to talk.”

  “I know.” I pick at the threads on my cutoffs. “Cash told you about Colt’s proposition?”

  “Yes, he did. I think it’s a very generous offer. We should consider it, especially if you don’t want to be with Reggie.”

  “Can I have some time to think about it?”

  Mom purses her lips and crosses her legs. “Weren’t you supposed to do that over this past week?”

  “No. I was supposed to work on control.” I close my notebook. “Let me get through the weekend. I promise I’ll give you an answer.”

  She raises an eyebrow. “Don’t take too long with your decision. Fortunately, Colt isn’t like Alistair. He’d want this formalized and handled right away. If you’re leaning toward Colt, I need to tell Alistair that it’s off.”

  “Call him. If a consort match is what you want, then it won’t be with Reggie.” If I have my way about it, there won’t be a match with anyone.

  Mom stands. “Well, enjoy your concert.”

  There’s a knock on my open door. “Is this a private party?”

  Great. What does Cash want now?

  “Come on in, son.” Mom steps to the side. “I was just leaving.”

  “Have a good night, Mom,” he says and watches her leave. “So, what about you and Colt?”

  I roll my eyes. “I haven’t decided.”

  He flops onto my bed. “I’ve known Colt for years. He’s like a brother to me.”

  “I know.”

  “He’s not like his father, but being with Colt comes with complications.”

  I pull my legs in and wrap my arms around my knees. “Like?”

  “He’s a very active incubus.”

  Active is just another way of saying promiscuous. Some incubi only indulge when needed, and then there are those who give a whole new meaning to the term man-whore. If there were a supernatural dictionary, Colt’s picture would be next to the word.

  “So,” I respond flatly. If he’s out most nights, I won’t have to deal with him.

  “You think you can handle that?”

  “It’s not like I have a choice in the matter.”

  “You always have a choice, Kels. Mom’s only pushing the match because she’s worried ‘bout you.”

  I push up off the floor and sit beside him. “I don’t think so. It’s more like she wants me out of the way so I don’t jeopardize things for you.”

  “Kelsie, you’re wrong.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll be the perfect little succubus. If I’m lucky, maybe Colt will fall in love with me.”

  Cash laughs. “When he falls out of love with himself.” He leans forward. “Talk to me about tonight.”

  “Just going to a concert with Lena and a couple of friends.”

  “A date?”

  “I guess.”

  “Listen, it’s a good chance for you to test what you’ve learned with Colt.”

  I’m not planning on kissing anyone. I won’t be responsible for any more deaths. “Cash, I’m not—”

  “Going to kill anyone. Play it cool tonight. If you doubt yourself, just set a timer on your phone. Thirty seconds at a time. You won’t drain him that way.”

  The doorbell rings. “That should be Lena.”

  Cash rises off my bed. “Do short kisses and you’ll be fine. Stay in the moment, and stop dwelling on the negative.”

  “Whatever.”

  Lena knocks on the door. “Hey, girlfriend!”

  “Hi, Lena.”

  My brother walks up to her. “What? No greeting for me?”

  I clear my throat. Cash has always thought Lena was cute. He’s been wanting to taste her essence. I’ve warned him that she’s off limits.

  He holds his hands up in defeat and leaves the room.

  “You’re not wearing that,” she remarks looking at my tank top and cut-offs. “It’s a date, Kelsie. Not study group.”

  “I’m changing.” My voice wavers. I go to my closet and decide on a random outfit. “Who’s this guy we’re meeting?”

  “He doesn’t go to our school,” she says with a hint of reluctance.

  I twist my body around dragging a pair of black jeans from a hanger. “What’s wrong with him?”

  “Nothing,” she responds a little too quickly. “I think he may have graduated last year.”

  “Humph,” I mutter. This might not be too bad. If I kiss him and things get out of hand, I’ll kill a stranger who’s not in high school. Maybe he lives alone, and no one will miss him. If that’s the case, Council won’t ever find out, and Cash stays out of trouble. I find a black blouse and remove my stilettos from a shelf. When everything you own is black, getting dressed is much easier.

  “I thought I was picking out your clothes,” Lena whines.

  I step to the side. “Have at it.”

  She comes up behind me. “You need to go shopping. Nobody wears this much black. Only a witch or a vampire would envy these clothes.”

  A small grin crosses my face.

  If she only knew…

  “Wear what you want. I’m sure it’ll be fine.”

  “Tell me more about this guy. Any chance you have a picture
?”

  “Yeah, I do.” Lena reaches into her back pocket and pulls out her phone. She scrolls through it. “Here you go.”

  I look over her shoulder. On the screen is a picture of a guy with tousled, dark hair and a scruffy appearance. His eyes, like turquoise, are captivating. What I find most interesting is the flickering blue behind him. I’m not completely certain, but it looks like an aura. Could this be a blind date with a supernatural?

  Dating a supernatural would make this night much more intriguing. I wish I was certain. My ability to read auras is fairly limited. I can pick up other Lilin, reapers, and the occasional shapeshifter.

  “How old is he?” I ask and walk over to my dresser.

  Lena shrugs. “I’m not sure. He might be in college. Is that a deal breaker?”

  “Not really.” I’m considering a consort match with an incubus who is at least college-age. The only thing that could be a problem is if this guy is a professor, we’d have nothing to talk about.

  I open a drawer and pull out a bra. “What all did you tell Jonah about me?”

  She sits on the bed. “Nothing bad. I told him you were tired of dating jerks. You’re also tired of your brother setting you up with random guys. I didn’t lie, right?”

  “No, you didn’t.” I gather my clothes and step toward the bathroom. “Give me a minute.”

  “No prob. I’ll just send Jonah a text and let him know we’ll meet them at the Palladium.”

  It’s just another Friday night, not unlike the ones I’ve spent over the last twenty years. No major plans unless you count hanging at the Temptation Club with the rest of the Coven. Nothing special. It’s a mundane existence. Something I should be accustomed to, but I’ve come to loathe it.

  I stand in front of the window, fingering the heavy, black drapes. The grounds are still at the moment. Besides Beaumont, the Ancient vampire who lives here, everyone is out. Ma and my maker, Luc Duquette, left this morning for a month in South America. They travel the world under the guise of business. It’s really just his way of appeasing her. Ma has never liked to stay in one place for too long.