Charisma Read online

  High school. She’d never had a chance to go. Not that she missed it, she hurriedly reassured herself. Who needs high school? They force you to spend so many hours a day in a building, shoving their lessons down your throat and then give you bad grades to hide their bad teaching. Nope, it wasn’t for her.

  Nope, never for her. It was her final thought before her eyes closed, the small added warmth of the blanket and the security of being home was all she needed to let sleep take her away.

  But it was a restless sleep, a light sleep. She was too used to the streets to be able to sleep deeply. That was asking for it. Nor did she dream anything but the dark dreams that haunted her by night or day.

  She could see them now--her parents. Her mom was a tiny thing, like Charisma herself, with long, bright red hair that was pulled back and held tightly in a band. But not even those bonds could deny the life endowed in those corkscrew curls. They escaped and bounced about her mother’s face.

  Charisma sat in the back seat. She was barely seven years old but she could hear them fighting about her again.

  “We don’t have the money to send her to that special school,” her father, a big man with a big voice said. He glanced into the back seat and sent her a warm smile. “I know she’s gifted, Savina. But knowing doesn’t put money in the bank or food on the table.”

  “I just want her to have the training, and the chances, my parents denied me,” Savina said, her hand on her husband’s shoulder. “All they ever wanted was for me to use what I have to make their lives better. When I wasn’t being useful, Mom just wanted me to stay away from her and pretended I didn’t exist.”

  Even at seven, Charisma could hear the hurt and resentment in her mother’s tone. She didn’t understand it, but she could hear it.

  Her father took one hand off the steering wheel, reaching over to pat his wife’s hand. His eyes were on her, not on the road. Charisma was the only one that saw the garbage truck and the man behind the wheel. His eyes had been crazed and he’d gunned his engine as he came barreling down the street toward their small used Neon.

  “Daddy! The truck!” she’d screamed, but it had been too late. Her father couldn’t turn the wheel or avoid the truck. It had hit them head on, instantly killing her mom and dad. She’d been hurt, bumps and bruises and one really bad gash on her forehead. Even now, she could smell he disinfectants used by the hospital she’d woken up in. She could feel the scratchy sheets against her small bare legs. The bustling sound of the hospital was loud in her ears. She was alone.

  Charisma had known the moment she woke that her parents were dead. It wasn’t so much her memory of the crash. It was a lack of feeling their presence, the presence of the only people in this world that loved and cared about her. Even now, that knowledge could send huge tears streaking down her cheeks. Not of pity, no, but of loss, the loss of something more special than she had ever known since.

  Something woke her. She lay there, not changing her breathing or opening her eyes. What had alerted her? She heard someone walking around her small area, bending and touching her things, breaching her small bubble of privacy until she wanted to scream.

  “I know you’re awake,” the stranger said. “You might as well open your eyes and talk to me.”

  Charisma sat up on the mattress. She glared at the stranger. He was one of the prettiest men she’d ever seen, even prettier than the winged hunter earlier. “Who are you? If you’re here to take me to Hood, think again. I won’t come easily.”

  The man paced the floor around her. “I don’t know any Hood. I sensed you earlier. What are you?”

  “What do you mean, you sensed me?” Charisma didn’t give an inch. She stood straight as he drew closer, not wanting him to have the advantage. He had it anyway. He towered over her, dwarfing her petite frame. His eyes were a gem-like green, his body fit and taut, with rippled muscles that strained the tee shirt he wore under the dark brown leather bomber jacket.

  “I don’t know. I only knew I had to come into this building. You’re in trouble.” It was a statement, not a question.

  “So, what if I am? I’m not asking for anybodies help. I only want to be left alone.” Charisma started to shrink away from him, though he hadn’t touched her yet. She had a terrible feeling that if he did touch her, she’d never be the same again. “Go away,” she ordered, a tremor in her voice ruining the effectiveness of the words.

  “I can’t,” the stranger said simply, staring down at her. “I won’t walk away from you.”

  She saw his hand coming toward her, and held her breath, her eyes closing as his palm touched her cheek. That single touch sent a firestorm of sensations through her, sensations she didn’t understand. “Don’t do this,” she whispered. “Please, don’t do this to me.”

  His breathing seemed as rough as hers, his fingers trembling against her skin. He brushed her mouth with his thumb, that single touch rousing a fire in her she’d never felt before. The scent of her arousal filled the air.

  “I…I can’t seem to stop,” he hissed, closing his eyes.

  His head bent, his mouth softly finding hers. The taste of him was spicy hot, his tongue pressing against her lips until she opened them. Then he was in her mouth, his tongue rubbing with erotic magic against hers. A groan was ripped from her, her hands sliding up that taut tee shirt and into his hair as she tipped her head, changing the direction of the kiss.

  Sparks seem to fly behind her closed eyelids as his heat slammed into her. She felt him lift her, dropping both of them to the mattress on the ground.

  “Did you hear that?”

  Charisma went rigid under him, her hands frantically pulling at him. He lifted his head, staring down at her from only inches away. When he opened his mouth to speak, she shook her head, a plea in her eyes.

  “I didn’t hear anything but my stomach growling. Ain’t you hungry, Stretch?”

  “Yeah, but I got you, snack on the hoof,” Angel said, a very un-Angel like giggle coming from her mouth.

  “So, let’s call this one a wash, tell Shadow and head back to the house. I’ll get some chow and you can chow on me down in the crypts.”

  “Damn, thinking with the little head again, aren’t you? Do you know what Shadow will do to us if we don’t bring her back?”

  “I’m immortal, babe. Shadow don’t scare me much.”

  “How does a stint of guard duty down in the tombs sound to you?” Angel laughed, the melodic sound carrying in the quiet of the building.

  “Eww,” Marcus groaned. “Do you know what it’s like down there?”

  “My poor little wimp boy,” Angel sympathized.

  “There’s no one in here,” Marcus said. “Let’s at least try another building.”

  “I just want to make a cursory sweep,” Angel said, the click of her heels on the bare floors sounding louder as she moved closer to the small corner Charisma called home.

  “Stay here,” the man on top of her whispered. “I’ll come back later.” He rose easily, brushing down the front of his shirt and fixing his hair before yanking on the leather jacket. Then he turned and walked toward the two forms he could just see in the darkened building.

  “Stop!” Angel’s voice cried out. She drew her taser, pointing it at the man who’d stepped out of the shadows. “Who are you and what are you doing here?”

  Chapter Two

  “I’m looking for my sister,” Kadian James said, the lie slipping easily from his lips. “I know she’s been sleeping on the streets and I want to take her home with me.”

  Marcus narrowed his eyes at the very handsome man. “Wait, I know you.”

  “Yeah, I get that a lot,” Kadian said. “I’m always getting told I look like him, people stopping me for autographs, mugging me as I try to get something to eat. It’s awful. I was thinking of growing a beard, changing it up a little, you know?” As he spoke, he walked toward the stairs, hearing them follow him.

  She’d be safe if he could get them off of this floor. Kadian tipped his
head to the side, not questioning why he felt the way he did. He did and that was a good enough reason for him.

  “Sir,” Angel began, cutting him off with a speed that was beyond human. “Have you seen a girl up here?”

  “I haven’t seen anyone,” Kadian said. “I don’t know why I even bothered with this building. She won’t be in here, it’s too open, too cold.”

  “I’m sorry about your sister,” Angel said.

  “Thank you.” Kadian stepped around her, heading toward the stairs again, only to be brought up short when she stepped in front of him again.

  “What are you?”

  Kadian laughed. “What do you mean, what am I?”

  “You’re not human.”

  He sighed. This was something he hadn’t wanted to reveal to the girl. Not everyone could handle having a dragon for a boyfriend. “What do you think I am?” he threw back at Angel.

  “I don’t know, but I can smell you aren’t human.” She drew herself up, keeping her taser pointed. “Maybe we should take you down to ASP and find out what you are.”

  “If you think that’ll float your boat, blondie, you’re more than welcome to try.”

  “Blondie?” Angel took a threatening step forward.

  “Whoa baby, don’t go losing it now.” Marcus stepped up in front of Angel. “Listen, I don’t know if you’re him or not or what you are, but we ain’t looking for you. We’re looking for a girl, about this tall.” His hand stopped about mid-chest on himself, which put her a head shorter than Angel. “She was wearing a dark coat, about ankle length.”

  “I don’t know if I’ve seen her. What’d she do? Kill someone?” Kadian chuckled nervously.

  “How did you know?” Marcus asked suspiciously.

  “More like three someones,” Angel growled, unhappy about Marcus stopping her from beating some manners into that cocky attitude.

  “Wow, so she’s like dangerous? And they only sent the two of you after her?”

  Marcus felt his feathers begin to ruffle under the chiding tone of the stranger’s voice. He knew Angel was already pissed and wanting to take a shot at the man, so he held onto his own temper with the very tips of his fingers.

  “Asshole,” Angel snarled, baring her fangs.

  “Those are nice,” Kadian grinned, enjoying himself immensely. “Which dentist did those for you?”

  “Dentist?” Angel repeated stunned. “These are all mine. Want to see how they feel in your neck?”

  “They’re kind of puny. Maybe you should have worried about more calcium when you were growing up. You know, milk, cheese, ice cream? Dairy helps make strong bones and teeth.”

  “Marcus,” Angel said, grabbing hold of his arm. “Stop me or I’m going to kill this asshole.”

  “Angel, Marcus? Any sightings?” came from the communicator in Angel’s hand.

  “Nice toy,” Kadian said, plucking it right off of Angel’s palm and earning Kadian another snarled curse. “Who’s the guy? You’re keeper?”

  “He’s our boss,” Angel snapped, grabbing for the communicator and missing when Kadian held it above his head. “I bet you liked pulling wings off of flies when you were a kid, didn’t you?”

  “No, and I didn’t kill small animals either.” Kadian couldn’t help the laugh that came from deep in his chest. He’d never been a bully but provoking the blonde ASP agent was rather enjoyable. If he could keep it up and get them to take him downtown then… A scowl came over his face as he realized he hadn’t gotten her name.

  He’d followed the sound of her song, the music drawing him just like the sirens of old used to use their music to lure sailors to their deaths on the rocks. Maybe he was doing this for all the wrong reasons, but it felt right to help her. There was no way any woman with a voice like hers could be a killer. He couldn’t believe it.

  “Cuff this asshole, Marcus. We’re taking him back to the house and arresting him for impeding an investigation. He knows something, he’s just not talking.”

  Marcus stepped forward and Kadian turned amiably enough so that he could fit his wrists into the zip ties, feeling Marcus tighten them a little more than necessary. Kadian didn’t blame him, he’d probably do the same if he’d run across anyone acting as much an asshole as Kadian had been.

  “Hey,” Kadian growled, “police brutality!”

  “We aren’t the police. Scared yet, little boy?” Angel asked, a hint of glee in her tone.

  “Then by what right do you have to detain me?”

  “We work with the police,” Marcus added. “Come on, Shadow isn’t going to be happy about this. We are supposed to be looking for a killer and we bring back an ass instead.”

  “You keep him here for a minute. I want to check back where he came from. There’s just something fishy about this whole thing, besides the smell of his breath.”

  “Now you have me wishing I’d had garlic for dinner.” Kadian wanted to struggle against Marcus, but knew it would send them into the corner quicker. He could only hope the girl had taken advantage of his interference and gotten away.

  * * * *

  Charisma gathered her things, almost bursting out laughing as she listened to the three of them. Her visitor was doing a good job of pissing off the vampire. She should probably warn him that vampires have extremely short tempers and aren’t good to have as an enemy.

  The mattress would have to be a loss, one she would mourn. She’d spent many a night curled up on that thing. It was stained and tattered, but kept her from having to sleep on the cold floor, and brought a semblance of normality to her life. Maybe she could come back and get it after they got their forensic crews out of here.

  The rest of her possessions took about two seconds to put in a small canvas bag she’d found. Then she was running lightly, climbing out the window to the fire escape and heading back to the roofs. She escaped again, this time with the help of the man who’d shaken her soul with that one little kiss. She couldn’t help but wonder if he felt the same. Maybe if he came back, she wouldn’t hide from him--maybe.

  Her life was enough of a madhouse, she didn’t need anyone else tagging along for the ride. Even if he did kiss like someone out of a movie. He was as pretty as a movie star, as well.

  Up on the roof she didn’t quit moving, heading back toward the crime scene. They’d expect her to run as far as she could. They wouldn’t check the abandoned buildings closer to where she’d killed Hood’s man.

  If it weren’t for the fact that she knew what Hood wanted with her and knew what he would do when he got her, she’d face him herself and get this whole fucking thing over with. Running wasn’t her idea of a good time. Especially since she’d been doing it one way or another her entire life.

  A noise in the alley below drew her attention and she crept slowly to the edge, peeking over it. Her savior was being led away. Holy hell, he was better looking in the light. It gave his whiskered face depth and shadow, making him look lean and dangerous. He had dark hair that was a bit on the longish side, as if he were two to three weeks past time for a haircut. He was tall, she’d known that, but she hadn’t realized how solid he was. The tee shirt he wore stretched across his chest, his jeans cupped his ass nicely and his thighs were thickly muscled and solid.

  As if he felt her, he glanced up, throwing a wink in her direction. When Angel followed his gaze, she shrank back, hoping she hadn’t been seen. It was time to go. He’d have to get himself out of the mess he’d gotten into, she thought with a sigh. She couldn’t afford to be caught. Her only hope was to gather with others like her, the homeless masses that lived in abandoned buildings and in the tunnels underground. She’d lose herself with them.

  Waiting until the three began moving again, she found the fire escape and slid down, landing on the cement with an echoing thump. She put the strap of her bag over her head, angling it across her body in case she had to run and then she headed back the way she’d come once more.

  The entrance to the tunnels was down the E Street subway stair
s. She skipped down them lithely, humming the tune that was playing in her head. It was a provocative little tune, one she’d heard before at the music store when she went in there to play one of the guitars. Steve, the owner, would let her sit in the back and pick out melodies sometimes. She seemed to always draw customers to the store. Moments later, she glanced around, looking for cops before jumping from the platform and onto the tracks.

  Without looking back, she headed into the dark tunnels and disappeared.

  * * * *

  “Kadian James, what are you doing here?” Carmella Drake was a small woman. She had tawny skin and hair the color of unprocessed honey. Big brown eyes saw more than they let on. She looked up at Angel, smiled that famous serenely lovely smile. “So what did my friend do this time?”

  “He impeded our investigation.” Angel was feeling very stupid for letting him rile her the way he had.

  “That’s funny, usually he gets brought in for drunk and disorderly or for being an asshole,” Carmella said, laughing when Angel turned and glared at her. “Did he push some buttons?”

  “How do you know him?” Marcus asked, clearing his throat so that Angel stepped back.

  “Oh, Kadian and I go way back. His mom used to watch me when I was a girl so my mom could work. We’ve taken baths together, haven’t we, Kadian?”

  “Yeah, when was the last one, Cara? Last week wasn’t it?”

  “You’re proving to be an ass, Kadian, knock it off. I know you care more than you let on.”

  “Does he have a sister?” Angel asked suddenly.

  “Nope, only child.” Carmella smiled. “Do you want me to take care of him for you?”

  “No.” Angel answered quickly. “Thanks, Carmella. We got him.”

  “Cara, get a hold of Artie for me, would you? Let him know where I am so he doesn’t have a fucking cow.”

  “Yeah, no problem. He can come down here and bail your ass out.”