I shot up quickly a feeling like drowning invading my senses. At first I saw only a blur of color and then things slowly began to come into focus.
"Welcome back, sugar." A husky southern accent said from next to me. I turned to find Lulu sitting in a chair next to my bed, long shapely legs crossed in an elegant manner, an elbow rested on her knee and her soft face in her hand. Lulu was beautiful. She was tall and lean, feminine and sexy. Her face was heart shaped and home to large innocent green eyes and a voluptuous set of lips. Her hair was long, golden, and curled in all the right places, just like her body. Despite the fact that Lulu had never wronged me in any way, shape, or form, I couldn't help but dislike her. She was the only one in the clan that had seniority me, having been with Audrey longer than any of us knew.
I resisted the urge to scowl and instead rubbed at my eyes.
"What happened?"
"Seems Lily Charmeine wanted to send Audrey a little message."
"Great. Hasn't she ever heard of e-mail...or the telephone?" Lulu laughed before standing up with ease.
"Well, if you want to follow me, I'm suppose to take you to Audrey once you're up."
"Ahuh." I reluctantly stood from the bed, feeling a bit dizzy and nauseous.
I knew I was in our main clan house where Audrey and most of the others lived, but I hadn't been in it enough times to make my way around. So I silently followed Lulu, grateful that she didn't try to make any small talk. She stopped suddenly in front of a large oak door and motioned towards it.
"See you later, doll." A wink and then she was sashaying herself away. I pushed the door open, surprised to find Audrey inside looking very serious. I could count on my hand the amount of times I'd seen him so serious...without being angry. He saw me and stood quickly, coming around his desk and stalking towards me, a scowl on his wide lips. He didn't stop until he was about to run into me and then he lifted my shirt up, revealing my not so Lulu type body to him. I realized I was still in my bloody clothes. Before I could protest he was running a finger between my breast and then turning me around to examine my back; shivers pierced my body. He turned me around to face him again and rested his hands on my shoulders, his sky eyes glaring at my almost black ones. And then his lips were on mine just pressing against them for a few seconds before lifting me off the ground and dragging me over to his desk. He sat me on top of a bundle of papers and then jerked my legs open, placing himself between them. I went from startled to heated in a matter of seconds and the next thing I knew my shirt was off and I was reaching a hand into his jeans. He groaned into my mouth and I raked my fingernails across his lower back. He gripped my thighs and wrapped them around his waist, then moved his hands to my lower back. He ground himself against me wildly, pulling my hair, and scratching my back, squeezing my flesh. And I caressed his face, and kissed his chin as I let out little noises of pleasure. I could feel him hard against me, I wanted him to do what he wanted to me. I wanted him. But before we could go any further there was a quick knock at the door. Audrey growled and didn't try to hide it.
"Fuck off!" He barked over his shoulder, his voice hoarse and broken.
"But I want to see Red!" A high pitched voice called from the other side of the door. I smiled a little as Audrey rested his forehead against mine. It was Maggie, Audrey couldn't say no to Maggie. He kissed me hard once more before lifting himself off and helping me to my feet.
"Fuck." He said huskily before kissing me once more and then going to the door, making sure my top was on before opening it.
The skinny fourteen year old girl stood there with a pout on her sweet face and her hands on her hips.
"You're not the only one that wants to see her you know, Audrey." She let out snottily before sticking her little pink tongue out at him. He made to say something but she was done talking to him, instead she flew past him and threw herself into my waiting arms. Maggie was the youngest in our clan. She had joined us less than a year ago but had already found her place in our makeshift family. She had dubbed me the older sister she'd never had. I had an unusual soft spot for the girl, as did everyone else. Maggie's body was thin, almost sickly looking. She was actually taller than me with bright brown eyes and pale orange hair that stopped by her chin. Freckles littered her little face and there was an ever present curiosity in her eyes. She pulled back with a worried look on her face.
"You're okay now right?"
"Yes, I'm fine, Mags." She hopped back happily then and bounced on her heels.
"Audrey says you're going to stay with us now and I already called dibs to whose room you're sleeping in."
"Actu-" Audrey started to say but was cut off.
"It's going to be so much fun, Red! It's so boring around here, you don't even know. Especially since Audrey won't let me tag along on reapings yet or anything. Hey! Maybe he'll let me follow you around! Would that be okay Audrey?" He came over and covered her mouth with his large hand, pulling her back against his side.
"Maggie, you're going to have to learn to breathe every once in a while." She pulled his hand away for a second.
"I can breathe just fine when your stupid hand isn't covering my mou-" And then his stupid hand was back on top of her mouth again.
"What's all this about me staying here?" I asked teasingly. Audrey had been trying to get me to live in the huge house for years, but I had always liked the solitude my dark apartment provided. And it wasn't like it was required or anything. He glared down at Maggie, who just looked innocently back at him.
"I was going to talk to you about that later but I guess it can happen now." He sighed out defeated. He made his way to his chair and I sat on a couch to the side with Maggie, letting her sit behind me to braid my hair.
"You're not the only one the Charmeine Sisters attacked last night. Jilly and Gin were also found this morning, along with you, in front of the gates."
"Are you sure it was the Charmeine Sisters?"
"Yes. Lilah gave Gin a message for me before she ran her knife through him." I cringed at the memory of the feeling in my chest. Just because we couldn't technically die didn't mean we couldn't feel pain.
"What was the message?" Audrey glanced at Maggie before turning his eyes back to mine.
"Later." I nodded my head in understanding.
"Because of this though I'm telling everyone to stay near The House, just to be on the safe side."
"Well, thanks for the offer but I think I'll be staying at my apartment." He narrowed his eyes at me but I felt confident he wouldn't try anything with Maggie in the room.
"I think it'd be better if you stayed here, just until things have cooled down a bit." Despite his words his tone was demanding.
"But I'm on vacation." I pouted.
"Consider it a hiatus from your vacation then." I glared at him childishly.
"Fine." I let out coldly. His face turned relaxed and playful then, like the Audrey I was used to. The door opened and Turk and Tank walked in looking very scary. Turk and Tank are Audrey's gun and ammo; they only come out to play when someone pisses Audrey off.
"Ah good, are you kids ready then?" Audrey asked excitedly. The duo nodded.
"Where are you going?" I asked curiously, although I had a clue.
"Karma's a bitch." Audrey all but giggled out.
"Don't curse Audrey!" Maggie scolded from behind me. He came over to us and messed up Maggie's straight hair, resulting in a high pitched squeal from her.
"I HATE when you do that!"
"I know." Then he bent down so that his cheek was by Maggie's face.
"Kiss for good luck?" She tried to hide her smile as she kissed him affectionately on the cheek.
"Don't die." She said sweetly up at him. He gave her an arrogant grin before moving his cheek to me.
"Kiss? It's for good luck."
"Ahuh." I kissed his cheek, landing it a little closer to his mouth than Maggie's.