Chameleon (Supernaturals)

  I had to admit that was funny when even Gabriel choked on a laugh.

  I reached across the aisle to pinch Russ’s cheek. “You’re right, I do love your baby-soft skin.”

  Russ grabbed hold of my wrist before I could pull my hand back and he yanked me across the aisle. “Sit with me,” he insisted. “I haven’t seen you for like five weeks.”

  “Are you done having temper tantrums?”

  It wouldn’t have mattered if he’d said no. I was already getting comfortable in the seat next to him because I missed him like crazy.

  Five weeks is the second longest we’ve ever been separated. The first was the summer he went to New Jersey when he came into his powers, but the third longest was the day and a half I avoided him after Homecoming and even that had been hard. Russ and I don’t do apartness very well.

  Across from us, Gabriel let out a breath, and that one soft exhale made the moment very awkward. At least it did for me. I couldn’t meet his eyes until he broke the silence. “Danielle, do you not find it quite the coincidence that of all the warehouses in the world you happened to have a vision about one you recognize?”

  I frowned. “It is a little too convenient, isn’t it?”

  “Not really.” Russ shrugged at both Gabriel’s and my questioning looks. “Every supernatural in the world who wasn’t raised human or locked in a tower like a freak knows about Enchanted Cosmetics. They were more popular than big hair in the 1980s.”

  “The company is supernatural?” Gabriel asked.

  “Well it wasn’t called Enchanted Cosmetics for nothing.” Russ’s tone suggested Gabriel was dumb. “Their products were literally enchanted.”

  “You mean they made magical make-up?” I asked. “How does that work?”

  “How old do you think my dad is?”

  “About the same as my parents. Forty, forty-one, maybe,” I guessed.

  “Fifty-seven.”

  “He is not!”

  Russ grinned. “Age-defying skin cream.”

  “No kidding. Well, I never thought I’d say this, but for once I am truly grateful for the Devereaux family vanity.”

  “I am not vain.”

  “Ha!”

  Gabriel asked another question before Russ and I could start bickering. “Do you perchance know where the warehouse is?”

  “Yeah!” I said. “That summer you and your dad left, you came to New Jersey right? You had to have stopped by while you were in town.” I snorted again. “You know, to buy your junk in bulk or something.”

  “I do know where the warehouse is, but not because I had to buy my junk in bulk.” Russ rolled his eyes, but he smiled and dropped his arm around my shoulders. “I probably should have though, as much as you stole my lotion.”

  I laughed. “It was for your own good. No guy should have hands as soft as yours were.”

  “Were?” Russ argued and slipped his free hand into mine to prove his point. It worked. His hands were softer than silk.

  “I still use my lotion. I just had to start hiding it from you after the company went under because I couldn’t get as much of it anymore.”

  “How do you still get it at all?”

  Russ shrugged. “Same reason I know where the warehouse is. Remember the girl I told you about, who I stayed with when dad brought me to New Jersey that summer?

  “The witch with the capital B?” Of course I remembered. Even now, married to Gabriel, I still felt instant jealousy at the idea of Russ spending the summer with another girl.

  Russ nodded. “Clara. Her mom, Simone, ran Enchanted Cosmetics with her sister. Clara’s aunt still makes some of the stuff and sells it out of her house to pay the bills.

  “Anyway, my knowing them personally doesn’t matter. Everyone knows of them. The dude in your vision probably chose that warehouse because the building is warded. There’s nothing like supernatural security. If someone wanted to be up to no good, then an abandoned, supernaturally-shielded building in ghetto Jersey would be the perfect place.”

  “Makes sense to me,” I agreed.

  Gabriel frowned. “I suppose I too can see your logic. Except for the part where you believe your family knowing the owner personally does not matter.”

  Something in Gabriel’s voice made Russ’s foul mood come back and I really couldn’t blame him. Gabriel didn’t sound antagonistic, but he was definitely upset about something.

  “You got a problem with that?” Russ asked.

  Gabriel wasn’t at all bothered by Russ’s hostility. In fact, he matched it with that same fierce confidence he’d shown the council. “I have a problem with the fact that the council—the entire council—does not trust your father. Danielle,” he addressed me directly, “I do not know the history Alexander Devereaux has with the council—I had never heard the name until the night you arrived at the consulate—but I do know that the council was very, very upset to learn that you grew up under his influence. I believe it was your connection to him that drove the Supreme High Councilor to break your bonds the way he did.”

  “So what if the council doesn’t like my dad?” Russ asked.

  “I find it very interesting that he is so mysteriously disliked by the council and also has a personal connection to the very building Danielle is having visions about.”

  “That’s because you’re a moron who doesn’t know a damn thing about anything except for the lies the Councilor feeds you.”

  “The Councilor is not a liar.”

  “And my dad’s not evil. But I’ll tell you one thing. Simone Laroche was a total slut. Between her and her skankalicious daughter, every supernatural in America probably had a personal connection to that warehouse.”

  “Russ,” I said gently. I didn’t want to get in his face because I couldn’t blame him for being mad. Even I was kind of upset that Gabriel didn’t like Alex. He’d never even met the guy. “You’re going to have to be more specific. Words like slut and skankalicious are probably not in Gabriel’s vocabulary.”

  “Sorry. I don’t exactly know the Shakespearian translations.”

  “Simone Laroche?” Gabriel was wearing a giant frown, but I don’t think he was worried about Russ’s use of slang. “This would be a very powerful witch who passed away a couple years ago?”

  “Let me guess. You have a personal connection to her too?”

  Gabriel shook his head, looking more distressed than I’d seen him in a while. “Not I, the Councilor. I believe this woman was a close friend of his. He was very upset when she died. After the funeral he told me much of her.”

  “Well, well, well. How very interesting that the douche bag who likes to torture innocent girls, and knows everything about you and how your power works, also has a close and personal connection to the building Dani is having funky dreams about.”

  “Oh, would you guys both just stop?” I groaned. “None of that matters right now anyway. The only thing that does matter is that we get there before it’s too late.” A thought occurred to me then and I looked at Gabriel in a panic. “What if we get there and he’s already….”

  I couldn’t say it. The thought was too horrific. Russ was silent. Then Gabriel replied, “We will do whatever we can, Danielle, but I must be honest with you. There have been visions in the past that we did not stop in time. It is rare, but it has happened.”

  . . . . .

  When I exited the train in Newark I was exhausted, my head ached and I felt restless and anxious. I chalked it up to the fact that I hadn’t slept much, failed to eat breakfast before we left and was worried sick that I would be too late to stop someone from draining a newborn baby of all its blood.

  “The cravings are bothering you,” Gabriel said while we waited for Russ to double check the address of the Enchanted Cosmetics warehouse on his phone.

  “I’m all right.”

  “Danielle.” Gabriel’s voice was stern. “I can clearly see that you are not all right. Not that long ago you collapsed after one emotional outburst. You have used so much of y
our energy holding such a powerful spell for the last forty-five minutes. You must rest.”

  I had no choice but to admit my defeat. “You’re right. I won’t be able to hold this spell much longer. I feel like I’m about to pass out.”

  “I can help with that.” Russ grabbed my hand with a very smug smile on his face. “We only have to make it to the warehouse which is just over a mile. Once we’re inside the wards will hide us and you can let go of the spell.”

  He pressed my palm to his cheek. “I know it’s not supercharged energy like Wonder Pure over here, but it seemed to help enough before you left.”

  I was already convinced. That warm rush of energy had washed over me and it made me realize how drained I actually was. The cravings flared inside me, and I shook as I fought the urge to throw myself at Russ.

  Somehow Russ knew exactly what I was feeling. What I was struggling against. I could tell. He stared me down, silently daring me to give in to the desire inside me. I couldn’t look away from him.

  “Do what you must, Danielle,” Gabriel said dismally. His voice snapped me from my lustful trance.

  “What?”

  Russ grinned dangerously, drawing me nearer to him through sheer force of will. “He means kiss me.”

  “Kiss you?”

  “It’s okay. Hubby just gave you permission.”

  I glanced at Gabriel who was wearing the most serious face I’d ever seen on him. “It will make you stronger,” he said. “There are two supernaturals here in this very train station and there will be others along the way. We cannot afford to be seen and you need the energy.”

  I looked back and forth between Gabriel’s resigned face and Russ’s hungry one and felt panic on both accounts. “Thanks for the offer,” I said, tugging Russ’s hand. “But I can make it to the warehouse.”

  I just barely held out. Russ was practically carrying me by the time we got inside the warehouse. After a quick look around he said, “Looks like we’re home alone at the moment.”

  “Good.”

  I immediately dropped the magic. Russ helped me to the ground, but before he could pull me into his lap, Gabriel had me cradled in his arms.

  Gabriel’s energy, twenty times more powerful than Russ’s, was intoxicating. I gasped and buried my face in his neck. “Oh, wow! I forgot how much stronger you are than everyone else.”

  Gabriel chuckled and rubbed his hands along my arms as if keeping me warm. “And yet your cravings overwhelm even me.”

  This startled me. “Does it hurt to share your energy with me?”

  Russ snorted at that.

  “What?” I demanded while glaring at Russ.

  “It does not hurt,” Gabriel explained hesitantly. “But I can feel how much energy you consume. I feel the strength of your craving—your need and desire.”

  “In my case it’s a lot more desire than need,” Russ said.

  My face drained of all color from the dread of remembering how much I’d wanted Gabriel this morning when he held me in bed.

  “Do not be embarrassed, Danielle.”

  “Yeah,” Russ agreed. “How much you want me is hardly a secret. I’ve always known that.”

  I tried to scramble out of Gabriel’s grip but he held on tight and glared up at Russ. “If you continue to make this harder for her on purpose I will take her back to the consulate.”

  Russ tensed for a fight. “I’d like to see you try it.”

  He’d expected Gabriel to be intimidated and was surprised when Gabriel didn’t back down.

  “She is resisting my energy now,” Gabriel hissed. “I am sure you are aware that when you fight the cravings they only get worse. She will be in more discomfort now, and will take much longer to regain her strength.”

  Russ folded his arms over his chest. “I’m glad she’s resisting you. Every time you put your slimy hands on her she gets more and more brainwashed into thinking you two share a real connection.”

  “You are putting her life in danger for your own pride.”

  “You don’t need him Dani,” Russ said to me. “I used to be enough for you. You used to love me. The only thing Duncan did tell me when he called was that those were your last words when you thought you were never going to see me again. He said you made him swear to tell me how much you loved me.”

  “Yes,” I agreed slowly. “I did. But—”

  “So why do you keep running to this chump every chance you get?”

  I looked away, trying to hide the tears that sprang to my eyes. Russ had asked the question lightly, but I hated myself anyway. He had an excellent poker face, but I knew how much my connection with Gabriel was hurting him, even if he would never admit to it. I wanted to say something that would make him feel better, but I couldn’t find the words. I doubted there were any.

  “You know,” Gabriel said to Russ, breaking the silence that had fallen on us. “As a seer I am able to read not just a person’s aura, but a bit of their emotions as well. I can see how much you hurt her every time you open your mouth.”

  Russ finally looked shaken. He shot me a worried look. “Is that true?”

  Unable to meet Russ’s eyes I laid my hand on Gabriel’s arm, hoping my touch might calm some of his anger. “Gabriel, please. That’s enough.”

  Gabriel frowned. “But he is breaking your heart over and over again. I cannot bear to see you suffer like this.”

  “It’s not his fault,” I whispered. “His heart is breaking right now too.”

  “Danielle.”

  “Dani.”

  I couldn’t take any more of this right then. I couldn’t deal with them both. “You guys, I need to be alone for a while.”

  “Danielle.”

  “Please!”

  “As you wish.” Gabriel released me from his grip, laid me on the floor and rose to his feet. “I shall go see if I can find anything that might be helpful to us.”

  I closed my eyes and listened to him leave. Russ stood there for a minute but said nothing, and I eventually felt it when he walked away from me as well. Even though it made me restless, I was relieved to have them both gone.

  After about ten minutes I heard someone walk up to where I lay. I was surprised I hadn’t felt their energy until I was yanked up and off the floor by the man from my vision. I got out one really good scream and then the stranger with the glazed over eyes clasped his hand around my throat, making it impossible for me to speak.

  Even if I hadn’t been so incredibly weak, I wouldn’t have been able to escape his grip. The man was supernaturally strong. He lifted me off my feet, dangled me in the air and I started to get lightheaded.

  As the man stood there strangling the life out of me he blinked twice and said one word in a completely monotone voice. “Danielle.”

  The stranger’s grip loosened a little and then Russ shouted as he appeared at the other end of the room. “Dani! Use your magic!”

  “She has none!” Gabriel was also rushing toward me. “She is a seer right now!”

  The man started at the voices and threw me away from him. I sailed back and the minute I was freed, the man went smashing into the wall behind us. Gabriel came straight to me but Russ walked slowly toward the man staring at him with fierce concentration. The closer he got the slower his movements became and then he stopped altogether about four feet in front of the man. His body started to shake and he broke out into a sweat.

  “Dani, give me your magic!”

  “What? How?”

  Russ never looked away from the man, but he held out his hand to me. “I need your hand. Once you become a warlock I should be able to share your power.”

  “I doubt she has enough energy right now,” Gabriel started to say.

  “I’m going to lose him!” Russ shouted. “Whoever is holding him is too strong for me. Dani, now!”

  I hurried over to Russ and when he clasped my hand I felt what little energy I had leave me. I sunk to the floor but I didn’t let go of his hand.

  Russ gasped and his h
and tightened around mine. “It’s definitely a warlock.” He grunted. “I can almost see—”

  Russ was suddenly ripped free from my hand and blown backward a good ten feet. Judging from his cursing he was going to be just fine. I couldn’t say the same for the homeless guy though. He fell to the floor lifeless. His glazed over eyes stared at nothing. After a moment he blinked once, though I thought he’d been dead.

  Gabriel picked me up off the ground. “Danielle, are you all right?”

  “Just tired,” I muttered, already falling asleep.

  When I woke up I was under my quilt and tucked into Gabriel’s arms. I thought it had all been a dream until I realized we were sleeping on a bed of flattened cardboard boxes. I sat up with a gasp. “What happened?”

  “You exhausted your energy, Danielle. Are you feeling better?”

  “Much. How long have I been asleep?”

  “All day. It is near dark.”

  “Where’s Russ?”

  “You were stirring. We figured you would wake soon so he went to went out to get us something to eat.”

  “But he’s okay?”

  “He looks as though he took a beating, but he has not complained. I am more concerned about you.”

  Gabriel brushed the hair out of my eyes, then took my face in his hands. I shivered, and knew I was still in need of more energy. I got caught in his big, dark, glossy eyes and thought of the last time he’d held me like this. Desire swelled in me as I remembered the delicate kiss we’d shared just last night, and then I remembered what he’d said about being able to feel my desire.

  “Danielle,” he whispered, sensing my sudden panic. “I—” His eyes drifted down to my lips and he lost his train of thought. His breathing quickened, causing my adrenaline to spike.

  “I’m back!” Russ interrupted. His voice was strong even though his teeth were clenched.

  We both jumped but it was only me who scrambled away. Gabriel hadn’t moved an inch and looked disappointed that I had.

  Russ was standing in the doorway gripping a fast food bag in one hand with white knuckles and holding a drink carrier in the other. He was shaking enough that the cups were spilling soda out of the tops of the lids. I waited for his outburst but all he said to Gabriel was, “Hope you aren’t a vegetarian. All I could find was burgers.”