Hawking a Future (3 page)

Hayley rubbed her forehead in frustration as she was forced to analyse her situation. She had tried to work out her own issues before, but something had always come up. It seemed that since she was here, she might as well get in touch with her body for more than five minutes per night.

“What can I get for you?” A perky, young woman with a black t-shirt and a bounce in her step came up to her.

“Water with lemon and deep psychological insight into myself.”

The woman paused and extended her hand. “Spike.”

“Hayley.” She completed the handshake.

“Well, Hayley, I will fix your drink, and then, we will discuss your issues.”

“Oh goody. Free therapy.” Hayley winked.

It took Spike less than three minutes before she was back in front of Hayley. “So, what is your issue?”

“Disassociation with my body. I don’t see me as me. I am just a bunch of mental capabilities and emotions in a walking, talking case.”

Spike leaned back and whistled. “Wow. That is a little worse than that shirt making you feel a little washed out. Do you know why?”

“Foster homes. Staying back and away from people was the simplest way to fit in and protect myself at the same time.” She sipped at her water.

Spike ran a towel over the counter. “Wow. Intense. I am good with minor stuff, but that is way above my experience. All I can say is as long as you know yourself, know what you are, you can reach out to others when are ready. You know how to observe them, so let them observe you. Let them see what and who you really are.”

Hayley grimaced. “That is easier said than done.”

“You have to try. In the Crossroads, it is a safe place. Let your impulses guide you and your instincts carry you through your social situations. Let your beast guide your actions.”

Hayley nodded. “Thanks for your insight. I will apply it to my situation.”

“I apologise for not giving better advice. For a standard shifter, I would recommend a day at the spa, but something tells me that it would not even come close to help you deal with the world you are in.”

She sipped at her lemon water and looked at the men in the bar who were giving her friendly glances and intense looks. “No. I don’t think hiding is the best idea right now.”

“Let your instincts guide you. Listen to them. Let them rule your actions. Nothing you do here will be carried to the human world, unless you find your mate. You are safe here.” Spike reached out and put her hand on Hayley’s.

Hayley’s hand contracted on the wood of the bar, and she stared at the scratches that her nails had left. Her fingers were more claw-like and a darker shade of skin covered her familiar digits. She relaxed into the possibility of her beasts coming to the fore. If they were going to do it, this was definitely the place, even if the timing sucked.

* * * *

Tovin moved with the young woman who had come up to him with a flirtatious eye. He tried to keep his attention on her for politeness’ sake, but his gaze drifted to Hayley as she spoke to Spike.

The lush curves of Hayley’s body were barely visible above the high bank of the bar, but every inch he could see set his blood on fire. Until this moment, he had been convinced his type was lithe and athletic. Hayley was built for comfort, designed to be touched, and if anyone else tried to touch her, he was going to start breaking bones.

“You aren’t even looking at me.” The woman in his arms pouted.

He smiled down at her. “We both know that we are not destined to be together.”

She opened her wide blue eyes and snapped her mouth shut. “So, why are you dancing with me?”

“You wanted to dance, and I enjoy it.” He twirled her around.

The music concluded, and he stepped away from her, bowing to kiss her hand. “Thank you for the dance.”

She sighed. “You don’t even know my name.”

“Anisa. I know it, but you are not for me and I am not for you. Enjoy your hunt.”

He straightened and turned back toward the bar. His mate was missing.

“Damn it.”

He wandered over to the bar and got Spike’s attention. “Excuse me, Spike.”

She twisted her lips in a smile. “Yes, Tovin?”

“Where did Hayley go?” He kept his voice polite, but his heart was hammering in his chest.

“Look behind you. Even shifters have to use the ladies’ room.”

He turned and faced his destined mate, his heart pounded, his cock swelled and his hands itched to learn her curves.

“Hello, Hayley. Would you care to dance?”

He watched Hayley’s dark gaze flick to Spike and then back to him. She took a deep breath and held out her hand. “Yes.”

He took her hand with his, and the sparks crackled between them. His skin shuddered as ripples of heat ran along the surface, and if they hadn’t been in the midst of a public venue, he would have been looking to discard his clothing and convincing her to remove hers.

Her hand trembled in his, and he kept his hand relaxed as she moved her fingers against his skin. It was torture, but he locked his expression and kept it pleasant.

She licked her lips and his groin throbbed.

“So, the sparks. Do you feel them, too?” Her whisper struck through to the centre of his soul.

“Oh yes.”

“Can you tell me what they mean?” Her voice was a low and husky invitation. Her fingers skated up his palm and around his wrist in a slow caress.

He cleared his throat. “I think that is a discussion for another time.”

She blinked and pulled her hand back, shaking her head. The dozy, sensual look in her eyes faded, and she suddenly looked wary.

He moved to recover lost ground. “Dance with me.”

She nodded, and he led her to the dance floor, stifling a groan as her body moved against his. He was in hell and delighted to be there.

Hayley shivered as the weird shocks ran through her body. Her skin felt too tight, and she wanted to pull back, but she was trying to see where instinct led her.

Fighting her hard-won behaviour to defend herself, she let her hands relax on his arm and shoulder. Somehow, she had imagined that the fey danced in ancient patterns, not swaying slowly to modern music.

His body was warm under her hands. The muscles of his shoulder and bicep had a firm resilience that fascinated Hayley. She let her fingers explore him, leaving no room for any additional thought.

She was throttling down every developed self-defence impulse she had woven over the last few decades. It wasn’t comfortable emotionally, but she was enjoying touching him on a basic level.

Tovin wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her in close. His pulse was beating rapidly in the heavy column of his throat. Her senses told her that arousal was drawing his skin tight across his cheekbones, but aside from the increase in contact, he wasn’t doing anything to alert her own reactions.

Hayley moved with him, sliding her hand through his and around his wrist. The thundering of his pulse translated to a heavy thumping under her fingers.
Instinct. Follow your instinct.

She moved her head to one side and pulled his hand to her mouth. She pressed her lips to the pulse and felt her teeth change shape. Hayley licked at his skin and grazed him with the teeth.

He jumped and she jerked back. Her hand slammed over her mouth, and she did what came naturally, she ran.

* * * *

Tovin looked at the small hickey on his wrist. The wet stain in the front of his trousers had caused him to jerk. The moment she pressed her tongue to his skin, he lost his focus, and no amount of baseball stats were going to undo his body’s reaction.

Hayley was gone in an instant, and he was left trying to control what was left of himself.

In his seventy years, he had never lost control from such a small touch. The feeling of her lips on his wrist had felt like they were wrapped around his cock.

He paused and took a few deep breaths before he ran past the other fey courting their ladies and the curious gaze of the bartender.

The sun was setting at the Crossroads, and he had to find his mate.

* * * *

Hayley hid in the trees, her body flexing and bucking under the skin. For years, she had been watching other shifters doing what came naturally to them. Her beasts were clawing at her for control of her body.

Hayley whimpered and hid in the shadows while her world rocked out of control.

* * * *

When he could find no obvious trace of her, he ran to the Meditation Centre.

“Teal, Tony, please.”

Tony looked up from sweeping the steps. “Tovin, what is it?”

“Hayley. She ran from me, but I think something isn’t right. I got the emotional imprint of fear and panic as she ran.”

Tony leaned on the broom. “I am sure it is nothing.”

Teal came up behind him. “What is wrong?”

Tovin looked at her. “Hayley ran, but there was something wrong. I can’t find her. She isn’t at the Open Heart and no one has seen her. I am a good hunter, but there is too much magical interference here for me. Help me find her.”

Teal nodded and came down the steps. “I can find her. Give me a moment.”

She closed her eyes, and a wave of feathers started at her forehead and moved down her body. Tovin waited as her eyes went avian and she crackled with power.

“Oh damn. Come with me.” Her voice rang with energy. Tony dropped his broom and ran after them as they sprinted down the street, into the woods.

Tovin matched Teal step for step. “What is wrong?”

“I read her file. She has never shifted. If you two have made a connection, her beasts might be trying to rise.”

“Beasts?” He remembered Hayley saying something of that nature before.

“Because her parents never bonded, their beasts never created a truce or hierarchy. Without enough power to rise, they were both dormant in her mind and body. If you two started sparking, that might have been enough energy to start the change. She has no idea how to go through a shift on her own. It is usually a family event.” Teal ran with a strange gait.

Tovin let her lead, but the moment that he could see the outline of Hayley’s magic in the woods, he increased his pace.

Teal was at his side, and Tony muttered, “Damn.”

Teal looked Hayley over, and she made soothing noises. “It is okay, Hayley. You can do this. We are here to help you.”

Hayley opened her mouth, and her extended fangs flashed. Her skin was darkening and her fingers were elongating.

Teal nodded. “Right. Get her out of those clothes. You are going to have to cut them.”

Tony moved and his hands formed talons, ripping through the jeans and t-shirt.

Tovin took on the urgency of the other two and helped strip his destined mate so that her body could do what it wanted to. Her feet were already misshapen in her shoes, and she shivered as they were freed.

Tovin snarled at Tony before he could strip off her panties and bra. No one was touching her underwear but him.

Tovin pulled a knife from his ankle to remove the straps of the bra. The bright pink lace came free without hesitation, and she was finally free.

Teal moved in and whispered in her rapidly pointing ear. Hayley nodded, tears streamed from her eyes, and she arched upward as her bones contracted, muscles and tendons snapped.

Tovin watched her convulse and shrink as her form took over. It took agonising minutes, but finally, it was obvious, she was a bat.

Teal blinked in surprise. “You are a vampire bat.”

Tovin smiled. “You are lovely, Hayley.”

The small creature looked up at him, blinking furiously. He leaned down and extended his arm to her. The small tongue pushed at his skin before her teeth pricked him. The tongue went into action once again as she flapped her wings and kept feeding from him.

Tony nodded. “The hardest part is over. She has learned her new form. We can teach her to fly, but she needs to remain in her current form for about ten hours. Flying can come later.”

Tovin looked down at the small bloodsucker on his wrist. “Can I stay with her?”

Teal nodded. “It is best that you make yourself comfortable and let her stay with you. She might regain her human form naturally, but if she isn’t back to herself by noon, come to us and we will help her.”

Tovin inclined his head and carefully put his hand under the tiny, warm beast. He settled against the base of a tree and kept his wrist an easy distance from Hayley’s persistent tongue.

Teal and Tony collected the shreds of fabric and left them alone in the woods.

Tovin chuckled. “Well, this is interesting. I am glad I could be here for your first time.”

She looked up at him and kept drinking until her small belly was full.

With jerky motions, she climbed up his shirt and snuggled in next to his neck, her furry little face pressed against his skin.

He listened to her sigh, and then, her body stilled with the rhythm of sleep.

It wasn’t his favourite way to spend the night, but he couldn’t imagine a better person to spend it with.

* * * *

The pain of her first shift had exhausted her, but waking up naked in Tovin’s arms filled her with a peculiar energy.

She blinked up at him, and he smiled with a certain amount of relief in his expression.

“Good morning, my lady.”

Her voice was a little hoarse. “Good morning, Tovin. Have we been here all night?”

He nodded. “Dusk until dawn. How do you feel? The shift looked traumatic.”

She wrinkled her nose. “I ache a little, but it isn’t too bad.”

“Would you like my shirt?”

She looked down and blushed, covering her breasts and clenching her thighs together. “Um, please.”

He grinned and bent down to kiss her while his free hand went to the buttons of his shirt.

When he kissed her, it was a gentle contact, and the sparks flowed between them. She shivered as the electricity filled her again. She pulled away and rolled to the side. “Oh damn.”

“What is it?” Tovin was at her side.

The change was taking over. She gritted her teeth and muttered, “Here we go again.” It ended on a shriek.