Beware

Beware

Quarter Life #4

Adrian J. Smith

Supposed Crimes LLC

Matthews, North Carolina

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

All Rights Reserved

Copyright © 2022 Adrian J. Smith

Published in the United States

ISBN: 978-1-952150-85-2

Chapter One

They heavy beat of the music pounded in Faye’s chest making her heart thrum right along with it. The lights had all been changed since the last time she was down there, the ethereal glow no longer. The bar had become dingy and harder, less sanctuary and more club. It had been a long time since she’d been in a club proper, but it was freeing.

Faye stepped out onto the moss covered floor, dragging Joel with her. She’d insisted on dressing him, shucking his normal plaid over-shirt in favor of an edgier look. She herself had gone to the nines to blend in that night. Faye gripped Joel’s hips and dragged his front to her ass, grinding against him like she had not a care in the world.

The last few months had been the best in her life. She and Molly had figured some of their shit out, and she was back on the friendship wagon with Joel and Ben, making an effort to get to know Joel better and outside of his normal duties at the house.

Faye lifted her arms over her head, rocking her hips back and forth against Joel, who finally loosened up enough to move with her. The beat of the music thrummed through her to the point that she was pretty sure if Joel bent his head to speak, she wouldn’t hear him.

The light changed. It became harsher and more vibrant. It was like a high without the drugs, and Faye reveled in it. They had changed so much since she’d been in there last. The entire atmosphere of the bar in the sewers had become something else, Faye was pretty sure she would have enjoyed it either way—she had multiple times—but this new ambiance was far more to her style than it had been before.

Wrapping her arms behind Joel’s neck, Faye gave over to the beat of the bass. She closed her eyes, feeling everything as it moved through her. She wished Molly would have joined, just to see her dancing like this, but Faye knew that would never happen. Molly was far too uptight for something like that.

Faye turned in Joel’s arms and slid one thigh between his, grinding against his leg. Pleasure shot through her body, and she bit her lip as she looked up at him with a hooded gaze. In another time and in another place, she may have once thought about it, may have once debated whether or not to entice him out the door and into the back room somewhere where she could sink her teeth into him. Joel was cute, he was young, he had a mess of dirty blond hair and bright blue eyes that stared into everyone’s soul. Empaths often had that look about them, she’d found, but Joel was more than just a quick fuck or an energy feed. He was fast becoming one of her best friends.

The songs never stopped. Her head spun, and she needed more liquor to bolster herself for the upcoming night, not that liquor made too much of a dent in her life lately. No, she was too well juiced up on pure witch blood for that.

When Faye felt she couldn’t take grinding against him any longer, she dug her dull nails into his side and moved up to whisper into his ear at a scream level. Let’s take a break.

Joel nodded at her and followed when she took his hand and headed for the bar area. There were no stools to sit on, so Faye leaned into the edge of the hard, gnarly wood that clearly an elf had made. It was smooth from years of use, but sturdy and perfect for what was needed.

Aliya, Faye whispered. Give us your pleasure.

Aliya, a young and spritely bartender and most likely a faerie of some sort, though Faye wasn’t quite sure, smiled at her. Faye’s heart melted a little more, and she wondered briefly when she had become so soft. Joel squeezed her hand, sending her comfort through their physical connection. Swallowing, Faye turned on him and grinned.

Who would have ever thought I could get you to come down here?

He chuckled. Who would have thought you’d want to come with me?

Faye trailed a finger up Joel’s chest. I’ve always liked you.

Leaning in, Joel’s lips were against her ear. Not true, but I’ll let it slide.

Aliya handed them both over a drink and pressed her forearms into the hard wood of the counter and stared Faye down. Did you want anything else?

Normal Faye would have asked for something a little harder than alcohol, but she’d been sober from heroin since she’d returned from Colorado with Molly. Months without the stuff and only Molly’s blood to sustain her had been a surprise but her blood was a much better drug anyway. Faye shook her head. It would take so much for her to get high anyway with the blood coursing through her veins that it wouldn’t be worth it.

We’ve got something new to try, Aliya’s voice lowered.

Oh? Faye leaned in, curious as to where this was going. Drugs weren’t strictly forbidden from the establishment, but they also weren’t normally doled out so freely. While Faye had been sober for the better part of four months, she was still interested, as she always was, in new drugs out there. What’s it like?

I haven’t tried it yet. Aliya traced a finger on the table. I just got some in tonight, but I know you have a preference for the harder stuff.

Faye slid a glance to Joel who shook his head at her, reminding her why she hadn’t done drugs in forever and a day, but Faye was still curious. But more than curious, she was tempted. Joel put a hand on her back, the pressure enough to bring her focus to him and off Aliya.

Faye, let’s dance again.

Sure. She chugged her drink, glad for its sour flavor as it hit the back of her tongue. When Joel didn’t touch his, she downed it as well and went out to the moss covered dance floor with him again, the music far louder in that area of the club than over by Aliya—done magically no doubt.

As Faye turned and ground her ass into Joel’s front, she stared at Aliya, her mind spinning about the drug. She’d get some. If only to have on hand for when she had a moment to try it. It was her first night off in months, her first night out without Molly insisting on being with her, and she wanted to relax, wanted to be free, wanted time to lose herself in whatever escape she could find.

Joel’s lips against her ear startled her. Remember, Faye, I’m an empath. I know what you’re feeling.

She smiled seductively, twisting to face him and wrapping her arms around his neck as she danced with him. Then you know why we’re here instead of out on the creature capture with Molly and Ben.

He nodded. Yes, but no drugs.

Spoil sport, she said with a chuckle. Sliding her hand down his side in a forward movement, she knew they would never do anything, but she could push her limits with him. She always pushed with him. What harm would a little dip do?

It could do a lot. Remember last year?

How could Faye forget. Nearly a year before she’d been so intoxicated with getting high and escaping she had done anything for heroin. Stealing thousands of dollars from Molly, not that it’d made a dent in Molly’s fortunes, and sneaking heroin at all times of the day and night just to find release and escape. It had been necessary then. She hadn’t wanted to think about what had happened in Colombia and Molly had been useless in helping her come to terms with rape and kidnapping.

Faye pressed her lips against Joel’s neck, smelling the blood flowing through his veins. Blood was her true sustainer, and Molly’s blood far more than anyone else’s. It had taken two years for Molly to finally admit why Faye craved her blood more than anyone else’s, why they would likely be forever linked together. Faye still wasn’t sure how she felt about fate’s twist there, but she could live with it if the sex was hot and the blood sustaining.

Faye caught sight of her two favorite bouncers coming toward her. They would give Joel a good lesson in what it meant to be a lover. Smirking and waving them over behind Joel’s back, the snake-like twins caught sight of her and joined on the dance floor. Faye spun around, the three of them paying her body as much attention as she could possibly stand before the twins no doubt became far more interested in Joel himself.

Slipping away, Faye made her way back to Aliya. She leaned onto the bar, her lips brushing Aliya’s cheek like they had many times as she whispered, Give me some to try.

Anything for you. Aliya’s mouth pressed against Faye’s, dragging her in close. Her hand skimmed the front of Faye’s body, dipping below the line of Faye’s clothes. The small plastic baggie of whatever it was deposited right where no one would see it. Aliya pulled back with a smirk. First is free.

And the second? You know it takes a lot for me.

This should do it.

Faye hummed and carded her thumb across Aliya’s high cheekbone that had either a natural shimmer to it or some kind of makeup she slathered on—Faye could never tell. And the second?

Tell me what you think of this first.

All right.

Joel was at her back, hands on her hips. Don’t leave me with them again.

Laughing, Faye rolled her eyes at Aliya and dragged Joel back to the dance floor with the snake-twins, making sure to give everyone as good at time as they were willing to have.

###

Molly breathed heavily, her back against the stone wall of the bridge. She stared across the way at the troll frozen in time in front of her, the torturous prison she had put him in. He didn’t move to speak to her, although she was fairly sure he was amused by the scenario she found herself in. Molly turned to look down at her youngest employee, Benjamin, the man she had partially raised and was still working on some of that as he came into his own Tainted side.

Where is it, boss?

She let out a sigh and glanced around the small bridge with the road running right through it. I don’t know.

They’d tracked the creature there that night and risked going out to get it just the two of them. Benjamin had barely any experience in the field, although the last few months he had stepped up his game in that area. Molly adored watching him grow and explore everything he could and would be.

Listening carefully, Molly waited to see if she could find it. The tranquilizer gun was pressed firmly into her hand and Ben had one with a net on it. Their goal was for her to shoot first and put the beast to sleep and then Ben to finish the capture, but they had yet to find it in a state where Molly could get a proper shot off.

The tension in her chest rose as she waited for it to show face again, but she had a feeling it was already gone. The creature was unlike anything she had ever seen before, which was odd considering she had lived nearly three-hundred years and had been ensconced in the creature capturing world for the better part of that.

This one, however, looked like a cross between a centipede, scorpion, with a man’s head covered in a fine layer of sheer slimy material. Every muscle in her body tensed as a vehicle drove under the bridge and she had to press herself to the wall to not be seen by the headlights.

She had promised Faye and Joel the night off, and she wanted to stick to that. They both deserved the break—Joel for everything he had done while Molly was under the curse and Faye because she needed to learn how to be a part of their team again and rekindle those connections after being thrust from the house.

Any signs of it? she asked Ben, risking a glance to where he stood next to her before she made sure to look around again.

None.

Your tracker?

Oh right. Ben pulled out a small sleek device and stared down at it.

Once again, Molly looked down at it and knew before Ben said anything that it was gone. They were going to have to do some research on what kind of creature it was and how best to capture it once they had more information because with they way it looked, Molly was sure the damage it had done was going to be catastrophic if they didn’t put an end to its reign.

It’s gone.

All right, she whispered. Let’s get home, and see if we can find some other ways to track it down or perhaps it’ll resurface in that time.

Molly stared at the troll across from them under the other half of the bridge, anger burning in her chest. She’d seen him since that fated night over twenty-five years before, yet none of the anger and hate she had felt for him had subsided since that twisted and cruel night.

Molly?

Yeah? She turned to Benjamin, surely with a look of utter disdain before she corrected it so he could know she wasn’t mad at him.

We going?

Yes. Straightening her back and pushing off the wall, Molly stepped out toward the troll. His features looked exactly the same, but she had frozen him in time in a prison that could only be released by herself—perhaps her entire fold. The pain it caused him every second he was in there was no substitute for the pain he caused her.

Molly?

Once again she had been caught lost to her own memories. Shaking her head, Molly put the weapon down to her side and focused on Ben as best she could. My apologies, Benjamin. I have seem to have lost my concentration.

It’s okay. He reached up and brushed fingers down the side of her arm before walking in front of her. We’ll catch him next time.

Right.

Molly followed Ben to their van they had parked six blocks away when they’d originally tried to capture the creature. Molly wasn’t sure if it was her failure or not, but it certainly wasn’t Ben’s. He was so new into embracing his Tainted side that he still hadn’t worked out how to be in tune with all of his abilities.

Ben drove them home, and as soon as they entered the iron gates to the small white-washed house that had been her main home for the better part of a century, relief washed over her. Calm seeped into her bones, and she relaxed as he drove the long winding driveway to the garage. As soon as they were parked, she cleaned up their equipment after sending him to do some research and put everything in its proper spot. The rhythm of cleaning eased her left over nerves of standing there with the troll, wondering just what he saw when he looked at her other than an old wretched crow who had put him in a prison. He’d probably think rather unjustly, but Molly knew better.

Molly walked through the upper floors of the house, checking on the rooms. Faye and Joel were still gone, which was no surprise to her, but everything else was quiet and just as it should be. Still unable to ease the ache in her heart, Molly took the elevator to the lower floors of her house, those underground, that housed every creature she had captured and more, those that were hidden from the public eye above who only saw a small white-washed house with large grounds in the middle of the old downtown area which was run down and hardly worth a second look.

She’d owned the property for two centuries, and when she’d bought it, she’d never thought it would become as much a home as it had, but Molly wouldn’t give up the memories the halls held for her. She walked through the long hallways of the lower levels, checking on each of the creatures she had living with her. Her heart stopped when she saw him standing at the other end of the hall, staring at her.

For whatever reason, Molly could not understand why Malek was still there, still living in her house, why he hadn’t up and run and left already as he was best at doing. Clenching her jaw, she walked toward him, his shock of blond hair perfectly combed on his head, the preppy polo shirt he always seemed to wear perfectly pressed and without a wrinkle. She felt like a dirty whore standing next to him covered in soot from under the bridge, her hair a mess.

Malek, she stated, hoping he would open the floor to the conversation for the questions she had yet to ask him in the four months since he’d taken up residence in one of the rooms on the lower levels of her house.

He smiled at her, eyes lighting as he raked his gaze up and down her body. No matter what she did, Molly couldn’t stop the swell in her chest and the shiver down her spine every time he did that, but she had zero desire to rekindle their liaison.

I take it you failed.

The word hit her hard. Molly refused to move her gaze from him as she stepped in closer, daring him to try and put her down. Staring in his eyes, she saw the lust in them she knew would be there. A failed capture is never a complete failure.

Without another word, Molly spun on her toes and left him standing there in the wake of her anger.

Chapter Two

Ben’s heart ached. He’d been the one to lose the centivalk, not Molly. She’d been on top of it until he had failed to help her keep track. Sitting at his work bench in the basement of the house, where he spent the majority of his time, Ben shoved his hands through his hair and let out a sigh. He felt awful.

The cool metal of the table against his elbows reminded him where he was, why he was there, but he’d never been able to master that side of himself. He’d always avoided it, to the point of taking medication to make sure he didn’t shift into something he didn’t want to be, someone who wasn’t him. But Ben wasn’t going to lie, that skill would have been massively helpful when trying to track the centivalk.

Rubbing his hands over his face, Ben turned up to look at his computers. Well, he’d been off his medication for a total of two months now after weaning off it and nothing had happened yet. Not even an inkling of shifting or feeling like he could shift.

He clenched his jaw and opened up his computer, transferring the data from the tracking device he’d brought with him on the capture. He wanted to work through the last chunk of their capture and see if he could figure out where the centivalk had gone. Then perhaps he could right his wrong.

He was deep into the data when the door to his workspace opened and shut. When he turned, he almost expected Faye to be there, but then he remembered she and Joel had gone out for the night, which only irked him even more. He wanted to be out with them. He understood the split of duties, that since he was going on more captures and doing more field work, he and Joel wouldn’t always have time together, but he wanted to be with them, sharing in the time together, having fun, letting off steam. He was after all Faye’s best friend, not Joel.

Find anything? Molly’s smooth British tones floated over him.

Ben shook his head and focused to the computer, his heart fluttering and his stomach tightening. He had to find something to make everything better compared to what he had done. He’d really fucked it all up.

Molly’s hand against his shoulder was warm and just what he needed to be grounded. She bent down and pressed a light kiss to his cheek. It’s not your fault.

It is. He snorted when he spat those words out.

Benjamin… Molly turned him on the stool, grabbing his cheeks and holding him so they stared at each other. It is not your fault. The creature is incredibly smart and adept at hiding.

I could have found it if I could have shifted.

You haven’t been able to explore your Tainted side yet. She gave him a pitying smile. The medication isn’t fully out of your system.

Rolling his eyes, Ben twisted back to his computer and effectively broke her hold on him. I haven’t been on it for two months. It’s out of my system, Molly.

Perhaps it did permanent damage then. We never knew what the long term consequences were.

Ben let out a breath, tears stinging at his eyes. That would just be perfect, wouldn’t it? He would have to be permanently human and his birthright forsaken. He should have done more thinking on taking the small white pills Molly had made for him when he was younger, but then again, he hadn’t wanted anything but to be normal. He was so afraid of what his Tainted side would do to others.

Benjamin, Molly pleaded again. This isn’t your fault.

He ignored her. Nothing Molly said was going to make him feel better, so he wasn’t even sure why she was bothering. He just wanted to pick up the trail of the centivalk while it was still hot and maybe get out there for a second chance at capturing it that night.

She stuck around for another minute before dropping a kiss to his hair and walking out of his work area, shutting the door behind her. Once again alone, Ben let out a sigh. He sent Joel a text, telling him he was having a shitty night, but he knew Joel likely wouldn’t get it any time soon and definitely wouldn’t be able to answer. He didn’t want to ruin Joel’s and Faye’s night off either. One night ruined was plenty.

Focusing back on his computer, Ben finished transferring the information into his desktop and then filtered through it. When the door opened again, he was going to turn and glare at Molly and kick her out again, but he was surprised to see Malek standing somewhat sheepishly just to the side.

Need something? Ben asked. Malek rubbed him the wrong way from the start. It was odd finding someone who knew so much about Molly but who was unwilling to share any of that information, and in fact, someone who seemed to lord that knowledge over everyone in the house. Faye really got annoyed with him quickly because of it.

I thought I could help.

With that?

Malek’s plump lips thinned, and he stepped in, the door closing behind him. With the centivalk.

Do you know much about it? Because we know jackshit.

Malek gave a wan smile. I know some. I’ve at least encountered one before, although I never was stupid enough to try and catch it.

You’ve seen one before?

Malek nodded. When I was very young, still in training myself.

Ben’s throat constricted. That would have been close to three hundred fifty years before. If it had been that long since the last centivalk had been seen, no wonder Molly was shocked to find it lurking in their city.

Are you going to share more than that or just stare at me like I’m psychic? Ben hadn’t meant his tone to come out so brash, but he was exhausted after a long day of work and then a failed capture. If Malek had information for him, he wanted it sooner rather than later, and he wanted to be able to do something with it.

Malek stepped farther into the room but still maintained his distance. All I remember are rumors about how they could vanish at the snap of someone’s fingers.

Ben cocked his head to the side. Go on.

It had terrorized that town for near a decade, and they hadn’t been able to capture it or kill it. One person had managed to attack it, but the outer shell was very tough.

Is that why you were called in?

Malek shook his head. No, I happened upon there by accident.

What happened?

Eventually the town died.

Ben stiffened. What do you mean died?

The centivalk killed them all, and I presume, moved on to the next place.

Great, Ben muttered. Do you remember anything else?

Malek shook his head.

Okay, well, thanks. I guess. Ben knew Molly was likely holed up in her office with books strewn about as she tried to research the damn thing and find someway to track it better, but Ben was just as much at a loss for how to do that now than he was before. Malek took the dismissal for what it was and left Ben to his own devices. Ben tried his best to keep his mind off his own failure to shift and track the centivalk and instead focused as much of his energy as possible on finding the creature again.

###

Faye grabbed Joel’s hand as they stepped out of the underground club in the sewers. The fresh damp air hit her face as she drew in a deep breath. Pressing her head to Joel’s shoulder as she walked with him along the sidewalk, her body thrummed from the beat of the club as it left her.

Let’s go visit my friend.

The troll? he asked.

Yeah. It’s been so long since I’ve visited him.

Sure. We can do that.

Faye smiled and squeezed his arm lightly. I want to get something for him. I promise you, it’s not for me.

Get what?

Looking into Joel’s blue eyes, Faye let out a breath. Of course he wouldn’t know. She was pretty sure she was the only person who knew anything about her troll as she’d come to think of him. Most people just thought he was a tourist attraction staple in their fair city.

I promise you, it’s not for me.

Joel narrowed his gaze at her, no doubt feeling her nerves at even bringing the topic up but also her excitement from it. It had been so many months since since she’d been high, and while she didn’t plan on using the heroin she bought, the two small pills shoved into the edge of her bra were enough cause of excitement, and she did plan on trying them.

My friend is imprisoned, you know that.

Yeah, Joel answered.

It’s painful for him to be stuck frozen in place. Usually when I can visit him, I bring him something that can help ease his pain for a little, give him some relief.

Joel’s lips thinned, but he nodded. Faye grabbed his hand, and she turned away from the bridge and walked down toward the pier where the man in the red hat was. She purchased just a small amount for her friend, bartering for a needle since she hadn’t brought one with her.

On the walk back toward, Faye wrapped her arm around Joel’s and pressed her head into his shoulder. Thank you for coming out tonight. I know it’s more my scene than yours.

He snorted. As much as it is, Faye, I still enjoyed it.

Good. She gave a sad smile. Molly would never be caught dead there.

You might be surprised, Joel muttered.

Really?

He shrugged. She’s been there before, though from my understanding it’s been a long time since she’s returned.

How long has the club been operational?

About a century, or something like that. It’s changed since then, but it’s kind of always been a safe haven for Tainted.

Faye processed that information. She’d known it’d been there since she’d moved to their fair city but hadn’t realized it’d been quite so long. Finally they reached the bridge. Faye let go of Joel’s arm and smiled at her troll friend. He looked scary in some ways. Half his body above ground while the other half remained underneath.

Most humans thought he was just a statue and nothing more. A tourist site for those who visited. His face was elongated, looking almost as if his skin was drooping off with his age. Faye knew better. He would come alive, and his skin would turn to be like leather, shifting around as he barely moved what he could in order to visit with her.

Crawling up his hand to his arm then his shoulder, Faye patted his cheek. Care for a visit, my friend?

It took time for him to move, the rattling of stone moving against stone as he came alive. Faye waited patiently, knowing this was the most painful part of the prison for him. As soon as his eyes lit up on her, she smiled at him.

I brought relief.

Then don’t wait. His voice was deep, and he spoke slowly, his entire body frozen in time slowing down Faye’s world every time they spoke.

I won’t. Faye went to work mixing the heroin powder she’d bought with some water. I brought a friend with me today, hope you don’t mind.

He’s young.

She snorted. We’ve had this conversation before, my dear friend. Everyone is young compared to me and you.

Who is he?

Joel! Faye called, beckoning him to join her from his place on the sidewalk under the bridge.

He gave her a wary look but did follow the path she’d made, climbing up to sit next to her on the troll’s oversized shoulder.

Good to meet you, properly, Joel added.

Likewise. You work for the witch?

Joel nodded sharply. I do.

Be careful with your life, the troll answered until he hissed when Faye dipped the needle into his tough skin and depressed the drug into his body. She watched his features change as relief flooded him.

Tossing the needle behind her troll, Faye brushed her fingers over his skin then dipped her fingers below her bra line. She couldn’t wait any longer. She wanted to try out the two small pills she’d acquired at the club and see how they would affect her, what kind of high she would get. Worrying that only two pills wouldn’t be enough, Faye popped them in her mouth and swallowed before turning to Joel who still had his eyes riveted on the troll.

We were out tonight, Faye stated. I convinced Joel here to visit you because it has been far too long, my friend.

Yes, too long, her troll answered. Your witch was here earlier.

Was she? Faye leaned forward to catch his eye and smiled at him. With Ben?

Yes. He held out the last consonant, hissing.

Are you feeling better, friend?

The troll nodded. Faye shifted a glance to Joel. She wondered briefly how long it would take for her own indulgence to hit. Pills took longer than injection, but even though, she’d only had two pills and with her body makeup, her metabolism, her healing abilities, it often took her a whole lot more to get high than the average person—like insane amounts. She wondered if she’d feel it at all.

Faye pressed her cheek to her troll and stared at Joel. I took Joel here down to the club tonight.

Her troll snorted. He does not fit in.

Faye smirked as she looked the silent Joel over. H doesn’t, but he enjoyed it. So did I.

Joel scrunched his nose