A Light In The Heart Of Darkness

His eyes were already full of lust as his face took on the look of a predator. He had been after her for a long time and she never would give him the time of day. Well now that her two bodyguards weren’t around to stop him, she wasn’t going to get away that easily.

Hyakuhei viewed the scene happening mere feet from him with interest. He could see the guy perfectly but was only privy to the back of the female. ‘That girl…’ His eyes took on an eerie glow as he watched her. He could smell her nervousness and purity so much that it was overpowering to his senses.

As for the guy that held her, his lust was so thick in the air, it could be tasted. Hyakuhei’s eyes narrowed as the need to kill the punk began to burn within his veins. He started forward only to find a shield of rainbow dust blocking his path. The soothing glitter settled as he leaned back against the wall once more narrowing his eyes suspiciously. She was protected by the immortal?

He reached out and touched what was left of the barrier and let the soothing feeling wash over him. Such a calming affect would not suppress his evil intentions for long. “Little boys and their games,” he smirked as his midnight eyes returned to the girl.

Her aura had caught him completely off guard. His gaze roamed her lovely body and her skin glowed like the dew on a flower before dawn’s first light. The need to touch her overwhelmed his senses as he took another unknown step toward her… this time ignoring the annoying immortal’s shield of protective glitter.

Just as he was about to take the girl into his own arms, another wave of possessiveness hit him like a physical blow. The familiar aura caressed his senses, one that he hadn’t felt in decades. Taking one last look at the girl he had mentally claimed, his dark eyes softened briefly as he made his decision. He would have her… soon.

A smile tilted his cunning lips at the new aura as he backed into the darkness out of sight. “So, my wayward Kyou has decided to join in the game… let us see what his intentions truly are.”

******

Toya burst into the apartment he shared with Shinbe but when he didn’t see his friend he started instantly yelling. “Shinbe, where the hell are you?” His anger was high and for obvious reasons he had a very bad feeling about Kyoko’s safety, especially after Kotaro had informed him about the other missing girls… so many.

Already his nerves were shot and if he didn’t lay eyes on Kyoko soon, he was going to break something. Then again, when he did lay eyes on her, she would be lucky if he let her out of his sight again… ever. If he had his way, he would permanently handcuff her to him for safekeeping.

Shinbe stepped out of the bathroom buttoning his icy-blue shirt and looking like he was going out on the town. “I’m here, where’s the fire?” He sat down on the sofa and started putting his shoes on like he didn’t have a care in the world.

Kotaro stood behind Toya waiting to see if Shinbe had any information on Kyoko’s whereabouts. Leaning against the kitchen counter, he watched as Toya towered over Shinbe.

If Toya remembered what Shinbe had done for him in the past, he would probably show the guy more respect. Kotaro tilted his head at a funny angle rethinking that. ‘No he wouldn’t’, he corrected himself. Watching the boy’s temper spike would have been amusing if Kyoko wasn’t missing.

“I’ve lost Kyoko and now I can’t find Suki either!” Toya twitched when Shinbe didn’t even look up at him.

Shinbe's smug smile was definitely getting on Toya’s last nerve. If Shinbe weren’t already half brain dead from Suki always hitting him in the head, Toya would have added to the brain damage. But right now he wanted his friend conscious and answering his questions.

Shinbe finished tying his shoes knowing Suki was going to hate him for this but he didn’t care. He would make it up to her. They always had fun when making up from a fight… he eyes glazed over at the pleasant thought. Making up would be fun…

Hearing a dangerous growl Shinbe quickly snapped his attention back to his friend cocking an eyebrow calmly. “What?”

“Shinbe, damn it! I’m not fucking around! Where the hell are Suki and Kyoko?” Toya snapped, his golden eyes piercing his friend like a knife. If Shinbe didn’t answer him soon, he knew he was going to blow.

Shinbe frowned in confusion when he noticed Kotaro leaning against the bar. Toya and the security guard did not even like each other, much less hang out together. His chest tightened. “I don’t know for sure, but Suki dumped me tonight saying she was going out with a friend, though she didn’t say who.”

When Toya started swearing again Shinbe stood up. “Wait, I’m not finished so keep your pants on. While I was at her apartment earlier, I saw a flyer on her counter about Club Midnight and today’s date was circled on it.” He grinned lecherously. “I was just getting ready to go there and see if I could find her.”

Kotaro sighed while Toya started some rampage about stupid girls. Not wanting to waste time he turned to the door. “Thanks Shinbe,” he threw over his shoulder as he took off now more worried than ever. He only hoped Kamui was with her… protecting her somehow.

Shinbe cocked his head to the side looking over Toya’s shoulder as Kotaro left, and then he straightened back up to frown at Toya. “What is going on and why was Kotaro here?” Concern flashed in his amethyst eyes. He had always liked Kotaro but he couldn’t confess that to Toya without being labeled a traitor.

Toya grabbed his keys off the bar as he answered. “I’ll tell you on the way.”

He turned and started for the door, not even bothering to make sure Shinbe was behind him. He hated being without Kyoko. It always made him feel like he was wandering around confused. It was time to find her and put her back in her place… beside him.

Chapter 5

Kyoko didn’t like the way Yohji was holding her flush against him and she felt her resentment start to snap. Pushing as hard as she could with her palms pressed against his chest, her eyes shot angry sparks as she tried again to get him to let her go.

“Look, I need you to let me go right now Yohji! I am here with someone.” Her eyes widened when he simply gave her a smug look and pressed her back to her previous position. ‘Damn it!’ Kyoko fumed as she gave a stomp with her foot, trying to make it land on Yohji’s toe.

Across the room, Tasuki had brought some regular tea back to the table and set it down. Looking towards the door to see if he could spot Kyoko, his eyes darkened as he noticed Yohji harassing her. Most people who knew him believed Tasuki to be the all American, sweet, boy next-door and the most popular at school… but he did have a hidden temper.

Yohji was on the verge of witnessing it unleashed, if he didn’t take his hands off Kyoko.

Tasuki's anger was displayed on his face as he crossed the room to rescue his sweet Kyoko. He knew, from hearing others talk at the college, that Yohji and his brother were aggressive with girls and had even been accused of date rape more than once.

As he approached them, he saw Yohji’s brother, Hitomi, standing with him but didn’t let that stop him. Those two guys were poison and he knew it. Tasuki’s eyes took on an illuminated shade of amethyst as he moved forward. His adrenaline was high and he gritted his teeth seeing Kyoko struggle to get free.

Kyoko’s eyebrow started to twitch as Yohji’s hand traveled down her back and cupped her butt firmly, forcing her to arch into him. She could feel his lust as he smirked devilishly at her.

“That’s it!” She raised her hand so swiftly that Yohji hadn’t seen it coming, until he heard the crack of it echo in his ear.

Yohji’s brother, Hitomi, heard the sound and turned to look at the red cheek of his brother. He grinned knowingly but then looking past him, he observed the boy named Tasuki heading straight for his brother with a livid look on his face.

Knowing his brother could take care of the reluctant girl himself, Hitomi stepped around them and directly into Tasuki's path. “Just where do you think you’re going little boy?”

Tasuki looked past Hitomi, his eyes instantly clashing with Yohji's. He could see Yohji’s hand caress Kyoko’s… without thinking, he threw all his weight into the punch landing it right in Hitomi’s stomach. Much to his amazement, the other boy barely moved.

Being so much bigger than the college prep, with one punch, Hitomi sent Tasuki sprawling toward the far wall of the hallway. He shrugged, figuring the boy would not get back up and he turned back to watch his brother play with his new toy.

Seeing the girl fight for her release brought a smile to Hyakuhei’s lips. ‘So, this girl will not be handled so easily. I will take pleasure in breaking her.’ Watching the young man that had come to defend her honor, Hyakuhei decided on who he wanted as his newest recruit.

He swiftly caught the boy named Tasuki before he slammed into the wall.

His senses told him the boy was still pure… a virgin… how strange. Quickly cloaking them in darkness to keep others from seeing, Hyakuhei gazed down at him. He had watched him interact with this girl and several others. He would be a good choice.

“Welcome to the darkness, my son...” He whispered as he sank his fangs into Tasuki's vein. Hyakuhei’s eyes widened at the flavor of the boy’s blood. Hidden power? It tasted of amethyst. He gripped the boy tighter wanting more.

Tasuki had taken the blow to the face with stride since he had so much adrenaline pumping through him. He planned on getting right back up but as arms enveloped him from behind, everything turned black and he felt paralyzed with instant fear. A soft almost seductive voice welcomed him to darkness.

He gasped as he felt sharp teeth sink into the flesh of his neck. As his life drained from him, his last thoughts were of Kyoko and how much he needed to get to her. He was reaching out his hand in one last attempt to go to her when oblivion came, claiming his last breath.

*****

Kyoko’s hand still burned from the impact it had made with Yohji’s cheek. She wanted to cringe now that she could feel many interested eyes on her. It didn’t help that the slap had sounded like a freaking gunshot.

‘Damn it all!’ This was what she had been trying to avoid, but no, Yohji had to go and be such an ass. Speaking of asses, he had yet to remove his hand from hers. She slowly glanced back up at him. From the angry look in his eyes, she didn’t think he planned on letting her go at all.

She returned the heated glare, waiting to see if he would pay her back or let her go. If she were the type to place bets… she would bet on the first option.

Kyou could tell the small wisp of a girl was no match for the lust coming from the guy holding her so tightly. He mentally shredded the lecher for daring to touch what he intended to claim as his possession. It suddenly didn’t matter to him if Hyakuhei detected him or not as he made up his mind. Just as Kyou moved to step out of the shadows, intent on taking her away from the harasser, he heard a deep growl.

Momentarily stunned, Kyou knew that kind of growl was only known to come from a Lycan. His golden eyes followed the sound to its source as it continued to vibrate from the entrance only a couple of feet from the girl. The wolf’s rage flooded the crowded hallway.

Kyou’s eyes narrowed on the scene, wondering if he could trust such an ageless strength within reaching distance of the girl. He had not seen a Lycan since he had been first turned and then he had only watched from a distance. He remembered once telling Toya that Vampires and werewolves didn’t mingle. Toya had asked him why and he hadn’t answered him because he had only been repeating Hyakuhei’s words and had not known the reason for it.