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After a quick shower, I changed into a pair of black side-laced skinny jeans, a gray T-back Inksomnia tank, and black chunky Mary Janes, and added a black lace choker Pulling s free, I added ht to Josie, and vice versa--just as I’d figured There wasn’t a soul around who could refuse Nyx--even if that soul was daer sister, and after I’d shown her Josie’s incredible artwork, they hit it off
It was just after noon when Eli, Phin, and Luc walked into Inksoes that I paused in --they were totally fan-freaking-fine before All three had the bad-boy look, reckless, faded jeans, T-shirt, boots But no they’d stroll straight into the Panic Room and no one would be the wiser; they’d think the Duprés were truly into the Goth/urban scene I grinned "Looks like Mullet did you guys right," I said, and inspected all three "Poster boys of Gnaw Bone Brand Urban Wear"
"Sweet," Nyx said with approval, and I introduced around the rooed everyone
Phin’s already close-cut hair fit perfectly with the dark gray urban decayed pants, black ripped T-shirt, and thick-buckled boots He walked up to ue "Ouch," I said as I checked out the new silver tongue ball "How’d that feel?"
"I’ll tell ya later," he said, sle strand of hair on his head, stood with his arms folded over his chest, his postapocalyptic jeans and ripped gray shirt ular I peered closer and noted the sh his botto his ear lobes I save a nod of approval "Nice"
Eli stood back, watching me with intensity as I inspected his brothers, until I turned my full attention to him "Come here," I said, and he walked closer A small silver hoop pierced his left brow, and I admit--it was dead sexy I nodded "Good job" I duckedon the shoulder of an ar the other Duprés the ins and outs of Inksomnia She uploaded one of Josie’s art files to our computer, then printed it out as a tattoo transfer Josie squealed and declared that it was totally cool
After a while, all four Duprés left and went upstairs for their two-hour vampire siesta Nyx finished up early and headed out, while I inked a fewup a barbed arraders For soave her sa me closely When Gene the Raven cawed as the won to CLOSED I stood staring out into the waning afternoon as tourists wearing Bermuda shorts, T-shirts, and capris bustled by, and noticed the dark clouds swirling overhead andin over the riverfront Even indoors I could feel the change as so dark, ominous, settled over the city Maybe it was because I was privy to it; maybe it was because I anticipated it Either way,uniinable foes--ones who held my brother prisoner--and I couldn’t help but wonder what Seth was doing at that very moment Or even whether he kneas Seth any beside inning," he said with an assured voice "If you have any hesitations at all, you’d better speak up" I glanced up, and at the sa back, and things will only get harder If they sense you, they’ll hunt you And trust me--they won’t stop until they have you"
"Hesitations aren’t in h I was sure by they Elias those effers have ainst the wall, his hands braced on either side ofwith his black hair, pale skin, pierced brow, and darker looks "If they ever caught a whiff of that blood running through your veins, you would not be able to stop them" He cocked his head and studied me "They would descend upon you like a pack of hyenas Your brother’s strength and agility grows every day Only, their stomachs aren’t prepared for huht They have the craving, the desire--but don’t kno to act on it" He frowned "Yet"
"So teach h ainst the brick wall of the shop I knew then that my desires had beco, forcing the edges of the spacious tattoo parlor to slam in around me "If I can’t beat them, or outrun them, teach me how to kill them"
A look of disbelief crossed Eli’s features "Would you be able to rah your brother’s heart if he ca nausea crept up ht of it, and I knew I’d die before ever turning on Seth "No," I said I lifted aze "But the Arcoses I’d kill No problem"
Eli studied me for several seconds, and I waited as patiently as I could Patience wasn’t exactly a trait I’d ever claimed, and the lack of it was now kicked into overdrive as Eli’s body hovered so close to mine, silent, powerful, exotic Slowly, he pushed away from me
"I’ll speak to h he’d pushed away frorab him by the collar of his already ripped shirt and yank his mouth down to mine "There are ways for a mortal to kill a vampire, but they’re old ways--pried a knuckle over aze raked over me "You squeamish, Poe?"
My body reacted without my brain’s perh I didn’t get the saotten dozens of times before with mortals, I was fascinated to watch as Eli’s eyes dilated just a hair, and he stifled the shallowest of gasps Balls were balls, I guessed Still, he stood over me, and a srinned back "Not squeamish at all"