Aline Hunter - Marked

Chloe Bryant studied the moon, shivering despite the fact the glowing orb wasnt entirely fullyet. For two more nights it was safe for the average person to venture into the city. Although supernatural creatures would be out and about, none would slip into violent tendencies.

At least, she hoped they wouldnt.

A loud, ear-piercing shrill attracted her attention. She looked out the window of the cab, watching a police car rush by. The blue and red lights on the top flashed like Christmas lights, bright and blinding. Sadly, the sight didnt give her a large measure of comfort. Mortal law enforcement could only serve and protect in a limited capacity. She hadnt been born before the world discovered things like vampires and werewolves were real but shed heard about how things used to be. Human governments had changed decades ago, after theyd discovered they were pretty much powerless against things that went bump in the night.

When you couldnt fight an enemy, you acclimated.

Fight the fights you could win. Turn a blind eye to those youd lose.

The cabbie shifted in his seat and hit the meter. Cash or credit?

Credit.

She tried not to fidget as the drivera man who wasnt entirely humanpushed a few buttons on the dash. The device for credit cards bolted into the mesh screen separating the front and back seats blinked to life. Trying not to wince at the ungodly cost, she swiped her card and pushed the necessary buttons to complete the transaction. Her heart raced, fear and anxiety bleeding together.

The driver looked at her through the rearview mirror, his eyes an iridescent shade of red. Its not too late to go home, Little Red, he said quietly, the words a throaty whisper. The big, bad wolves will eat you up.

Excuse me?

A human shouldnt be alone around here.

She started, her gaze meeting his through the mirror. How did you know?

That youre human? When she nodded, staring at the man in horror, he laughed. Are you kidding? Rotating in his seat, he studied her. Have you looked in a mirror recently? You scream young, innocent and human. Those eyes of yours might fool some people but not me. He tapped the tip of his nose and sniffed. My sense of smell is better than most. Youre different but youre definitely human.

She felt a blush heat her cheeks. So hed noticed her oddly colored green irisesirises that had started to change recently. Yes, she was different. How? She didnt know. She was only aware of the mark on her wrist that had seemed to come to life in the last few weeks. Strange sensations and occurrences had soon followed, starting with sensitivity to scents. After shed gotten her nose under control, her sense of taste kicked in.

Gorging on meat? Fine and dandy. Nibbling on salad and leafy veggies? No way in hell. Even slathered in dressing, a salad tasted like sandpaper. Her stomach and taste buds rebelled, modifying her food choices.

Then the changes in her body had started.

Her skin had started itching without warning, and the mark etched into her flesh sometimes burned horribly. Her grandparents had become concerned, noticing the changes in her behavior and the lightening of her irises when she became angry or upset. Their constant staring at her birthmarkat dinner, when she helped with chores or when she was relaxing in the living roomprompted her to venture to a tattoo parlor in a dangerous area to remove any trace of the dark crescent shape decorating her pale skin.

As though reminding her of its presence, her birthmark started to itch. Despite becoming a recent habit, she managed not to rub the spot. It felt as though the skin heated from the inside when she thought about the inch-long crescent shape, throbbing in harmony with the drumming of her heart. Since her mother had died when she was only a babyleaving her in the care of her grandparentsshe was afraid to ask too many questions about the damn thing.

Gram and Gramps didnt like the reddened skin and told her she could never let anyone see it. To complicate matters, the only person she could talk to was her best friend. Of course, personal conversations of the kooky-kind only happened when Rachel was in the mood to discuss such things. Her childhood confidante seemed as skeeved-out by the strange mark as her family. Not to mention Rachel tended to avoid things that made her feel uncomfortablemeaning all things preternatural. That was the primary reason Chloe had made the trip to The Wolfs Den alone, without asking Rachel to tag along.

Listen. The driver cocked his head, watching her closely. She tried not to stare at his slightly pointed ears, wondering for a moment precisely what kind of creature he was. Once you leave this car, youre on your own. A temptation like you wont make it out of The Wolfs Den. Is what youre here for worth the risk?

A shiver ran down her spine and she averted her eyes.

Was it worth the risk? Hell if she knew.

She hadnt thought coming to Atrum Hilla dangerous part of Black Countywould be that dangerous. All she wanted was to slap a tattoo over the mark on her wrist. She didnt plan on sticking around. In fact, shed programmed the cab companys phone number into her cell. Her grandparents were celebrating their anniversary with dinner and a movie so time wasnt an issue. If she stayed inside the parlor, no one would see her. She just had to make it inside, get what she came for and return home before midnight like a modern day Cinderella.

But why do you want to make it inside? What is it about this place you cant shake?

Its worth the risk, she mumbled, getting back on track. She was here now. There was no way she was running like a coward.

Youre sure?

No, she wasnt sure. That was the reason she hadnt climbed out of the vehicle. She was waiting for a dose of courage to kick in. Her birthmark ached, a sharp, biting burn like needles in her skin. An inner compulsion told her she was doing the right thing, even though she had no idea what the right thing was.

Damn it.

Hiding the mark wouldnt stop the weird things shed been experiencing recentlythings her doctor hadnt been able to explain. Anxiety. An increased appetite. Dreams of a man who made her heart race and her body tingle.

Shed never seen her dream lovers face, but she couldnt deny the connection they shared. Somehow she knew him, and it was more than dreams of sexual grandeur. Deep down the man felt far more important. It wasnt about sex. It was about a deeper bond, bringing them closer and closer together. She knew one day the dreams would take on an importance in her life. She just didnt know how or why. If she were being honest, during the last few weeks nothing seemed to make a whole lot of sense.

If money is an issue, the driver offered when she didnt respond, I know of a parlor you can visit in the county. But I have to warn you, you get what you pay for.

Damn it.

What he said was true enough. Human tattoo artists could give her what she wanted. However, they didnt appeal to herthey didnt call to herlike The Wolfs Den. Something deep inside her felt drawn to the place. Why? It was another mystery shed yet to solve. Shed never ventured to Atrum Hill before, viewing the city only through the television when she watched the news. Her friends avoided the area and her grandfather would kill her for even thinking about coming here.

If Gramps finds out, therell be hell to pay.

Thank you for the concern but money isnt an issue. She tried to sound amicable but the mans interference was beginning to annoy her. Ive waited weeks for this appointment. Im not backing out.