Creatus Series Boxed Set Read online

Lyn shifted his scrutiny back to Derrick. “He saw you, Derrick.”

  “What?” Derrick bolted off the bench.

  “Sit down.”

  Derrick plopped back down, but glared at his brother. He couldn’t believe that he’d ratted him out. He probably thought it was for his own good, and he was sure he hadn’t told anyone other than his father, but still. His own brother? How could he?

  “Who is she?” his father continued.

  Derrick shook his head. “No one. Just a fellow student,” he lied lightly, but it was the truth. As much as he didn’t want her to be just a friend, Janelle and he had done nothing but talk.

  “Are you seeing each other?”

  “No…not in the way you mean. We intern together and have had a few study sessions.”

  Michael raised his head. “And you’ve been following her home after work…in watching gear.”

  “Is that true?” his father demanded.

  He released a breath. “I’m not watching, Dad. I know the law. Only her. She has an eight-year-old daughter, lives alone, in a horrible part of town… She might as well have a sign on her back that says ‘rob me’.”

  “Derrick…” His father released a long breath. “We can’t interfere—”

  “You of all people—”

  “Don’t interrupt me, son, and times have changed. And the two of you, you’re special. We can’t afford…if anyone found out…we’d lose both of you.”

  “Okay…I’ll figure out something. I’ll figure out how to get her out of there…” He stood again, only this time respectfully. “I just need a few weeks, and then I’ll figure out how to get her the money to move.”

  His father shook his head. “No…it has to stop now. If anything does happen…there are cameras everywhere. No. I’m sorry, son.”

  Derrick ran his hands through his hair, but he didn’t have to second-guess what he was about to say. “Then I quit. I’ll leave the family.”

  Lyn rested his hand on his shoulder. “Derrick, what are you thinking? Have you fallen for her?”

  “No, I swear we’re just friends, but there’s a connection. I can’t explain it. I don’t know what it is, but I can’t…I can’t abandon her.”

  Lyn squeezed his arm. “I don’t want you to continue, but I don’t want you to leave either. I’ll get back with you tomorrow. See if I can come up with anything.”

  “Thanks, Dad. She doesn’t work tonight, so I’ll stay away.”

  His father walked off, leaving Michael and him standing in the park. So much for breakfast, and now he had to deal with Michael. He was supposed to meet Janelle for lunch today. He could at least cancel that. It’d hurt, but his father was right. The longer he let this go, the harder it’d be. They really were just friends, but he knew if he wasn’t careful, that status could change at any given time. Her heart had started to race more often when he got close to her, and she’d brushed her hand up against him more than a few times the last time they’d studied. Something about having to whisper, feeling her warm breath on his ear, made the library more dangerous than a romantic restaurant.

  “So, Bro, what do you want to do today? Maybe we could go back to your place and discuss ideas for my new position. I have a few things I want to run by you. Stuff I can start working on while I’m at school even.”

  Michael wanted to do something other than get drunk and pick up girls? “Sounds good, man. Let me just make a call.”

  Derrick strolled away from Michael, but then, even though he thought it was impersonal, he decided he’d text Janelle. No matter how low he spoke, Michael would hear him.

  Sorry. In a meeting. Can’t make lunch. D. He knew it’d be a few minutes; she was slow. He’d shown her how to use T9, but she hated it.

  It’s OK. I’m going to pick up a shift at work anyway.

  She also refused to abbreviate, said her education wouldn’t allow it. He was surprised she’d even shortened ‘okay’. But she was going to work? That meant that he’d lied to his father. Well, at the time he hadn’t lied. Just one more night.

  OK. Stay safe.

  Always. :)

  Derrick snapped his phone closed and headed back to Michael.

  “So tell me about this new chica. You dog—”

  “Mike, I’m really not in the mood, and I’d rather this not get to anyone else. I’ve done nothing wrong. Hell, I haven’t even kissed Janelle. We’re just friends. But if this got back to Tori…”

  “You think she’d finally throw in the towel?”

  Derrick shook his head, resisting laughing at his brother’s apparent excitement at that prospect. So Tori had at least two potential suitors other than him, and he was sure there were others at school from other parts of the world who’d jump at the chance to be with her. If she’d take her focus off him, maybe she’d see that. But, Michael or Jonas? He didn’t want her with either of them. Neither was good enough for her.

  “No, I don’t think she would, but it’d still upset her, and the last thing I want is to hurt Tori.”

  “I know, man. She’s a great woman. I just wish—let’s go.”

  Not wanting to talk about this anymore, Derrick was fine with not knowing what Michael wanted to say. He’d listen to what Michael had for ideas, and then he’d figure out how to get away for fifteen minutes.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Derrick took the same path he always did as he followed Janelle home, watching that she made it to her second-story apartment before one of the crack heads that lived a block away robbed her for the few bucks she might be carrying. He also kept an eye on the man who’d spent only six months in jail on a rape charge.

  Janelle Heskin was smart, though, so she’d make it out of here soon enough. Not soon enough for his liking, but all he could do was watch. She wouldn’t understand if he gave her the money to move, and she’d never accept a handout. Maybe his uncle could set up a grant for medical students. Through some dummy corporation they used to buy safe houses. That’d work.

  “Caught ’cha!” Michael said, plopping down in front of him.

  Derrick shoved him out of the way, then charged around the next building, moving quickly so he’d lose his younger brother. He wasn’t supposed to run, but it was dark, and he was dressed all in black. Most residents were too oblivious to pay anyone attention anyway. One of the reasons he felt compelled to watch over Janelle. If she even had a car, he’d feel better. She didn’t think walking a few blocks was unsafe, but it was. Not only because she was outside in the open, but because she did it regularly. Druggies knew how to get quick money. They staked out homes where they knew they’d find guns and jewelry, and they knew waitresses walked out with cash, enough to buy a night’s worth of partying.

  He reached the next block, and Michael landed in front of him with a soft thud.

  “Get lost, Mike!” Derrick grunted, making a dash for his Navigator parked at the end of the block.

  Michael jogged up alongside of him. “You said you weren’t coming tonight.”

  Derrick stopped and crossed his arms, tucking his fists closely to his side so that he wasn’t tempted to punch his little brother, who was actually larger than he was. “Since when is it your job to monitor my movements?”

  Michael grinned. “Since you agreed to put me in charge of national security.”

  “Not to watch me, Mike. Your job is to watch the authorities.”

  He harrumphed, but it came out like a growl. “I wouldn’t have to monitor the authorities if certain creatus didn’t show off their abilities. No one has questioned our existence in years. I think Dad wanted me to watch you.”

  Derrick walked toward his vehicle again, turning his back on his brother. In a flash, Mike was at the passenger door. Even though he didn’t want to, Derrick hit the ‘unlock’ button. “Look who’s talking.”

  “Yeah, well, if I didn’t have to keep an eye on you…” he trailed off, then reached for the stereo, turning on some new age rock station Derrick hated. Probably just to irritate him.
/>
  Michael had a lot to learn, the reason creatus stayed and taught at their private schools until they were thirty-five.

  “I only watch her when she picks up her daughter and walks home.”

  “How about when she goes out at night…”

  “She hardly ever goes out at night.” Thank goodness, he thought.

  “But somehow you’re there when she does.”

  “Are you stalking me, Mike?”

  His brother grinned again. “Just trying out some new toys.”

  “Whatever it is…get rid of it,” Derrick demanded. “I’m not your concern.”

  Michael rolled his eyes. “Such a grouch… Let’s go out. We haven’t gone out alone since I got here. For that matter, we didn’t go out together when I was home for a couple of weeks last summer either.”

  Derrick scanned his mirrors before changing lanes, then glared at his brother. “That’s because every time we go out, you hook up with a woman and ditch me.”

  “I always find a woman who has a hot friend. It’s not my fault you’re a prude.”

  “Thought you didn’t like humans, Mike.”

  “I’m not dating them…”

  Derrick sighed. His brother was a male slut. “That makes it okay?”

  “Yep.”

  “Whatever.”

  Although his family should discipline Michael for his aberrant ways, they didn’t. As long as he didn’t befriend humans and bring them home, no one chastised him. The only concern his family had was getting too close. Because if a human didn’t fall…if they ever left… Derrick couldn’t even imagine. He’d never heard of his kind killing a human unless they were a rogue. But…creatus kept to their own kind. Most of them socialized as briefly as possible with humans, so there would never be a chance of falling in love with someone who might not ever fall completely.

  Derrick decided just to go home. He didn’t feel like doing anything. The last thing he wanted was to be out hitting the bars after he’d told Janelle he was too busy to have lunch.

  As soon as he pulled into the parking garage, his phone chimed: We’re going for ice cream. If you’re close, want to come?

  Janelle was inviting him out…to meet her daughter even. He’d been right. She was softening to him. He wanted to, but he couldn’t. He promised his father. But…he couldn’t let them go alone either. He’d just watch, then come right back.

  Sorry. Still in meeting. Have fun. :)

  Her text came back immediately; she’d been waiting. It’s okay. No smiley face. Not like her. She knew it was over. She’d said she only wanted to be friends, but she knew he’d pulled back.

  Derrick stopped by the elevator instead of parking. “I have to go do something.”

  Michael narrowed his eyes. “What happened?”

  “Nothing. I just have to do something.”

  Michael threw the shifter into park and pulled out the keys. “No.” He jumped out and darted for the stairwell.

  Derrick shot out of the vehicle and bounded over it, landing in Michael’s path. “Give me the keys.”

  Like an immature brat, Michael raised the keys above his head.

  No way was he jumping for them. “Give me the keys, Michael. I won’t ask again.”

  “Where’re you going?”

  “You know where I’m going.”

  “But you told Dad—”

  Derrick had warned him. He released his fist into Michael’s jaw. His brother’s arms came down, but he still didn’t release the keys. Instead, he squared off with him. “Let’s go.”

  Derrick shook his head. “I have no wish to fight you, little brother.”

  “Haven’t you noticed, Derrick? I’m not the little brother anymore.”

  Michael hadn’t been smaller for a long time, but maybe he was speaking of physical strength. He was fresh out of martial arts class, so he was antsy to practice his skills.

  “Give me the damn keys, now!” Derrick seethed. “I’m not going to grapple with you, Mike. If you make me fight you, I’m going to take you out in one punch. Do you hear me? That last hit was a love tap. I’ve had nothing to do in the last year but study and train. I haven’t gotten sloppy, believe me.”

  His brother stuffed the keys in his back pocket. “You’ll have to take them from me. I’m not going to let you ruin all of our lives for a crush. Bang her and get her out of your system.”

  Derrick launched for his brother’s throat, slamming him against the wall. He didn’t want to kill him, though, so he grabbed enough of Michael’s shirt in his left hand so that his head wouldn’t hit the wall, and then released his fury, so that he could get the keys.

  Michael dropped, as he knew he would. He’d proven to him and his friends repeatedly that he was the strongest. He was tired of proving himself. He felt like that old show Tarzan, and that he should now be pounding on his chest as a warning to all who’d challenge him. He reached into his brother’s pocket and grabbed the keys.

  Kneeling down in front of Michael, he tapped his cheek. He pulled the house key off the key ring and stuffed it into his hand. “Sorry, Bro, but you asked for it. Go put some ice on that.”

  Derrick bounced up and darted for his vehicle.

  CHAPTER SIX

  Kristina cowered against the damp building, looking to her mother for direction. Even at eight, she could see the wild gleam in the man’s eyes.

  Pepper spray in hand, her mother pushed her toward the street. “Run, baby!”

  A knife glinted in the man’s hand as he knocked the pepper spray out of her hand, then held the blade in front of her mother. “I just want the jewelry and your money, lady. Don’t make me hurt you or the kid.”

  Her mother took her eyes off him for a fraction of a second. “Run, Kris—” Her words cut off as the man slammed the knife into her mother’s chest and then reached for Kristina, but she ran as her mother had instructed. As she fled, she heard her mother’s cries. How could she have left her, especially when it was all her fault? She stopped in the middle of the street. She had to stop him. Her legs felt heavy and sluggish as she ran back down the alley toward the mugger, tears blurring her vision. She watched in horror as the dirty man knelt over her mother, trying to pull off her ring, the one she’d said her mother had given her. “Stop!” she cried.

  Out of nowhere, a silhouette of a man landed in between her and the thief. When he stood, a sliver of light from the street revealed that he was dressed in black and much larger than the man who’d attacked them. An anguished scream shredded the air as the new man tore the thug away from her mother, slamming him into the concrete. He knelt down over her mother, checking where the man had forced the knife, but she didn’t move. The kind man lifted her to her feet. Her mother gazed up at him. Her mouth opened, but nothing came out. She stumbled forward, and the man directed her toward Kristina.

  Seeing the blood drip from her mother’s mouth and seep through a rip in her dress, Kristina screamed, “Mommy!”

  Her mother’s eyes and mouth opened again, but still, she said nothing.

  “Go!” the man in black shouted. His voice was deep and strong, his eyes dark as he reeled toward the man on the ground, pulling him up by his hair.

  Kristina wrapped her arms around her mother’s waist, doing her best to hold her upright. As they staggered away, one lone wail filled the air and then silence. She hoped it was the bad guy, not the one in black. Normally his dark hair and mysteriously deep eyes would scare her, but she’d felt safe when he looked at her, as if he knew her.

  Her mother collapsed in her arms. The blood had soaked through her dress, turning it bright red.

  She looked back to the alley where the mugger had pushed them off the sidewalk. They’d just been going to get ice cream. “Help me,” she pleaded to the man who’d saved her. He was leaning over the bad guy, his fingers touching his neck. “My mother’s dying…”

  The man in black looked up at the sound of her cry, but didn’t move. “I’m sorry. There’s nothing I can do.”<
br />
  She blinked the tears out of her eyes, and he was gone.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Derrick stood at the edge of the building. Wanting to cry, wanting to scream, wanting to die. None of it came, though. He just watched as the little girl cried over Janelle’s lifeless body. He’d failed. Because of Michael, he’d failed. He hoped the man would die, but when he’d checked his pulse, he still had one.

  Movement caught his eye, and Derrick watched as the thug rolled to his side, moaning, holding his head. The girl. He couldn’t let him hurt Kristina. The beast crawled until he could get his footing, but he didn’t seem to notice the crying girl. He stood on wobbly legs, and then finally ran.

  Derrick blocked his phone number on his cell and called 9-1-1. He wanted to chase the man, but he couldn’t. He couldn’t leave Kristina. She had no one. At eight years old. How would she survive?

  A wail of sirens filled the air, but still Derrick waited.

  What had the girl seen? She’d looked right into his eyes. Could she identify him?

  Blue and red strobes flashed off the brick walls, lighting the area. A cop jumped out of his patrol car, but held back behind the engine, assessing the scene. He rattled off a series of ten codes, then slowly made his way to Kristina.

  His back to the wall, the officer squatted near Janelle’s head and touched the side of her neck. Shaking his head, he pulled the girl up beside him, and she screamed.

  “Mommy! I can’t leave my mommy! It’s all my fault. It’s all my fault!”

  The officer kept his eyes on the street as he tried to soothe Kristina. “It’s not your fault, sweetheart, but I need to make sure you’re safe.” He pulled her gently but forcibly to his patrol car. He closed her inside while she continued to scream.

  More lights lit up the street and alley, but Derrick couldn’t leave yet. What would the girl say? What would his family do?

  Paramedics leaned over Janelle, but knew just as he did. Nothing could have saved her. If he’d been inside the hospital, in the O.R., he couldn’t have saved her. He felt nauseated, something else he’d never felt. He never got sick. When more officers arrived, the first cop made his way back to Kristina. He opened the door and held on to her, letting her cry.