Question marks form in my head and swirl around in circles.
"Makeup lessons?"
He smirks as he walks over to me, and I feel his dark magic roaming through my body as something changes. It steals my breath with its invasive touch, and I almost feel the need to go on the defense when it's suddenly over.
"Easy girl. Don't be going to battle just yet. Your scent is gone for a few hours, but your appearance could still give away your identity. Take a look."
I walk by him and gasp when I see the red hair, bright green eyes, and unfamiliar face.
"How did you... we can't-"
"We can for short periods of time. It'll last for three hours at most. You won't be able to do it again for several weeks though. Magic is a beautifully tricky thing like that. Let's get going."
He ushers me out the door, and I follow him down the stairs of the deck to his garage.
"Don't have an inside access?" I ask.
"To my garage? Of course I do. I just didn't want to drag your through my house and give you a chance to get comfortable. The way you were looking at me... I was worried I was about to get unwrapped like a Christmas present while we were merely in the living room."
My cheeks flush upon hearing his teasing comment. I cut my eyes away as he opens the door. He laughs ridiculously hard, and then I hear a familiar voice behind us.
"Nothing?" Kane asks with disbelief, and without thinking, I whip around.
Gage walks over to me just as Sierra, Deke, and Kane come into view.
"Nothing. It's as though... I don't know. There's just nothing."
"What's going on?" Gage pipes up, and my heart leaps into my throat.
I'm going to kick his ass for this.
Kane walks toward us, not recognizing me at all as his eyes barely give me a second glance. What's he doing leaving his party? What are they looking for?
"Sorry. I didn't realize anyone was living here. I didn't mean to appear as though we were trespassing."
He sounds so formal, polite, and... oddly different.
"I just moved in a few weeks ago. My girl and I were about to go grab a bite to eat, and we heard voices."
I could slap him right now. I really hope he's reading the vibrant red of anger my aura is flashing at him.
He smirks, letting me know he has seen my fuming red colors lighting up like a neon sign.
"Sorry to have bothered you. I was just checking up on something. I won't hold you up. Welcome to the neighborhood."
Kane turns to jog off once Gage thanks him, and I watch as the three of them head into the woods - a shortcut to town.
"Seriously?" I slap Gage across the stomach, instantly regretting that foolish move when I pull back my throbbing hand.
"What?" he asks, feigning innocence. "We need to meet up with the guys. They've lured the night stalkers toward the edge of town - the deepest section of the woods that stretch on for miles. You, my little redhead, will be in the center, smelling like a virgin."
"I'm not-"
He rolls his eyes while cutting me off. "Believe me, I know. I live next door, and well... there was that one time-"
"Oh shit." I had completely forgotten about Gage being just outside during one of my bedroom romps. "I hate you."
He laughs harder as we hop in his very sleek, black sports car. It definitely suits a bad boy dark user.