KACE
Kace felt like a stalker. Even more so in the quietness of the early morning when everyone was fast asleep. The hallway was virtually black, the wall light so weak it barely kept the shadows at bay, and that included the ones that crept along Eva’s door.
What the fuck was he doing?
He had no business being in the building now that Kyra had moved into the house with the Guardians, officially soulbound to his brother, Xander. He didn’t like many people, but he liked Kyra. Although, she kept trying to save him. He wasn't sure what she was saving him from exactly, it wasn't like he could get rid of his beast, their souls cursed together. Not that he could truly blame his issues on his beast, no, he blamed his grandfather for that.
Fuck.
He definitely had no business standing outside the front door to Eva’s, the woman a cyclone of sunshine and attitude. And yet he couldn’t stop himself from rapping his knuckles against the door. He needed to… what? See her? Make sure she was okay? He barely knew the fucking woman.
He lifted his fist again, knocking harder until the door rattled on its hinges.
The flat to his left cracked open, the neighbour wearing only boxer shorts storming into the hallway. “What the fuck, man? It’s two in the morning!” he said before he skidded to a halt, blinking sleep from his eyes. “Shit, sorry man. I don’t want any trouble.”
Kace turned, using the limited light to his advantage. “The girl who lives here,” he said, gesturing to the door. “Have you seen her?”
“Not in months, I overheard the landlord complaining about no rent or something.”
Shit.“Thanks,” he said, dismissing the man who couldn’t get his door shut and locked fast enough. Alone in the hallway once more he faced Eva’s, shoulders tight with frustration.
She hadn’t been seen in months.
His heavy boot hit the wood, the door swinging open with little effort. The noise echoed down the hallway, but he doubted anyone would investigate after the neighbour’s confrontation. Stepping inside, he knocked the door closed behind him, the lock shattered into pieces. An automatic light flickered to life in the corner, illuminating the small open plan living room with attached kitchen.
Kace stilled, his beast scratching at his insides as he took in the overturned sofa and blood splattered across the carpet. Rot and dust were a prominent stench, stronger in the kitchen where the microwave door was partially open, flies buzzing inside.
Rage burned through him, the need to destroy something strengthening as he spotted a photograph on the wall, one with a much younger looking Eva and what looked to be her parents. She wore a pink ballerinas outfit complete with tutu, her slippers hung loosely around her neck.
Her bedroom seemed undisturbed, the bed neatly made and clothes filling the inbuilt wardrobe. Jewellery sat openly on the windowsill, expensive pieces beside even more photographs. Some were of Eva and Kyra laughing at the camera, while others were more of her parents. The only photo not framed was one solely of Eva, her head thrown back, eyes closed as she danced. The camera captured her elegant movement, the delicate curve of her arched spine and the way she pointed her toes in explicit detail. Golden brown hair framed her face, her pink lips curved in a quiet, private smile.
It was intimate, and Kace couldn’t stop himself from tucking the photograph into the back of his jeans like some deranged stalker.
Where the fuck is she?The thought snarled through his mind, and he wasn’t sure whether it was his own or that of his beast, the bastard usually communicating through various growls and roars unless inciting violence.
Chest heavy he turned back to the living room, a set of keys glinting in the corner on a side table. He grabbed them, but before he could leave he hesitated.
What the fuck was he doing?
Eva wasn’t his problem.
“For fuck’s sake,” he muttered, pulling the frames from the walls before moving back to the bedroom. Inside the wardrobe he found a bag, shoving every photograph and piece of jewellery he could find. He didn’t bother with clothes, or shoes or anything else that wasn’t sentimental and could be easily replaced. Hitching the bag onto his shoulder he closed the front door as much as it would allow before heading to the neighbour’s. His knock boomed, and it didn’t take long before the door opened a sliver, light leaking into the hall.
“Who manages the building?” Kace asked, ignoring the man’s slight gasp when he noticed the flecks of blood that patterned across his face, or the bruise blossoming beneath his left eye. Croc Face hadn’t hit that hard, but he didn’t really care what he looked like, not when every mark would be gone before midday. “Answer the question.”
“The landlord,” the man said with a squeak. “He deals with everything. He doesn’t live here, though.”
Kace concentrated on breathing, mouth open as anger curled his fists, the keys cutting into skin. He reached into his pocket, pulling out the cash he had earned at The Vault. “This is rent to cover flat fifty-two. Make sure it’s given to the landlord tomorrow.” His voice came out harsh, his beast creating a deep rumble.
The man tensed as if he was about to slam the door, and a pressure settled in Kace’s chest, a storm that needed to be released. The security chain snapped when he pressed forward, the man stumbling back.
“Shit, okay!” The man held his hands up. “I’ll give it to him in the morning, I promise.”
Kace carefully handed the money over, his other hand snapping out to grip the man’s wrist before he could pull back. “Anything happens to her place, or anything inside I will hold you personally accountable. Understood?”
The man paled, but nodded as Kace released him. He said nothing as he turned back to the hall, heading towards the stairs as the door slammed behind him. The air was cool when he stepped outside, the usual sounds of the city carried by the bitter wind.
Eva’s car was parked around the side of the building, the white BMW covered in various notes asking it to be moved. The scrawls started out polite, the lettering getting more and more aggressive as additional notes were added over time. Scrunching them up in his fist he unlocked the driver’s side door, reaching down to pull the seat to its furthest position back, barely allowing himself to squeeze inside and put the bag onto the passenger seat.
