Siren Condemned: Paranormal Prison Series Read online

  Julian’s eyes rolled backwards in pleasure.

  He had always been the baddest monster in the room...but this was on a whole other level.

  Julian took every last drop of my power.

  And when he was done, and the glass orb was pulsing with the golden light of what he had stolen from me...I felt like I had died.

  Chapter 2

  Loathing.

  That was all I felt. Utter loathing.

  “You look beautiful tonight, Selena,” Julian whispered in my ear, his heavy breath washing across my cheek before pulling back.

  I stood deadly still, knowing where the conversation was headed. I’d expected it, but I’d hoped it wouldn’t come just yet. Not at my birthday party. And not after what he’d done to me just this morning.

  Of course, Julian wasn’t about to lose out on what he thought was his. He was here to claim his property.

  Me.

  I hate you, I wanted to say. I hate you so much that I’d die before I let you touch me.

  “I’m nothing like my mother when it comes to beauty,” I commented dryly, noting that Mama was watching us aptly, something like jealousy flaring in her fathomless eyes.

  Something in his dark gaze shifted, a warning that I stepped too close to the truth. He bedded her from time to time, but his eyes always lingered on me when he’d visit our home, looking at me with something deplorable in his gaze. It always left me feeling filthy.

  “You know you’ve always been my special girl.” The slimy ass’s eyes dipped to my mouth, then my chest. My skin crawled, and I suddenly regretted wearing the strapless chiffon dress. The back of his knuckles traced down my cheek, and I winced.

  Julian stared straight into my eyes, the tips of his fangs slipping over the top of his lower lip. A show of power, of dominance. The room spun, but I blinked past the dizziness.

  It was funny the things that went through your mind when facing a monster, when you were in pain and trying to look brave. The music changed to a slow ballad, a song I’d loved for so long. It told the tale of a girl who lost her true love to death. How they’d been born with a string between their hearts that declared their destiny to be together, but it had snapped when he died. The similarities to her life and mine struck a cord. She’d tragically lost her man, while I’d lost part of my soul to this vampire. I was sure my body would be next.

  Fury flared through me at just the idea of it. My body was still exhausted from this morning’s event. It was like I was never going to feel the same again, even though I’d only had a few hours with my powers.

  “You know… we could make a deal,” he said, tracing the skin across my collarbone as his tongue peeked out to wet his bottom lip.

  I did my best to hide my revulsion at his touch. Julian considered himself a businessman, but in reality, he was nothing but a glorified pimp. It was too bad that siren trafficking was such a lucrative industry. With all the money he made, he was able to run Chicago.

  I twisted my lips into a smile to avoid making a scene, just as Mama had taught me. Never shed a tear, she’d say. A lady never shows her emotions.

  I’d never been able to wear the same blank mask that she wore.

  “I’m not really much of a businesswoman,” I finally responded, and his dark eyes flared from my impunity.

  Mama’s voice grew louder from somewhere in the background just then. Seemingly louder than the chatter of a room with more than a hundred people. Did she turn a blind eye, knowing too well that Julian had planned to claim me this whole time?

  I scrunched up my toes in my stilettos.

  “Tomorrow,” he muttered, his voice low and dark. “I’m coming for you. You will give me everything.” His gaze dropped down and back up my body once more, making his intentions clear.

  Unsavory words bubbled on the forefront of my mind. Mostly consisting of curses, and I yearned to unleash them. To tell him to go fuck himself. And this time, I couldn’t stop myself.

  “I’d rather rot in hell,” I hissed through clenched teeth.

  “You’d better change your attitude quickly, Selena. I’m not a patient man.” He reached over and grasped my chin between his thumb and index finger, forcing my head high to stare at him.

  Fear rippled up my spine at the possessive darkness I saw swirling in his gaze.

  Control your emotions. Just as I’d been taught my whole life. This was why I’d been taught that lesson. There was no out for me in this situation.

  Bile rose up my throat, and the salad I’d eaten earlier threatened to come out.

  The easy path was to be like the rest of the sirens. The consequences of not following the rules sat heavy on my chest. I could listen to orders, do Julian’s bidding, and spread my legs for him.

  An ache flared in my chest at the thought. That was exactly what this asshole in front of me wanted. To be my first.

  “Sir.” One of Julian’s henchmen appeared at his back just then. A tall man with a shaved head, dressed in a tailored suit. Pure muscle but my savior at that moment.

  Julian let out an indistinguishable grunt, released me, and turned around with a serious glare.

  I used that moment to slip out from under his attention and quickly rushed away. I didn’t recognize most of the attendees at my party. Distinguished families. Siren and vampire alike. None of my friends from school had been invited of course. Mama didn’t even know I had friends at school.

  In truth, this celebration wasn’t really a party for me, but a declaration that I’d reached an age to enter the business.

  Out into the hallway, I pushed into the ladies’ room before locking the door behind me. Mirrors lined one side of the wall with white leather seats in front of them. More chandeliers decorated the room. Another door led to the toilets.

  I pressed my back to the wall, my body shaking. I wasn’t ready to be owned. To give my body away night after night at someone’s bidding. I craved so much more out of life… most of all, I yearned for freedom.

  Tears slid out of the corners of my eyes, and I wiped them away.

  Glancing up at the full-length mirror in front of me, I stared at a girl I didn’t recognize. My face full of make-up, my bare shoulders glistened with glitter, my dress as blue as the brightest ocean. Dark hair fell down in soft waves over my shoulders, the tips dipped in blue. Eyes just as blue. My dress cinched around my body. Earlier, I loved how the gown followed my small curves. But now, I wanted to tear it off me, hating the way it enticed Julian to leer at me.

  I looked lost.

  I wanted to be lost.

  I felt more desperation at that moment than I’d ever felt before.

  It’s your job to look captivating, Mama had said. With just enough skin to tempt them, but not enough to drive them to insanity.

  I bit my tongue until it hurt, until I felt nothing but sharpness. Until I tasted the coppery flood of blood in my mouth.

  For so long, I tried to hold onto some semblance of control over my life. Going to school, having friends, attending parties. Normal things. But I’d been trying to live a life that could never be mine.

  I was made up of broken pieces. And instead of finding a way to put myself back together, I was about to be shattered into a dozen more.

  Tap, tap, tap.

  A knock sounded on the door, insistent, and panic spiked through me.

  It couldn’t be him, he couldn’t touch me tonight. Not yet. I moved to the door and with a flick, unlocked it, then opened it.

  A woman with a skin-tight violet dress sighed. “About time.” She rolled her eyes at me and shoved inside past me.

  My stomach fell with relief that it wasn’t Julian. I stepped outside into the hallway. People were mingling everywhere until Mama emerged from the ballroom, searching the area.

  Hell, I was in trouble.

  When she spotted me, her back straightened, then she marched over to me. Her perfect white gown shimmered beneath the chandeliers, the long fabric swishing left and right with her fast steps. She w
as the epitome of perfection.

  And the thing was… I didn’t want to be perfect like her. I had learned early on that the ugliest things were inside the prettiest of faces.

  “Why are you hiding out here?” She grabbed my arm and squeezed hard.

  “I just… I needed some air.”

  “Selena, this is your birthday party. You need to be in there, entertaining our guests.”

  “I hardly know anyone here. These aren’t my friends.”

  Mama’s scowl deepened, her fingernails digging into my arms. “Do not embarrass yourself or our family any more than you already have.” She leaned closer, looked around to ensure we were alone, and whispered, “Do you think I didn’t see that you pissed Julian off earlier? He paid for the whole event. Trust me, you don’t want to see his dark side. Just follow the rules,” she hissed.

  Rules. Right.

  Except, I fucking hated rules.

  “You have five seconds to march back in there.” Her eyes were fuming, and if we weren’t at this party, I’d be feeling the palm of her hand right now against my face.

  Gritting my teeth, I lifted my chin before waltzing back toward the ballroom, leaving Mama behind. I could do this. Just a few painstakingly awful hours pretending to be happy.

  Pretending I was the perfect daughter.

  Pretending I lived in a perfect home.

  Pretending I couldn’t wait to accept my role.

  All perfect little lies.

  I was going to make sure tonight that I wouldn’t ever be considered perfect again.

  Chapter 3

  The wind violently ripped through my hair. I was running down the sidewalk, night cloaking the city. The party ended a couple of hours ago, and as soon as we arrived home, I feigned exhaustion and went to my room. Then, I snuck out.

  A quick glance behind me, Mama or Julian hadn’t seen me leave. There were no shadows stalking me through the night. The family mansion sat at the end of the street like an overbearing mountain, cloaked in the dark. With only one light on shining through the night… Mama’s bedroom. The two-story house had started to feel more like a prison with each passing day. After tonight, I wasn’t sure what would become of me, or even where I’d end up living. Many of the girls working for Julian moved into specific homes where they were watched 24/7. I shuddered at the thought of him moving me into his private residence.

  I was determined that wasn’t going to be an attractive option for him after tonight.

  On my last night of freedom, I chose to get away from everyone. At the corner of the street, I flagged a passing cab and climbed into the back.

  “The farthest bar across town as you can find.”

  “Yes, miss.” He began to drive, giving me a long glance through the rear view mirror as all guys did. “You look a little young to be going to a bar,” he commented like he was concerned, but I could see the hunger in his gaze. He was staring at me so much, I was a little afraid we were going to drive off the road.

  “People always say that,” I commented dryly.

  I had no plans on following rules like age restrictions tonight.

  “It’s my birthday today,” I murmured, more to myself. And that meant going as far as possible with the help of a little alcohol

  “Happy birthday. Get anything special?”

  I lifted my gaze to the soft gray eyes looking at me from the mirror.

  I don’t know if I would call today “special.”

  I blinked at him, then looked away, staring at the houses that blurred as we passed them. “Not really.”

  Special. I wanted to laugh at just the idea of how today could have gone if I was anything else but what I was.

  How did our kind fall so far? What had it been like before?

  Half an hour later, and we finally pulled up in front of a bar. “The farthest bar and least seediest for a pretty lady.”

  I stared outside the window. Black walls and glass doors. Inside, people were everywhere, the music thumping and reaching me in the back of the cab. It was dimly lit. It was perfect. I’d be a nobody and drown every sorrow I had in a glass of vodka until I forgot everything.

  I handed the driver a fifty-dollar bill. “Thank you.” I climbed out, not bothering with change and patted down my black skin-tight dress. Of course, I’d changed clothes into something more me before leaving the house.

  A black, A-line scoop neck dress, cascading half way down to my thighs. Julian had once seen me wearing this dress and threatened me with bodily harm if anyone ever saw me in it but him. I loved the dress even more after that.

  The bouncer to the bar eyed my approach, scrutinizing me.

  “ID, please,” he said without hesitation.

  “Why would you possibly need that?” I replied in a voice that came out almost musical, and a surge of energy flared over my skin. I met his gaze and fluttered my eyes, placing a hand on his strong bicep. “You can see that I’m old enough.”

  A stupid grin spread over his face, the stoic expression chased away by something I couldn’t quite put my finger on. Admiration. No. It was more than that. It was devotion. He stared at me as if he’d do anything I asked at that moment. And all it took was a few words, a touch. It surprised me how quickly he grew obedient.

  “Where did you come from, sunshine?”

  Someone really had to work on their pick up lines. “Will you let me inside the bar, please?” With my words came the flow of energy in the air between us.

  He nodded and quickly opened the door. “Of course.”

  What the hell had just happened? I had done it without even thinking. Had some of my power survived? That wasn’t supposed to happen, I was confident of that. The small taste of power almost made me sad though, it was so minuscule compared to what I’d experienced just this morning.

  I strolled into the bar, feeling the bouncer’s eyes on my back. I worked my way around the crowded place, on the hunt for a copious amount of alcohol to help me forget who I was. I eventually made my way to the bar.

  The red-headed bartender immediately came to help me despite the fact that there were at least twenty people standing at the bar before me.

  “Redbull and vodka, please,” I told him calmly, and he immediately went to make my drink.

  “I haven’t seen you in here before,” he murmured with an alluring smile that I was sure worked well on his customers, but had no effect on me.

  I just smiled at him, hoping he could get the hint that I had no interest.

  He handed me a drink finally with a face that looked like I’d just kicked his puppy. When I still didn’t say anything, he finally moved away to help his other customers, keeping one eye on me the whole time.

  Humans. They were all the same. Although our ability to attract worked on every creature but the vampires as far as I knew, humans were particularly attracted to the energy we gave off. That bartender would be thinking of me for weeks if not years after tonight, which was really too bad for him.

  “Hey, gorgeous. Are you free tonight?” a voice asked from next to me, and I looked over with a sigh. There was an older man next to me who was dressed as though he’d just stepped away from the office. He settled onto the stool next to me, his eyes devouring my form.

  “No thanks,” I replied calmly as I took another sip from my drink and intentionally turned the other way from him.

  And that was when I saw him.

  He was the most breathtaking man I’ve ever laid eyes on, even putting Julian’s cold beauty to shame.

  I’d caught his eyes, and I refused to look away. His dark chestnut hair was slicked back off his face. Strong features called to me, his square face, striking cheekbones, and piercing green eyes crowned by thick brows. He looked maybe twenty-four or twenty-five. His arms were powerful and tanned under his midnight blue button-up shirt, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His broad chest filled in that top perfectly.

  That half-smile slipping over his lips had my heart racing.

  He was beautiful,
but that was not all that hooked my attention. There was something different about him, an energy that I’d never sensed before. He was a paranormal of some kind, that much was obvious just based on his otherworldly looks alone. But I couldn’t place what kind. He wasn’t fae, not vampire either-thank goodness. He wasn’t...anything that I’d ever sensed before. And that should’ve made me very wary of him, but it didn’t.

  I felt his eyes on me, staring, studying me. Shaking off the instinct to look away, I nibbled on the corner of my mouth. I’d never met anyone that affected me this quickly before. Who caused the eruption of butterflies in my gut, their wings beating frantically. When I met his gaze, I trembled. He, on the other hand, offered me a full smile.

  At that moment, he was the solution to all my problems. This gorgeous creature was going to make me forget and give me the taste of freedom that I was desperate for. Consequences be damned.

  “Listen, baby…” the annoying man on the other side of me continued, and I rolled my eyes before turning to look at him.

  “I’m not interested,” I scolded him coldly.

  He didn’t seem to get the message. “Seems like you could use some company,” he persisted as he shot me a wide grin.

  I was just about to tell him off, when a smooth voice—one that sent goosebumps across my skin—spoke from behind me.

  “Actually, she’s here with me,” he interrupted, so close to me that I could feel the whisper of his breath against my neck.

  A shiver of desire traveled from the tip of my spine all the way up, leaving me heated. Who was this man to affect me in such a way?

  The creep in front of me groaned under his breath, his displeasure clear on his face as he stood and stalked away.

  Swiveling on my stool, I came face to face with those gorgeous deep green eyes that reminded me of storm clouds bruising the sky. Sitting next to me, he turned to me, his full lips quirked into an infectious smirk. A hint of stubble graced his jaw. Legs wide, he leaned an elbow onto the bar. He seemed to blend so perfectly into the surroundings, not drawing any eyes...almost as if no one else could see him. Which was strange, considering he was the most handsome guy in the room, someone who would stand out in any crowd.