Kandi (Electric Desert Nights Book 2) Page 2

  Mya turned her attention back to the stage. It felt so good to dance, letting the music disconnect her mind and take control of her body. When she was one with it, should could forget all of her worries; about her health, about grades, and about what she was going to do after college. It was as though she were connected to all of the positive energy being generated by the crowd and could feel the aura of each person. The vibes played off of each other to form a network of power that blanketed the crowd. She’d never thought coming to EDC would be such a spiritual experience. She’d heard people say it was, but she didn’t believe it until now.

  “Hey pretty girl, want some kandi?” A rumbling chuckle followed the question.

  Mya musings were abruptly forgotten when she saw the gorgeous guy who’d appeared by her side. He held a pink beaded bracelet out to her. Oh yeah, kandi. “Um. Sure,” was all she could get out. He had sandy blond hair and gorgeous green eyes that glowed with good-humor.

  Taking her hand, he slipped the bracelet onto her wrist. It was composed of neon pink beads, that alternated with pastel pink and, in the center, square white beads spelled out the word goddess. “Look at that. It suits you perfectly,” he said. He wore several other brightly colored beaded bracelets on his forearms. Some had charms on them and others, like the one he’d given her, had words like dance, joy, and party strung onto them.

  Mya blinked. The guy was so good-looking he practically glowed with magnetism. She couldn’t take her eyes off of him, and her skin still tingled from where he’d touched her. She gave her head a slight shake, trying to snap out of it. “Thanks. It’s pretty.”

  He leaned in close and his bare chest bumped her arm, sending a rush of heat through her. “Mind if I hang out with you? I’m Somer.” He stuck his hand out and she shook it, causing another rush of heat to curl through her. What was it about him that made her body respond so strongly?

  “Um, I’m Mya. You want to hang out with me?” He was giving her one of those looks that made her feel suddenly shy.

  He looked amused. “Yeah. Is that okay?”

  “Sure. I guess.” She got caught up in those eyes again and the bright smile. The space was so packed with people that they were forced to stand close together, only centimeters apart, near enough to feel the heat of his body and inhale his scent. It was a mix of warm spicy cologne, shaving gel, and the musty scent of male. The gnawing hunger in her belly spiked again, and she couldn’t stop herself from checking him out. He wasn’t wearing a shirt, so there was nothing to stop her from running her gaze over his wide, firm chest and shoulders. Lower down his torso tapered into well-toned abdominals. She stopped at the white mesh shorts and felt disappointment wash over her. Oh, he’s gay.

  “You like my outfit?” he asked.

  “Yeah. It’s…nice.”

  “Hey, we match,” he said, bumping his hip against hers.

  She was wearing a white skirt and cropped tank top and had used some puff paint to draw flowers on them.

  “You’re gorgeous, by the way,” he said.

  His directness made her blush. “It’s nice of you to say so. I know I’m not really your type.” She winced and wished she could take back the words as soon as she said them. They smacked of insecurity. Why had she drunk so much beer?

  “What are you talking about? You’re exactly my type.” He beamed another one of those smiles at her.

  “But aren’t you…you know…gay?” Her cheeks heated again with embarrassment, and this time she wanted to kick herself. The alcohol had definitely loosened her tongue.

  “No.”

  She gestured at him with her hand. “But the outfit, the hair…and, you’re way too good-looking to be straight.”

  He laughed. “Am I?”

  She nodded and returned his smile. It was impossible not to, his charm was infectious.

  “Well, now you’ve done it,” he said in a mock-dangerous tone.

  “What?”

  His green eyes sparkled wickedly down at her. “Forced me to have to prove myself.”

  Before she could figure out what that meant, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her.

  That’s when everything was turned upside down.

  As soon as their lips met it was as though her entire body lit on fire. Deep in her soul, multiple alarms went off. Sirens wailed, bells rang, and a carnal knowledge unfolded itself from the depths of her being and stretched.

  Kissing Somer felt so damn good! He was a complete stranger, and she knew she should pull away, but she absolutely could not stop. Instead, she leaned into him and wrapped her arms around his neck. The feel of his hard muscles beneath the smooth skin was so tempting she wanted to strip naked on the spot and rub their bodies together. She parted her lips allowing their tongues to meet and that’s when it happened. Something that created the oddest sensation. There was a kind of rushing. No, more like honey pouring into her, flowing warm and silently from him to her. And it seeped in to fill some of the mysterious void of hunger that had hampered her for so long.

  And it all felt so erotically good that she couldn’t stop. Every pleasure nerve ending she had was alert and humming. She wanted more, she had to have more…

  He broke the kiss.

  “Holy shit. You’re a succubus!” Somer said. “Why didn’t you tell me? I thought you were human. That’s weird, I should have sensed it right away.”

  “A what?” Her eyes were glazed, pink lips parted, and her hands remained clasped behind his neck. She moved in to resume their kiss, but he held her back.

  “But why haven’t I seen you at any of the gatherings? Were you at the Ceremony of the Seventh Moon this year?”

  Their kind, incubi and succubi, loved to party. And they had several holidays that they got together for each year in addition to the human ones. The older generations said it was to honor their origins. But as reverent an air as they always tried to give the celebrations, they always turned into late night drinking fests and orgies. That’s how their kind were. Incubi and succubi were built to feed off of the energies generated through sexual pleasure.

  “Kiss me again,” Mya said. Her eyes flashed sky blue for a moment, and then it faded.

  That’s when he noticed that her skin, hair, and aura held far less luster than they should for a succubus. Even in the dim and erratic lighting of the space, he could see that she was sick.

  “Are you on a hunger strike? Why haven’t you been feeding?”

  She blinked at his words and snapped out of her daze, frowning and pulling out of his arms. “I do eat. A lot.”

  “I’m not talking about food.”

  “What’s the Ceremony of the Seventh Moon?”

  His mouth dropped open in shock. “How can you not know that? It’s where we go each year to celebrate the milestones of growth in our lives—birth, puberty, our first time feeding off of a human.”

  She stared at him blankly and shook her head. “What are you talking about?”

  He was aghast. Did she not know what she was? How could that be? Their true nature normally made itself known when they were young. “Where are you from?”

  “San Diego.”

  “So then I should have seen you before at one of the gatherings in North America. Or did you move here from somewhere else?”

  She shook her head, looking at him oddly now.

  “No? How can that be? Never mind, this isn’t the place for such a discussion.” He took her hand. “Come with me, we need to have a chat.”

  She tried to pull herself loose. “I can’t. I’m waiting for my friend.”

  Rather than argue, he kissed her again long and deep. This time, he allowed her to take a good chunk of life force that he’d been collecting over the past week all in one big rush. She moved closer to him, leaning in and sighing deeply, unable to resist the sustenance they all craved.

  When he broke the kiss this time. Her eyes were dreamy, high from the rush of energy he’d infused her with. “There’s more where that came from.” He gave
her one last peck on those soft rosy lips. “Come with me.”

  This time, she followed him docilely.

  Chapter Four

  It wasn’t until several minutes later that Mya became grounded again. Whatever it was that Somer had done to her had transported her to a state of such ecstasy that she never wanted it to end.

  She realized she was still with Somer, holding his hand, but she wasn’t sure where on the speedway they were exactly. She could still hear music playing and people cheering. A helicopter passed overhead and the crack, pop, pop of fireworks could be heard in the distance. They were approaching a gate in the main perimeter fence where a guard stood. He held a hand up in a halt gesture as they drew near.

  “Sorry. You guys aren’t allowed back here,” he said.

  “Hey man. We’re good,” Somer said. “We just need to go back for a second. I left something in the RV.” As he said it, he clasped the man on the shoulder and looked him in the eye.

  Mya saw a light flash behind Somer’s eyes and beneath his fingers. Suddenly, the burly guard relaxed, and a faint smile lifted the corners of his mouth. “Okay.” He opened the gate for them without another word, and they passed through. Beyond lay a parking lot filled with trucks, RV’s, and stacks of equipment.

  “Where are you taking me?” Mya asked, stopping in her tracks.

  “It’s the crew area,” Somer said. “I’m just taking you somewhere we can chat in private. There are things you need to know.”

  “What? No. I need to get back to my friend. He’s going to be looking for me.”

  “We’ll find him later. This is more important.”

  Mya was getting nervous now. The guard seemed to be the only other person around, but would he even do anything if she needed saving? What had Somer done to him?

  “I won’t hurt you,” Somer said. He squeezed her hand and his eyes flashed neon green for a second.

  There is was again, that erotic sensation. It was weaker than when he kissed her but it still felt damn good. “How are you doing that? What are you doing?”

  He cocked his head at her, and she couldn’t help but notice the sexy way a lock of his blond hair curved over his forehead, accenting his eyes. “If I guess a couple of things right about you—things no one else knows—will you come with me?”

  She hesitated, then nodded.

  He started talking. “You’re adopted. Your parents died when you were very young. You’re hungry all the time. But it doesn’t matter how much you eat, it keeps getting stronger. Right so far?”

  She shifted her feet. “Yes.”

  “You keep your guard up around guys but you’re not sure why. You want to go on dates, but the thought of it scares you because something happened to someone when you were younger. In addition to that, you’re a virgin.”

  A hot blush filled her face. “Wh—how do you know all that?” Could this random guy possibly know what was wrong with her? Did he hold the key to her make her better?

  He grinned. “It’s the only possible explanation.” He tugged at her hand. “A deal’s a deal. Let’s go talk.”

  True, she had agreed to go with him if he guessed right. “Okay.”

  He led her down a row of vehicles to an RV at the end. “I know where this guy keeps the key. He’s been on the crew for years.” He pulled it out from where it was hidden behind one of the back tires and unlocked the door.

  Inside, Somer rummaged through the small fridge in the kitchen and found them some sodas. She sat in one of the chairs at the kitchen table, and he sat opposite her. “Freaked out?” he asked.

  “Yeah. Kind of. What did you call me before? A succubus?”

  He nodded.

  “But isn’t that some kind of…demon or something?”

  Somer shrugged. “That’s what humans think it is. We’re really just another species of humanoid living here on earth. Different from them, but no better or worse. We’re more energy than matter, though. As such, that’s the nourishment our bodies really need. The males of our kind are called incubus, the females, succubus. We were made to enjoy the greatest gift of life, the act of creation…which encompasses all things positive including sex.”

  Her eyes widened and her eyebrows lifted.

  “We don’t prey on anyone, by the way.” He lifted his hands and made air quotes when he said the word prey. “In the old days, men blamed succubi for their indiscretions, but none of our kind would knowingly get involved with a married human. There’s just too much guilt and negativity there for us to create any satisfactory kind of energy harvest.”

  She stared at him disbelievingly, but she didn’t say anything, so he went on.

  “Anyway, we feed off of the energy of pleasure created between people. That’s why you’ve been hungry. That’s what you’ve been missing. Sexual energy is the best. Stimulating a human’s energy field makes it vibrate at a higher frequency.” He held his hand flat over the table then elevated it as he spoke. “We feed mostly off of the excess created. But a really hungry succubus or incubus who doesn’t know what they’re doing, or who has dangerously low reserves, can accidentally suck a human dry. I’m guessing that’s what happened when you were younger. Did you kill him?”

  She shook her head, a haunted look in her eyes now. “No. It happened in my senior year of high school. He had to stay in bed for weeks. His parents said he had mono.” She looked down. “They ended up moving away after he got better. I never saw him again.”

  Somer chuckled. “That’s classic.”

  She glared at him. “It wasn’t funny. He collapsed right in front of me.”

  “Hey, don’t be mad. Everyone has an accident at some point. That’s why sex education begins at an early age for our kind. At least you didn’t kill him. Plus, I’m betting he had nonstop wet dreams about you while he was recovering.” Ah, the guilt of almost killing a human. So many of their kind suffered from it. He felt duty-bound to help her lighten the burden. “Don’t be so hard on yourself. How could you have prevented it if you didn’t know what you were?”

  The tension smoothed from her forehead. “Did you have an accident at some point?”

  He shrugged, and gave her his best not-a-big-deal tone. “Sure. I got a little too excited during my first threesome. And I grew up in the community and had both of my parents around to teach me.”

  “Your first threesome?” She gave a delicate snort.

  “Hey, don’t judge until you’ve tried it.” He gave her another grin. “Anyway, humans are tougher than you think.”

  “How young did you say you were when you started learning about…um, sex and all that?”

  He thought for a second. “Still in grade school.”

  “Sounds perverted.”

  “There’s nothing perverted about providing information. Besides, it’s safer if we know how to handle it right from the beginning. Sex is a basic biological function for all beings. In addition, it’s a gift from heaven. Tell me you didn’t get a glimpse of it when I kissed you.”

  She looked down at the can of soda she’d been rolling back and forth between her hands and took a gulp from it instead of answering.

  “That good, huh?” he teased.

  His comment must have struck a nerve because she bolted up from her seat. “I’ve got to go. That’s a really interesting story, but I think you’re way off base when it comes to me.”

  He stood as well, and propped an arm across the aisle to block her way.

  She gave him a wary look.

  “Relax. Still not going to hurt you. But it’s my duty to keep you from hurting others. There’s things you need to know. And, as far as your hunger goes, you’re still in the red zone. I can tell. You could have sucked me dry out there if I wasn’t strong myself. Tell me something, and be honest. How do you feel right now? Still hungry?”

  She gave no answer, but the tension in her face was replaced with surprise.

  “Let me help you, Mya, before you really do kill someone.”

  Chapter Fi
ve

  Mya gazed into Somer’s green eyes. He made no further moves toward her, just stood there blocking her way with an earnest expression on his face. What could it hurt to hear a little more? If not for what had happened when they kissed, she would have though he was full of shit. But he was right, something magical had happened. And that feeling made her feel awkward and unsure of herself around him now. The knowledge that gleamed from his eyes made her blush all the way to her toes. She really didn’t want to talk to him about it. But what if he could help her?

  She remained standing and picked up her soda from the table. “Fine. Keep talking.” She took a sip, trying to seem nonchalant.

  “Well, other than the holidays we celebrate, like the Ceremony of the Seventh Moon, we live pretty much like anyone else. We have a hierarchy of elders who govern us and live a lifestyle alternative to what humans do. But none of that matters right now. What’s most important teaching you how to safely feed right now.” He put his hand up, palm out. “Put your hand against mine. I’ll show you how to skim a little energy at a time. You can do it just through casual touch.”

  She eyed him. What harm could that do? “Okay.” She pressed her palm to his, and as soon as she made contact, it happened again. That erotic feeling swept over her, lighting her up and spiking her hunger. Her knees gave way, but she caught herself on the table, dropping the soda onto the floor in the process. “Shit!” As good as it felt when their palms were pressed together, she was glad to have an excuse to pull away. It was disturbing and embarrassing how she lost control when they touched. She knelt down to pick the can up from the floor.

  Somer did the same, and they smacked heads. “Ow!” he said.

  She almost fell again, but he caught and steadied her. “You okay?’

  “Yes.” She rubbed her forehead. “Ow.”

  He still had a hold on her upper arms, and the contact of his hands on her skin caused the feeling to grow again. It came over her faster and stronger this time, overwhelming her. It was like he’d opened a locked door inside her, one she’d managed to keep tightly sealed all this time. But now that it was open, it wouldn’t shut again. Instead it grew like a gaping maw, taking over. She tried to resist, but was unsuccessful. All she could focus on was how sexy Somer was. He was so tall, and built, and his hands were so warm. All she wanted to do was kiss him and rub herself against him. No, she wanted more, so much more. Not that she knew exactly what that entailed… But he did, she could see it in his eyes.