Path of the Hunters - NSFW

She shrugged. "Live your life as you wish. Otherwise, you would be much more useful as target practice. Which reminds me: The black case under the bed - did you grab it?"

He nodded. "I was thorough in my search. Everything is in there." He motioned toward his vehicle. "So, what was it that attracted you to Nova, anyway?"

"'E is direct. And very nice to look at." And kissing him had made her heart jolt, but she kept that to herself.

Cross folded his arms across his chest. "So, it has nothing to do with him being part of a rival family?"

She laughed. "That is what makes it fun. The forbidden fruit always is, non?"

He shrugged. "I wouldn't know anything about that. I'm a bit of a stickler for the rules."

"Then per'aps you are stuffy." She smirked. "It still gets you sexe, so you may as well keep at it."

"Well, on that front, the girl I'm with happens to be very easy to please."

"You sure it's not a guy?"

"Shut up! Damn you!" he shouted at Nova, who poked his head out the doorway.

Nova broke out into laughter, stepping into full view. "You are too easy! Seriously." The wolf handed Cross his check and a wine bottle. "Go home, get laid, mellow out, have a drink on me."

"No, thanks. I don't roll that way."

It took Nova a second to catch it. "...Did you just crack on me? Didn't think you were capable of that."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence. The wine, too." Cross turned, and walked back to his car, Nova following behind. Placing the check in his pocket, and the wine in the front passenger seat, he popped the trunk, which Nova proceeded to empty of its luggage.

Aurélie watched them, amused. They were an interesting pair and, for such opposing personalities, there was an easy affection between them. It was almost enviable.

...Almost, she assured herself, looking away from them and towards the sky. She would get her bounties, have lots of very good sex, and she would leave. There was no use dwelling on his life, his ties with others. She refused to be tied, and she liked it that way.

When that thought didn't leave her as satisfied as it normally would have, she mentally changed her schedule. They wouldn't make it to every room, after all.

When all the luggage was out, Cross got in the driver's seat, buckled in, and started the car back up. "And now, we're even."

"Y'know," Nova said through the passenger side window. "I was tempted to cash that thing in, myself. Glad I didn't, now."

"Aren't we all?" With a smile at each other, the two friends clasped and shook hands. "Try not to make a mess in there."

"You just worry about pleasin' that girl back home, okay? Besides, she won't be here long; a few days, probably 'til the end of the week." ...Maybe less than that, he added mentally, noticing how Aurélie seemed to distract herself from them. He also noted how her glow seemed to falter, like she was unsatisfied with something...

Standing upright, the wolf banged the top of the hood. "Don't keep that poor girl waitn' now."

"I won't." Cross put the car into gear, and drove off. "Take care, guys!"

The dog lifted a hand in a slight wave, then turned her gaze on Nova. It was odd that just a few hours with him had left her unsettled and unsatisfied with herself. It was probably the wine, or she was just tired, she assured herself.

Her lips curved. "Do you need assistance?"

"Nope. I can handle it." He cracked his knuckles, and took a deep breath. Then , he slammed his fist into the ground in front of the pile of luggage. The ground beneath the luggage spang into the air, and Nova caught it in his hands.

He strolled back to the front door, carrying the "plate" of luggage on his head. "See?"

She laughed. "Oui. Very nice."

He flashed a grin, and set the slab down in front of the door. "My little mutant talent, like Cross's lightning."

She held her hand over the black case and a blade was in her hand in the next second, the case looking as if nothing had happened. "We all 'ave something a bit odd about us, I am sure."

His smile faded a little. "You felt something back there, didn't you?"

She didn't bother to play coy; she knew what he meant. "Oui."

He nodded and sighed. "Guess it was bound to happen to one of us soon enough."

She twirled the blade in her hand thoughtfully. "I 'ave no intention of letting it get in my way. I still 'ave my plans." She sent the blade flying at a tree. It struck and something yelped, an orange chameleon becoming visible, the blade in it's shoulder. "And I still 'ave bounties to collect before I go."

He looked backed toward the pinned chamemon. "So, how much is this stalker worth?"

"I 'ave no idea. 'E was following Cross, was more interested in staying." She tugged at the hem of his shirt with a smirk. It barely skimmed her thighs. "I cannot imagine why."

He took a close look at the stalker, noticing something on his collarbone. "...Fuck."

She lifted a brow. "Quoi?"

He moved his head to the side, fully showing the tattoo on his neck. "Recognize the glyph? He's one of Baudoin's bitches. If he does something right for a change, maybe his master'll put him on the payroll."

He stole another look at the symbol. "Ameile. My deranged cousin. If one of her scouts is here, she's got 'em crawlin' all over the city by now. She'll probably be here sometime around noon tomorrow."

"Mm..." Aurélie walked over and removed her blade from the chameleon. "This is an interesting turn of events..."