The Puppet Assassin [TTR sequel]

The Puppet Assassin - Ch 2 [a day in the life -|- luke]

"Luke." Liam's voice was a growl. I guess his temper was pretty under control today. He used to tear us apart. I glanced over to him and smiled when I saw his fingers digging into the couch as he held himself back. He was hilarious. Surely he had to know that Kayli had no interest in me and, other than considering her part of my pack, I was not serious with my love declarations. Kay had seen through them straight away.

"Don't get your panties in a knot, Haeckel," I sneered.

He ignored me and I noticed his hand shift to his leg and he began to massage it slowly, trying not to draw attention to it. As a shape-changer, I knew a lot about human anatomy, maybe even more than the most learned surgeon. It was a necessity, when changing shape, to know exactly what you were changing into. That was why most shape-changers had only one other body they could transform into. It took years of study to change and if two were studied there could be some mix-ups. And mix-ups when shifting form were never pleasant.

I used my knowledge of anatomy to see how Liam's gun wound was since he'd been shot only weeks ago. I wasn't surprised to see that, while tender and newly healed, it was closed up. Only a scar and plenty of bruising remained.

"Does the healing meet your approval, Lion?" Liam said drily. Of course he would sense my probing with my magic instantly. This guy never let his guard down.

"Why wouldn't it? You're receiving treatment from my best healer." I smirked.

His scowl deepened and he turned his head away. I knew that he hadn't wanted to accept help from me but the pack had the best healers around and he'd been unconscious at the time, unable to refuse. His father, Dan, had chosen for him. Even after he'd woken, he'd been unable to get out of it as Kayli had forced him to stay with Paddy, my healer, and go to check-ups regularly after they'd been discharged from hospital.

I decided to begin a new subject, bored with the silence. "So... what do I owe this pleasure?" I raised my brows.

Kayli grinned. "Well I was just coming to catch up but Liam said he had to come as well in order to tell you something." She rolled her eyes.

Liam grabbed her hand and tugged her down beside him, draping an arm over her shoulders. For a split second his expression changed, something that I noticed a lot recently, and he looked as if he felt like he was the luckiest man alive.

"I do have something to speak with him about." Liam raised his eyes to me. "I've been suspended for a few days, I missed out on a few assignments and failed to keep the institution informed of my progress with Kayli and I didn't incorporate them in the mission with Lee. There's nothing they hate more than a wannabe hero. But when I get back General Sommers, my superior, will be putting me in charge of a local assignment." He paused and waited for it to click with me. Local. My biggest problem. The blood draining of local witches, of several members of my pack.

"Investigating the blood-witches."

He nodded.

"I want to be involved," I said instantly.

He nodded again. "I'll keep you up-to-date as much as possible. Can't have you trying to hire someone to break into headquarters again, right?" he sneered.

I still hated to think of that incident. Not only had we been easily caught but I had assured Kayli that it would go well... only it didn't. And I did not like broken promises.

"Do you have any useful information now? Anything I can use for my own investigation?"

He shook his head, expressionless. Damn him, when he didn't speak aloud I couldn't know if he was telling the truth. He was a tricky asshole. When I stared at him, he simply smiled and brushed his fingers down Kay's neck, as if that would make me jealous. This guy was smart in so many ways but when it came to anything to do with his girl, he was an idiot. Whilst injured and unconscious he'd emitted a spell to draw Kayli to him. James, Liam's kid brother and Seer, had said that he'd done it to keep her close; afraid she was going to leave him. Only a fool would miss the love written all over her face when she looked at him. I turned to Kayli.

"You wanna come play some virtual reality in the games room? Just like old times?" I smirked. I loved goading Liam. Seeing his jaw twitch brightened my day.

Kay opened her mouth to answer but was interrupted as the door was thrust open. A small, thin body flung itself at me and I staggered slightly to remain upright. Thick, blonde hair swung forward into my face, some of it landing in my mouth. The body lowered, purposely rubbing all the right places. But I still wasn't in a good enough mood to be aroused... especially when I saw the face of my attacker.

Kara Teal.

"Luke," she whimpered, puckering her lips for a kiss. I was mortified. Here I was, trying to get under Liam's skin, and this personification of the blonde stereotype goes right ahead and embarrasses me. I suppose I should admit I was wrong when I'd said that the women didn't throw themselves at me. Kara was the exception. It was like she had a magnet attached to her that meant she couldn't let me go. And she never got any of my hints, even the not-so-subtle ones. I gently pushed her away, though she kept one hand latched on my wrist.

"Kara." I smiled weakly and scratched my head. "I, erm, didn't think you were in town. Didn't you get a job in Clare?"

She grinned with delight, obviously pleased that I'd remembered where she had gone. It had been a lucky guess, though she had probably drummed it into my head with her never-ending reminders before she left. I wouldn't have been surprised if she had whispered it into my ear while I slept. Forward girls can be fun sometimes but Kara was leaning towards stalker.

"They said I wasn't putting enough effort in." She rolled her eyes. I bit back a groan. "I mean, I might have gone a bit over the set time for my break at times and left a few assignments til the last minute. But I always finished them in time."

Out of the corner of my eye I saw Liam's shoulders shake with silent laughter and Kayli elbow him in the stomach, holding back her own smile. Kara glanced at them and frowned when she saw Kayli. Another thing I hated in girls, possessiveness, like I couldn't talk to another girl because I could be leading them on. Kara had gotten jealous when I'd laughed with Matilda, my elderly, cranky maid. I brushed away her hand on my arm.

"I guess this means we need to do some more job-hunting then. You can't sit around your parent's house forever." She was only a few years older than me, it was hardly necessary for her to move out, but at the rate she was going - dropping out of high school and lazing around - she wasn't going to be leaving for years, if ever.

She pushed out her lower lip. "If you let me stay here I can do some work for you."

I nearly shuddered at the thought of having her around 24/7. "Thanks, Kara, but I'll survive with my council. Speaking of my council, I need to speak with Garth. Could you go find him?"

Her nose wrinkled. "Okay... but he's so mean."

I sighed exasperatedly, unable to hold it in. "Kara," I said firmly.

"Okay, but for the price of a kiss."

"Just go, Kara."

She gave me a hurt look and scuffled out.

"Real smooth, Remington," said Liam, his tone absolutely amused.

I shoved my hand through my hair. "Fuck you Liam."