Chapter One

The music was loud and pumping through the speakers. I watched as she moved her body to the beat, responding in perfect harmony. The mass of bodies swayed in sync with the music. The ones gathered in the sensual dance were lost to the tether of time. She moved through the people with an unnatural grace as she made her way outside. I followed her out of the club, melting into the shadows, the moment the cool damp air met her lungs, she looked shocked to see they had all partied well into the night. The music from the club could still be heard from the alley, the bass pumping in time to my heartbeat.

From all my time spent watching her, I could tell she was never one for partying but she did love to dance, to lose herself to the beat of the music and move her body to the rhythm. I watched her take deep breaths of the cool night air, trying to calm her racing heart. Her jeans and tank top clung to her body, her sweat-covered skin rising with goosebumps in the chilly night air. Running her hands through her long waves she shivered as she felt the weight of my eyes on her. Turning slowly she scanned the alley trying to find me. She turned in a full circle, coming face to face with her best friend, both letting out yelps of surprise.

“Jesus Christ Lydia you scared the crap out of me.” She spoke to her redheaded best friend, placing her small pale hand over her heart.

“Sorry, Kinsley. I was coming to look for you. You just disappeared while dancing so I got worried.” He redheaded friend said as she wrapped her small arms around her slim frame.

“Well, you looked a little occupied with that guy you were dancing with. I figured you could use some privacy.” Kinsley chuckled as she played with her wavy hair.

Her redheaded friend blushed lightly at the teasing tone. “He’s such a good dancer and he smells nice too.” She blushed, biting on her bottom lip.

“Did you even get his name?” Kinsley asked with a raised eyebrow.

“He said it was Zane. He has the most kissable pierced lips and beautiful green eyes.” She informed me with a sigh of want. I smirked from my place in the shadows, knowing full well who she spoke of. If he managed to make her that smitten he was doing his job well. “And those arms, guh. He can hold me forever.” She swooned, wrapping her arms around herself in a hug.

Kinsley snorted in amusement at her friend and lifted a perfectly arched eyebrow in question to her friend's attitude. “He’s just a guy Lydy. He’s nothing special.” She replied, lifting her thick heavy curls off the back of her neck.

“He’s not just a guy, Kins, he’s THE guy. At least I want him to be.” She said with a small pout causing me to smirk at her naivety and Kinsley to snort.

“Lydia, you've only known him for 10 minutes tops. He’s not Mr. Right, he’s just Mr. Right Now.” She smirked at her friend's shocked look.

“I’m not that kind of girl Kinsley, you know that.” She huffed.

“I’m not telling you to sleep with him, I’m just telling you to see how tonight goes. Don’t plan out your future just yet. For all, you know he could be some mob member following orders to get close to a pretty naive girl.” Kinsley said as she slung her arm around her friend’s small shoulders. I smirked and chuckled darkly at Kinsley’s comment because she was exactly right. Lydia was only target one, bait for reeling in target two, My beautiful Kinsley.

“He’s not like that, Kins. He’s too sweet.” Her friend pouted, turning her big hazel doe eyes on her friend.

Before Kinsley could comment, the back door of the club opened and Zane himself walked out the door. He smiled as he caught sight of both of the girls, his eyes glancing over the corner I was standing in and gave a barely susceptible nod in my direction. I smirked as the redhead friend smiled upon seeing him walk toward her.

“Hey, beautiful. I was looking for you, I got worried some guy snatched you away from me.” Zane said in a flirty tone as he wrapped both of his arms around her small waist and pulled her to him. She giggled and melted into his touch, her naivety making her too easy.

“Zane, this is my best friend Kinsley. Kinsley, this is Zane.” Lydia introduced them, keeping her hands on his chest. He smiled at Kinsley and held out a hand for her to shake. Hesitating for a second she shook his hand with a firm grip that surprised both Zane and I.

“Nice to meet you, Kinsley. I’m sorry for monopolizing all your friends' time, but I just can’t get enough of her.” He smiled, making his eyes sparkle down at the redhead. Kinsley narrowed her eyes slightly, not at all trusting him.

“Nice to meet you too Zane, but I’m afraid we have to leave. It’s late and we both have work in the morning. Come on Lydy.” Kinsley spoke in a clear voice that held no room for an argument. She stepped forward and grabbed her friend's arm and pulled her from his grip.

I watched as Zane’s eyes flashed with furry before fading back to a sparkly green. He flashed Kinsley a warm smile before kissing Lydia on the cheek, making her blush. “Till next time, beautiful.” He promised before stepping back and letting both girls walk past him.

As the girls turned and left the alley I stepped out of the shadows and made my way to Zane. He smirked as I came to stand beside him.

“She’s too easy, no challenge whatsoever. This will be a piece of cake.” He smirked cockily.

“She might be easy, but Kinsley is not. We will have a fight on our hands when it comes to her.” I smirked as I thought of the challenge she presented.

“We’re in for some fun than aren’t we Ren.” he smirked up at me, crossing his tattooed arms over his chest, his cold green eyes excited for the challenge.

“That we are Tenebrous, that we are.” I smirked in agreement before we both turned and melted back into the shadows. Kinsley Anderson was going to be a challenge, but I lived for challenges. She would break and I would be the one to break her.