A Light In The Heart Of Darkness. Amy Blankenship

circled on it.” He grinned lecherously. “I was just getting ready to go there and see if I could find her.”

      Kotaro sighed while Toya started some rampage about stupid girls. Not wanting to waste time he turned to the door. “Thanks Shinbe,” he threw over his shoulder as he took off now more worried than ever. He only hoped Kamui was with her… protecting her somehow.

      Shinbe cocked his head to the side looking over Toya’s shoulder as Kotaro left, and then he straightened back up to frown at Toya. “What is going on and why was Kotaro here?” Concern flashed in his amethyst eyes. He had always liked Kotaro but he couldn’t confess that to Toya without being labeled a traitor.

      Toya grabbed his keys off the bar as he answered. “I’ll tell you on the way.”

      He turned and started for the door, not even bothering to make sure Shinbe was behind him. He hated being without Kyoko. It always made him feel like he was wandering around confused. It was time to find her and put her back in her place… beside him.

      Chapter 5

      Kyoko didn’t like the way Yohji was holding her flush against him and she felt her resentment start to snap. Pushing as hard as she could with her palms pressed against his chest, her eyes shot angry sparks as she tried again to get him to let her go.

      â€œLook, I need you to let me go right now Yohji! I am here with someone.” Her eyes widened when he simply gave her a smug look and pressed her back to her previous position. ‘Damn it!’ Kyoko fumed as she gave a stomp with her foot, trying to make it land on Yohji’s toe.

      Across the room, Tasuki had brought some regular tea back to the table and set it down. Looking towards the door to see if he could spot Kyoko, his eyes darkened as he noticed Yohji harassing her. Most people who knew him believed Tasuki to be the all American, sweet, boy next-door and the most popular at school… but he did have a hidden temper.

      Yohji was on the verge of witnessing it unleashed, if he didn’t take his hands off Kyoko.

      Tasuki's anger was displayed on his face as he crossed the room to rescue his sweet Kyoko. He knew, from hearing others talk at the college, that Yohji and his brother were aggressive with girls and had even been accused of date rape more than once.

      As he approached them, he saw Yohji’s brother, Hitomi, standing with him but didn’t let that stop him. Those two guys were poison and he knew it. Tasuki’s eyes took on an illuminated shade of amethyst as he moved forward. His adrenaline was high and he gritted his teeth seeing Kyoko struggle to get free.

      Kyoko’s eyebrow started to twitch as Yohji’s hand traveled down her back and cupped her butt firmly, forcing her to arch into him. She could feel his lust as he smirked devilishly at her.

      â€œThat’s it!” She raised her hand so swiftly that Yohji hadn’t seen it coming, until he heard the crack of it echo in his ear.

      Yohji’s brother, Hitomi, heard the sound and turned to look at the red cheek of his brother. He grinned knowingly but then looking past him, he observed the boy named Tasuki heading straight for his brother with a livid look on his face.

      Knowing his brother could take care of the reluctant girl himself, Hitomi stepped around them and directly into Tasuki's path. “Just where do you think you’re going little boy?”

      Tasuki looked past Hitomi, his eyes instantly clashing with Yohji's. He could see Yohji’s hand caress Kyoko’s… without thinking, he threw all his weight into the punch landing it right in Hitomi’s stomach. Much to his amazement, the other boy barely moved.

      Being so much bigger than the college prep, with one punch, Hitomi sent Tasuki sprawling toward the far wall of the hallway. He shrugged, figuring the boy would not get back up and he turned back to watch his brother play with his new toy.

      Seeing the girl fight for her release brought a smile to Hyakuhei’s lips. ‘So, this girl will not be handled so easily. I will take pleasure in breaking her.’ Watching the young man that had come to defend her honor, Hyakuhei decided on who he wanted as his newest recruit.

      He swiftly caught the boy named Tasuki before he slammed into the wall.

      His senses told him the boy was still pure… a virgin… how strange. Quickly cloaking them in darkness to keep others from seeing, Hyakuhei gazed down at him. He had watched him interact with this girl and several others. He would be a good choice.

      â€œWelcome to the darkness, my son...” He whispered as he sank his fangs into Tasuki's vein. Hyakuhei’s eyes widened at the flavor of the boy’s blood. Hidden power? It tasted of amethyst. He gripped the boy tighter wanting more.

      Tasuki had taken the blow to the face with stride since he had so much adrenaline pumping through him. He planned on getting right back up but as arms enveloped him from behind, everything turned black and he felt paralyzed with instant fear. A soft almost seductive voice welcomed him to darkness.

      He gasped as he felt sharp teeth sink into the flesh of his neck. As his life drained from him, his last thoughts were of Kyoko and how much he needed to get to her. He was reaching out his hand in one last attempt to go to her when oblivion came, claiming his last breath.

      *****

      Kyoko’s hand still burned from the impact it had made with Yohji’s cheek. She wanted to cringe now that she could feel many interested eyes on her. It didn’t help that the slap had sounded like a freaking gunshot.

      â€˜Damn it all!’ This was what she had been trying to avoid, but no, Yohji had to go and be such an ass. Speaking of asses, he had yet to remove his hand from hers. She slowly glanced back up at him. From the angry look in his eyes, she didn’t think he planned on letting her go at all.

      She returned the heated glare, waiting to see if he would pay her back or let her go. If she were the type to place bets… she would bet on the first option.

      Kyou could tell the small wisp of a girl was no match for the lust coming from the guy holding her so tightly. He mentally shredded the lecher for daring to touch what he intended to claim as his possession. It suddenly didn’t matter to him if Hyakuhei detected him or not as he made up his mind. Just as Kyou moved to step out of the shadows, intent on taking her away from the harasser, he heard a deep growl.

      Momentarily stunned, Kyou knew that kind of growl was only known to come from a Lycan. His golden eyes followed the sound to its source as it continued to vibrate from the entrance only a couple of feet from the girl. The wolf’s rage flooded the crowded hallway.

      Kyou’s eyes narrowed on the scene, wondering if he could trust such an ageless strength within reaching distance of the girl. He had not seen a Lycan since he had been first turned and then he had only watched from a distance. He remembered once telling Toya that Vampires and werewolves didn’t mingle. Toya had asked him why and he hadn’t answered him because he had only been repeating Hyakuhei’s words and had not known the reason for it.

      Kotaro took one look at Yohji groping ‘His Woman’ and lost it. Within the blink of an eye, Yohji was slammed against the wall with Kotaro’s hand around his throat, lifting him several inches into the air. He had dealt with the lecherous brothers before and where one was… the other was sure to follow.

      His senses were on high alert as he smelled Hitomi’s stench and knew he was coming from behind. With one well-placed kick, Kotaro sent Hitomi flying through the air, to land in a heap on the floor down the hall. People scattered and the hallway quickly cleared.

      Kyoko sat where she had landed on the floor with her eyes wide… almost missing what had just happened, since it had happen so fast. Her gaze went from the crumpled form of Hitomi to the furious form of Kotaro who was holding the neck of a slowly turning blue Yohji.

      Knowing she had to stop Kotaro before he really hurt someone,