MARKED (Hunter Awakened) Read online

  MARKED

  (Hunter Awakened)

  By

  Felicity Hunt

  ~~~

  Smashwords Edition

  Copyright © 2014 by Rascal Hearts

  All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead is purely coincidental.

  For questions and comments about this book, please contact us at [email protected]

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  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter One

  In the list of Hollywood's twenty-five most beautiful people under the age of twenty-five, I was number five this year, number seven last year. A twenty-one year-old actress who'd been born in Omaha, Nebraska, but then raised in the glitz and glam of LA. The couple who had adopted me had been looking for a beautiful, charismatic little girl who they could mold into a Hollywood darling. With my white blond hair, dark gray eyes and dimples, I was the perfect abandoned two month-old.

  My name had been Annie Snow, or at least that had been the name given to me by the priest who'd found me on the doorstep of his church. That name hadn't sounded 'creative' enough, so my parents had changed it to Teal Rhines. Their last name had been Smith, so I didn't know why they'd picked a different last name for me, though I'd long assumed that it was because they hadn't really been looking for someone to be part of their family.

  By the time I had turned six, I'd modeled for four different clothing lines, starred in over a dozen commercials, had twenty different television guest spots and had been in three hit movies, each role bigger than the last. At the age of ten, after having done the voice animated darling Jet of Jet and the Robotics for three television seasons and two movies, I'd won the role of daughter number three, Lily Hasbro, on the show Never Enough. A hit with both critics and fans, it had enjoyed five years of success before the death of the lead actor had moved it off of the air. I hadn't minded. I'd managed to do a couple of movies during various hiatuses, but I had been ready to move on from Never Enough when it had ended.

  In fact, it had been then, at the age of fifteen, that I had sued my parents for mismanagement of funds. They'd spent almost everything I'd made, and, believe me, it had been a lot. My suit for emancipation had brought more media attention than normal as my parents forced my hand and I had to air all of our dirty laundry. Hours spent memorizing lines while schoolwork and sleep were pushed to the side. Harsh punishments like missing meals, sleeping without a blanket during the winter in an under-heated house, and hours of forced standing if parts were lost or lines forgotten.

  Needless to say, two days after I'd turned sixteen, the judge had granted me emancipation and then ordered my parents to pay back everything they'd taken from me, minus the ten percent an agent would have received. Fortunately, most of what they'd spent was in physical assets, so selling jewelry and cars had at least given me a fraction of what they'd taken. It hadn't been about the money though. I'd just wanted to be free. A restraining order the following year had just solidified my freedom. That court hearing was the last time I saw or spoke to my parents.

  I'd taken a break after that, wanting to regroup and decide if this really was the life I wanted. I used the money I'd gotten to find a place and spent some time making it into a home. After a year away, I'd made my comeback as an indie darling in a dark, cutting edge drama, and that back been that. Between the ages of seventeen and twenty-one, I'd done half a dozen films, some blockbusters, some critically acclaimed masterpieces.

  I'd become a household name and hadn't needed to trash hotel rooms or drink and drive to do it. Two days after my twenty-first birthday, I'd gotten the green light for a television pilot I'd helped produce. Our ratings had been great to begin with and they'd just kept going up, prompting the studio to order two more seasons last week. The season wasn't even half done yet.

  The show was my baby and I was ecstatic that it was being so well received by critics and fans alike. I'd been recognizable before, but this role took things to a whole new level. Any time I was out in public, I had people yelling 'Kiana' at me—she was my moon goddess warrior character in Moonlight's Warrior. I supposed it didn't help that I'd taken my characterization to a personal level by putting Kiana's blue streaks in my chin-length blond hair. I could have used extensions or a wig, but I'd liked the idea of having colorful hair. It was different and my parents would've flipped. That wasn't the only that was new. Now, I enjoyed my work, and only took the jobs I wanted. I managed my own money, and I often used it to fund projects for my charity, Acts of Love. And, of course, I always had time for my fans. It had been they who'd supported me whether I was playing a well-known superhero in a big budget action flick or a strung-out hooker in a college piece for a friend.

  And speaking of friends...

  I forced a smile at yet another vapid, brainless celebutant whose fading fame made them want to be seen with me. I didn't really want to be at this party, but it was being thrown by Simon Evans, one of my Moonlight's Warrior co-stars, and I knew that showing up was important, not because I cared about being seen, but because I wanted to show my love and support for my friend. I just hated that it had to be here.

  As another particularly loud song started playing over the club loud speakers, I resisted the urge to close my eyes and rub my temples. I wasn't so sure I liked Simon's taste in music. I grimaced and grabbed a glass of champagne. I took a gulp, more than I usually did, then sighed at the light, pleasant buzz in my head. One of the almost downsides to not having been a partier in my youth was that I was a lightweight when it came to drinking. Not that I was complaining.

  I was proud of my reputation as a responsible person, and I'd never regretted my decisions, but it did make events like this tricky. I wanted to drink to be able to numb the overwhelming sensations, but it was never a good idea to get drunk in public, especially at a party like this when there were cameras everywhere. It was also annoying for someone like me who needed something in my hands when I was uncomfortable, like now.

  I smiled again in what I hoped was a polite manner and began to make my way across the crowded dance floor, angling for an empty table as far away from the throng as possible. I tried to stay near the edge and hoped that the pulsing lights were enough to hide who I was. Simon hadn't rented out
the entire club so there were plenty of paparazzi around. Unfortunately, my attempt to hide from them didn't work very well.

  “Hey!” A hand grabbed my wrist. “Aren't you Teal Rhines?”

  I turned towards the voice and found myself fact-to-face with a large, obviously inebriated man.

  “I worked with you on An Angelic Heart.”

  That had been just a stint I'd done to prove to the network that I was bankable enough to hold my own show. The actress who'd played the female half of the main due had gone on maternity leave do they'd made her character get kidnapped and I'd been the FBI agent they'd brought in to find her. It had been a fun show to work on and I'd been told that if my pilot fell through, I'd be welcomed back without a problem. I usually made it a point to know at least the first names of all of the crew whenever I worked a project for more than a week, but I didn't remember the man currently crowding me.

  “I was a PA and you got me fired.” He smiled, but it wasn't a nice smile.

  Now I remembered. Rufus Dietz. I'd caught him pawing at one of the show's younger actresses. A twelve year-old actress to be precise. I hadn't just gotten him fired. I'd gotten him arrested and blackballed. I had a feeling he really didn't like me. The feeling was mutual.

  “Why aren't you in jail?” I asked the question as I scanned the crowd for my bodyguard.

  “Out early for good behavior.” Rufus twisted my wrist and a flare of pain went through it. “I heard Simon was throwing this little get together and figured I'd crash it to come see you.”

  “How the hell did you get in?” I continued trying to distract him.

  “I still have a few friends you haven't poisoned against me.”

  I finally spotted Todd. He wasn't paying any attention to me. Instead, he was staring at the barely legal cleavage of eighteen year-old Bethany Evans, Simon's little sister. I now had two choices. I could yell and hope I got Todd's attention before Rufus silenced me, or I could take care of the problem myself.

  I sighed, already knowing which I'd do. It just wasn't going to be easy in a dress. Just so no one could say that I hadn't tried, I made an attempt at a peaceful resolution. “Let me go, Rufus. You don't want to add an assault charge to what you've already got going for you.”

  “Bitch!” He actually snarled at me.

  That was enough. I yanked down and the movement caught him off guard. His body bent forward slightly, and that was all I needed. I drove my knee up into his chest, then kicked my foot out, catching him squarely in the crotch. With these shoes, I had a feeling he was going to have some very bruised testicles. I didn't feel bad though as he let go of my wrist and crumpled to the floor. It had all happened so quickly and quietly that hardly anyone had realized that there was a confrontation at all.

  Before the ripple effect could begin, I was pushing my way through the crowd until I reached Todd. “Go, now!” I practically shouted in his ear.

  He looked at me, startled, though I wasn't sure if it was more because of my sudden appearance or that I was loudly insisting we leave. He gave Bethany one last leer, then took my arm and walked us off the dance floor. He didn't complain but I could feel his annoyance as we walked towards the exit and, not for the first time, I wondered if he'd taken the job as my bodyguard for the access it gave him to other celebrities. It wouldn't be the first time something like that had happened.

  “What happened back there?” He finally asked as we stepped outside. “I thought you wanted to stay for a while.”

  I slowed down, forcing him to match my pace as we headed for the car. He let go of my arm but made no move to step between me and the flashing cameras of the paparazzi held back only by the ropes in front of the club. Once we hit the end of the sidewalk, it'd be open season. As it was, a few of the bolder reporters were eyeing the ropes as if to determine if it'd be worth getting across. They knew if I complained about them to the club manager, they'd find themselves with even more limited access than they already had. The mood I was in, I'd make sure they never got anywhere near this club again.

  “Remember Rufus Dietz, the PA I got fired and arrested for harassing that girl on set last year? Well, he's out and decided he wanted some payback.”

  Todd threw me a sharp look. “Why didn't you get me?”

  I was too annoyed to attempt tact. “Because you were too busy ogling Bethany Evans.”

  He opened his mouth to reply when movement caught both of our eyes. It took me only a moment to realize that it was a young boy, probably only ten or twelve years-old, and he was holding out a dvd for me to sign, most likely from the superhero flick I'd starred in a couple years ago. I took a step forward, stretching out my hand, when Todd knocked it aside and moved between the boy and me.

  “Back off!” he yelled.

  The boy's eyes went wide and he stopped right where he was.

  “I said back off!” Todd yelled again.

  By now, the paparazzi had caught the scent of metaphorical blood in the water and was moving our way rather than snapping shots of other guests who were entering or exiting the club.

  “She doesn't want to be bothered.” Todd took a step towards the kid.

  Now, this kid was maybe five feet tall, a hundred pounds dripping wet, and Todd was over six feet, two hundred plus points. The intimidation factor here was ridiculous. I had a feeling Todd was just trying to make up for his lack of attention in the club, so I moved to diffuse the situation.

  “Todd,” I started to protest.

  My bodyguard ignored me.

  “Move, or I'll fucking make you move.”

  I'd had enough. I grabbed Todd's arm. “Leave him alone.”

  I don't know if he was just reacting to the touch because he was so tense, or if Todd actually realized what he was doing, but whatever the reason, he swung backwards, his hand catching me across the side of my face. Pain exploded across my cheek and I stumbled back a few steps. I could hear the reaction of the reporters, and then I saw the club's security running towards me. I held up a hand. This was going to make headlines and I'd be damned if I let it look like I needed to be rescued.

  Todd turned towards me and I could see arrogance in his dark eyes, but no remorse. He may not have meant to hit me, but he didn't seem to regret it either. “Sorry.” He said the word but it fell flat. I knew he didn't mean it. If he had, I might've forgiven him and let the incident slide.

  “You're fired.” I resisted the urge to put my hand on my throbbing cheek. The make-up department on set was going to have a fit when they saw this tomorrow. “Give me my car keys and get the hell away from me. We'll mail your things to you.”

  The corner of Todd's mouth twitched as he reached into his pocket. “Come on, Teal, I said I was sorry.” He held out the keys.

  I stretched out my hand, careful not to touch him. I wasn't finding this nearly as amusing as he was. Still, I didn't acknowledge his comment with a reply. He was baiting me, trying to make me look like the bad guy for not accepting his apology. If I responded to what he said, he'd find some way to twist things around on me, maybe make it look like I was drunk. Add this to the fact that I had kind of assaulted Rufus back in the club and the press might be on his side, I knew it wasn't a good idea to engage him. If I walked away and proved that I was sober and in control, the speculation would remain small. There was one thing I had to do first though.

  I crouched next to the wide-eyed, pale-faced boy, thankful I'd opted for a skirt long enough to allow me to do this without flashing everyone. I held out my hand for his dvd and pen. “Did you want me to sign that for you?”

  He nodded mutely, his eyes darting back and forth between me and Todd. I wanted to look behind me to make sure Todd wasn't going to try something stupid, but I didn't. I trusted the club security to make sure Todd didn't do anything else stupid.

  “What's your name?”

  “Kyle.”

  I scrawled a note on the dvd and then added my signature. “Here you go, Kyle.” I handed the dvd and pen back to him. “You have
a good night, all right? And you're always welcome to come talk to me, okay?”

  He nodded again, a smile breaking across his face. He ran off and I straightened. It may have still been fairly early, but I was ready to call it a night. Only a couple more days filming and then we were taking a break for Thanksgiving. I was looking forward to being able to stay at home and not have to go anywhere. A nice, quiet weekend off was exactly what I needed.

  Chapter Two

  My phone rang before my alarm went off and I groaned. I hated it when that happened. I rolled over and looked at the caller ID. Harrison Kyle. I had a feeling I knew why my agent was calling me at a quarter till six in the morning. This was a conversation I wished could wait until after I'd had at least one cup of coffee, but I knew that Harrison was just keep calling until I finally answered.

  I slid my finger across the screen. “Hi, Harrison.”

  “Teal, what the hell happened last night?”

  I sighed and flopped back onto my pillows. If I had to do this now, at least I'd be comfortable. I gave Harrison the quick version, skimming over the actual damage I'd done to Rufus Dietz as well as my own injury. My cheek was aching and felt swollen. I really didn't want to look in a mirror any time soon.

  “This is a real media shit storm, Teal.”

  “Don't sugar-coat it, Harrison,” I said dryly. One of the things I'd always liked about my agent was his blunt manner. After everything that had happened with my parents, I'd wanted an agent who wasn't going to lie to me, not even to make me feel better. Harrison had certainly fit the bill, and he hadn't changed his manner over the past five years.

  “Here's how we're going to play this.” He ignored my comment. “I'm assuming you aren't looking to keep things nice with Todd.”