A few minutes later they were racing across the city in a candy apple red convertible. Syxx drove as if she were on a race track, taking sharp hairpin turns and drifting the curves. "So, nice to finally meet my big brother." She smirked but her eyes held sincerity.

Big brother? Oh Hell no. He had enough siblings to worry about. He didn't need another one, let alone a potentially psycho one. "I don't have a little sister."

She sing-songed, "You do now!"

He gritted his teeth. "I'm sorry but I'm not taking applications for younger siblings at this time."

She pouted a little. "Too bad."

They argued the rest of the journey which to Syxx just signaled her victory. Only siblings will fight like that.

They pulled up to The Wildside, much to Kevfire's surprise. He realized it shouldn't have. It was the hot spot of the city. They headed to the entrance to find two familiar figures waiting. Grim looked like he'd rather be anywhere else, while Kyra was dressed in a little black dress and heels. She looked amazing.

She waved to them upon seeing Syxx, but it stopped short when she spotted him. Her eyes widened and she studied him. Kevfire was certain she was imagining what was underneath his clothes. Syxx gave her a hug but her attention was all on him. He decided to give a small bow and kiss the top of her hand. "Hello, I'm Kevin. Syxx's brother." Syxx beamed as he spoke, doing a little happy dance before pulling them all inside.

The girls picked a loud, colorful club playing the latest electronic music. It wasn't really his taste, but he'd worked in this one plenty of times. Kyra and Syxx giggled when at his arrival the bouncer called a warning into his walkie. He was less amused. He'd never done anything inside the club that would warrant that.

They grabbed a table and Kyra got down to business. "So, you're Syxx's brother?" She seemed doubtful and he couldn't blame her. Other than being pale they resemble each other at all.

He gave her a winning smile. "We were adopted by the same family, yes. And because of that she's my little sister that I get to annoy."

They kept talking, her asking questions and him answering as honestly as he could. He wasn't sure if she knew he was a vampire or not, but he wouldn't risk revealing that unless he had to. After a little bit Syxx shifted and caught his eye. She reached into her jacket and quickly flashed a knife before putting it away. The message was clear.

I could kill her right now and you couldn't stop me.

She was trying to throw him off, intimidate him. He wouldn't be cowed by her. He was so focused on hyping himself up he almost missed Kyra's question. "So what do you like to do?"

He was a bit surprised. Nobody had asked him that question in years. He wasn't even sure of the answer anymore. "Well, I haven't had much free time lately. I've been too busy getting my dance studio set up."

Her eyes widened. "That's yours?"

He beamed, giving her his best unsure but game smile. "It is. I'll be the instructor, possibly have my friend as an assistant depending on how popular it is. Were you planning on going?"

She nodded. "I was, but if you need an assistant maybe you're not that great of a dancer."

He crossed his arms and raise an eyebrow. "I'm an excellent dancer."

She stood up and held out her hand. "Oh yeah? Let's see then."

He took her hand and escorted her to the dance floor. Just his luck, a slow song started playing. He took the lead, guiding her around the floor. He let himself be free, his will encircling her like a blanket, not pushing, not demanding, just settling there for her to submit to. It wasn't really cheating. She's used magic on him before and likely would again if given a chance. He was merely making the first move. She could fight it if she wished.

She didn't. As it settled he saw her lips part and her eyes glaze over. He noticed Syxx about to get up from the table, likely to try to break them up. Instead he focused, and caught her as well. She smiled, perfectly complacent and retook her seat.

They danced, both of their souls bare for the other to see. It wasn't quite like the last time. Still they drew closer, their bodies rubbing against one another, her reaching up to cup the back of his head and bring him down to her. God, he'd been waiting for so long to feel her soft lips on his.

A large hand grabbed him by the hair in an unbreakable grip and hauled his head back. Wincing he took in the seriousness and restrained fury of Grim. "What are you up to?"

What he was up to was finally kissing a woman he'd been longing for. "Dancing." It wasn't a lie, but he knew damn well that wasn't what Grim was asking.

Grim released him when Kyra barked, "Grim! Back off!"

Sadly the moment was gone. He turned, about to apologize for trying to steal that kiss when there was a resounding crash that reverberated through the club. The music cut. At the booth, his mouth open as a strain of profanities slipped out was Remy. He looked like a mess, his shirt soaked and he reeked of alcohol. "HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME!?"

He jumped down and started toward them. The entire club was entranced, watching their little drama unfold. "I LOVE YOU! HOW COULD YOU FUCKING CHEAT ON ME?!" Reaching them there was a crack as Remy slapped him across the face, causing a large red welt to appear.

He took in the scene, acknowledged the people around them. He noticed Syxx come up and guide Kyra out of the club, with Grim right behind. He felt the cleansing heat of his fury and slipped into his professional mode. He grabbed Remy by the shoulders and shook him. His melodic voice was harsh with anger and worry, and he shouted loud enough to make sure the whole crowd heard him. "YOU HAVE TO STOP GETTING DRUNK AND PULLING THIS SHIT! YOU'RE MY BROTHER AND I LOVE YOU, BUT PLEASE THINK OF MOTHER!"

He noticed the approaching security guards. Rather than be thrown out he grabbed the now stunned Remy by the wrist and dragged him out to find the girls. They were just outside nearly doubled over with laughter. His lips started twitching and soon he and Remy had joined in the fun.

He shoved Remy. "Don't pull that shit you ass."

Remy smirked at him. "I do what I want."

Kevfire frowned. He wasn't sure what to make of this man, but there was no way he would let him show him up tonight. "I'm going to call Auntie."

Remy mocked, "Oh, going to tell on me?"

Kevfire gave him a wide malicious grin. "No, she's just more fun than you."

Remy balked, before his face rearranged into a cold mask. He turned on his heel and marched towards the exit. Apparently he could only dish it out, not take it. Kevfire shook his head. It was only a little verbal smack down. Remy needed to get used to that and how to handle it. However a pang of guilt went through him. Maybe he'd been too confrontational? Remy had possibly saved him some more humiliation, because he was absolutely about to try to steal that kiss, Grim or no Grim. On the other hand he had completely killed the mood and thrown off his game, which is just plain rude.

The girls hiccuped their laughter down to a manageable level behind him. He went over, a grin plastered to his face. "So, where to?"

Kyra blushed fiercely and looked away, while Syxx jabbed her in the ribs with her elbow. Checking his watch he saw it was nearly one in the morning. Perhaps it was time to wind down. "Well, if you don't have ideas we could go listen to some jazz or something." They both looked at him as if his head turned into a jellyfish. He laughed and Kyra's stomach growled. "Or we could get some food." She smiled shyly at him and he took each lady on his arms and escorted them to a restaurant.

It was the kind of place where there weren't prices on the menus. He grinned, almost wolfish. "My treat." They murmured their thanks. He knew the rules of secrets between supernaturals were a bit more flexible than those that dealt with humans. However he didn't know if Kyra knew what they were. And so that lead him back to keeping up the charade of being human. She ordered her food and he followed suit, much to Syxx's surprise. He shrugged, and gave her a look that dared her to out him. What he was about to do was disgusting, but he was raised that it was polite to eat when someone else did. He didn't want Kyra to feel uncomfortable.

And so he tucked in to his first burger in over ten years. It tasted like ash in his mouth, and each swallow was an effort of will, but he managed. Kyra on the other hand had annihilated hers. Kevfire smiled. "Impressive. It's good to have a healthy appetite."

Syxx elbowed her causing her to choke slightly. "This girl really loves her meat." Kyra choked on her laughter and it brought tears to her eyes as she let loose.

"Good to know. So Kyra, tell me about yourself." He lounged in his booth, trying to seem completely relaxed. There was no mystical pull anymore. He truly wanted to get to know this woman who had seemingly snatched his heart right from his chest.

She waved him off. "I mean, there's not much to tell. My family's very...strict and traditional. So I don't get to go out much or really do much."

He nodded in sympathy, remembering what Merril had told him about the course his life could have taken. It still gave him chills. "I get that."

She cocked her head. "You're a faerie princess too?"

Syxx snorted out a laugh. "He looks like one with that hair."

Kevfire frowned. "And that lipstick washes out your skin."

Syxx scoffed. "Are you always this abusive to women?"

He waved her off. "No, I just enjoying teasing my little sister." She glared at him and he just smirked back. She'd asked for this, and she was going to get it. She wanted a big brother? He'd be the most protective and invested big brother ever. She'd never get a moment's peace. He turned back to Kyra. "What I meant is that my family had very traditional views as well. Very entrapping and constricting."

Kyra seemed more confused. "I think your family's fun."

It took him a minute to understand what she meant. "Not them. They certainly know how to entertain themselves. I meant my biological family." She nodded as comprehension dawned.

All at once he felt his shriveled stomach begin to reject the food he'd eaten. "Excuse me ladies." He started towards the bathroom but stopped when he got to Grim. The old man had been observing from a nearby table. "Hey Grim, can you watch my sister while I'm in the restroom? I don't want her getting into trouble."

Grim huffed at him. "Go throw up your food, vampire."

He gave the man a finger wave and left to take care of business. About five minutes passed before he returned to the table to find two of the most suspicious looking girls he'd ever seen. They were carefully not looking at each other or him, with innocent smiles lighting up their faces. He took his seat. "Anything fun happen while I was gone?"

"No..." they answered in unison.

The rest of their evening went smoothly, with Kevfire even managing to get Kyra's number. Syxx's as well but that was more of a formality. They parted ways, and before Grim could stop her, Kyra left him a parting gift in the form of her soft lips on his cheek. Kevfire thought he'd died and gone to heaven. Of course that was impossible, but it was a wonderful thing all the same.

Grim and Kyra left the scene, and Syxx drove Kevfire home. Along the way he asked, "So what were you two talking about while I was in the bathroom?"

Syxx laughed, loud and full. "I told her that you're hung like a moose but only do anal."

He snorted and started laughing along with her. "Ok, that's a good one. I'll need to think of a way to get you back."

"Good luck with that."