“Ives,” I echoed, scrunching my nose. “What kind of name is Ives?”
Not long after that he turned off the main road and down what I wouldn’t have even deemed a road. It was more like a path, a ghostly path. When he pulled up to a house that looked more like an abandoned shack, I figured we were lost. Boards twisted chaotically, falling off and the wood was miss-matched and different colors. “Why didn’t you use the GPS?”
He gave me an odd look. “We’re here. What do I need the GPS for?
“You’re joking,” I snorted. “He lives here? A rat couldn’t live here.”
“Angel Eyes, sometimes you can be such a snob.”
I gave him the stink eye. Me? I’m not the one driving a car that obviously cost more than this guy’s house. Reluctantly following him out of the car, I waited on the rattling and rickety porch as Chase knocked on the door.
“It’s open,” called a voice from inside.
“Are you sure this is a good idea?” I whispered. “I better come out of here alive,” I warned unable to shake this eerie vibe.
Chase grinned devilishly. “Where’s your sense of adventure?”
“I left it at home with my common sense,” I replied surly.
The decrepit door creaked like an old woman as Chase pushed it open. When we looked inside the air swirled with dust particles through a tiny stream of light. The uneven floorboards groaned as Chase walked over the threshold. His body was taunt and on alert, looking for anything out of the ordinary. He might be here for answers, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t cautious. Chase was always on guard.
It was just one of his many annoying traits.
“In the back,” yelled the voice again. It was deep and sounded like aged wine. Maybe he was as old as this dump.
I followed close behind Chase. Possibly too close. I could smell him over the musty, pine scent. Sexy. Wicked. Yummy. Unable to help myself, I inhaled deeply, forgetting where we were or why we were here.
He stopped abruptly right outside a doorway, and I bumped ungracefully into him, the whole arms flailing deal. “Did you just sniff me?” he asked with a lazy grin.
I regained my balance. “And if I did?”
He just shook his head and stepped through the door. The room wasn’t exactly what I’d been expecting. Papers were scattered haphazardly on top a large mahogany desk. And the man behind the desk was an even bigger shock. He was maybe in his forties, with brown wavy hair, a day’s growth covered his face, and…he was smoking hot for an old dude. Gently smiling, he indicated for us to take a seat in the two chairs.
I didn’t move.
“Angel, you can close your mouth now,” Chase whispered in my ear, pulling me from my gawking state.
I gave him an evil glare from the corner of my eye, and then planted my butt in front of the massive desk. Trying to ignore my flushing cheeks, I glanced at the rest of the room. Framed maps lined the walls along with a whole lot of other ancient mumble jumble.
“Wow. I was skeptical when Magnolia called.” I said, looking me over. I assumed Magnolia was Sierra’s mom. His green eyes brimmed with wonder. “You really do ooze his signature. Could I possibly see the marks?”
“I don’t do show and tell,” I snapped. No matter how hot Ives might be, I wasn’t ready to lift up my shirt for any yahoo.
“Not going to happen,” Chase refused, echoing my rude remark. “You’ll just have to take our word for it. They’re there and identical.”
“I can tell you it burned like a mother,” I said, offering that little tidbit. The memory still tortured me some nights, even some days. It was the kind of pain I never wanted to feel again. The marks were unique to the demon bloodlines. You could tell which demon had sired the half-breed by the mark they were born with. Travis and Lexi share the same symbol – the same demon blood.
Ives reclined from the desk, putting his hands behind his head. “Hmm. That sounds about right. It’s been quite some time since I have seen a bond such as yours – one linking a human with a half-demon. I will answer any questions that I can, but I must warn you, I am no expert. It’s a phenomenon few understand and grasp even less.”
Goodie gumdrops. It was our lucky day.
“But wow, what the two of you have is strong,” he added.
Chase cut the friendly pleasantries. “How about you start with what you do know,” he prompted, not entirely impressed with Ives. He was such a cynic.
Ives palm tree green eyes twinkled. “Well there are three various bonds. If the information I’ve gathered over the years is accurate, yours is a soulbond – a linking of souls. It is believed that the circumstances surrounding the connection play into factor as to the kind of link that is shared between the two involved. There must be an extremely strong desire for the completion to take place and also a sacrifice from the half-demon. Do you have any idea what your sacrifice was?” he asked Chase.
“Yeah, my sanity,” he mumbled under his breath.
I kicked him.