“I’ll come back.” My shoulders slumped as I gave in. “But what do I do if he comes to the house? What if he does come back?” That thought was almost as depressing and confusing as him staying away forever, or me being the reason behind his absence.
“Well I may have this ass backward all things considered—I mean, I eat pinecones—but you could always say hi.”
The ride back to Ethan’s house was almost unbearable. For one thing, Mason drove like a maniac. I’m pretty sure he’s actually never passed a driver’s test. When I asked to see his license he laughed and pushed down on the accelerator, shooting Ethan’s brand new Lexus forward like a pinball out of the slot along busy city streets. You’d think he had a death wish, then again it would take more than a car accident to kill us.
By the time we pulled up to Ethan’s mansion on Lake Washington I was ready to kiss the ground and cuss Mason out.
The chance to get in the Wolf’s face was taken from me the minute the car shut off.
“Stephanie.” Ethan had already opened my door and was holding his hand out like a damn peace offering. My heart stopped beating so heavily in my chest. I glared up at him. Stupid Vampires and their ability to control things like hearts.
Why did I need mine anyway? Especially if it was going to constantly get broken by Cassius.
I swallowed the emotion tightening in my throat and placed my hand in Ethan’s.
“Ethan.” I challenged him with a glare and stood to my full height.
“You should always take someone with you when you go out.” Ethan’s eyebrows knit together as if he was actually concerned for my safety. “It isn’t proper for you to be—”
“—drinking coffee by myself?” I finished.
He rolled his emerald green eyes. “Yes, well, try to be more careful. We can’t simply snap our fingers and replace council members.”
“Ah, so it’s about the council.”
“It’s about you,” Ethan half growled in my ear and shoved me toward the door where both Genesis and my brother were waiting.
I was half tempted to throw my hands in the air and blurt out, “I’m fine! I’m really fine! I promise!”
Genesis had a look of pity on her face.
And my brother looked like he was relieved I was still alive and well.
“Hey, guys.” I managed a weak wave.
“You found her.” Genesis winked at Mason.
“Wolves have amazing tracking abilities.” He puffed out his chest then received a punch from Ethan.
“Please.” I rolled my eyes. “You probably used the find a friend app on your phone.”
“Still counts.” Mason nodded and then tapped his head. “Tracker.”
Genesis laughed softly then looped her arm in mine. “Don’t run away. Next time just talk to us.”
“Talk,” I mimicked. “About Cassius? About the fact that my entire existence up until now has been a lie?”
The only thing that had changed in the past few days was that my hunger for Cassius had grown to epic proportions.
He’d rejected me all over again.
After kissing me, mind you.
And the place where my heart was supposed to be felt like it was slowly being ripped from my body.
I didn’t just desire Cassius.
I needed him. Because I still didn’t understand what I was or what I was capable of, and he was the only Dark One remaining who could actually tell me.
We were the last.
And it kind of sucked.
Dark Ones were typically male. I knew how they worked. But a woman? Who had Siren tendencies?
Ugh. I got a headache just thinking about it.
“You need him,” Genesis whispered next to me. “He’ll come, he just needed some time.”
“Needed some time?” I snorted. “People who need time calmly tell their family where the hell they’re going. They don’t sneak off in the middle of the night without a trace! It’s like he fled the freaking country!”
“To be fair he left his passport here,” Mason joked.
Genesis glared. “Not the time.”
He held up his hands and let out a little bark at my expense.
“He fled the country,” I repeated. “To get away from me, from the awkward situation…” I pointed at myself and looked down. “From this.”
“There’s nothing wrong with you.” Genesis squeezed my shoulder. I’d always pitied humans like Genesis, breeders, ones who were brought into the immortal fold in order to produce children with the immortals.
Then again she’d been the game changer. She’d brought balance to our world. Now she was like a goddess to our people and to her Vampire husband.
While I felt more human by the day.
I couldn’t help but think that one day I’d wake up and simply… not exist anymore… or not care to. And that thought terrified me.
I could feel the darkness inside, swirling, trying to grab ahold. The bond between me and the darkness was building, strengthening, and I was so afraid I wasn’t going to make it.
When I’d saved his life.
Because he’d saved mine.
I had no idea what I was doing other than I couldn’t stand the thought of existing in a world without him.
Now I knew.
Every second I knew.