“Alexa, stop. We have to go. You f**ked up.” Arys pushed me into motion, forcing me to keep up with him as he dragged me down a darkened side street in a circle back to the car. I protested his forcefulness, finding it hard to see through the fog in my brain.
I did f**k up. I was the worst kind of killer, one who would do under influence what I wouldn’t allow others to do. And, I had no control over it. Right then, I didn’t give a damn. I was raging with the hunger for human life and the aching need for my other half. I wanted to find release from the desire. Only Arys could give that to me.
We reached the car, finding it as we left it. Nobody was lurking around the small church at this time of night. I tugged at his jeans, unable to give voice to what I wanted. He stared at me as if I really had lost my mind.
“Do you see now?” He asked. “My darkness is growing inside you. The balance is shifting. You’re in danger.”
“Please,” I murmured, ignoring his unwelcome warning. “I need you.”
Arys gazed at me with lust in his deep blue eyes. And something more. Worry. Love. Regret. Then he gave in to the pull, and we fell into the big back seat of the Charger like two smitten teenagers.
After shedding only as much clothing as required, I climbed onto his lap and rode him like I was running a race and the finish line was in sight. Arys clung to me, holding me as if he feared I would disappear. Pressing his face into my hair, he breathed deeply of my scent and sighed.
Feeling him inside me as our power swept through us, I was transported to a place where light and dark didn’t exist, where we were simply one, the same shade of grey.
After the thrill of climax subsided, rationale began to creep back in. I collapsed against him, my head resting on his shoulder. Reaching out a shaky hand, I drew a crooked heart in the fog on the back window.
“Why can’t we stay this way forever?” I asked, expecting no answer. “It isn’t fair.”
“Nothing is fair, beautiful wolf.” Arys stroked my tousled hair. “Don’t make the mistake of thinking that means it isn’t worth it.”
We sat there for what felt like just seconds but was sadly much longer. I was racked with guilt over what I’d done to the prostitute. I could have killed her. Or turned her. Acknowledging that Arys was right about his darkness consuming me was hard. I didn’t want it to be true.
Chapter Twenty-Four
“You brought your other half. How nice.” Shya was less than impressed to see Arys at my side. “I expected as much.”
“Did you really think I’d let her come here alone?” Arys sized up the demon with blatant scorn. “I don’t know what you’re up to, but I do know you can’t be trusted.”
Shya waved us into his large, open, modern home. “Please join me in the back. It’s far too nice a night to stay inside.”
He led us through the living room and adjoined kitchen, out the large double doors that opened onto the backyard. I was relieved to be outside, preferring it to the suffocating confines of the house. Though it was open and large, Shya’s house was so white washed that it was hard on the eyes. Besides, being indoors on a full moon night felt like being caged, so I gratefully drank in the sight of the impressive backyard.
The patio was adorned with a black and white furniture set. The upper floor of the house extended out above the patio, giving it a protective cover from the elements. A glass-topped table sat in the center, laden with food and drinks. Right away, my gaze was drawn to the scarlet-filled champagne flutes.
A stretch of fragrant, green grass separated the patio from the pool. It was inviting with its crystal clear water shimmering beneath the silver glow of moonlight. Beyond the pool, the vibrant lawn stretched as far as the eye could see. Shya certainly had a fine piece of property. It was trendy and luxurious. Perfect for hosting a party, which he seemed to feel he was doing.
“Help yourselves to anything you like.” The demon indicated the display on the table. “Lilah should be here before long. We need to time the binding just right. It must be done at midnight.”
Arys picked up a champagne glass, sniffing its contents before returning it to the table. “Blood?”
“I aim to please.”
The yip of coyotes broke the quiet. They were far away though their voices carried. It caused the animal within to stir restlessly. I needed to be furry, and I needed it now. The bloodlust’s reprieve earlier had been brief. Much too brief.
I ignored the elaborate table display. “So what’s the plan? I’ve got to warn you, I’m not feeling entirely confident that I can hold the wolf back.”
“You have no choice.” Shya’s smile vanished. His crimson eyes were ice cold. “Hold yourself together until I bind her or else we fail, and you will likely die. How’s that for incentive?”
Arys frowned but said nothing. He walked a slow circle around the pool. His gaze traveled around the entire backyard as well as every entry into it. I was so happy to have him with me; I was a nervous wreck and was sure it was obvious.