As the rush of the evening faded, my head started to ache. I’d channeled an amazing amount of power without my brain exploding, a small miracle. A migraine was a small price to pay compared to the alternative of lying in a smoldering heap of fur at Lilah’s feet.
Arys glanced over, his gaze heavy with the weight of his concern. “I hate watching you do that to yourself. The headaches and the nosebleeds… it’s harming you. The power is too much.”
I turned away. Staring out the window was the best way to avoid those midnight eyes. “Let’s not have this conversation again.”
The Charger’s interior grew tense. I fidgeted with the hem of the silk robe. I’d had more than enough thrown at me for one night. Arys and I might be faced with eternal conflict, but a reprieve was necessary at times.
The atmosphere grew increasingly strained as we left the rural roads behind and entered the city. He wasn’t going to let it go – I could feel it – so I wasn’t surprised by his outburst.
“It’s killing you, Alexa. Slowly but surely, it is devouring you. The power, the bloodlust, all of it.” His voice rose to an ear battering level. It took a lot for Arys to really lose it. The trace of fear in his heavy, irate energy made it impossible to respond with anger.
“I know, Arys. It’s not the vampire blood bond. It’s us. Willow said twin flames always destroy each other. The strength of our bond is too much for either of us. Whatever we exist for, it’s not meant to be easy.”
His fingers tightened on the wheel, and his foot got heavier on the gas pedal. “Looks like I’m not the only one keeping things to myself. You didn’t think that little tidbit of conversation was worth sharing?”
“Despite how much you seem to enjoy a good fight, I didn’t think it was worth arguing about.” I slid a sidelong glance his way, drinking in the sight of him.
With that perfectly messed black hair, those entrapping eyes and the hard set to his jaw, I couldn’t help but swoon a little each time I looked at him. The sensitive side I’d discovered beneath the rough, passionate exterior drew me like a moth to a flame. It was the yin yang effect. The light buried within the darkness.
Our duality filled me with relief and encouragement. Neither of us was wholly light or dark but our own mix of both. Arys believed he was a creature of death and darkness, but light dwelled inside him waiting to burst forth. I wondered which of us would be most surprised when it did.
We jerked to a stop at a red light. Arys met my gaze, and his angry retort died on his lips. Whatever he saw in my eyes, it changed his tune.
“We fight. We f**k. We forgive. It’s what we do,” he teased, sliding a hand over my silk covered thigh. “Seriously though, it’s killing me to see what this is doing to you.”
I covered his hand with mine. That simple touch conveyed the depth of our connection. “The last year has changed you so much. I’m not sure you see it. It’s quite beautiful.”
He held my gaze, and we fell into one another. We shared something special, something that blood and death could never take from us.
The startling honk from the car behind us broke the brief spell. Arys hit the gas, and we sped through the intersection. My phone rang, blasting out the Austin Powers theme song. Arys chuckled, and I shot him a dirty look.
I fished the phone out of my bag. “You’ve really got to stop changing my ring tone. That could get embarrassing in public.”
“That’s the plan.” He expertly deflected my attempted slap without ever taking his eyes off the road.
The call display revealed a number I didn’t know. I answered with suspicion in my voice. I recognized the voice on the other end immediately, and my mood soured.
“Ms. O’Brien, this is Agent Briggs. I’m calling about Kale Sinclair.”
“I hope that means this is about meeting to make our trade.”
“It’s not. This is about a missing vampire. Sinclair escaped.”
My jaw dropped. My initial reaction was to be impressed. Something in the agent’s voice made me wary though. “What happened?”
“He escaped us, leaving at least twenty of my agents dead. I wasn’t on duty at the time so I didn’t witness the incident myself, other than what I’ve seen on the security footage. Our efforts to locate him have been unsuccessful.” Briggs sounded bitter.
A lump formed in my throat, and I swallowed hard. “What about Juliet? Is she ok?”
“She’s fine.” Briggs cleared his throat, and his voice dropped a few octaves. “I’m sure I don’t have to tell you how dangerous he is.”
“After several days and nights of torture at the hands of humans playing God, I’d imagine it would be enough to drive anyone a little nuts,” I spat, growing enraged. “He’s not your concern anymore. If you send your people after him, if you do a damn thing to him, I’ll be more than a blip on your f**king watch-list radar. Is that clear?”
There was a slight pause before Briggs replied, his tone forced. “Crystal. However, I can’t allow a potential security threat to call the shots for me. I suggest that you find him before we do.”
He hung up before I could reply.