We had a deal, his knowledge for my blood. I could swear he’d planned for this, to feed from me in front of Arys. What a way to make the guy squirm. I hated Harley, but I had to admire the way he worked.
“Almost,” I replied, without tearing my eyes from Arys. “I still have that one question, about manipulating things into a new form. You dodged that one.”
Arys glanced from me to Harley before crossing the room to take a seat on the couch. It bothered me a little that he sat as far from me as he could get, but I shrugged it off. I wasn’t playing games with anyone anymore.
“Be more specific. What is it that you want to manipulate?”
It was hard to meet Harley’s penetrating stare. I didn’t want to come right out and say it. I took a deep breath and ignored the sound of people down the hall that sought to distract me.
“A woman. A hybrid that’s stuck in wolf form. I want to get her back into her human body.”
I waited for a response. The quiet in the room quickly became deafening. Of course, Arys would know whom I meant. Harley didn’t need to know. He just needed to tell me what I needed to do and how to do it.
“You know that what you’re asking is incredibly huge, right?” Harley drew closer to me, stopping just a few feet away.
“Obviously,” I replied with an eye roll. “Otherwise, I would have already done it.”
“Don’t be too cocky, wolf,” Arys added as he regarded me with a studious expression. “You endanger yourself with that attitude.”
I bristled at his use of the word “wolf”. It was what he often called Shaz when being disrespectful. I did my best not to react. He didn’t need to know that I was affected by it.
That’s what he wanted.
Focusing solely on Harley, I continued as if Arys hadn’t spoken at all. “Please, just tell me if it’s possible. If it isn’t, I’ll forget it.”
“Oh it’s possible. It’s also possible to make matters worse for her if you don’t have the ability to pull it off.”
“And do I? In your expert opinion, I mean.”
Arys shifted uncomfortably on the couch, but neither Harley nor I looked his way.
We were intent on one another. I searched Harley’s eyes for any sign that he was lying to me, or about to.
“Your blood bond with Arys has secured your abilities,” he said with a glance at Arys who sat clenching his jaw. “But until your death, until you rise as a vampire, you can’t access them fully. Maybe you could do this if you can perfect your focus like I’ve shown you. But … it’s unlikely that you can do it without the help of your other half.”
Harley gestured to Arys, and my heart sank. I believed what I was hearing. I had no reason not to. Arys had no reason to help Zoey. The last time they’d seen each other, she’d plunged a blade into him, and at my command, he’d tried to kill her.
I pushed the hair back from my face and sighed. “Ok then. That’s all I needed to know. Thank you.”
“If you two want to talk further about this…” Harley glanced from me to Arys.
“No,” I said in a rush. “That’s fine. We can discuss it later.”
Harley clapped his hands together loudly. The sound irritated my sensitive ears, and I grimaced.
“Well then,” he announced with obvious delight. “I believe you owe me a little something.”
I nodded, sneaking a look at Arys. He sat stiffly, watching Harley and me with feigned indifference. He could fake an expression, but he couldn’t stop me from picking up his tension. I had to wonder if he’d come here because he knew Harley would be taking my blood tonight. Did he not want us to be alone? What was he so afraid of?
“Fine. Let’s get this over with.”
I rose from my seat, uncertain if I should offer him my wrist or neck. I assumed he would have a preference.
The atmosphere grew heavy with Harley’s bloodlust. It rose quickly and violently, provoking my own inner hunger. I wasn’t the predator this time though.
“I cannot wait to taste you again.” Harley approached me swiftly, suddenly standing too close, invading my personal space. He licked his lips like a hungry animal.
I took an instinctive step back. “Yeah, just a taste. The moment I feel you going beyond that, I’m going to defend myself. Got it?”
Arys got to his feet then, drawing near without hovering. “The wrist, Harley.”
Those simple words were enough to have Harley rounding on Arys with eyes blazing. “You weren’t part of this deal. You have absolutely no say in this. You can leave, or you can watch. But, keep your mouth shut.”
“She is not yours!” Arys’ voice vibrated with sudden rage. “Yeah, you have a deal, but that doesn’t make Alexa one of your toys. She is not a victim, and you will not treat her as one.”
With a chuckle, Harley turned back to me, a devious grin revealing fangs that would soon pierce my flesh. A shiver shook me, and I swallowed hard.