Sunset to Sunrise (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #7.5)

“Fair enough.” She gave me a look then that spoke volumes. She was uneasy and doing a damn good job of hiding it. Only the subtle increase in her heart rate gave her away. Juliet was afraid of me.

“Veryl was our informant. He kept us informed of certain supernatural happenings. We need a reliable link to that kind of activity. Since our organization is predominantly human, you can understand why that can be difficult.” She paused. When I didn’t comment, she continued. “We are prepared to offer you more than freedom from the Irving case. We’re willing to give you the dreamwalker Shya wants. The one Alexa needs to have her demon mark removed.”

The pause that followed was dramatic, entirely for my benefit. I sat stiff, my expression unchanged. It seemed that both sisters had a flare for drama. Juliet had successfully stunned me with that one.

I countered with an attack on her morals. She’d left me with little else. “First of all, I thought you said this was a casual visit. And more importantly, what kind of organization that claims to protect humans would willingly hand one over to a demon just to secure a business deal? That’s fucking twisted. And you think Alexa’s morals have been compromised?”

She did shift uneasily in her seat then. At the mention of her sister, Juliet’s gaze dropped to her lap. “Look, I came to visit with her, but this offer has been in the works for you since you got out of lockup. Like I said, I don’t make these decisions.”

“But you do though,” I insisted. “By being here right now saying this shit you’re agreeing with that decision. Which I’d say makes you all a hell of a lot worse than either me or Alexa.”

Was I tempted to take the deal? Hell yes I was. Having the ability to appease Shya and free Alexa from his mark would make me the happiest man alive. She didn’t deserve to be branded as if she belonged to him. And she had done it for me. The powers that be over at the FPA knew exactly what strings they were pulling.

I considered Alexa. What would she say if she knew? I knew exactly what she would say. Alexa would never sacrifice an innocent life to get rid of that mark. She would wear it for all eternity first. Fuck.

“I’m not interested,” I said, feeling the crushing blow of defeat as I spoke. “Whoever made that call, to hand over the dreamwalker, they’re a fucking idiot. You know Alexa better than that, don’t you? She would never be ok with that. She’s so much better than you give her credit for. It’s a shame that you don’t see that.”

Juliet swallowed hard and slammed her empty bottle down. “Don’t try to tell me who my sister is. I’ve known her a lot longer than you have.”

“But you don’t know her as well as I do. She’s not who you think she is, Juliet. Alexa was chosen for something special.”

“Wow. You’re totally in love with her, aren’t you?” She searched me, the wolf peering out from within her.

I didn’t try to hide it. The truth was undeniable. “It’s no secret that I love your sister. I would do anything for her. And I know she would never want me to accept any deal from the FPA, especially one involving her, behind her back.”

“She must love you too. She wouldn’t give up on finding you. Why aren’t you together?”

“What does our personal relationship have to do with any of this?” I was defensive. I didn’t like having my feelings put under the microscope to be picked apart by an outsider.

“Not a damn thing. I’m just curious. Still trying to discover who my sister is now. Sorry.”

I couldn’t look at her anymore. It was too hard. Instead I stared around the room, selecting the one I would soon take this confusion and anger out on.

“Alexa is a very complicated person. She’s caught in between two worlds. It’s been tough on her. She loves so much that it consumes her. But that love is not for me alone.” I don’t know why I said it. It wasn’t any of her damn business. Still, it felt good to say it to an outsider. “We will never be together.”

When Juliet spoke next, her tone was soft and gentle. Soothing. “Because of Arys Knight?”

I cringed inwardly at that name. “Because of many things, but yes, especially because of Arys. He is her other half. They were created to exist together.”

“What does that mean exactly?”

Her curiosity was too strong. The FPA didn’t know the details of the twin flame bond. I would not be the one to enlighten them.

With a shake of my head, I smiled as if I had a secret. “It is not my story to tell.”

A group of women on the dance floor caught my attention. They were drinking and laughing. Easy targets, every one of them. I had found my next conquest. I wondered if I could lure two of them to my bed. Perhaps even three.

Juliet’s gaze was heavy upon me. It took great restraint to keep her from becoming the target of my constant hunger. Of all the ways to force Alexa’s hand, targeting her sister would be among the most effective. But I could never.