Zach was off checking on the Others, who still seemed intent on hunting him down and capturing him, and he would likely be gone until daybreak, so she lingered at UNC to see if any more vampires might show their faces.
“Lisette,” a voice spoke behind her.
Gasping, she leapt up, spun around, and drew her weapons all in one motion.
Seth stood behind her, his face impassive.
“Seth! You startled me.” Why hadn’t he called ahead the way he often did?
She frowned. How had he even known where to find her?
Reaching out, he touched her shoulder.
The pretty college campus vanished, replaced by a moonlit meadow.
No structures or landmarks gave her any hint of their new location.
Releasing her, Seth turned and walked away several steps. Tension radiated from him.
Lisette tightened her hands on the grips of her shoto swords, then asked herself what the hell she was doing.
“You may put away your weapons,” he said, his back to her.
Anxiety rose within her.
Her hands began to shake as she slipped the swords into the sheaths on her back. “What’s going on?” she asked, unable to sound as casual as she would’ve liked.
He stopped and stared at the ground. “I might ask you the same thing,” he said finally and swiveled to face her.
Ice filled her veins.
He knew. He must.
His eyes acquired a faint golden glow as he stared at her, unblinking.
Lisette didn’t think she had ever been so afraid in her life.
“You fear me now,” he said evenly.
Hell yes, she feared him.
“Why?”
She watched him helplessly. “Seth . . .”
This man had been nothing but kind to her. He had given her a life when she had thought hers had ended. He had given her a purpose and a confidence in herself that she had lacked as a mortal. He had given her warmth and affection and a huge extended family.
Clouds gathered overhead, blocking out the moon.
He had given her everything except that which she had found with Zach.
And she had repaid Seth with betrayal.
She shook her head, not knowing what to say.
Thunder rumbled, vibrating through her chest. The trees began to bend and sway as wind found its way through them, building in strength.
Seth’s eyes glowed brighter.
Lisette took a step toward him. “Seth—”
He held up a hand. “Stay back,” he warned. A muscle in his jaw jumped as he clenched his teeth and visibly struggled for control.
Heart pounding in her chest, she inched backward. One step. Two. Fighting the urge to turn and flee. Her breath quickened.
“Tell me you didn’t do it,” he gritted.
She couldn’t find her voice.
He squeezed his eyes shut for a moment, something like agony rippling across his features.
Her vision blurred with tears. It killed her to know she had disappointed him. That she had hurt him this way. He had asked so little of her during her lifetime. And had given her so much.
He opened his eyes and speared her with his gaze. “Then tell me you did and break my heart.”
Her breath hiccupped in a sob.
Lightning streaked across the sky and struck a tree atop a distant hill. A drop of cold rainwater fell to her shoulder. Another followed. Then more. Large drops dappled the ground around her, making swishing sounds as they multiplied and struck the trees and grasses.
Seth blurred, reappearing inches away from her. He raised a large hand and gripped her chin, his touch firm, but not painful.
Lisette almost broke down entirely when she saw tears shimmering in his luminescent eyes.
“Then I’ll find the answer myself,” he declared hoarsely as the rain wet their hair and saturated their clothing.
He did nothing to conceal his entrance into her mind, but his presence there caused her no discomfort. Even as furious as he was, he didn’t harm her.
Yet.
She waited miserably while he combed through her memories, not knowing how many or which ones he accessed.
Would he let her see Zach one last time? Before he killed Zach for whatever bad blood was between them? Before he killed her for betraying him?
Both had known it could come to this. Both had known it likely would come to this.
But it had been worth the risk. It had been so worth the risk.
Shock flitted across Seth’s features. His eyes widened. His lips parted.
Lisette swallowed hard as he released her and staggered back a pace. When she blinked, tears spilled over her lashes and mingled with the cold water on her face. “I’m so sorry,” she finally managed to force past the lump in her throat. “I know I betrayed you. But I never wanted to hurt you.”
He said nothing, just stared at her with a look of stunned disbelief.
She shook her head and swiped impatiently at her cheeks. “I love you, Seth. You know I do,” she said over the raging storm. “I owe you everything. But . . . for so many decades it seemed as though I were sleepwalking, just going through the motions. Then Zach came along and . . . woke me up. He made me feel again. And I haven’t felt anything but guilt and weariness for so long.”#p#分页标题#e#