"What the hell is that?" Mom hisses.
"That would be the two lycans that are locked up downstairs."
"Lycans?" Mom shrieks.
Ignoring her, I continue, "I'll be home in the morning, no negotiations. I don't want to ride back with Gage following me."
She goes mute for a moment, realizing I need to stay away from the dark user promised to lead me into a destructive destiny. I may not believe it, but she does.
"Very well. Call me when you start home," she says after a long pause, sounding regrouped and calmer.
"I will. I love you, Mom."
"I love you, darling. I'm here when you need to talk. I'm not going anywhere ever again."
I shiver as the past few months come winding around my mind. Kane's arms tighten around me, but his head tilts to show his bemusement. Hanging up his phone, I lean down to press a chaste kiss on his lips. Deke heads outside, leaving us alone for the second time.
"Your Mom is with Drackus?" Kane asks as I lean back up.
"Again... long story. Someone's posing as her, but I'll tell you all about that later. I need to go tell Dice and Gage to head back without me."
"I'll come with," he chirps, seeming rejuvenated. "Then you can cure me from my blood addiction before I feel the effects."
Um... that would be okay, if I didn't have twisted fantasies haunting my every thought.
"Or you could just stay addicted to me, since I don't plan on that being the last bite I get."
He trips over his own feet, but quickly recovers, trying to hold a straight face and not show how rattled I just left him.
"When did you get so bold?" he asks, laughing loudly.
Seriousness takes over my playful expression, and I turn to lean against the door before he can open it.
"When I found out I'm in love with a night stalker instead of some fragile human I would have to leave. It was killing me before, when I thought of having to leave you once I turned."
His eyes soften, losing his amusement as he moves in closer.
"Well, now there's immortality just around the corner. How long until you change?"
"I don't really know. I just know it's going to happen within a year or so, based on my hair—though that's proving to be a bit deceitful—and my growing powers."
He runs his fingers through the strands of blond, and then he tilts my head up to show me the mischievous glint in his eyes.
"In less than a year, I'll show you how much better it is to be immortal."
I shiver noticeably, making him grin his dark, sexy smile, and then he pulls my hand into his.
"Let's get this over with, and then you can tell me all about everything that happened before you showed up tonight."
Chapter 4
Blood
Gage went home rather reluctantly last night, but he finally ceded and drove off with the bored incubus passenger. Now I'm lying here in Kane's bed as the morning light wraps me in its warmth.
I stretch out, frowning since Kane has abandoned me. Wrapping up in the sheet, I take a second to feel the healed marks on my body. Not even a shred of proof remains to show I've been bitten repetitively throughout the night.
I hear a clattering as the front door slams and a raging argument comes to life between Kane and Amy.
"I've already told you—I don't give a fuck!" Kane blares, growling slightly at the annoying, relentless bitch most likely on his heels.
"Kane, I'm begging you to just give this up. She's a witch—you're a night stalker. It's not meant to be. We are!"
Something crashes to the ground, as though a tabletop has been raked clean. Sounds of shattering glass, clanking objects, and hollow rolls ring out to aid as background music to his fury.
"Go to hell! I'm so sick of this. I fucking hate you, Amy! Do you understand what you've driven me to? I can't stand the sight of you anymore. I'm never, and I do mean never, going to be with you."
I almost hear her tears ripping through her eyes, and I stand to pull my clothes on the human way. I've been using way too much magic lately, and I think that's contributing to my headaches, crazy spells, and weird gut feelings.
"Don't go. Kane, just let her leave and get out of our lives," Amy cries, her voice breaking on almost every word.
I'm so sick of her. As bad as I hate to see him leave his coven, I think the sooner he does it, the better. She's going to keep on pushing him, until he snaps. He might be an incredible guy, but underneath that beautiful facade, he's still a killer. That's something I have to remember, though I've never really felt threatened by him.
She's a killer, too, though. But Kane is so much stronger than her. I've seen that with my own eyes.