"Skotos," I hear a voice say behind me, causing my hand to drop from the doorknob. "My last name is Skotos. Dorian is my brother."
I whirl around to look at him again, the beautiful Dark One who looks more boy band than evil Warlock with his frosted blown back coif and trendy clothes. I see it- the familiarity in his face. They share the same perfect nose and chiseled jawline. Niko's lips are a bit fuller and he's an inch or so shorter, but he's definitely Dorian's sibling. "You're his brother?"
"Yes. He's all fucked up in the head over you. It's downright depressing to watch. And since you won't speak to him, he sent me." Niko offers a warm grin, and I see flickers of sincerity in his bright blue eyes. "Things could get complicated for you in the coming months. You're going to want my help."
"And why do you say that?" I ask with a hand on my curvy hip.
"I'm sure my father informed you that Dark forces would be moving in for your protection. Don't you think there's a reason for that? And where there is the Dark-"
"-there is the Light," I say finishing his thought, understanding washing over me. Of course. There's got to be a reason why I all of a sudden need more protection. "What's going on? What's happened?"
"You know, you're not what D usually goes for. I mean, don't get me wrong, you're hot as shit. Even with that brooding, emo girl thing you got going on, I'd definitely hit it. And your scent! Holy fuck! I've only been around you for 5 minutes and I already wanna bend you over and fuck you ‘til you can't see straight," he chortles, ignoring my question and pissing me off in the process.
I blink rapidly, taken aback by his crudeness. "Wow, asshole. I can see you didn't inherit the Skotos charm. No wonder Dorian didn't mention you. They don't let you out much, do they?"
Niko laughs again. "There she is! I've heard stories about you. And what you did to Aurora … I commend you. That bitch has been itching to get her ass whooped for decades!" He rakes his fingers through his styled strands. "And while I love to get the ladies hot and bothered, you should really watch your temper. Especially if you want to live until next week."
"Why do you say that?" I say crossing my arms in front of my chest.
"He didn't tell you?" I shake my head and Niko continues. "When you lose it, when your emotions are heightened, you're easier to detect. I was just fucking with you and look how quickly you were roused." He leans forward and rests his elbows on his knees, his eyes narrowing as they bore into mine. "Except for the bending you over part. That part I would love to do."
I roll my eyes and shake my head, unable to even formulate a response. What else has been kept from me?
"And you keep some really interesting company," he remark, leaning back in the chair. "Your friends don't know what you are? Even Morgan?"
"How do you know Morgan?" I snap.
Niko smiles and I swear I hear angels singing from above. Gag. "Mmmm, that Vodou blood makes my dick hard. Especially that spicy little piece you got out front," he says with a wink.
Ok, I've officially pegged Niko as a world-class jackass. How can he and … him be related? They're like night and day. "Touch any one of my friends and I'll kill you myself. That is a promise," I say sternly. I don't want to lose my shit with him, especially if it only makes me more susceptible. Again, the asshole smiles and I feel a familiar burn between my legs. No!
"Relax, Gabs. D left strict instructions when it comes to your friends. Not like I could touch them anyway," he shrugs. "You know, he did that for you. He's got them all protected. You've really got him pussy-whipped, huh?"
I look away, my face flaming with emotion at the mention of Niko's brother. God, I miss him. I don't think I will ever stop missing him. The thought of ever moving on and being happy just doesn't exist in my mind.
"He doesn't really care about me," I mutter staring blankly at the door. "And don't call me Gabs. Only my friends call me that." I hear Niko chuckle and I turn to scowl at him. What is it about Skotos men that make them want to wreak havoc on my life? Not to mention, my hormones?
"We may not be friends now, but trust me, we will be soon. I mean, come on; look at me. I'm every girl's wet dream plus I'm pretty fucking awesome. You'll see," he grins, winking a blue eye behind incredibly long lashes.
"I highly doubt it, but you just keep telling yourself that, dumbass," I reply with a wink of my own.
Niko shakes his head in playful disbelief and is on his feet faster than I can see, his hard body pressing me into the edge of the desk. With balled fists, I push against his rigid chest but he doesn't budge. He flashes a crooked smile before leaning into me, close enough that his cool, intoxicating scent fills my nostrils like noxious fumes.
"Back. Up," I say between pursed lips, refusing to breathe through my nose.
"Don't fight it, Gabs. It just makes me want it more." Then he's gone, nothing but writhing grey smoke left behind in his place.
"Ugh!" I scream, pounding my fist on the desk. No one can hear me anyway. "Fucking Warlocks!"
***
The excruciating drilling in my head and the desperate need to seek water and painkillers pulls me from my warm bed the next morning. I stumble to my bathroom and gulp down handfuls of tap water along with a few aspirin before slumping against the sink. The morning routine has become somewhat of a constant in the past few days. It's a mystery that my liver hasn't checked out yet. Luckily, I am not due to work until the afternoon so I nurse my hangover with some food to alleviate my queasy stomach and more water. Then I open up my laptop, forcing myself to face the inevitable.
Just as I suspected, my inbox is completely full. And only one name stares back at me: D. Skotos. A spasm assaults my chest and I gasp for air, gripping the front of my shirt. I know I have to do this but, but dammit, I can't. Yet I can't bring myself to hit Delete. It's too much like permanently erasing him from my life. I know that I will have to do it eventually, but there's no way I am strong enough to face that realization today.
Before I know what I am doing, the cursor is hovering over the last message he sent. Then I'm right-clicking. Morbid curiosity is a bitch.
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SUBJECT: (none)
Gabriella,
If there was any way I could fix this for you- for us- I would do it without question. Meeting you, falling in love with you, has given me purpose. It's given me a life that I never thought existed for someone like me. I am forever indebted to you for opening me & filling the emptiness that consumed me for centuries.
I never told you this, but that night in the club was not the first time I laid eyes on you. I watched you for weeks in the shadows. I told myself it was solely to acquaint myself with your schedule and rituals, but honestly, I became so enthralled with you that I couldn't stay away. I'd watch you while you worked at the mall, trying hard to seem happy and joyous when I could see the annoyance in your eyes. I'd see you with your friends, how protective and caring you were with them. I could even see the love and admiration you had for Jared, though you tried to mask it.
I have to admit, I found myself wishing you would one day look at me the way you did Jared, though you didn't know I even existed. I'd lie in bed for hours, dreaming of how it would feel to touch your skin. I'd imagine the taste of your lips, the smell of your silken hair. I wanted you long before I ever met you. And in some way, I knew that my desire would grow into something else. Something more.
I need you, little girl. I need to see your smile, hear your laughter. I need to see the way your eyes light up and your lips curl reflexively when you hear your favorite song. I need to see how you turn your head up towards the sky and close your eyes in the sunlight. I need to feel your body next to mine, molded so perfectly. I will never stop needing these things. And every second without them- without you- is torture.
Please talk to me. I just need to know you are ok. I know I've hurt you and I would gladly endure that pain for you. And if you give me the chance, I will shoulder that burden. I will take it all away.
I love you,
D
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I close my eyes for a few moments, replaying the written words in my head. As painful as losing him is, knowing that he still cares for me, genuine or not, warms my insides. But I know I am just tormenting myself. He isn't mine, not anymore. He made his choice and he chose Aurora, no matter what his motives were. He gave up on us. I wasn't enough for him to fight for.
I highlight the emails and place them in a separate folder. One day I will either read them all or simply delete the entire folder. I do the same with the text messages on my phone. I have to get over him and seeing his name pop up on every screen isn't helping. Then I get ready for work, eager to let the monotony distract me from that email, and the overwhelming urge to run straight to the Broadmoor and never leave.
After an uneventful, Skotos-free day at Cashmere, I am rummaging through my closet in search of my favorite flannel pajamas when music suddenly fills my ears. Morgan must be home from work. However, the sound seems closer than her bedroom as if it is playing only a few feet away from me. I shrug to myself before grabbing my pjs and stepping out of the closet. Then my ragged heart plummets into my stomach, causing me to drop my garments.
He's here.