Poison's Kiss (Deadly Beauties 2)

He sits there silently, making me wonder if the phone has lost signal back here in these deep woods casting little reception.

"I suppose I could ask you the same thing. I think it's best if we simply focus on Castine and forget about whatever the other was doing."

I don't know why I keep thinking he's not going to take the opportunity to crush me every chance he gets. I wipe the stray tear from my eye, and then I nod as if he can see me.

"You're right. We should. I'm sorry I called."

He sits there quietly again, and my chest almost aches to accommodate the heart I didn't think could break any more. There's nothing left to do but sever the bond... by any means necessary. Only then will I be able to leave him alone. Then I'll cure him of his own addiction to me, cutting the last of our ties - other than Castine.

"I asked you to call, so don't apologize for that. When are you coming back from Dray's?"

A small smile graces my lips despite the tears that dampen them. I wipe the salty flavor from my mouth as I draw out the pause before the answer.

"I'll be leaving soon, but I'm not at Dray's. I'm sure you've already gone by his house by now, so don't try fishing for more information than that."

He almost grumbles under his breath. "Dray can't be your father. He's a dark angel, therefore he can't bear a witch... at least I don't think he can. I just don't know what else you'd be doing with him."

"Maybe he's here to sever the bond so you don't have to deal with me calling you late at night while wiping away my tears."

I can't help it. He's taken so many stabs at me; it's only fair I take one back. Night stalkers are possessive by nature, not out of love. It'll piss him off to know Dray - his friend - is about to walk around in his territory, though that will never happen.

"You can't be serious," he almost growls, making me feel justified in my ploy.

"What does it matter, Kane? You just said we didn't need to focus on us, but on Castine. I can't do that if I'm bound to you. My mind is screwed-up enough as it is."

"Alyssa, not Dray. Please not Dray. He's like a father to me, and it would just be so... wrong."

His real plea makes my false promise feel too cruel to continue.

"Chill. Dray is friends with my father. That's how he knows me, and believe me when I say I was fucking with you."

I hear him relaxing on the other side of the phone as a held breath escapes through his lips.

"That's pretty cruel. You don't have any friends for me to taunt you with."

"You'll be taunting me no matter who you're with until I get this fixed. Just hold off on fucking Amy until I'm at least free of this... whatever it is."

He quiets again, and I hear his bed shift as he stands. I really wish the visual of him in a bed at my hotel hadn't just flashed through my mind.

"Amy is still nothing to me, so no worries. Maybe... maybe I could help you until you're ready to-"

"I wouldn't want you to have to subject yourself to that anymore. Besides, it's getting worse. It's starting to make me draw up in knots; make my body ache, and my magic keeps seeping out through my aura. That shit can get me killed if an aura reader catches sight of my uncontained secrets. And don't even get me started on my eyes. I'll deal with this sooner than later. It's not your problem."

The door creaks open, prompting me to turn away from the fire to face Gage as he walks in. Kane speaks softly, as the dark user shuts the door behind him, a wolfish grin in place.

"Alyssa, I really don't want you to rush into anything. I'd hate-"

"Like I said, it's not your problem. I need to go. Let me know if any info on Castine comes about."

He sighs out hard, not liking my quick dismissal, but Gage is doing his best to distract me as he walks over to the old piano that is resting in the corner. His fingers scrape over the keys, no real music at first, but then a ginger, soulful melody erupts.

"Are you playing piano?" Kane muses, our previous conversation forgotten.

"No. Gage is here. He just walked in. I'll talk to you later."

Before he can respond, I end the call and make my way over to acquire the seat next to the dark user I can't be with even though I desperately want to.

"The bond is hurting you right now," he says softly as my body nestles up against his.