To want him was to invite death.
And I wasn't so sure she would listen to any of us, regardless of how wise our words, our warnings. The heart, I'd learned in all my years of living, wants what it wants, and damn the rest of the world for trying to tell it otherwise.
Genesis fell asleep in my lap. I carried her to bed then hovered protectively over her, instinct kicking in. I would die for that girl. I would do anything for her.
I wasn't sure she felt the same.
I doubted myself and hated that I doubted myself.
She stretched her arms above her head. She looked like a cat, all seductive and curvy. "Ethan?"
"Yes?"
"Why are you watching me sleep?"
"Because you fascinate me when you dream."
"I don't want to dream of him." She reached for my body, tugging me against her. "How do I keep him from getting in?"
"You don't." I sighed helplessly. "Just know you're safe in my arms. You'll always be safe."
"But in my dreams I'm in danger?"
"Remember what I said about good and bad… the same goes with danger. When all else fails, Genesis, you follow your heart."
"The heart can be evil."
"Not yours." I shook my head. "Never yours."
"I'm going shopping tomorrow."
"I know." I chuckled. She was so tired she wasn't making much sense. "Stephanie will charge whatever you want to my card."
"Too much money."
"I'm rich."
"Because of the fish."
I laughed. "Yes, the fish. They make me rich. Sleep, little human." I kissed her nose as she wrapped her body around mine and fell into a deeper slumber.
I waited, unable to sleep until I felt the cold seep from her body into mine.
Her breath staggered.
And then her skin went from hot to cold.
"Cassius," I whispered, "you take her from me, and I'll rip your heart from your chest."
"Trust her," he said back to me.
Agony washed over me as I waited for Genesis to return. Every second that went by was torture because I knew it was another second he was tempting her with forbidden fruit.
Just like he'd tempted Ara.
Only Ara had bitten.
And with that one bite, destroyed a part of myself I'd never been able to get back.