Iridescent Chaos (Enchanted Chaos 3)

“I…” I blink. “What?”

“It’s not as bad as it sounds.” He steps closer to me and I have to tip my head back to meet his eyes. “However, like I said before, when we get out of here, we’ll have to find a more permanent solution.”

“Which might mean I have to become… Whatever you are, right?” I wish he'd just tell me so I know what I’m in store for. “You know, it might be easier if you just told me what you are right now. That way I can prepare myself.”

He shakes his head. “It’ll be easier for you to handle if my brothers are around when you find out. In fact, I’m pretty sure if I told you right now, you’d flee into the trees and then I’d have to track you down again.”

“How did you track me down?” I ask, trying not to focus on what he said because he’s making it sound as if I should be afraid of him. And part of me is, yet another part of me, a much darker twisted part, feels curiously drawn to the Porterson brother with lavender eyes.

He places his free hand against my chest. “I felt you through the link.”

My heart rate picks up, slamming against his palm.

He rubs his lips together, the link purring again. “You’re going to have to be able to deal with Brody’s death too, because even after we get darkness out of you, the guilt is going to eat away at you if you can’t figure out a way to forgive yourself. And sometimes guilt can be more dangerous than darkness.”

“You act as if you’re speaking from experience.”

“Maybe I am.”

We stare at each other as the wind picks up and darkness swarms from the trees like shadowy arms.

“We need to go,” he murmurs as he peers around at the wisps of darkness. “I think darkness has almost taken over your body, and if we don’t get it out soon, it’s going to take over your mind and I won’t be able to help you.” He wiggles his hand from mine but only to slip his arm around my waist. “I’m going to tether my soul to yours now, okay?”

Oh my God, this is really happening.

But what is even about to happen?

I nervously bite at my bottom lip. “How does soul tethering work exactly?”

He rubs his lips together, his eyes flooding with hungry desire again. “You’re going to feel more connected to me.”

I swallow hard, my heart thudding deafeningly in my chest. “Will it hurt?”

He sinks his teeth into his bottom lip so forcefully I swear he probably draws blood. “No… It’s going to feel fucking good, honey.” He slowly tugs me toward him, his gaze searing into mine. “Hold perfectly still, and whatever you do, don’t pull away from me.”

I take another gulp, struggling to breathe evenly. Whatever’s about to happen has the link bursting with excitement and has me wanting to flee for the trees, just like he implied. Somehow, though, I manage to keep my feet planted to the ground as he dips his head, as if he’s going to kiss me. Panic seizes me, not only because of the guilt I’m starting to feel, but because kissing me could very well kill him.

Just like it did Brody.

My pulse skyrockets and he holds tighter onto my waist.

“Relax,” he whispers, his eyes darkening to a deep violet. “I said I’m not going to hurt you.”

“I’m not worried about that,” I breathe out shakily, gripping onto the bottom of his shirt. “I’m worried you’re going to kiss me and it’s going to kill you.”

With a slight smirk, he dips his lips toward my ear. “I’m technically already dead, so your kiss can’t kill me. Don’t worry, though, I’m not going to kiss you… It’ll be much better than that.” He sniffs my hair and my already puzzled mind cracks with even more confusion.

He gives me zero time to ask questions, though, as he lowers his head and presses his lips to my throat. My insides quiver as the strangest sensations coil through me. Fear. Lust. Confusion. Want. Panic. Longing. Fear. Fear. Fear—

His teeth sink into my neck, piercing through my flesh and entering my veins. Suddenly, I realize what kind of undead creature Porter probably is.

“You’re a vampire,” I breathe out.

A vampire, just like how I saw Hunter in my dream.

His teeth briefly leave my neck as he chuckles, his entire body shaking. “Nope. Although, if I was, I’d recommend you run away right now.”

“So vampires are bad?” I ask breathlessly.