The Dark Ones (The Dark Ones Saga 1)

"I'm going to lose every ounce of control I have if your heart keeps beating that wildly whenever I take off my shirt." Ethan's voice held amusement, but I couldn't see his face, so I wasn't sure if he was smiling.

His warm hand touched my chest; his palm pressed against my skin. "Sleep, Genesis. Tonight… we sleep."

His words were like a drug, his hand was warm, and soon my entire body calmed down, sinking further and further into darkness.

"That's it…" His lips touched my ear. "Sleep."

My body was still fighting the sleep even though it sounded like a good idea.

Something warm trickled against my lips.

"Sleep," he commanded more forcefully this time.

My body immediately obeyed as I swallowed what I'd later discovered was his blood.

"So we meet again." Cassius grinned, holding out his hand.

I frowned. "Is this a dream?"

"I love dreams." He shoved his hands in his pockets. "So vivid, colorful — tell me, do you like the rainbow?" He pointed to the sky where the band of colors arched over us. We were on a boat on some sort of lake. "I created it just for you."

"Is this real?"

"As real as you allow it." His massive shoulders seemed to broaden as he inhaled deeply and motioned around him "Wonderful, isn't it? You share his bed, yet I can share your dreams."

"That seems incredibly invasive."

"Don't forget unfair." He winked.

"You're bad."

"Am I?" His deep laugh echoed through my body. "Or do you just wish I was bad in order to make yourself feel better about the choice that was forced upon you?"

"It was the only way."

He threw his head back and laughed. "Oh, believe me, it wasn't."

"You?" I bit down on my lip until it hurt. "Forgive me for not wanting to be taken by a Dark One… I've heard stories."

"Books lie." He shrugged. "Perhaps you would have survived me."

"Perhaps?" I repeated. "You're kidding, right?"

His eyes flashed. "Better."

I looked down. I was in a white bikini. I quickly tried to cover myself up; his laughter made me want to drown him. "May I have more clothing… please?"

His eyes flashed again, leaving me in a sarong. "Better?"

"No."

"Too bad." He leaned back on his elbows. "Ethan can't give you what I can."

"I'm not with Ethan because of what he can give me."

Cassius went still. "So they told you?"

"About the prophecy?"