And alone with my thoughts.

Seconds later, a taunting voice in my head whispered, “It’s just sex.”

I lifted a shaky hand to my face and cursed. Because I knew the truth. With Hope, it had always been more.

I’d just been too blind.

And afraid.

To admit it.

And now she was gone.

My chest felt hollow.

I ached everywhere.

I burned.

And for the first time in my existence, I didn’t leave the house to find a willing human participant.

I closed my eyes and welcomed the pain — if that meant death, so be it.

I would not touch another but her.

Ever again.

Mason

“YOU’RE SMILING MORE than usual.” I narrowed my eyes as Cassius walked down the stairs and smirked.

He shrugged. “It’s a good day.”

“Because Alex is dying?”

“Alex just thinks he’s dying.” Cassius shrugged again. “I don’t doubt it’s painful, but he’s growing up — growing sometimes feels like dying.”

“Huh.” The berries I’d just eaten went completely rotten in my stomach, rolling around like I’d just swallowed gasoline. “Tell me, how bad does it suck to know futures?”

Cassius’s eyes flashed white. “It’s not pleasant.”

“Hmmm.”

“Bannik will make his move soon.” Cassius leaned his large body against the table. “But until he has a way to absorb the power of Sariel’s brothers — they are safe.”

“And how do we know that he hasn’t already figured that out?”

“We have Timber,” Cassius said simply. “And Timber is honor-bound to protect his queen… which in turn means protecting her from any potential threat Bannik may be. She has the entire demonic race at her fingertips, and Bannik… all he has is himself. It is a very lonely existence, having as much power as he does, and yet nobody to gloat with.”

“Did you just make a joke?”

“Perhaps.” Cassius moved casually through the room, his wings were tucked behind his back, purple and blue feathers fanned down his spine as if they were subconsciously massaging his skin or perhaps just tasting the air out of curiosity.

I shivered. His wings always gave me the creeps. It was like they were alive… they mourned, they rejoiced, they were capable of emotion and to quote Genesis, it was “creepy as hell.”

“Where are you going?”

“I’ll be around….” Cassius called over his shoulder. “Make sure that you let Alex leave if he tries.”

Tags: Rachel Van Dyken The Dark Ones Saga Paranormal
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