Page 24 of To Crave Truly

Jasper slowed the kiss and pulled back. He stared down at me and I could feel all the love he had pulsing through our bond. Tears began to fill my eyes and I took a deep breath to try to hold them at bay.

“When all this is over,” I said as I traced my thumbs over his cheeks, “we are going to have some time, just the two of us.”

“Good.” He placed a swift kiss against my lips. “Now go kick some ass, do what you need to do, and come back to me. I don’t want to stay in this shit hole forever.”

I chuckled. “Okay, I’m going. But seriously, don’t do anything to piss Mordecai off.”

“Well, I can’t promise that.”

I huffed and pushed him off me playfully. “Just stay alive. That’s all I’m asking.”

He lay his hand over the mark on my chest, the one that showed our True Vampire Bond. “I will stay alive.” His bright blue eyes darkened. “But when you return, I’m going to kill that bastard for what he’s done to you. I swear it.”

I shivered at his deadly words. Jasper was first and foremost an assassin. If anyone could kill Mordecai, I would bet my money on him.

A harsh knock on the door broke into our quite moment.

“Fuck off,” Jasper growled.

“Time’s up,” the guard shouted.

I placed one last kiss on Jasper’s lips. “I love you.”

“Love you, too.” He rested his forehead against mine and took a deep breath. “Stay safe. Come back to me.”

“I will.”

Then I stepped backwards and left the room, leaving behind part of my heart. The moment the door shut a weight settled on my shoulders, heavy and painful. I couldn’t bare the thought of leaving Jasper behind, but I knew he would be safe here. For now, at least. Well, that was if I could trust Mordecai’s word. I didn’t know what that was worth yet.

“Said all your goodbyes, little one?” Mordecai asked with a smug tone. God, I wanted to wipe that smile off his face. I was going to be so glad when I was finally far away from this asshole.

“Mordecai,” Iver called. In all the events that had been going on, I’d forgotten he was still here. He strode towards us, looking like a total bad boy with his dark looks, tattoos and all that leather. “Is it time?”

“Yes. Don’t cross me, Iver. I’m not above killing you to make sure I get what I want.”

Iver held his hands up placatingly. “I know, old friend.”

Mordecai’s lips curled in a sneer. “If anything happens to her while she’s out of my sight, I will hold you personally responsible.”

“Understood.” Iver nodded and grabbed my arm. He dragged me towards the glowing portal thingy. Urgh, I fucking hated these. They always made my stomach churn and left me feeling like I’d been ripped apart and put back together haphazardly.

“Wait. What do I do if I’m… if I need to…” Dammit. Why couldn’t I say the words. Drinking blood was supposed to be my new normal but I couldn’t make myself say the words. The whole vampire thing still felt weird, like it wasn’t quite part of me yet. But what worried me was if I was separated from Mordecai, would I go feral?

“I’ll know when you need to feed, little one,” Mordecai said as he tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “I’ll feel it through our Sirebond. Just make sure you’ve stolen the stone before you need to feed again, and you’ll be fine. Although, I wouldn’t mind if you went a little bloodlust crazy and killed all your friends. It would certainly save me a job later.”

I slapped his hand away from me. Just as I was beginning to relax around the guy, he’d go and say something like that. At least he was reminding me that he was merely using me to get at Lucifer. I had to remember that and not think of him as anything resembling human. He was a monster.

I turned to Iver. “Let’s go.”

He grabbed my arm and walked me towards the portal.

“Remember what I need, Lori. Don’t forget, or I will come for you and all the people you love.” Mordecai’s threat was the last thing I heard before I stepped through the glowing mist and plummeted into the ether.

Chapter Twelve

Fenris

Ihated that Alec had stuck me on patrol with Cassian. All he’d done for the past few days was ride my ass about Lori and how I was the dipshit because I wouldn’t admit what I felt. That was fucking rich coming from him. It had taken him dying to realise he had something to live for. I knew how I felt about Lori, I wasn’t running from it, I just couldn’t do anything about it. That wasn’t the path I was set on and Lori wasn’t part of my future. Elissa was. She and I would unite the two most powerful mage houses and we would become the greatest force ever once we were bound. It was my father’s dream, and I couldn’t disappoint him. I couldn’t take the pain and suffering that would follow if I failed him.

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