Page 116 of Poison's Kiss
Drackus narrows his eyes, his arm slipping around my shoulders. "No, but we both know you belong with the lycan you refuse to accept. You'll break my girl's heart, and she's not capable of dealing with it right now... Not until her immortality strengthens her." Then he turns to me. "Let's go, Airis."
Even Drackus believes Kane is meant for Amy. I don't put much stock in my father as far as some things go, but as for magic... I trust him almost implicitly. He's been around a long time.
Kane snarls, and through gritted teeth, he announces his anger. "I'm not intended for Amy, damn it. If I belong with anyone, it's Alyssa."
"Like hell you belong with her," Gage scoffs. "You have no idea who she is or about who she's intended to be with."
"Enough!" Drackus blares. "Neither of you will be around my daughter. You, night stalker, can fight your destiny with your lycan all you want, but I'll be damned if I let you do it with my daughter. I may have not finished the job with your sire yet, but I'm perfectly capable, and I will do it. That means you'd barely be an issue for me to squash." Then Drackus turns to Gage. "And you... You'd better stay away. I've warned you before. This time it's a threat."
Gage glares at him, making no attempt to lash out or move forward. Drackus tugs at me, and my heart sinks in my chest as I walk away from both of them. Kane is destined for another, and Gage has been lying to me since all of this began.
As my head whirls around for one last glance over my shoulder, I see the blond has returned and reclaimed my light. I sigh out in relief, though the dark hair still worries me. It's never done that before.
The two men stare at me as Drackus pulls me away. How is it possible I chose two men who could break my heart? If anyone will understand the terrible decisions with love that I've made, it'll be my mother. I'm sick of this. I have to see her.
I will see her.
I willingly climb into the car with Drackus - my Jag he gave me. I relinquish the driver's seat as I take the passenger side. Drackus cranks the car and squeals out of my driveway. I watch as he pieces the house back together with a wave of his hand.
"The spirit took you down, but I killed her. How is that possible, and what did she mean about them killing her because they thought she was me?"
He frowns as he barrels down the road, making my stomach tense upon every curve.
"It's a long story, Airis. One I'm afraid I can't tell you right this second. I'll explain everything soon. Will you stay at home with me?"
I shake my head, not sure I trust Drackus enough to go play the good daughter in my old house.
"No, but I'll take a hotel."
He huffs out a breath, but cedes to my request. "Then I'll send Dice to meet you wherever you choose to stay. I don't want you around either of those boys again."
I want to scream at him for being so demanding when he doesn't have a right, but I refrain. Right now, I'm a bag of jostled emotions. I started my life without my mother because I wanted a magic-free existence until I was immortal.
Since I moved out, I've used more magic than I ever have in my life. The irony is almost comical in a morbidly tragic way.
"When will you explain?" I ask while staring at the town blurring by.
"Soon. We need to find out who is after you. I don't like knowing that spirit was tied to someone else."
Neither do I, but I'm too exhausted to think of who it might be. I never knew I had so many enemies. I dread turning immortal if I've made this many enemies while still a mortal.
"How did you know I was in trouble?" I ask curiously. "And how did the spirit and the blond bitch break through my barrier?"
"I was on my way to meet up with Dray, and then Gage called to tell me he couldn't reach you on your cell. He was going straight to your house, and I told him I'd meet him there. We arrived at the same time, conveniently enough. As for the breaking of your barrier, the spirit was tied to you, granting it access. Had I known we were dealing with Sylvia, I would have cast the protection spell over your house. I'm so sorry I didn't figure it out before-"
"She hurt you. I didn't think you could be hurt."
He laughs as though I'm some naive fool. "My dear girl, I'm not indestructible. I'm just a little tougher than the average magical being. She threw out a binding lash. I haven't dealt with such power since the medieval times. I won't be caught off guard again. In my arrogance, I underestimated the girl."
"How did you know about Gage and me, and why are you so opposed to us?" I blurt out, shifting the conversation dramatically.
Not that it matters now. I don't want to be with a liar who mixed work with pleasure.
He breathes out heavily, not feeling comfortable, and I study his young face as he stares straight ahead. He purses his lips before running a hand through his dark hair.
"It was obvious at the engagement party. I told him to stay away from you completely, simply because I knew he'd fall for you. I saw the two of you when you were dancing. You held a lover's touch. It was all I could do not to rip him to shreds then. Your lie about finding a spell to hide your aura was cute, but I wasn't born yesterday. I was glad you were free from your bond to the night stalker, but I knew there was only one person who would have freed you. Defiant as he is, I suspected he would do something like this the second I told him to stay away."
Great. Gage just found me a convenient way to be rebellious. I suppose I should start looking at him as a stepbrother. It will make it easier to get over him... maybe.
I stare at the ends of my very light blond hair, worried it'll turn back dark if I don't keep a watchful eye. I wish there was an escape for the broken.
