Page 45 of Poison's Kiss
I aim for pragmatic, though it comes off as more offended, when I say, "I get it. You're disgusted by the very sight of a witch now that you've had your fill. I'm nothing but prey, and you're just a heartless night stalker with a convenient conscience. This has absolutely nothing to do withus. This is about Castine and when she's coming back for me. I've still got her mark."
Dray covers his amused smile while walking away. I'm not here for that, Thad is. I want to know why Dray is friends with my father but pretending not to know who I am around Kane. I can't ask that here and now though. I also can't prod for information from Kane as I originally planned.
Kane settles back on his heels, seeming to shrink slightly. I summon up the courage to fight the intoxicating pull of his unintentional seduction.
"I don't know. Castine changes with every passing year, growing stronger. I guess it depends on how much Drackus will do to keep you safe. She's scared of him, always has been. Until now, I've never understood why she feared him as much as she does."
Dray's brow cocks up, curiosity seeming to form.
"Drackus was keeping her safe?" he asks, feigning shock.
How can he keep up such a convincing charade?
Deke shifts in the corner, making his presence known, as he sips on a dark ale. He stays silent, but his eyes study Thad, making sure my changer bodyguard doesn't feel the itch for a fight.
"Yeah. He had a thing for my mom once upon a time. Perhaps you've heard of her? Calypso Dubai."
With that release, Deke spews his drink all over the floor in front of him before coughing up the liquid lodged in his throat.
Kane pales, seeming a little less intimidating now.
"I thought you said your mother's name was Callie Coldwell."
"It is... to the humans. Coldwell is her maiden name. Dubai is her latest husband's name. She's had several surnames. Do you know her, Dray?" I ask, taking a step toward the unknown creature.
A small smile plays on his lips, suddenly realizing he can't play dumb with me.
"I've heard her name mentioned a time or two."
"A time or two?" Kane barks. "She's the most powerful of the light, and now I've... Fuck! I just want to stay off their fucking radars." Then he turns to me, venom staining his false green eyes. "Why did you have to come into my life? Everything was perfect before you!"
A tear threatens to fall, but I hold it back. I shake my head as Thad's hand rests on my shoulder.
"I want to talk to you," I say, my eyes moving to Dray.
He glances at Kane who suddenly seems confused, but I don't give a rat's ass. I can't stand here and let him berate me any longer. It hurts too much, and the ache I have for him leaves me hating myself more than he already hates me.
"I thought you might," Dray says, motioning to the front door. "Should we take a walk?"
"Yes. Please."
I take his hand, and Thad starts to follow us out. Dray raises his hand, signaling for him to fall back.
"This conversation is only intended for the two of us, changer."
Thad growls, a deep, deadly rumble coming from his throat.
"It's fine, Thad. Just find out what you can about Castine. Start with what passages Kane didn't want us to see when he deleted the pictures from Zee's phone," I murmur softly, sounding in control as my eyes find the green eyes of my night stalker heartbreaker.
"You're not going anywhere with Dray," Kane says in a low, threatening whisper, and then he turns to the mystery man. "What do you think you're doing?"
Dray shrugs, his smile of amusement still intact.
"Having a conversation with the little witch you seem to be overly protective of. You should know I'd never touch her simply because of your feelings toward her. This will be short."
Overly protective, my ass. If anything, Kane would be relieved to have my blood shed everywhere.
"Why do you want to talk to Dray?" Kane pipes in, blocking the doorway in a blur.
