Page 145 of Black Bird

“It won’t come to that. Once she gets what she’s after, everything will settle back into its usual chaos.”

“What is she really after, though?” Patrick asked. The game halted and they all looked at each other. “I know why she wants the blood. I’ve gathered enough to know that turning that Raine girl with myownblood connected her to me. I know she’s dead. I felt whatever that connection was break off.”

Decclan’s face turned grave. “Did you not tell Dahlia about this?” Tony felt his stomach flip. Patrick took another sip of his beer and shrugged.

“At some point, I decided that it seemed like she didn’t really care so much about that. She’s probably gonna get her hands on that Sarah chick and have that blood, anyway. I’m starting to realize that there’s somebody else that she’s more concerned with.”

“Best get over that, mate. Athan Kane has been the only one of us that’s ever struck a nerve with her. He’s the only bloke that’s ever left the coven and lived to tell about it, too.” Devin laid a card down. Tony tensed as Decclan leaned closer to Patrick.

“Dahlia’s always gonna hold out hope that Athan is her mate. She’ll never let the bastard go. He used to be a friend to me. When he conjured up some flighty idea to leave this place, I thought for sure she’d kill him. I tried talking him out of it. So many times, I tried. But that man would rather her try to put him down than spend another day here. She might not ever kill his ass, but she’ll never let him go. I wouldn’t try to hold onto the idea that she’ll forget about him, Patrick. It won’t ever happen,” Decclan seemed sincere.

“What do you mean, when you say she’s holding out hope that he’s hermate?” Patrick asked, blindly laying a card down. Tony knew full well that the kid had no idea what he was doing. Knew also, that the route this was going would lead nowhere good.

“Some of us get lucky enough to find our counterparts,” Tony answered, laying his card down over Patrick’s. “It’s a bond that’s otherwise unbreakable between you and the one fate chooses. Links you in a way that no one else ever will. Like the bond you had with that girl you mentioned? That’s a siring bond. It’s like that, but a thousand times stronger.” Decclan and Devin were too busy gathering the cards to see it, but Tony noticed the realization hit the youngster like a hammer. It said enough to him without him having to ask. This kid was Dahlia’s mate.

“Did that Kane guy ever call her by her name?” Patrick asked, his face paling.

Devin snorted as he dragged off his cigarette. “Kane used to talk to her like she was a piece of shit. Still does. I don’t think you understand … he really couldn’t have cared less if she offed him or not. He hates her. Hates her and hates what he is.”

“But why? I don’t think I could ever hate her.” They all paused again, and Patrick looked between them all.

“Not one of us was ever given a choice, kid. And not all of us are that accepting of it. Kane’s biggest issue was that he clung to his humanity for dear life. I don’t need to tell you how well she handles that,” Decclan said, looking to Tony. “We get punished pretty severely for it … or worse.”

Tony nodded slowly. “You’re young … even for a human, Patrick. You’ve got a long ways to go until you start understanding all the mechanics of our immortality. Just do as she says. Take it day by day. Dahlia’s nothing if not brutally honest. And I don’t mean that loosely. Everything will work itself out, kid.”

“Why don’tyouwork out how the fuck you just won this game without even looking at the card you just laid down!” Devin barked, stubbing out his cigarette in the ashtray. They all chuckled and Decclan gathered the cards and started shuffling them again.

“One more game.”

Patrick seemed a little more relaxed, and Tony gathered the empty bottles to go get them another round. The conversation seemed lighter, but the feeling in his stomach got worse. He tried his best to ignore it. “Deal me in, lad.” Tony smiled, setting the bottles on the bar.

She was starting to feel her control slip right through her pale grasp. She’d never admit to anyone but herself how she loved Athan Kane. How it filled her with rage whenever she thought of how hard she fought against the very word. She hated him so much but couldn’t overcome how deeply that man had consumed her. The fact that he hatedherwith every fiber of his being, and wanted absolutely nothing to do with her, only made her want him more. Seeing him fall all over himself with that little cunt had ignited a fire so destructive inside her, that she had room for little else. Dahlia also could no longer deny that a love of an entirely different sort was threatening to crumble her completely. A love that was real … gentle … passionate. She didn’t want any of that. Didn’t want it, and yetdid. Maybe it was the loss of that control. Maybe it was the way her coven was beginning to see her, the farther she let Patrick in. Maybe it was merely because that kind of love was reciprocated by someone she didn’t expect … someone who looked like him but wasn’t.

She’d allowed herself time to talk herself out of it all. She’d have whatever man she wanted. And she would never surrender any power for the affection of any man. There would be more. They were replaceable … but she knew deep down there was one thing in this equation that could never be replaced. Not ever. To keep this position, this power … she’d sacrifice this. There could be no distraction. No obstacle to get in the way of what she was … who she’d always be. Hatred and fear were always more potent than love. Evil was always stronger than the pliant softness of anything good. She’d lived too long and worked too hard to get this far. So, Dahlia fit herself into her thick, long-sleeved black dress, and gloved her hands. She pressed curls at the ends of her long, icy blonde locks. Dolled herself up to look the part. A queen. She was their queen. Sometimes royalty had to pass difficult judgments. Make difficult decisions. Be the leader and enforce that position on the ones beneath her.

The hallways were dark and quiet. Her heels clicked softly on the stone and echoed through the bleak darkness behind her. Every sound made her head split as she took another step toward the large, studded door that led into the club. She opened the door and let it shut loudly behind her, gaining the attention of all the members that were casuallybiding their time inside. Time stood still, as it usually did when they were at attention, and they all stood as she made her way towards the bar. All the chatter silenced. Every head lowered. No one made eye contact with her. Respect. Obedience. That was the true love in her immortal life. And she would give it up for no one. Tony backed himself away from the bar as she rounded the end and met eyes with Decclan first.

“Mi’lady.” He tightened his mouth in a thin smile. She ignored him and then looked at Patrick, who watched her in the middle. A half-finished card game laid on the bar, along with several beer bottles.

“Having fun, are we?” Dahlia smiled sweetly.

“They’re uh … teaching me how to play.” Patrick smirked, waving a hand over the cards. “Can’t say I’m taking in much, but I’m trying.”

Dahlia circled around Decclan and crept up behind Patrick. Devin stood still as death, and quiet next to him. She slid her gloved hands around Patrick’s abdomen and rested her chin over his shoulder. “Is this your hand?” she asked, looking at the small stack in front of his stool.

“Yeah,” he snickered.

She reached over, sliding one aside. “I’d say you’re taking in more than you realize. Or they’re going easy on you.” She turned her face into the column of his neck and gently kissed it. “Why don’t you throw this one, and come with me? I’ve something for you.”

Something like relief relaxed his body against her and she continued kissing his neck. “I thought you were angry with me,” he breathed, leaning into her.

“Come with me,” she whispered against his skin, trailing her mouth to his earlobe and taking it between her teeth. She knew he had no choice but to obey her. Whether he wanted to or not. Patrick turned around and she took his hand, leading him back through the bar towards the door she’d come out of. She didn’t pretend not to notice Decclan and Devin’s concerned stares … or the kind bartender. A few other heads had turned before they made it back through the door and it slammed shut. Patrick came to stride beside her, and she thumbed over the back of his hand as they walked. “I’ve come to understand something that I thought you should know,” she admitted as they turned into a doorway with a set of stairs leading up.

“I think I might have an idea of what it is.” Patrick gripped her hand tighter as they started up the dark stairwell.

“Oh?” The staircase winded farther up, and she looked over at him.

“We’re mates … right? Is that what happened that day in your office? Why I feel like I can’t breathe without you?”

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