Page 23 of Marked By Night

Our sacred Link.

Our one true mate.

Goddess, please forgive me.

11

Sadie

Everything is going smoothly with Dante and Kaos. We’re enjoying the show and chatting it up. Basically, having a good time. Then, tingles explode up my spine, lighting me up like one of those people’s houses who love Christmas entirely too much. Something big is coming.

One glance at my surroundings doesn’t initially reveal anything, but on my second sweep of the area my gaze snags on a wickedly handsome man storming our way. He’s not even looking at me and yet I can feel my heart stutter in my chest from the vehemence wafting off him.

He reminds me of a thunderstorm rolling in, ready to drench and destroy everything in its path. A part of me wants to look for cover, but the other is anticipating the ride.

“Where the fuck have you two been?” His hands clench into fists at his side as he looks Dante and Kaos up and down. “We were supposed to meet under the veranda ages ago.” Gods, that voice. It’s thick and smoky and it matches his smoldering eyes to perfection.

Kaos and Dante look a little dumbfounded like they’re struggling to find a reason, so I clear my throat and step forward. “Uh, hey there, I’m Sadie.”

The newcomer’s jaw ticks before he finally lifts those cold eyes to mine. The intensity completely takes my breath away—and all my thoughts. I fumble for words, trying to grasp onto anything, but it’s not working and I’m standing there dumbfounded.

Speak, Sadie, it’s not hard.

“Yeah, I kind of stole their attention when I ran into Kaos—”

“Literally,” Dante interrupts, a grin tugging up the corners of his mouth. “Then she ran into me. As you can see, it snowballed from there.”

“Yeah, and we happen to like her pretty little ass,” Kaos says.

Dante scoffs. “Dude, that ass is anything but little,” he says which does not help my position with the new guy one bit, judging by the vein pulsing on his forehead

The stranger’s gaze flicks down my body, leaving my skin tingling like a blast of icy air. Which should be impossible considering it’s late summer. When he looks back up, his eyes meet mine and stay there.

Now that he’s focused on me, I can tell his irises are a darker green near his pupil, and it stretches into the light as if it’s trying to take over. I take a moment to study his appearance further. There’s not a single brownish blonde lock out of place on his head and his clothes are immaculate. His designer jeans are ripped near the knees and trail down to a pair of black combat boots.

Honestly, I don’t understand how he manages to look so put together at a rock concert, but hey, more power to him. He’s definitely dressed for the right audience.

His inked fingers reach up and curl against the zipper of his leather jacket as he straightens it. Which boggles my mind.

“It’s hotter than Hades’ nut sack out here and you’re wearing leather? Do you have a death wish?” I ask, then add, “Because that is most definitely how you have a heat stroke.”

Helpful. Real helpful, Sadie.

Seriously though, a leather jacket and tattoos. Is there a cupid in the void fucking with me or something? Because bad boys are exactly my type.

For one tiny second, humor dances in his emerald eyes, then he quickly douses it with ice. “No, but apparently you do,” he says and if his disdainful expression is any indication, he finds me severely lacking. I reach up to smooth my hair down, cringing when my fingers land on the frizzled strands. I also notice the grass and dirt stains on my Converse from the muddy ground for the first time.

Fuck. I can’t imagine what I must look like to them. Yet I never felt self-conscious with Dante and Kaos. They made me feel like I was the only girl around and while it’s a possibility that they do this to every girl they hook up with, I did feel a tiny bit special for a moment.

Kaos watches my face fall and he turns to his friend. “Come on, don’t be an ass, Elian. We’re only joking with you.”

Oh, his name is Elian.El-e-an. Why do I kind of like it?

Elian ignores him, reaching into his jacket to pull out a pocket watch. He checks the time before slamming it closed and shoving it back inside. He dismisses me with a flick of his eyes and pulls Dante and Kaos to the side to have a chat with them, turning his back on me.

So, he doesn’t consider me a threat, but that’s all right. I’m used to it. Men like Elian always underestimate me. Until they’re lying flat on their backs with my Converse crushing their airway.

I blow out a nervous breath, trying to fight the tingles dancing across my skin now that the four of us are standing so close. Despite the fact Elian is a total fuckboy, something about him has my skin desperate for his touch.

---