Page 9 of Promised in Blood

Damn! I guess there’s no denying that. “How am I ever going to win with you?”

He shakes his head, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “You cannot, little one. I suggest you make your peace with that now.”

“So unfair.” A wave of exhaustion washes over me, and I rest my head on his chest. “Wait until I figure out how to use these powers, and I might just win occasionally.”

“You will win in all the ways that matter, Ophelia.” The deep timbre of his voice is so soothing that my eyes flutter closed. Who is this man, and what has he done with Professor Drakos?

Sleep threatens to claim me, and then I remember… “Why didn’t you tell them about Lucian?” I ask in a whisper, not trusting that I’m capable yet of speaking through our bond in such a way that the boys won’t hear me.

His muscles tense, but he goes on gently stroking my hair. “You can speak through our bond. Focus on speaking to me, and the boys will not hear.”

Why?I ask again.

Because I did not know how to tell them of a betrayal so profound that it changed the essence of my being. A pain so unfathomable and agonizing that the only way to live through it is to bury it so deeply that it can never be found.

I feel his pain. His anger. His betrayal. It threatens to swallow me whole.I found it.

I know.

A tear leaks from the corner of my eye.Was I not supposed to?

His weary sigh ruffles my hair, but he bands his arms tightly around me and rests his lips on the top of my head. It makes me feel like I’m wrapped in a safe little cocoon where nobody can hurt me. Nobody can hurt us.I knew it was a risk, but no, you were not supposed to learn of Lucian. Very few people know of his existence.

I’m sorry. I couldn’t help it.

I know, agápi mou. Your powers are greater than I anticipated.

My powers? I don’t feel them right now. The lightning that raced through my body earlier seems to have all but dissipated. Perhaps it was a fluke? Perhaps I am not powerful at all.

It was no fluke, Ophelia.But you burned up a lot of energy. You need rest, that is all,he says.

I feel so conflicted. My insides are churning.So do I have to keep this secret from the boys? What if I can’t? I don’t want to lie to them, but I don’t want to betray your trust either.

You already kept it from them earlier. You did not reveal that I had a son, even though I heard you think about him. Whether that was intentional or not, you were able to not communicate that thought to them.

I don’t know if it was intentional or not either,I admit, feeling so out of my depth that I’m afraid I’ll never get a handle on any of this. I yawn loudly.

I would ask that you keep it to yourself for the time being. We will tell them when the time is right.

But what if I?—

He cuts me off with a kiss—the kind that has me forgetting what day of the week it is.If you reveal it unintentionally, Ophelia, then I will not hold you responsible. I know I ask a great deal of you.

I run my fingers through his thick hair. My brain is clouded with exhaustion, but my body is awakening, sizzling with electricity as his tongue explores my mouth. My limbs instinctively wrap around him. But much too soon, he pulls back and leaves me panting. Wanting more. “Rest now.”

I don’t have the mental energy to argue with him, so I lay my head on his chest once more and allow sleep to claim me. And I dream of monsters and faces cloaked in shadow that speak to me of fire and blood.

Chapter

Five

MALACHI

Morning, sweet girl. Are you awake yet?

Yes,she says in reply. Even the voice in her head is seductive, and I close my eyes and imagine her warm breath on my face. Since Ophelia started living at the house with us, we have all spent the night in the same bed, usually Axl’s, unwilling to be parted from her any longer than necessary. Waking up to her sweet smile and her soft little body curled up against mine makes sleeping a much more pleasant activity than it’s ever been before. And that only makes the absence of her in our bed this morning all the more acute.

Meet me in the kitchen?she adds.

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