Page 73 of Morning's Light

CHAPTER 16

Aisanna sat with her rear against the shelving, head ducked between her legs until the sounds of Elon’s engine faded. Her lungs hurt when she took a shaky breath. She’d managed to break it off. It was logical. It was the only way she knew to keep Elon safe. From herself and from Darkness. Why did she feel so damn bad about it?

His eyes, red and full of dying hope… She shook her head bitterly. This was not how she’d wanted it to end. Not even close.

Israel quirked a brow at her. “Are you done being crazy for the evening?”

Nope, not by a mile. Aisanna sighed and pushed herself up, lifting her gaze to him.

“You can go,” she told Israel. “We’re done. I can’t do this anymore.”

“That’s it? I came out here to give you a gift and tell you about my feelings, and I get a punch in the face and a goodbye?” He was outraged only on the outside, she knew. Showing her what he thought she wanted to see. Yes, the punch had pissed him off, but if she didn’t know any better, she’d say he was relieved.

“For right now, yes.”

“You’re unbelievable!”

“I don’t owe you an explanation, either.” Aisanna ran her hands through her hair. “I’m tired of everyone wanting more from me than I can give. I have real problems, Israel. Real life or death problems and here I am dicking around with you because it’s better than accepting responsibility. After all, this has only been sex for us. Not like either one of us was really invested.”

Israel turned toward the door, then back to her. “What if I was?”

He didn’t like when she let out a small laugh. “I’m sorry. Are you trying to tell me you wanted to seriously date me? Give me a break.”

“What do you want me to tell you? You’re the girl for me? That I’ve never felt this way about anyone before? That I’m willing to set everything aside for you?”

Yes, she thought. Because Elon would. The thought brought a fresh round of agony until her eyes blurred and her heart began to pound like the start of an anxiety attack. “Please leave, Israel. I can’t deal with you tonight.”

Aisanna listened to him storm off in a huff, knowing he would soon forget the argument as he buried himself in another distraction.

A noise from the front caught her attention. A scratch on the glass. “Hello?” Aisanna reached for her purse and snagged the container of pepper spray her mother made her keep there.

“Miss Cavaldi?” a male voice asked, deep and saccharine.

“I’m coming.” She kept the pepper spray at the ready. At once she stopped, sweat running cold and clammy on her skin. Dread fell over her like a blanket until she smelled her own fear. The edges of her vision began to blur though her feet kept walking.

“We’re glad to catch you alone. We had a feeling you would be here,” the same voice called out to her.

She squared her shoulders and tried to ignore the sliver of apprehension piercing her insides. “How can I help you? I’m afraid we aren’t open at the moment. If you would like to come back in the morning—”

“We’re not here for your flowers, girl.”

The man stepped forward into the light and Aisanna wished she could say she relaxed once his identity became clear. Instead, the opposite proved true.

She stiffened and the blood ran cold in her veins. “Mr. Voltaire, what a pleasant surprise.” She kept her pitch even, although that was the only part of her remaining steady. “Somehow I didn’t picture you as the type to stay out later than seven o’clock. Isn’t it past your bedtime?”

“You and your sister share the same sarcastic humor, I see.”

Leo’s father, the head of the earth elementals of the Great Lakes Claddium, stood in the entryway with his shoulders blotting out the light of the street lamps. An impish woman with hair the burnished red-gold of a bonfire stood next to him. Both were dressed for a day at the office with matching black slacks and similar wool coats.

In her mind, there had never been two people less alike, save for the same crackling of latent power.

When Orestes smiled, the gesture reminded Aisanna of a hyena. There was no warmth there, no emotion. Only calculation. Calculation and a healthy appetite for a fresh kill.

The woman, despite her size, held the same bearing, her face a blank mask.

Orestes swept a hand back. “May I introduce Ms. Zelda Vuur, head of the Great Lakes fire elementals? I’m going to guess you two have never had the satisfaction of meeting before this. No? Good.”

Aisanna mentally calculated her chances for escape and found herself lacking options. Remain calm, she lectured herself. The only way you’re getting out of here is to play the game.

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