Page 73 of Dark Shadow of Guilt

Damn. Just ask.

“What are you thinking about, Dom?”

“My past. How life repeats itself.”

Madeline didn’t understand his snarly response because she was too focused on her own problems to pursue it.

Dark clouds and fog blew in, followed by pouring rain. Her wet, stringy hair hung limp. “I hate this weather. I hate this place.” Water sputtered out of her mouth.

Without a word, Dom cupped a wing above their heads. When she rested her damp cheek on his pectoral muscle, he flinched. She didn’t imagine it. She was becoming what he hated. A Scourge.

“You’ll extinct me,” she mumbled. He scooted away from her, rejecting her, not even wanting to touch.

When he didn’t answer, she added, “I’ll hurt people.”

“I won’t let you.” He gritted his teeth.

“Swear it.”

“I swear it,” he said, not looking at her.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” He spoke the right words but without warmth, this man she had begun to love.

With her eyes closed, she pictured him fighting off the attackers. His midnight wings had launched blades as he spun and dipped. He was a fearsome, deadly sight, a god gone mad. He was beautiful. And he didn’t need the problems she’d brought to him.

Under the protection of Dom’s extended wing, Madeline sat cross-legged, elbows on her knees. Chin on her chest. “My life ... if it can be called mine ... is shitty. It’s unpredictable. It’s disordered. It’s my worst nightmare. And I’m growing wings. Not the nice ones. Oh, no. Bat wings.” She glared at Dom. “Just jump in if you have something to add.”

He growled, “Can’t think of anything.”

“No. I suppose you can’t,” she snapped.

He nodded, and they returned to silence. After a while, Dom suggested they leave to meet his friends in his salon.

“I need another moment. Maybe longer. I want to scream, to cry, to run across the sand until I drop from exhaustion, too tired to think. I want to hit someone.” She gasped. “God. Soon, I’ll want to bite somebody. I’ll be the worst Dracula ever.” Madeline raised her hand, stopping Dom from throwing in his thoughts. “I know. Blood Leeches aren’t really vampires.”

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