Page 5 of The Darkness

That, combined with the anger that had simmered beneath the surface for the past week, made a dangerous mix.

His cock was already hard, and sex had been at the forefront of his mind since he’d first seen her. Now his gums prickled with the need to feed. He longed to do both. Only force of will kept him sitting here when what he wanted to do was pin her down and take her in every way possible.

But he didn’t dare touch her, not while the Darkness still ate at his mind. He could feel its lingering pull, waiting for something to set it free.

He took a sip of his beer and let his gaze wander over her face and body. What had she done to herself? She’d always been slender, but now she was almost gaunt. Her skin was pale, and she’d cut off her hair at the shoulder. That was recent; a week ago, it had hung down to her waist. The shorter style suited her, though, showing off her high cheekbones and emphasizing her enormous eyes. She could have passed for human, if not for those. Witch’s eyes, silver rimmed with black, gazing at him, unblinking, until he was sure he could sink into them, lose himself in her soul.

No doubt she’d kick him out fast enough if he did.

She hadn’t wanted him before, and she didn’t want him now. She had made that very clear. What had he thought when he’d seen her last week? That she had come forhim? He was a fool.

The old pain gripped him again, but he wouldn’t give in to it. Instead, he allowed his anger to rise, because anger was easier to bear.

“How did you find me?” she asked.

He glanced up at her question. “What?”

“How did you know to come here?”

“When you spoke in my head, I knew you must be somewhere close, so close I could almost smell the sweetness of your blood.” He leaned toward her and breathed in again.

Gina flinched, but stood her ground. “You’re not supposed to be here,” she said.

His eyes narrowed, and the anger crept a little higher. “Where exactly am I ‘supposed’ to be?”

“Anywhere. Not here. You have to go.”

Panic laced her voice, and he looked at her curiously. “Are you going to make me?” he asked, allowing a small part of his anger to leak into his voice.

He knew she’d heard it. The little color in her face fled, and a savage wave of satisfaction washed through him.

She wrapped her arms around herself, searching his face. “I’m going to ask you,” she replied.

He laughed, genuinely amused. It occurred to him then that his little witch had no idea what he was feeling. Perhaps he’d become too good at masking his emotions. Maybe she needed to know something of the rage seething inside him. “You can read my mind?” he asked.

She shook her head. “Just an impression of what you’re feeling if I concentrate very hard.”

“Then try, little witch.”

Her eyes widened in surprise, but a moment later, he sensed the gentle brush of her mind against his and opened to her.

She paled even further and took an involuntary step back. “You hate me.” The words were ripped from her, a statement, not a question. She stared at him, her eyes wide and bright with unshed tears.

It was a trick. He knew it was a trick. Why would she expect anything else from him after what she had done?

“What did you expect?” he said. “That I would still love you?” He rose to his feet and took a step toward her. She backed away until she was up against the wall and could go no farther. Something in her face warned him to get a grip, leash his anger before it overwhelmed him, but it was too late.

He flew at her then, his hands gripped her shoulders and the force of his attack slammed them both into the wall. He pinned her there with one hand at her throat and stared down into her hauntingly beautiful face.

“I could forgive you for not loving me,” he snarled. “I could forgive you for leaving me without a word, but I will never, never forgive you for what you did to our daughter.”

Her eyes widened at his words. She opened her mouth as if to speak, but then closed it again. Some expression passed across her face, acceptance maybe. She relaxed in his hold, quiescent.

Do what you will.

The words reverberated in his mind. Briefly, his fingers tightened until he felt the blood throbbing in her throat. Her silver eyes glowed with power, but she made no effort to release herself, and something snapped inside him. Darius stared down into the face that had haunted his dreams since his first sight of her. He knew, in that moment, she would never come to harm at his hands. He forced his hunger down, and after a minute, he loosened his grip. Let his hands fall to his sides.

He’d wanted Gina from the first moment he’d seen her. He’d worked for the Council back then, fighting in the war against the fire-demons. The war had not been going well. Everyone knew witches possessed the power to see the future, and Darius had wanted to go to them for guidance. Kael, as head of the Council, warned him they were not to be trusted, but as usual, Darius had gone his own way, and there he’d seen Gina.

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