Page 104 of Malice
Dahlia smiled. “I hope you trust me. I think you’d have eventually figured it out for yourself, but sometimes we just need a little nudge to allow ourselves to believe in something we didn’t think was possible. For me, it was seeing ghosts. For you, it’s visits from old friends in your dreams. You should feel lucky. Fate could have sent you the creepy ghosts.” She shuddered, and her gaze flicked to the doorway as though she expected to see said ghosts. “Don’t ignore your destiny, Merri. For all our sakes.”
Before I could open my mouth to tell her I wouldn’t, I was unceremoniously ripped from the dream, sitting bolt upright in bed and gasping for breath.
Don’t ignore your destiny.The world was counting on me and my mates.
My mates.
As I let the word settle in my head and heart, I couldn’t deny how very right it felt. The five of us were meant to be together, destined.
Throwing off the covers, I stumbled out of bed and snagged my robe, but my eye caught on the shadowy figure sitting on the edge of my bed.
“Jesus fucking Christ,” I screeched as Grim stood to his full height.
“Where do you think you’re going, wildflower?”
Grim
Merri,sleep rumpled and bathed in moonlight, might be my favorite iteration. She’d always had an otherworldly sensuality about her, but like this, there was a raw vulnerability to her that was undeniable. Few would ever get to see her this way, and I was one of them.
I didn’t take that gift lightly. Which was probably why I was such a possessive and overbearing arsehole when it came to her. Not to mention undeniably horny. I’d spent my existence in a state of control which rivaled that of a monk.
Until her.
She stared at me over her shoulder, no longer startled. “Well, I was coming to find you and the others, but it seems your stalking predilection took care of the first part of my plan.”
“You were frowning in your dream. Why?”
Her eyebrows snapped together. “Do you ever take a break from being a bossy pain in my ass?”
“No. What were you dreaming about? Was it Lucifer?”
“No.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, Grimsby. I’m sure.”
“How can you know?”
She threw her hands up in the air. “What’s the point of asking me what I dreamed about if you won’t believe me when I tell you?”
I narrowed my eyes and glared at her. “You’re hiding something. Why?”
“I don’t have to tell you every single thing. You’re not my father.”
“I damn sure am not. But you’ll tell me because if you don’t, I’ll still have you over my knee.”
“Doubtful. You wouldn’t risk accidental skin touchage.”
“Thanks to you, I’ve discovered the beauty of my shadow form. He’s opened many new doors for me.”
A flare of desire pulsed from her, but she averted her gaze. Something was wrong. This would not stand. How could I protect her if she kept things from me?
“Merri,” I said, voice firm. “Tell me what happened.”
“Not until I can tell you all.”
Frustration, the likes of which I’d never known, radiated through my body. “Just tell me now.”
