Page 44 of As Darkness Fall
I grimaced. Of course. That was why the others weren’t coming after us. He didn’t want us dead. He wanted us to get him the Idol.
Up ahead, Vir slowed, Jo bouncing in his arms as he focused his attention on me. I could all but feel the molten heat of his gaze, laser-focused on me. I continued to stare straight ahead, more focused on getting to the trucks than Vir’s indignation.
“Youstolethe Idol of Amunlea?” he yelped.
I sighed. This was going to get awkward.
Chapter Twenty-Three
“It’s not what it sounds like,” I snapped. “Now, get Jo to safety before you have a meltdown.”
“How can it not be what it sounds like?” Vir protested, easily keeping pace with us as he adjusted Jo in his arms so she stopped bouncing as much.
Sometimes, I hated him and his ability to do everything effortlessly.
“Dani,” Vir said. “Do you haveanyidea—”
“Nope, and don’t care,” I said, pushing my legs faster, blowing past Aaron and the rest of his team.
I ran faster than I’ve ever run before, my legs flying over the field. Yet still, somehow, Vir managed to keep up.
“You’re not even breathing hard,” I growled. “This isn’t fair.”
“I’m agod, Dani,” Vir said as if he needed to remind me about that fact some more. “I don’t tire very easily, and certainly not from running like this. You won’t outpace me.”
“No need,” I growled as we reached the edge of the Aldridge’s property, and the trucks came into sight. “We’re here.”
I waited in silence for Aaron and his team to arrive, ignoring the incredulous looks from Vir.
“You should probably ride in the other truck,” I told Vir as the group arrived, looking back and forth between Vir and me suspiciously.
“No,” the god said.
“Fine.” I looked at Jo. “I’m really sorry for this.”
“You got me out of there,” she said. “And you took on Lars. And youbeathim. I saw the way you hit Eric as well. He went down like a sack of potatoes. That was amazing! When did you get so strong?”
“I’m not sure,” I said, unsure of the answer.
“Whatever, doesn’t matter. That was badass,” Jo said, slipping out of Vir’s arms as he set her down into the rear seat.
My jealousy noticed the reluctance in her movements, the way her fingers dragged down Vir’s arm as she slowly let go, and a spike of anger filled me.
No. I sent the mental command firmly to my Soulbond, giving it a vicious lashing. Jo was my friend, and she had no idea who Vir was, nor that he and I had a dubious connection. Besides, I was going to see that link severed before long, and then Jo would be free to do whatever she wanted with Vir. So, I wasn’t going to get unnecessarily mad over an innocent act like that.
“Oh, my,” Jo said, yawning abruptly. “I’m tired.”
“Go to sleep,” I said, moving past the others and hugging her. “You’re safe now.”
Jo nodded, and a moment later, she was passed out. I closed the door gently and turned to find Vir right in front of me.
“Dani,” Vir moaned, his gorgeous features twisted in anguish. “Youstolethe Idol?”
I nearly slapped him. “Your complaining is starting to get on my nerves,” I growled. “You’re thousands of years old. Start acting like it.”
“But the Idol,” Vir protested.
I rolled my eyes and got in the front seat of the truck as Aaron slid behind the wheel. Vir followed, sitting behind Aaron so he could look at me and also because Jo was still sleeping directly behind me.
