Page 51 of Destined for Shadows
Chapter 15
Bartol
Bartol crouched next to Lucas inside a thick forest of trees, staring through the vegetation at an old hunting cabin in the middle of a small clearing. It was mid-afternoon, and all was quiet. They’d gotten a tip from the master of Fairbanks, Derrick, about a report he’d received of several vampires hiding out in the area. Normally, the alpha would have come straight to the location to check it out himself, but he knew they were on the hunt for Cori’s former husband, so he called Lucas first.
“There could be vampires in there—desperate ones,” Bartol said, speaking in a low tone.
The cabin was in poor condition with broken steps, cracked glass in the windows, and shingles missing from the roof. Someone had taken the time to make some improvements, though. Thick cloth covered the windows from the inside, and there was a new door at the front. Those were the sort of things vampires would make a priority. The only reason they couldn’t be certain was that it was too dark inside to take a look through their flashing “sight.”
Lucas nodded. “Agreed. How do you want to handle this?”
Bartol glanced at the nephilim, confused. Cori was closer to Lucas and his wife than him. He was only helping out because they were his friends. “Why are you asking me?”
“The human woman and her safety became your responsibility when you took on the role of being her protector,” Lucas replied, giving him a pointed look. “You wouldn’t have done that for just anyone.”
Bartol worked his jaw. He didn’t need to hear this from one of his oldest friends after already hearing about it from the others. “I was nearby when she was attacked the first time, and I live close enough to keep an eye on her. That is all.”
Lucas gave him a hard stare. “If she means absolutely nothing to you, then go. I can handle this alone.”
There was no way he’d leave now.
“What does it matter what I feel?” Bartol could not understand why everyone was interested in his feelings, or why they wished to meddle with him and Cori. Could they not just let them be?
“Because I do not want you to suffer the way I did with Melena. For many years, we denied the attraction we had for each other. It cost us dearly, and since we’ve admitted our love, we’ve spent more time apart than together.” Lucas shook his head. “I am not one to discuss my personal life openly, but I would not wish that fate on a good friend if I can help him.”
Bartol had spent some time with Lucas in Purgatory and seen him suffer all kinds of tortures, but he’d never witnessed the nephilim open up like this. The regret in his gaze spoke volumes about what he’d gone through to be with Melena. It also said a lot that he chose to talk about it now.
“I can hardly stand to touch her,” Bartol admitted.
A brief flash of sympathy showed in Lucas’ eyes. “It won’t be like that forever, and if anyone can help you get past that problem, it would be Cori.”
“She isn’t exactly perfect herself.” Bartol turned his gaze toward the cabin. It was still daylight, so the vampires wouldn’t be going anywhere for a while, but it couldn’t hurt to keep an eye on the place while they talked. “She has told me more than once that she isn’t looking for a serious relationship, only physical.”
Lucas snorted. “Melena used to be the same way, perhaps worse.”
Bartol ran his fingers through his hair. He didn’t want to talk about this, and yet he felt a strange need to explain himself. Perhaps if he did, his friend would drop the subject. “Cori is different than any woman I’ve ever met before,” he said, choosing his words carefully. “I have this fear inside of me that whatever part of me Kerbasi didn’t break, she could finish off, given a chance. Some might think it is ridiculous, but it’s true.”
“Have you considered you might hold that same power over her?” Lucas asked.
Bartol frowned. “How so?”
“Look at what we’re doing right now. She has an abusive ex-husband who is harassing her and likely wants to kill her after he’s done making her as miserable as possible. A man like that must have damaged her. The fact she’s even willing to get close to you says she trusts you more than she’s admitting—perhaps even to herself.”
“She is still hiding things from me. I can tell by the way she talks about her past that she is leaving details out.” It bothered Bartol and made him that much more wary around her.
Lucas lifted a brow. “And how much have you told her about yourself?”
“Very little.”
“And you don’t see the irony in that?” he asked, incredulous. “One thing I’ve learned about Melena is the more I hide from her, the more she hides from me. She hates me keeping parts of myself and my past from her.”
Bartol looked away. “I’m not looking to be more than Cori’s neighbor and maybe a friend. There is no need for us to bare our souls.”
Lucas sighed. “Do what you wish, friend. This is clearly something you two are going to have to work out on your own.”
“I think it’s time we search the cabin.” Bartol stood, ready for the discussion to be over. This place probably wouldn’t turn out any more useful than the others they’d tried in the past few days, but he could hope.
“Very well.” Lucas rose to his feet.
