Page 56 of Taste of Forever
“It should have been me.” He shook his head, his face contorted in anguish. “Fuck, it should have been me.”
“No, listen.” I clasped the back of his neck and made him face me. “You were too young. You wouldn’t have survived a sentence like this. Kal knew that and made his choice, Cy. And you never would have met Tavia. I know it hurts, buddy, but you’ve got to make it home to your mate. Lean on her and gather your strength so we can get Kal back.”
He let out a shaky breath that seemed to deflate his whole chest. “Okay.”
“Good.” I squeezed his nape once more before letting go. “You ride ahead. I’m watching your back.”
The ride home felt too long despite our speed. I had no idea if Heather would still be waiting for me at Pulse Point. A long shower and a hearty draw of her blood was exactly what I needed, but who knew if either of those things were happening tonight. Thorne would want to know everything in precise detailand Cyan was in no shape to relive the event. So reporting back would fall on me.
Again, I was happy to carry the burden so Cyan wouldn’t have to. It just sucked that this happened to fall on the same night I was supposed to see Heather.
The moment we got home and off the bikes, I texted Skye to see if Heather was at Pulse Point and if they could pass a message from me. My head was down, thumbs flying over my phone screen as Cyan and I walked into the great room. When I looked up, Tavia was already crossing the room, her arms outstretched and her expression full of love and concern.
Cyan fell into her embrace like a puppet with its strings cut. His head went to her shoulder, arms folding around her waist as he drew her in tightly. I wasn’t sure how much Tavia knew, but she seemed to have an idea.
“You’re okay,” she whispered to Cy, one hand scratching the back of his head while the other rubbed his back. “It’s going to be okay, love.” Over his shoulder, she caught my gaze and mouthed, “Find him?”
I nodded and mouthed back, “Alive.”
She nodded and returned her attention to Cy, holding him protectively. “Hey, let’s go to bed and rest, okay?”
I gave them space to head down to the underground apartments, taking the opportunity to wash my hands in the kitchen and splash water on my face. Then I splayed my hands wide on the counter and just let my head hang.
The night was still young, but I felt ragged. Exhausted. Too much horror and evil for one night.
I couldn’t imagine Kal living like that for 20 years, day after day. Shit, out of him, Cyan and me, I was probably faring the best out of all of us.
But at least Cy has a mate to lean on.
The thought was bitter and selfish and unlike me. My emotions were frayed and uncontrollable, like sparking wires swinging freely. And it was my envy that caught hold of me for the moment.
Tavia was here when Cyan needed her. She was living proof that a mate wasn’t just about sex or blood, but supporting each other through highs and lows. Meanwhile, Heather gave me her blood but emotionally kept me at arm’s length while she went home to a shitty boyfriend.
She should be coming home to me. And I should be falling into her arms after a rough night. And it was fucked that none of this was happening way it should.
“Fuck! This.” My fists came down on the counter and I relished in the pain radiating up my arm. Pain for Kalix, for Cy, and for my own pathetic situation.
“Hey.” Thorne came through the double doors, unwrapping a fresh pack of darakt cigarettes. “You done being a juvenile and ready to give me that report?” He took a seat at the island and lit up.
I let out one final self-pitying sigh, then turned around. “Yeah. It’s worse than we thought.”
Chapter 15
Heather
The bartender in the VIP loft brought me a spicy margarita and set it down on the coffee table. “Laith just called. He’s on his way over,” she said, straightening. “Can I get you anything else?”
“Oh, great! And no thank you, I’m fine. Are you sure I can’t start a tab?”
“Absolutely not,” she said cheerily before walking to the opposite end of the loft.
I finished the rest of my water before starting on the marg. The bartender up here, Makena, was a dragon shifter and the spices in the drink were a special blend that came from her people’s territory, the Shadowburn Cliffs. We’d talked for a while as I had waited on Laith.
He was over three hours past our agreed-upon time, but the truth was, it was a huge relief because I had also been well over an hour late. I was supposed to only do a partial shift at work, but got held over due to a mix-up in the lab. Once cleared to leave, Iranto Pulse Point in a panic, only to find out that Laith was also held up doing some work thing. What did he even do for a living? It was embarrassing that I had never asked, when he seemed to admire my field of study.
In any case, I didn’t mind waiting for him. I danced on my own to a few songs, chatted with a nice group of brusang and human ladies, and got to know the VIP section’s bartender, Makena.
I felt more relaxed and carefree in Sanguine ever since we danced that last time. It felt like I could be myself here and no one would judge me. The days back in my world had crawled by, both with work and looking over my shoulder for Soren all the time.
