Page 30 of The Book Reader
From the look on her body every time, Macy made sure she felt every ounce of her rage.
I would take her if I could, and give her the burial that my mate deserved.
In the lives that I got to love, my Rose, Macy, would wait until the moments when we were the happiest, right when I would finally think she wasn’t coming for her.
That’s when she would strike.
I’ve been asked if I ever thought of moving on, if I would try to be with someone else, but it’s never even crossed my mind.
There was a book she had once read to me. A love story that, in that lifetime, was one of her favorites. Wuthering Heights, I believe, was the title of that book, and one line from it always stood out to me. Always reminded me of why I will always love her: “Whatever our souls are made of, her’s and mine are the same.” I whisper, remembering how we had made love for hours after she had finished it.
“My lord,” Mark's voice broke through my thoughts. I turn to face him, clearing my throat to dislodge the lump of emotion that has built up and is threatening to spill over.
“Is he here?”
Mark nods his head towards the black limo parked on the other side of the road. The streetlights running up and down the street begin to flicker, then one by one extinguish, bathing the entire street in darkness.
This little trick is Mark’s doing. He possesses some powers, although he has never fully disclosed what they are.
Rumors are about to begin spreading soon. This time, I refuse to risk Macy finding out about Arianna before she has time to learn her powers.
Though this time she seems to be looking for the book much sooner than she ever has before.
Usually, I’m the one who sends her down that path.
I hand my jacket over to Mark, then slowly walk over to the vehicle, the blue glow emanating from my eyes lighting my way. I pull open the door handle, leaning into the opening with a grin, the tip of my fangs digging into my lower lip.
“Luka, please step out of the car,” I say, allowing my voice to deepen, its tone edged with the deep tones of Trelor.
Luka shrinks back, cowering in the corner and mumbling that he doesn’t know anything and that I’ve got the wrongdaemon. My nose flares with annoyance. “Get the fuck out of the car,” I demand. Still unmoving, he begins to beg, with his hands stretched out in supplication. “Please... I swear, I didn’t tell. I swear.” His round little face is squished up in panic, his black eyes large and full of fear.
“You are lying to me,” I say, stepping back. Mark is fast behind me, reaching into the car and pulling the crying daemon out., Luka struggles in his grip, but Mark curves his arm around the daemon’s neck to hold him in place, holding him against his chest.
“I’ve already killed your friend. No one is taking her from me this time.” Luka shakes in fear at the tone of my voice, tears rolling down his cheeks.
No part of me gives a single shit. He had been on his way to inform one of Macy’s men that he knew where they could find a witch with the Orion Belt marks on her cheek. He had been planning to collect gold for the price of my Rose's life.
For that, he dies.
“This could have ended very differently for you. Unfortunately, I can’t let anything happen to my mate. Not this time.”
I give Mark a brief nod before removing one of my daggers from its holder at my side. Mark shoves Luka forward. I catch him to me, spinning him so that his back is to my chest. He struggles in my hold, trying to buck me off of him. I wrap one arm around his shoulders, holding him to me as I bring the other up to slice his neck open like soft butter on a hot day. Blood sprays out, and Luka gurgles, choking on his own blood. I drop his body to the ground and step back. Luka writhes on the ground, clutching at his neck, though it only takes a moment for him to go still.
A few seconds later, his body bursts into a cloud of dust.
“That’s the last one, my lord,” Mark says.
For a second, relief floods my body. Any risk of Macy finding out about Arianna has been taken care of.
For now.
“Tomorrow night, I am taking Arianna out for dinner. Minimize the customers at The Amour and have my hotel suit ready for me.” Since I own the Amour, it will be the safest place to take her for dinner.
Despite the events of the last few minutes, excitement fills my stomach, and for the first time in years, my heart is beating a little lighter.
I accepted my jacket back from Mark. “If anyone even thinks about revealing where Arianna lives, I want them dead.” Mark inclines his head. He knows that I would do anything to keep her alive.
I glance back at the house one last time before I shimmer to my office in Darkville.
