“I do.” She’d never been so sure of anything.
“I hope neither of us regrets this,” he muttered.
She wanted to close her eyes but refused to be a coward. Instead of looking at Death—it was still too weird to think of him as her father, especially right now—she turned all her attention to the man she loved. “I’ll find you,” she promised.
Then she waited. And waited.
Finally, she tilted her head back. Death was watching her, an odd expression on his usually expressionless face. Was it regret? Envy? Maybe even love? Or was that only wishful thinking on her part?
“Why are you waiting?” She was completely bewildered. He’d always struck quickly and decisively. Never once had she seen him hesitate.
“You want to be reunited with him.”
She nodded, still baffled by the delay.
“You don’t have to die to do that.”
“But he’s dead.” She’d heard him gasp his last breath.
“Neither afterlife will claim him. He’s more than the sum of his two parts.”
“You could make one of them take him.” He might give the gods some leeway, but his word was ultimately law when it came to dealing with the afterlife of every creature but angels and demons. And she was no longer even sure about that, no matter what she’d been told. It was why he personally dealt with the unusual creatures of the universe.
“I could, but I won’t.”
“What are you saying?” Hope quivered in her heart.
“His spirit left, but it came back. It had nowhere to go. He also has some of your blood in him, reaper blood. His will is strong. His pull to you is stronger.” He nodded down at Alexei. “Call to him.”
Was it possible? Could he come back to her?
“Alexei.” She yelled his name and shook him. “Come back. I need you.” Blood. Maybe her blood could pull him back. She shoved up the sleeve of her shirt and tried to score her skin with her fingernail. It wasn’t sharp enough.
The sickle. She grabbed it long enough to drag the blade across her arm. Blood bubbled up. Placing the open wound against his mouth, she waited. Some of it trickled down his throat, but most of it was simply flowing down his face and neck.
“Come on.” She tilted his head back and allowed more of her blood to slip inside his mouth. “Please come back to me. I need you. I love you.”
Alexei’s eyes popped open. They were blazing red, not the familiar icy-blue she loved so dearly. But if being half vampire was what brought him back to her, she’d celebrate that part of his heritage for the rest of their lives.
His primal and powerful roar shook the room. A crack ran up one of the rock walls from floor to ceiling.
He leaped to his feet and shoved her aside.
Did he not want her anymore? Maybe after facing his own death he’d decided she wasn’t worth the effort. Her heart ached but she had to accept the possibility. Still, she couldn’t regret saving him. He was worth it.
Standing in front of her, he growled at Death. “Stay the fuck away from her.”
She was grinning like an idiot and didn’t care. He wasn’t turning away from her. He was once again putting himself between her and danger. He had to still love her. Right?
Death stood his ground. He ignored Alexei and looked at her. “This is what you want?”
She stepped up beside her man and took his large hand in hers. “Yes. It’s what I want. That is, if he still wants me.”
Something flickered in her peripheral vision. Alexei shoved her to the side and extended his claws. She bounced off the edge of the sofa and landed on the floor with a heavy thump.
Egan was suddenly standing above her, the sickle she’d discarded earlier clutched in his hand. “No,” he yelled. “I won’t let her live.” His arm swung down, the bloody blade heading toward her neck.
Death moved so quickly it was impossible to track. Light exploded, momentarily blinding her. Egan screamed in terror, and his body just disintegrated. The weapon clattered to the ground.
Her father lowered the long-handled scythe, the one he always carried on his back. Even when it wasn’t visible, it was there. The wood was aged to a fine patina and the blade was matte black, as though it had absorbed the blood of billions. And maybe it had. Cassie really had no idea what he did when she was on an assignment.
It was strange to think that no matter how long she’d known him and had worked beside him, she didn’t really know him. Case in point…he was her father.
That’s gonna take a while to sink in.
He stood silently with his head bowed, pain radiating from him. Whatever people thought of him, whatever he thought of himself, he wasn’t as unfeeling as he pretended.
Alexei grabbed her by the shoulders and yanked her into his arms. “You’re okay?”
“And so are you.” She launched herself at him, laughing and crying as she hugged him. “I thought I’d lost you.”
“I came back.” He held her so tight her bones ached. It was the best feeling ever.
She wasn’t sure how long they stood in each other’s arms, savoring simply being together before she recalled they weren’t alone.
Death was waiting.
When she started to pull away from Alexei, he turned her so she faced away from him but kept his arms around her waist. He didn’t seem to want to let her go. That was fine with her.
Maybe in a year or two she’d be able to let him out of her sight, but even that was iffy at this point.
Clothed all in black, her father almost faded into the shadows. He held his scythe in one hand, the base of the wooden handle resting against the floor, the curved blade up by his face.
“I’m sorry you had to do that.” She should have seen what was happening with Egan but had been too caught up in what had been going on with herself, her dissatisfaction with the job.
“That should not have happened.” He spoke slowly, as though deep in thought.
“What about Felicia?” Cassie asked. The female reaper had also come after her.
He shook his head. “I told them all not to harm you.” She’d signed her death warrant by going against his wishes. “I’ll tell them all what I should have all those years ago. You’re not merely one of them. You’re my daughter. You have privileges they will never have.”
Crap, does Alexei know that? She had no idea what he’d heard from the in-between. When he didn’t even flinch, she screwed up her courage and tilted her head back to study his reaction.
“I was able to hear a little, even when I couldn’t move,” he told her.
“I see.” What did he think of her being Death’s daughter?
“You have much to talk about.” Death slipped his scythe into the holder on his back and it vanished from sight. “But we have to discuss your future. You are not only my daughter but also my heir.”
Her breath caught in her throat. “What exactly are you saying?”
His smile was grim. “When my time ends, you’ll have to pick up my scythe and fill my position.”
She shook her head. “I can’t.” The mere thought made her sick to her stomach.
“Would you allow all those souls to be lost?” When he put it that way, it sounded selfish.
A new realization jolted her. “You never had a choice, did you?”
Death shrugged one broad shoulder. “I am what I am.”
“My father.” As messed up as it was, she wanted to try to salvage some kind of relationship with him. What if she and Alexei had children? Was it even possible? Even if it wasn’t, she didn’t want to spend eternity ignoring the only real relative she had.
One corner of his mouth kicked up. “And what about you, Alexei?”
“Do I call you Dad or Death?” His dry tone made her grin. The look on her father’s face made her start to laugh.
“Death…please.” When his gaze landed on her, it softened. “I’ll be in touch. And don’t worry. I have no plans to die anytime soon. If you ever have to replace me, it will be eons in the future.” He placed a kiss on her forehead.
A shiver ran down her spine, and she prayed he was right.
“Take good care of her.” There was an edge of warning in his voice.
“I will,” Alexei promised.
Then Death was gone, leaving them alone.
Alexei tugged her around until she was facing him once more. “You’re Death’s daughter.”
“And you’re virtually immortal?” she shot back. They’d both learned a lot about themselves today.
He frowned. “Maybe. I’m not sure I’d have come back if it weren’t for your blood.”
“I am.”
“How can you be so certain?” he asked.
“I don’t know.” She rubbed the spot on her forehead where her father had kissed her. “I’m different, somehow. I know more than I did. At least I think I do. It’s hard to explain, but I think when I drove my blade into my chest something opened up inside me.”
He lifted her off her feet. “We have all the time in the world to figure it out.” He started down the hallway to the bedroom.
“We’ll need to be cautious,” she warned. “Once word gets out about my true identity, I may have a bigger target on my back than before.”
What a pleasant thought.
Alexei rubbed his nose against hers. “Lucky for you, you have your own private assassin.”
Chapter Twenty
Everything was right in his world. Alexei had Cassie in his arms and the threat to her life was gone.
They could handle anything else fate threw their way.
She’d been willing to die for him. And no matter what she believed, he wasn’t as convinced he’d have come back if it weren’t for her. He might have drifted for eternity, never quite able to move on. He probably would have starved to death. Or maybe not. He really had no idea, but it wouldn’t have been fun.
Scary thought.
He needed to delve deeper, to understand all parts of himself. There were people he could reach out to for information. But that was for later.
They were covered in blood, so he carried her right into the bathroom. The flannel shirt she was wearing was ripped in the front and stained red. It was only fit for the trash.
When she’d sent the blade slamming into her chest to save him, it had almost destroyed him. He set her on the vanity and removed the tattered remains of the garment and examined every inch of her.
The wound was fully healed, but right above her heart was a four-inch scar. It was a mark of courage, of her love for him. He ran his finger over the mark before kissing it.
According to Death, she’d never been in any real danger. Alexei wasn’t so certain. The threat had been real.
Her father was too lax when it came to her protection. It was up to him to keep her safe.
“You’re awfully quiet.” Her continued silence bothered him. What was she thinking and feeling? Did she have any regrets?
She had a white-knuckled grip on the countertop, her eyes were half closed and her chin drooped. Rest was what she needed most, but he had to wash away the blood and sweat first.
He caught her chin and raised it until she was looking at him. “Let me take care of you.” When she nodded, he left her long enough to start the water running and strip off his jeans. She let him lift her down and followed him into the enclosure.
Steam rose around them. It was hot because she didn’t like the cold. He ran the bar of soap over her, paying special attention to her breasts and chest, making sure not a speck of blood remained.
Thoughts of the blood she’d lost made his teeth ache. He tossed the soap back onto the shelf, pressed his hands against the tiles, and lowered his head.
“Don’t hide from me.”
He briefly closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, allowing her soft voice to wash over him. She was finally talking. Some of the tension eased from him, his muscles relaxed, and he could finally breathe easier.
She put her hands against his cheeks and raised his head. “I see you. I see all of you.” The tender kiss she pressed against his lips almost undid him.
“I hurt you.” And that would haunt him forever.
She frowned. “You didn’t do it on purpose.”
Maybe not, but it wasn’t something they could pretend never happened. “I took too much blood.” Shame threatened to drop him to his knees. “You’re back at full strength now, right?”
She nodded, looking so pretty with her wet hair slicked back from her face and her lips all full and rosy.
“Don’t let me do it again. Leave if you have to. Promise me.” He needed that assurance from her.
“It means that much to you?” Water droplets clung to her long lashes before she blinked them away. The green of her eyes seemed darker, more mysterious, as though she knew the secrets of the universe.
Maybe she did. But only one thing mattered to him—keeping her safe.
“Yes.”
The corners of her mouth tilted up. “I can do that.”
He released a huge huff of breath he hadn’t been aware he was holding. “Okay then.”
A smile played at the corners of her lips as she walked her fingers up his chest. “What now?” The shower seemed to have revived her.
She was slippery and wet, her eyes practically glowing. She peeked down at his erection and licked her lips. Of course, the darn thing responded by flexing toward her.
Her laughter was a balm to his battered spirit.
“Think that’s funny, do you?” He loved that she was confident enough to tease him, especially after all she’d been through.
She trailed her fingers over the thick tuft of hair bisecting his torso, continuing down until she reached his erection. “I think it’s impressive.” His skin was slick from the water, and her fist glided up and down his hard length.
“Woman, you’re asking for trouble,” he warned. He hadn’t planned to jump her gorgeous body. But maybe it was what she needed. What they both needed.
Yeah, he was ready to sacrifice himself to whatever it took to make her happy.
He was a real giver.
Hands on her waist, he backed her against the wall. She gripped his biceps for support. “Whatever is wrong?” She batted her eyelashes at him as she asked.
He loved this playful side of her.
“You created a problem.” His fully erect shaft nestled against her belly.
“It’s my fault, is it?”
He gave her a solemn nod. “It is. It’s only fair you deal with it.”
She tilted her head to one side and seemed to consider his words before giving a curt nod. “You’re right.”
Then she pressed her lips to his and things got serious in a hurry. When he lifted her, she wound her legs around his waist, aligning their bodies so the head of his cock nudged her opening.
Taking the invitation, he forged his way inside.
Her inner muscles squeezed him, accepted him. It was pure bliss.
“Don’t ever leave me.” By showing Cassie just how vulnerable he was when it came to her, he was handing her a powerful weapon. But she’d been willing to die for him. He had to trust her, trust them. Burying his face against her neck, he fucked her.
“Never,” she whispered. She threaded her fingers through his hair and held him to her. “Never,” she repeated.
Then there was nothing but the sound of the water hitting the tiles and their bodies, their wet flesh coming together, his groans mingling with her moans. There was only two people in love celebrating it in the most primal way possible.
The urge to bite her became almost too much to endure. He reared back to keep from digging his fangs in
to her tender flesh.
“Take my blood,” she ordered. “I trust you. Now you need to do the same.”
She was right, but that didn’t stop him from worrying. He continued to pound into her, his cock swelling to the point of pain. His balls were being squeezed in a vise of pleasure.
He struck, piercing the fragile skin of her neck. Her blood filled his mouth, nourishing his body, even as her lovemaking fed his soul. Letting go, he fucked her as he drank.
Not too much.
But the warning wasn’t necessary. Not this time. He was ultra-aware of her every reaction. Her arousal perfumed the air. Her nails dug into his skin. Her sheath rippled around him.
When she cried out, it was due to pleasure, not pain. “Yes. Yes,” she chanted over and over.
His orgasm shot through him, the pleasure so huge it brought him to his knees. He withdrew his fangs and roared. It was a claiming of his mate and a warning to any who sought to take her from him.
Panting hard, he thrust once more. When she cried out, he slammed his mouth down on hers, capturing the sound, kissing her until they were both breathless. Sitting on the floor of the shower, he cradled her in his arms as she shivered and shook. He leisurely ran his tongue over the puncture wounds in her neck, but they were already healing, her body now able to repair any damage swiftly and easily.
“You taste different.” Shit, not exactly the most romantic thing to say after banging her in the shower.
Her shoulders began to shake. Was she crying? What should I do? He was still buried inside her, and while he might have come, he was still as hard as a rock.
“Cassie,” he began, only to pause when she raised her head. There were no tears, only laughter.
“I taste different?” Her feet kicked against his butt. Her breasts jiggled as her body shook. His dick was squeezed by her tight channel.
“Yes.” He managed to turn off the water and get them out without dropping her or falling on his ass, not an easy operation with her squirming so much.
She grinned and playfully tugged on his hair. “Good different or bad different?” He could tell she was trying to be serious but failed completely. Her joy seeped into his pores, becoming part of him.
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