by Luna Pierce
“Are you ever going to tell me what this is between us?” I whisper.
Silas’s jaw tightens, one of his most obvious tells. “I can’t… it’s not fair to you.”
“Tell me something, then, please,” I beg.
He doesn’t meet my eyes, only trails his hand over my legs, covering what he can of my exposed wounds.
I unbutton my jeans, wiggling them over my hips and allowing Silas to finish pulling them the rest of the way off.
His voice is soft when he finally speaks. “I was paralyzed, swimming in a fog of nothing. Going through the motions. I was empty inside. Hollow. I’ve lived countless years with this pit of a soul, longing for an unknown. There’s always been something missing. It wasn’t until you that I knew it was someone who had been missing all along. Seeing you, feeling your presence, it was that last missing puzzle piece finally clicking into place. I needed to know you. To be near you. To exist by your side. But with that, I felt the terrible reality of what was stopping that from happening. It’s brutal and beautiful all in one. A disaster of a masterpiece I can’t quite wrap my head around. I need you, and in the same instance, I have to stay away from you. It kills me and fuels me, and honestly, it’s been the biggest contradiction I’ve ever known.”
“Silas… I—” My words are cut short.
He ultimately looks up, the hints of metallic purple flickering in his eyes. He leans in, hands on my face, pushing himself into me, pressing his plump lips into mine.
We fall back onto the bed, and I die a thousand blissfully perfect deaths.
His warm lips gliding over mine, his tongue, trailing my own.
Without thinking, I climb on top of him, straddling his waist, inching him closer, daring him to hold me tighter. I drag my fingers up his neck, into his hair, tugging it gently but firmly.
His strong hands grip my thighs, roaming back until they’re gliding their way up under my shirt. His touch is like a fire alarm going off in every cell of my body, and I’m desperate for more.
I kiss him deeper, twirling my tongue around his, begging for an inch more of closeness. Not breaking away, I clasp the front of his jacket, pushing it to the side, doing my best to rip it off.
He works with me, freeing himself and tossing the leather thing on the floor.
I reach my hands down, grasping the hem of his shirt, lifting it up, up, up.
It’s then that I break away, settling my eyes on his upper half.
I had no idea he was covered in tattoos. I can focus for only a second, him grabbing my face and dragging me right back down and into him.
Silas’s hands weave back under my shirt, and in an instant, my bra and top are lying somewhere on the floor.
He firmly wraps his arm around me, moving so swiftly and placing me under him.
I reel him in with my legs and dig my fingers into his back, our lips interlocked in a fiery passion I’ll never get enough of.
He hesitates, resting his forehead on mine. “Are you sure?”
Clutching his face between my hands, I stare him in the eyes. “I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life.”
My heart pounds, in my ears, in every inch of my body.
But the moment he sighs, putting his lips back on mine, everything stops, and the only thing I’m aware of is this, right here, right now.
His mouth, his hands, his body pressed so firmly against mine.
He tastes of sunshine and a cool breeze.
It’s all so sensual and euphoric, and never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined my first time to be anything like this.
Silas slows down, taking his time removing the last of our clothes, settling back on top of my eager body.
I’m covered in dirt and dried blood and I’m so fucking certain I look like the biggest hot mess ever, but Silas meets my gaze, whispering, “You’re flawless, Willow.”
I have no idea what I’m doing or what to expect, but at his admission, I do what my body urges me to and position myself better, allowing him to take the next step.
His warm length slides over my sensitive parts and into location.
I bite down a whimper as he enters, the admission both pain and pleasure.
Silas stops, his gaze wandering my face.
“Keep going,” I breathe.
He wavers again, but I drag his face onto mine, mingling our lips and forcing my body to collide carefully with his.
I moan against his mouth, the pleasure taking precedence over the pain.
Time passes, our bodies becoming so fucking in sync with each other.
And for once, I’m not focused on all the wrong in my life, just this temporarily divine moment I want to last forever with him.
Chapter Twenty
I trace my finger along the ink-stained skin on Silas’s chest, swirling it lightly. The delicate petals of a flower, what must be a rose, sit right beside an antique pocket watch. The blacks and grays flow beautifully together. I can’t help but wonder what it signifies. His immortality?
The colorless flowers break off and transition to a large sketched skull, but upon squinting, there are things hidden within the eyes and nose. Faces, numbers, various letters.
His entire front side, arms included, are covered in different shades of darkness, and damn is it sexy.
“That tickles,” he murmurs.
I smile. “Vampires are ticklish?”
He shifts toward me, reaching under my arm and wiggling his fingers. “Aren’t you?”
Laughing, I shake my head. “Stop!”
Silas pulls away, teasing me by poking his finger like he’s going to start again. He grins, and it’s such a beautiful sight.
“You’re so misunderstood,” I confess.
He settles back onto his pillow, extending his arm and inviting me in. “I don’t mind.”
We go silent for a while, and I take the opportunity to replay the last few hours in my mind. Everything that led to being in this cabin together. Not helping but lingering my thoughts on our bodies melting into one another.
“Penny for your thoughts?” I finally say.
He exhales. “I don’t deserve you, and it kills me to realize that at any point you could up and disappear again, and who am I to be upset about that when you were never mine in the first place? It’s a strange feeling to be so incredibly vulnerable and not being able to do a damn thing about it.”
I sit up, leaning on my elbow to get a better look at his face. “That’s what you’re afraid of? Me leaving again?”
“That, among other things.”
“I never meant to hurt you.” The words fall flat, not having nearly the impact I want them to. “That’s the one thing I’ve been trying to avoid. But no matter what I do, I keep messing up.”
He tucks a strand of silver hair behind my ear. “This isn’t your fault. None of this is.”
“I find it difficult to think it’s not. Everything that’s happened has been because of me. My mom is missing. I’ve broken the shadow realm. I… I killed you.” I avert my eyes.
He tips my chin up with his finger. “I’m right here. You have to forgive yourself for that. You can’t get rid of me that easily.”
“I’m sorry.”
He shifts his still naked body, barely covered with the sheet, and comes closer to face me directly. Inches away, our breath mixes. Silas’s hand finds mine, leaving a trail up my arm, my shoulder, my neck, claiming a home along my cheek. Leaning forward, his lips graze my own. “You have nothing to be sorry for.”
He kisses me, softly at first, then more intensely.
I rotate my body, positioning Silas on top of me. Wasting no time, I seize the opportunity as soon as I feel he’s ready.
He grins into my lips, and I revel in the moment with him, just one more time before we have to figure out what to do next.
Silas moves in a way that tells me he’s more certain of what I want and need than I am myself. I can only wish I satisfy him in half the way he does me.
&nb
sp; His breath hitches, and he pauses to meet my gaze. I don’t dare look away, not wanting to sever the extreme connection between us.
My magic flows into him, his into mine, and a purple-and-pink elegant dance pours out around us.
Almost too soon, we climb the mountain, my pleasure heightening with his. At the last second, he presses his lips to mine, and we come crashing down together. Somehow, it’s more powerful than the last, and I’m not sure if I’ll ever get enough of this.
Our bodies, still locked together, fall into each other. He wraps me into his arms, so tight.
Once my breathing slows down, the safety of his embrace is enough to lull me to sleep.
“Your clothes are destroyed,” Silas calls out from across the cabin. He stands in front of a tall dark dresser, rummaging through the contents. One by one, he tosses me a few articles. “Those might fit.”
Still naked and cross-legged under the covers, I latch onto the sweatpants and t-shirt he threw me. “Is this your house?”
He lets out a laugh. “No, not exactly. A place I can keep some of my things… outside of the school.”
“That’s nice.” I bring the top up to my nose, inhaling deeply. “This smells of you,” I mumble into the fabric. I hold it out in front of me and look it over. Deep-gray, almost black, and super plain. “It’s perfect.” I throw it on and stand on the bed, walking to the edge.
Silas speeds over, his hands landing on my waist. “Allow me.”
I wrap my arms around him, and he tenderly deposits me on the floor.
I kiss him in thanks, and the moment I do, desire fills my body again.
His hands grip my body, telling me a story that he feels it, too.
The cold air hits my bare bottom, reminding me of the pants I’m lacking.
Reading my mind, he blindly reaches and secures the joggers. He breaks our connection and gets down on one knee, holding the legs open for me to step into.
I place my hand on his shoulder for stability. “I can get dressed myself.”
“I’m happy to help.” He slides my foot into the other side, then strokes my skin on his way up, tying the waistband at the top to keep them secure.
How is it possible that him putting my clothes on can arouse me so damn much?
“Do you want to tell me what happened with Sydney?” Silas asks.
And like that, the mood is gone.
I sit back on the bed, Silas now putting a pair of his socks on my feet.
“He told me his family had an object that could help me find my mom. Um… a… what the hell was it called?”
“A reperio stone?”
“Yeah! Wait, how did you know what it’s called?” I eye him suspiciously.
“The last of the reperio was mined hundreds of years ago, and it’s nearly impossible to come by, especially a stone that actually has powers. Only certain witches can bring one to life. I’m not at all surprised they have one.” He finishes putting on my dirty shoes and claims a spot next to me on the bed.
“Sydney said his parents had a lot of magical stuff.”
“I don’t doubt that.”
“But how? Why do they need it all?”
“They’re thieves, Willow.” His face tenses. “You didn’t tell him… about your angel blood, did you?”
I shake my head. “No, I swear.”
He sighs. “Good. You have to be careful who you trust.”
I flip a loose strand of string between my fingers, avoiding his eyes. “And why should I trust you?”
“Don’t. Please. Don’t. Be cautious with everyone.” He places his hand on top of mine. “But never in a million years will I do you wrong. That I promise you.”
I process his statement, the energy coursing through the room. Something deep inside me accepts, believes him fully without reservations.
“What are we going to do?” My belly grumbles, telling me it’s time for breakfast.
Silas jumps from the bed, appearing by the refrigerator in a flash. “Pancakes or waffles?”
“You can cook?” I tease.
“When you’ve been around as long as I have, you have to learn a few skills to survive.”
I don’t think he means to, but a heavy sadness fills his voice.
I come up behind him, leaning my head on his shoulder. “Waffles.”
Cleaning off the table post breakfast, I mentally try to form a plan. “We could get the stone,” I suggest.
“From their house? No way, too dangerous.”
“Maybe it’s not in their house. Would you recognize it? Sydney went in to get it, and if he was successful, he may have brought it back to place he’s staying. His house is totally separate from the main building and doesn’t have the same security.” I try to sound convincing.
“We can’t risk going out on their property again. Not taking into account what happened.” Silas puts on a pair of dark jeans and plucks his jacket from the floor.
“It’s stupid hot outside, how can you wear that?”
“I’m a vampire. I can regulate temperature well. Plus, I don’t allow people to see my tattoos.” He shoves his arms into the sleeves.
“You let me see them…” I grin at him.
“You’re the only exception.” He smiles back. “But we’re not getting the stone. Sorry. Not putting you in danger like that. Maybe if we had reinforcements, but no way in hell Walker is going to let us stroll in, get Deghan, and anyone else willing to help. Which would probably be slim to none if we actually tell them what we’re after.”
“What do you mean?”
“The stone is powerful, but it’s dangerous, too. To find the person you’re looking for, you have to give it a little piece of you. A blood sacrifice that ties you to it. I’ve heard stories of people coming into contact with one of those and there being bad reactions.”
Sydney never told me that using the stone was hazardous. He only said that it would help me find my mom. He abused my vulnerability and nearly killed me with his foolishness. How could I have been so naïve in leaving the school with him? “I had no idea.”
“We need to get you to the school. Walker has it incredibly secure—you’re safe there. Protected until we can figure out what to do next.”
“Protect me from what, though? The voice is gone, I killed endless demonic versions of you and Sydney…” My mind processes what my mouth won’t say.
“Exactly, Sydney could reopen that crack to the demon realm. He can’t be trusted.”
“Okay.” I sigh, not wanting to be a prisoner again, but not wanting to be so fucking vulnerable out here in the open. “Are you sure we can’t stay here forever?” I glance over my shoulder at the bed.
“Although that sounds like my kind of paradise, I have to do what’s best for you. You’re safe here, but only temporarily. My protections won’t last much longer.”
His protections? It’s a strange thing to wrap my head around the fact that vampires have abilities, too.
“Deghan and Cameron must be worried sick,” I admit, guilt consuming me at leaving them again.
“I told Deghan I was going to find you. Don’t worry, they’ll be okay.”
We walk outside, the warm morning breeze flowing through the trees.
“How far away are we?”
“At your pace or mine?” Silas holds out his arms. “Hop in.”
I shake my head, gripping his shoulder to brace for him picking me up. I wrap my arms around his neck. At least it’s an excuse to be this much closer to him.
“Hold on,” he says, taking off in a sprint.
A minute goes by of trees whipping past. I breathe in the fading summer air, making way for fall’s richness. We appear near the edge of the clearing.
“We’re going to have to go in the front, otherwise it’ll freak everyone out thinking the school is under attack.”
“Walker is going to be so pissed.” I hate that I was so reckless in leaving the way I did.
“He’s reasonable.” Silas places his hand o
n the small of my back, nudging me forward. “You haven’t had any other voices in your head?”
“No.” I speak the truth, but something tells me they’re not gone for good. There’s this weird cloud still hanging around in my mind, this fullness pressing of someone else being in there, too. It has me on alert, waiting for it to appear. Considering Silas has such a powerful connection to me, it’ll probably surface when he’s not by my side. I have to be prepared if that happens.
“What aren’t you telling me?” He can read me like an open book.
Without skipping a beat, I blurt out, “I hate disappointing people.”
Silas studies my face, clearly trying to determine whether or not to accept my response.
We approach the gravel entryway to the school, and an abnormal glow surrounds the premises. I follow it up and over the back side—it resembles a glittering dome.
“Protective barrier,” Silas answers my unspoken question.
I allow my gaze to lower, settling on Abigail in the distance.
She runs toward us, stopping right at the barricade. “Where the hell have you been?”
Chapter Twenty-One
Abigail allows us entry to the grounds, but not without thoroughly scanning us with her hands and then a large wand to make sure we’re not possessing a demonic being.
“Is that thing still in your head?” she asks.
I shrug. “I don’t think so.”
“At least there’s that silver lining.” She leads us toward the building. “Walker is going to want to have a word with you. He’s already spoken to Sydney.”
Sydney? He’s back? He’s here, in this building? My skin crawls, and my body gravitates toward Silas.
“He said you two left and he tried to get you to come back,” Abigail says with questioning brows.
At the lie, my gaze shoots to Silas.
We continue the rest of the way to the headmaster’s office with an awkward silence hanging in the balance. The door clicks shut behind us.
“I see you’ve decided to rejoin us.” Walker shuffles the papers on his desk and then leans back, crossing his arms over his chest. “Care to explain yourselves?”