Justin has been my best friend since we were five. Backyard barbecues, camping trips, jet-skiing, Fourth of July at City Beach – we had a long history together, so even as he stood there, fists clenched, looking ready to take me down, I was willing to cut him a little slack.
“What do you mean?” I said, though I knew exactly what he was talking about.
“First of all, to treat her like that, and in front of everyone? You’ve always respected Dani, now all of a sudden you’re grabbing her ass in front of Dirk? Come on! That was bullshit!” He landed a clean punch to my door without flinching.
But I did flinch. He was right. I closed my eyes and relived Dani’s humiliation and anger. It nearly killed me. She deserved so much better. But I couldn’t seem to help myself.
“Speaking of which,” he kept talking. “Why are you friends with Dirk? You used to hate him and now you’re buddies? I think Dani was right about you trying to impress him.”
“Let’s go for a ride.” I kicked my feet off the desk, easily catching Dani’s picture that I’d knocked off in the process. Without stopping to look at Justin, I pushed past him into the hallway. “Come on.”
“We’re not done talking, Seth.”
“We’ll talk in the car,” I said over my shoulder. “I want to show you how well the truck is running.”
“You’ve got to be freakin’ kidding me!” he shouted from the doorway.
I kept walking, out the front door, down to the sidewalk. I knew he’d follow.
“Where are we going?” Justin asked, trailing behind, still fuming.
“Nowhere, really. I just want to get out.” We got into my truck and I eased it into the street, heading south, towards Sagle.
We were both quiet in the few minutes it took to drive through town. The silence was punctuated by the rhythmic whoosh of the windshield wipers and the slosh of the tires against the wet pavement. The water on either side of the Long Bridge had taken on the murky brown color it usually did during rain storms.
“It’s been a long time since we’ve just hung out, just the two of us,” I explained.
Justin cast a look in my direction. “Are you doing drugs, Seth? Because, man, you have really changed.”
I glanced at him for a second. “Nope. No drugs. Things just have a way of changing before we realize it.” I lifted a shoulder, at a loss for words. “I just want to make sure we’re still good.” That was only partially true. I also needed something from him.
I turned onto the road leading past the beer plant and headed over the train tracks.
“Are you going to answer me?” Justin wasn’t going to let it go. “What the hell happened today with Dani?”
I accelerated out of the first turn before I responded. “Do you notice how the truck runs better now?” I leaned up and patted the dashboard. “I’ve gotten her tuned up so she’s faster and quieter.”
“I get it, Seth. Now slow down,” Justin muttered.
I laughed and pressed on the gas pedal.
“Dani’s fine,” I said. “She’s been a little sensitive lately, that’s all.”
“I’ve never seen you treat her like that.” Justin’s eyes darted to the road twisting in front of us.
I took the car into a sliding turn, feeling some satisfaction when Justin’s head thumped against the side window.
“You humiliated her!” His voice had a slight tremble to it. “What did she do to deserve that?” He gripped the door handle.
I hit the brakes right before a hairpin curve and floored the gas to fly around the rest of the turn.
So your best friend… he has an interest in your woman. Everyone is after your woman.
“What do you care?” I asked quietly. “She’s my girlfriend. My business.” The truck eased into the next turn. “I thought we were best friends. You should be backing me,” I said.
“Not this time.” Justin sucked in air as I drove too close to the edge of the road where a sharp incline led straight into the water.
I pushed the truck faster.
“Say it.”
“Say what?” Justin’s eyes left the road for a second to look at me.
“Admit it!” I yelled. How could I have missed his feelings for her? They were so obvious to me now. “Admit how you feel about Dani!”
When Justin stayed silent, I careened around another corner, sliding the back end of the truck into a mailbox, splintering the post, sending the box sliding into the street.
“Okay! Okay! I love her! I love Dani!” he shouted.
Our seat belts caught hard and bit into our chests as I slammed on the brakes. My heart pounded in my ears, but not loud enough to drown out Justin’s words that replayed over and over in my mind. I think I’d known about how he’d felt about her all along, but didn’t want to believe it.
I released the brake and eased the car to the side of the road. Turning off the ignition, I shouldered open the door and walked across the road to look out over the water, ignoring the cold rain dripping down the back of my jacket; it wasn’t anything nearly as cold as what was consuming me.
Even though I felt betrayed, I knew Justin would never take his feelings for Dani any further. But just knowing he loved her… that tore me up.
“Are you happy now?” Justin had followed me.
“Not really,” I said. “But I understand. I mean, how could you not love her?”
“You know I’d never…”
“I know, man. I know.” I nodded.
Justin toed at some rocks in front of him and kicked them over the edge. “She didn’t deserve how you treated her.”
“She won’t answer my calls or texts.”
“Do you blame her?” he asked.
“How long?” I gritted.
“How long what?”
“When did you realize you loved her?”
Justin ran his fingers through his wet hair and let out his breath. “I don’t know. Awhile ago, I guess.”
More rocks fell over the edge.
“Well, I know the exact moment when I fell in love with her.” It was two years ago, but I remembered it perfectly. “Do you remember that day when the dog got hit in front of the school? We all stood around and watched her wrap it up in her jacket.”
Justin smiled. “She told you to stop staring and go get help.”
“That was the moment.” I sighed. “I know I don’t deserve her, Justin. She’s so good. Pure angel material.” A deep breath rattled my chest. “I’m bad for her. There are things about me…” I stopped when Justin cut me a sharp glance. “You know what? I’m glad you love her. She’d be better off with you. I want you to take care of her.”
“What? What are you talking about? What’s wrong with you, Seth?”
“I don’t want to hurt her anymore.”
“So don’t. Just apologize and don’t do it again.”
“It’s not that simple, man.” Not simple at all. I waited for Maksim to say something, but he was too quiet, like he was listening.
“Why don’t you explain it to her then?” Justin said. “She’ll understand. She always does.”
“I want you to take care of her for me.” I said again.
“Dude! You’re my best friend. I’m not making any moves on her.”
“Please, Justin.” I turned and walked towards my truck. “Just promise me you’ll watch out for her.”
“Don’t you think she has anything to say about this? Don’t you think she has a choice?” Justin yelled after me.
With my toes hugging the side of the road, I stared into the windshield of an approaching car. I didn’t bother to step back, making the driver slow down to a crawl and inch his way between me and my truck. My response to him laying on the horn? Simple. I flipped him a double bird.
“Maybe she doesn’t,” I answered as I watched the car pick up speed. Looking over my shoulder, I said, “Get in. I’ll take you home.”
Justin followed me across the road. “I just don’t get you, Seth. I really don’t.�
��
It’s not me, I thought. It’s the thing inside me.
I had to protect Dani from Maksim.
~ ~ ~
His hands caressed the ivory skin of the young girl beneath him and his lips closed over hers in a slow, sweet kiss.
She pulled away and cradled his face. “What of your mistress?” she whispered. “If she discovers us—”
“Put those thoughts to rest, my sweet. She will not bother us.”
“Yes, but she has powers. She knows things others cannot see.”
He kissed the tip of her nose and brushed his cheek against hers. “Her powers are strong, but her will is weak.”
He replayed the night, a fortnight ago, when he and Silura had lain intertwined after making love under the starry night sky. He had heard her murmur words he felt certain he was not meant to hear.
“I love you,” she had whispered.
After that claim of love, Maksim knew he would always have the upper hand.
Now, his latest lover softened under his touch.
“You are quite certain we have nothing to fear from her?” she asked.
A laugh rumbled in his throat. “Silura has taught me well. It is she who should be afraid now.”
~ ~ ~
His thoughts tie him to her, tangled with emotions that only delay the inevitable. Yet still he rises against me. He is stronger than the others, it is true, but my patience is thin. I summon what strength I have, and reach out…
~ Maksim
Chapter 20
Dani had become such a part of my routine, such a part of me, that not being with her was painful. Going from seeing her every day, touching her every day, to this—staying away from her on purpose—was like cutting off my air. Nothing felt right. Everything seemed so out of place.
This entire week seemed like forever. Dani avoided me and I let her keep her distance. I watched her, though, every day. She seemed to have kicked the habit of tucking her hair behind her ear, and now she let the strands act as a shield over her face.
There was no cutting the bond between us, though. Nothing could do that. What we felt for each other wasn’t ordinary. From the moment I saw her, I knew she was the one I’d want to be with forever. I’d do anything for her—even die for her.
Which led me to my decision today. I couldn’t let this chasm grow any larger. I needed to be stronger. I wouldn’t let Maksim take control of my life. If there was a way for Dani and me to be together, I was going to find it.
I glanced over at Justin, who was leaning against my truck with his arms folded over his chest, looking across the parking lot. Justin never mentioned what had happened when we took that drive last week, and never spoke of Dani. I wonder if he had spent any time with her. I knew he wouldn’t betray our friendship, even though I’d asked him to. Yeah. The guy was loyal.
Then, over the tops of the cars, I saw her. Dani walked slowly across the lot, head down, from the far corner where she had recently begun parking.
I pushed myself from the truck and headed towards her, covering the distance between us in a heartbeat.
“Dani.” I grabbed her elbow but quickly let go when she shot me a scathing look. “Listen, I’m sorry for what happened. Please. Can we talk?”
“There’s nothing to talk about.” Her eyes shifted quickly to Justin, who hung back, then turned to face me.
We stood for a long time looking at each other. I hadn’t realized just how much I missed her. And what I saw nearly broke me. The sparkle had gone out of her eyes. She looked defeated. And sad.
“I love you so much, Seth,” she said softly, breaking the silence. “But you… you’ve been so different. I really thought you loved me. That’s the part that really sucks. I truly thought you loved me.”
How could she think that I didn’t love her? If only I could wrap myself around her to get her to feel how much I loved her, maybe she would listen.
“Dani, I do love you. I love you more than anything. I’m so sorry about what happened. Let me make it up to you. Please.”
Let her know. Yes. She needs to know how much you… love her.
Dani stared at me, daring me to give her reason to trust again.
And I was desperate. I closed my eyes and let Maksim take over. The rush of heat through my veins was instantaneous, burning random paths through bone and muscles on its way out of my skin. My waves of hot energy swept up and over her shoulders, across her back, up the curve of her neck and back around, brushing against the underside of her chin. It was good to feel her again. I wanted so much to actually touch her with my hands and feel the softness of her hair and skin.
Her eyes softened a little, and in those few seconds there was no one but us. We were connected, just like we used to be—before I invited the demon into my life and into my body. The corners of Dani’s lips came up just a little, letting me know she felt the connection, too.
But, damn it! Maksim couldn’t let it be, could he? Cramping pain shot through my neck and shoulders and the thread that connected Dani to me thickened. It was no longer gentle and warm, but grew heavier and darker. And in that thread, a story was told, a memory so vivid, so horrifying, I couldn’t look away—like watching two trains about to collide and not being able to do anything about it.
I didn’t blink, couldn’t blink, because I was afraid not to see, or maybe the demon inside forced me to see: a woman’s red-stained mouth, opened barely enough to take in air, formed a plea that slowly died on her lips, as her fingers dug uselessly into hands wrapped around her throat.
My elbows and wrists swelled with shards of fire, and my hands grasped at the air, and still I could not look away. Then instead of empty air, my fingers warmed against skin—her skin—pressing down on the flesh of the woman’s neck, my thumbs pressing against her windpipe until the pressure crushed it, choking a garbled cry from the her mouth. As the life drained from her face, her skin whitening, the woman’s hair, short and blonde, morphed, growing long and dark. Her lips pinked and her skin softened into the perfect likeness of Dani.
What the hell! I pulled back, suddenly realizing the energy had reached past my fingertips. Clenching my hands in fists, the energy pooled into my hands and burned my palms, but I would not let it escape.
Dani’s eyes narrowed and raked me up and down, confused and annoyed by my sudden change. She frowned and slowly shook her head. “You just don’t get it, do you?” Dani backed up two steps then turned and ran toward the building.
Go after her!
No! My heart pounded against my chest. Who was that? Who was dying? How stupid was I to take a chance like that?
“What is wrong with you, Seth? You can’t keep playing her like a freakin’ yo-yo!” Justin pushed past me to catch up with Dani.
Damn it! My stomach rolled and I almost puked. Who was that? I demanded again. Why did you kill her? I screamed in my mind. Answer me!
Silence was all I got, but it was all that I needed. Maksim suddenly made it very clear what his intentions were. I had no idea why, but I knew without a doubt what I needed to do.
Now he knows what I am capable of. Now he fears for her—as he should. Now that he no longer has her light, I now have room to breathe.
~ Maksim
Chapter 21
“Look at me.” Dani grabbed my arm and tried pulling me towards her, but I resisted, unwilling to let her get too close.
I hadn’t expected to see her again so soon, actually not at all, but she’d texted me, telling me she was on her way over to my house. She was pissed off and she was coming over to set me straight. I didn’t tell her not to. Partly because I knew it wouldn’t do me any good, and partly because I had to set her straight about us, too. So I’d met her out on the driveway. There was no way I was going to be inside my house with her. If something was going to happen, better it happen out in the open, where someone could see and could get help if Dani needed it.
Pulling my arm out of her grip, I glanced away, not wanting her to look too deepl
y into my eyes, afraid she would see the demon looking out, because I knew he was there. He had to be.
She maneuvered herself around me and grabbed my face in her hands. “Look at me!”
I fought against her pull. I didn’t want her to see me this way. The constant pressure and fight for control over my body was breaking me down. Every morning I had bloodshot eyes and lack of sleep pooled into dark circles under my eyes. But I wasn’t tired—I was never tired. My mind was constantly racing from past to present to future, back and forth. I felt like a ferret on crack.
I closed my eyes to shut Dani out, so she couldn’t see how horribly my insides were twisting up. I was possessed by something that, for some reason, hated Dani. I was certain the demon was out for blood—her blood.
“Damn you, Seth.” Her voice was quiet, but demanding. “Look in my eyes.”
Even through all of this, even though I’ve done things to hurt her, she was still here, still trying to help. And I wanted her help. I needed her help, but I was afraid for her. I still had control over the demon, but it was shaky at best. I needed to convince her to stay away. So I opened my eyes.
Whatever she saw caused her breath to catch and her eyes to open wide.
“What’s wrong? Are you sick?”
I took her wrists and yanked her hands away from my face. “I’m not sick. I’m fine.”
“Don’t lie to me, Seth,” she hissed, wrenching her wrists free.
How could I possibly tell her the truth? I hardly thought she’d understand that I had bought a soul and now it was crawling around inside me, talking to me, giving me the ability to do things that no human should be able to do. Not to mention that he wanted to hurt her. She’d think I was nuts.
Dani’s stood still, her fists balled up and her feet planted, ready for a fight. “What is so wrong that you can’t tell me?”
I shoved my hands in my pockets. “Just let it go!” I said louder than I had wanted. I stepped back, feeling the fray of the bond between us. “Don’t come near me.”
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