When headlights shone on his face, I glimpsed thin rings of gold around his pupils.The blackness came from the outside of his irises and worked its way inward.It was something separate from the engorged pupils of a Vampire.Yet like a cat, he also had the ability to widen his pupils in darkness or when excited.
I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him tight.“Come back to me,” I whispered again.“Please, baby.I need you back.”
Lucian’s purr rumbled against my chest.A moment later, he leaned up, pulling me with him.
Lakota knelt beside us.“I thought we’d lost you, Uncle.”
“I’m too smart for death.”
Lakota reached out and wiped a drop of blood from Lucian’s chin.“Why only two fangs?You could’ve killed him and ended it.”
Lucian leaned away and spat before wiping his mouth.“He doesn’t deserve it.”
“That’s up for debate,” Tak grumbled.“The way he beat you while you were unconscious?—”
“I was faking.”Lucian rose to his feet and helped me up.“I lived with his Breed, so I know their tactics.A smart Mage isn’t gonna waste energy by blasting you constantly.If I made myself look weak, he’d get cocky and juice me to steal back power and kill me.That was the only way I could get close enough for a shot.I tried for his arm, but that last punch fucking hurt, so I went all in.”
“Where is he?”I searched the parking lot.Almost everyone had scattered.
Tak crossed his arms.“Licking his wounds.”
“You were faking?”Melody lightly pushed Lucian.“You scared me half to death!”
After wiping his face with his arm, Lucian staggered to the door.“I need ice.”
While the pack filed in after him, chatting excitedly about the fight and calling out for celebratory drinks, I remained outside and caught my breath.
Tak stayed with me.“You okay?”
“My knees hurt from the gravel.”I brushed at them.
Tak put his hand on my shoulder.“No.Areyouokay?I saw your face.You love him the way he loves you.”
For once I was at a loss for words, overcome with emotion from the moment I thought Henry was about to take Lucian’s life in front of me.Now that Lucian was inside, I let the terror wash over me at what could’ve been.
Tak regarded me with a tender gaze.“There’s no greater honor than sacrifice.Lucian’s one of the smartest men I’ve ever met.It’s not obvious until you start talking to him because he keeps to himself.He fights with honor.Even after flipping his switch, his instinct should’ve been to kill that Mage.Instead, he spared his life.The shame will make that Mage wish he had died.He’ll carry the scars on his neck, and even those who don’t know the story will see him as weak.”Tak chuckled softly.“I admire Lucian’s restraint.”
“So do I.”
Chapter26
Imoved the bag of ice away and assessed Lucian’s injuries.“How’s your face feel?”
Lucian was lying on one of the bench seats of a horseshoe-shaped booth in the back of the Rabbit Lounge, his head in my lap.I hadn’t left his side since coming in.
“It feels like it got used as a punching bag,” he replied.
“You’re a barrel of laughs.”
Word had spread around town pretty quickly, and the bar had drawn in a new crowd of curious locals who wanted to hear the gossip.And the Arrowhead pack was more than willing to recount the tale.
“I might need you to hire me back,” Lucian said.“I’m gonna have to pay for Lakota’s truck repairs.”
“Don’t worry about that.”I set the bag of ice on the table and stroked his beautiful black hair.
The gash on his lip had sealed up after he used his own healing saliva to lick it.Unfortunately, his tongue couldn’t reach all the way up to his eyebrow.Though I suggested he lick his finger and see if dabbing it would work, Lucian didn’t seem concerned since his accelerated healing would have him feeling better in no time.
I blew out a breath.
