Glancing back over my shoulder, I caught sight of Draven standing motionless in the moonlight.
“Rosalia, stop,” I heard him call, the words lost to the wind as I sprinted toward the village below, my every instinct driving me onward to my prey.
FORTY-THREE
January 31,2010
Connor’s gaze locked onto mine, and his face drew nearer, eliminating the air between us. My lips parted as his hands reached up, touching my cheek. They were sticky against my skin. His expression seemed pained and troubled, his brows furrowed, and his hazel eyes looked almost as dark as night. I was about to ask him what was wrong when a sudden, sharp pain exploded in my chest. I glanced down and saw a wooden stake protruding from me. I opened my mouth to scream, but no noise escaped me. I looked back at Connor, his face cold and haunted as hatred clouded his eyes. I pulled the stake from my chest, and blood trailed down my dress. Connor stepped back, his hands stained crimson.
My eyes shot open, and I sat up in bed, gasping for air. My body felt clammy as I clutched my chest, my necklace feeling hot and tight against my skin.Just a dream.But it wasn’t the first nightmare I’d had about Connor that day. I couldn’t sleep anymore. I got dressed quickly and left my room. I needed fresh air, and I wasn’t getting any good sleep anyway.
Vail was right.
I had to end things with Connor.
I could see my breath as I stepped out of the house. The sun was setting, casting a gentle, diffused light on the day. The delicate crocuses that adorned the yard stood proudly even though their petals were delicately frosted. I walked down the sidewalk that led to the park.
I found myself drawn to the lake, which had a thin layer of ice formed on it. I saw a familiar face casually tossing stones onto the glassy surface,
I paused on the path, weighing my options. Should I turn around, pretending I didn’t see Connor? Or should I go up to him and break things off now? It was like fate knew what I was thinking and decided to play a game with me, seeing how strong I was. I took a deep breath and walked over to Connor.
“Hi,” I greeted him.
He turned around, and a smile spread across his face, his dimples deepening, making my heart ache. “Hi, Rose,” he said, pulling me into a hug. I surrendered to the warmth of his embrace, feeling comforted. “I’m happy you’re okay,” he whispered into my hair.
I pulled back slightly. “Yeah, well, I couldn’t really sleep,” I confessed.
“I’m sorry if that was scary for you,” he said, running his hands through his hair. I could tell he had been up all night as well. I wondered if he talked to Sam about what happened. Connor was wearing new clothes. He obviously had to change, considering how much blood he had on him the last time I saw him. I scanned his body quickly, checking for any other damage. He seemed unscathed.
“I’m lucky I have Vail,” I told him.
“I am too. Remind me to thank her for saving me last night,” he said.
“Of course.”
“I’m just really happy that you’re okay,” he said again, scanning me with concern before pulling me into his armsonce more. His kiss was a tempting warmth that threatened to consume me.
“Did anyone else get hurt last night?” I asked him, my mouth against his lips.
“Sam said no one would remember the night. Not sure what he meant by that, but clearly you remembered it.” He looked down at me.
“Isn’t Sam worried that the police will come and investigate what happened?”
“Sam isn’t really the type of person to worry about anything.”
“Are you worried?” I asked him.
“I was more worried about your safety than my own,” he said.
“Thanks,” I murmured, offering him a grateful smile.
“Do you want to go back to my place?” Connor suggested, his breath visible in the cool air.
“Okay.” I preferred to end this in private anyway.
Walking through the doors of Connor's apartment, I realized that this was the first time we’d been alone together since the morning on the mountain bluff. A couple of days ago, I yearned for this closeness, this privacy, but now a sense of dread loomed over me. Connor broke my thoughts as he pushed me up against the wall, his lips crashing down on mine.
His teeth skimmed my bottom lip as he sucked it into his mouth. I moaned in response, and he clutched the back of my neck, tilting my head up. His lips were soft against mine, and he pressed his body close, his warmth seeping through our clothes. He reached down and squeezed my ass, and I pulled him closer to me, my back pressed up against the wall, lacing my fingers through his hair.
