“I…” I huff out a breath. “I just…”
“I think you need a break, sweetheart. This has been a difficult time.” Mom is moving toward me.
I consider for a moment, then heave a sigh. “Maybe you’re right. I think I’ll get some air.” Turning to the door, I aim a tight smile at the others before heading out of the house.
The night air is cool against my heated face as I step onto the patio. But it’s not what gets my attention.
He’s here.
Where the hell did he come from?
Stupid question. Probably jumped through the shadows or used some of that damn vampire speed of his.
I cross my arms, glaring at Marcus as he paces beneath the old oak tree. His usual composed demeanor is nowhere to be found – his hair is standing in messy spikes, as if he’s been running his hands through it. Tension radiates through him like a visible field, the lean, muscled lines of his body bristling with it.
And still, he’s too gorgeous by far.
Seriously, Kara?
“This isn’t possible,” he says without preamble. “I can’t have the Bloodbane. I’m an elder, for God’s sake.”
“What are you talking about?” My patience is wearing thin. “You dragged me out here—”
“I didn’t drag you anywhere. You came because you feel it, too.” He stops pacing abruptly, fixing those unnerving eyes on me. The moonlight catches them, turning the blue flecks to violet. “The connection. The way your thoughts keep slipping into my head. How your power connects with mine.”
My stomach drops. “That’s not… I mean, it’s just because—”
“It’s not a blood match.” He spits the words like they taste bitter. “Not like Darick and your sister. Or Soren and Mia.”
“A blood match? No.” I shake my head hard. “That’s ridiculous. You don’t even have the Bloodbane, right?”
“Exactly! That’s what I just said.” He throws his hands up. “I’m strong. Ancient. I can’t be developing an allergy to human blood. I can’t be bound to a—” He cuts himself off.
“To a witch?” I snap. “Well, don’t worry. The feeling’s mutual.”
“That’s not what I—” He drags both hands down his face. “You don’t understand. This changes everything. The politics alone—”
“Politics? Not you, too!” I laugh harshly. “My grandmother is missing, probably being tortured by your psychotic friend Lucien, and you’re worried about vampire politics? What’s wrong with you people?”
“He’s not my friend,” Marcus growls. “And this could affect our ability to help her. If word gets out that I might have the Bloodbane—”
“Then what? You’ll lose your precious position? Your influence?” The wind picks up around us, responding to my rising anger. “I don’t care about your vampire hierarchy or your reputation.”
“You don’t understand anything about vampire politics,” Marcus snaps, stepping closer. “If I lose my position, I lose any chance of helping find your grandmother through official channels.”
“Official channels?” I move into his space, jabbing a finger at his chest. “Those ‘official channels’ of yours have done nothing but waste time while Lucien—”
His hand catches my wrist, and electricity shoots up my arm. Our power collides – ice and fire, darkness and light. I gasp at the sensation, my anger momentarily forgotten as energy courses between us.
“This isn’t possible,” he mutters, but he doesn’t let go. His thumb traces circles on my pulse point; I shiver.
“Stop that,” I whisper, but I’m not pulling away. The air around us sparks with energy, my magic reaching for him like it has a mind of its own.
His other hand comes up to cup my face, and I can’t remember why I’m supposed to hate him. His eyes are storm-dark, pupils blown wide. “Kara…”
I’m not sure who moves first. Maybe we both do. His lips meet mine, and the world explodes in color and sensation. His arms wrap around me, pulling me closer as the kiss deepens. Hard, powerful, his body is a wall of strength against me, and I lean into it, hungry for something I can’t comprehend.
My fingers thread through his hair as our magic spirals higher, weaving together in impossible patterns. The sensation is overwhelming – like flying and falling at the same time. Like touching lightning. Like coming home.
