“Agreed.” Kara’s hands press against my chest, but she doesn’t push me away. “You’re arrogant and controlling and—”
“And you’re reckless and stubborn.” My fingers curl around her wrists. Her pulse races beneath my touch.
“I hate that you’re in my head.” She tilts her face up, eyes flashing. “I hate that I can feel what you’re feeling.”
“Trust me, it’s mutual.” But I can’t stop staring at her lips, remembering how they felt against mine in the garden. The memory crashes through both of our minds.
“This isn’t happening,” she whispers, but her body sways toward mine. “I won’t let it.”
“Then step back.” My voice comes out rough.
“You first.”
Neither of us moves. The air tightens between us, tense and taut. Her breath fans across my lips, quick and uneven. My hands slide up her arms of their own accord.
“Marcus…” Her voice wavers. I feel her resistance crumbling, matching my own.
“We should go back,” I murmur, even as I lean closer. “They’ll wonder where we are.”
“Definitely.” But her hands are pulling me down until our lips nearly brush. The connection between us pulses stronger, filled with shared want. Her scent surrounds me, clouding my thoughts. I inhale deeply, drowning in it.
I lean in, unable to resist the pull between us any longer. Kara’s lips part, her breath mingling with mine-
“If you two are done with whatever this is, we have a situation.” Darick’s dry voice cuts through the haze. We jump apart, Kara nearly knocking over a stack of books in her haste to put distance between us.
“Nothing’s going on,” I say stupidly because, of course, something’s going on. I fight to keep my voice steady, to regulate my breathing. My fangs ache, and I have to consciously force them to retract.
“Lucien’s people are mobilizing.” Darick leans against the doorframe, his expression knowing. “We need to move everyone to a secure location. Your penthouse would work well, Marcus.”
“My penthouse?” The suggestion catches me off guard, but the tactical advantages quickly become clear. “The building’s warded, secure access points…”
“It’s practically a military fortress. And your security team is loyal,” Darick adds. “Plus, it’s the last place Lucien would expect to find a group of witches.”
“No.” Kara shakes her head. “We’re not running away to hide.”
“It’s not hiding,” I say. “It’s strategic repositioning. My place has resources we can use – surveillance equipment, secure communications…”
“And a direct line to my contacts in the vampire council,” Darick adds.
I watch Kara process this, her thoughts tumbling through my mind. She hates the idea of retreating, but I catch fragments of reluctant acknowledgment that it makes sense.
“Fine,” she finally says. “But this is temporary. Just until we figure out our next move.”
“Of course.” Darick’s tone is mild, but I catch the slight quirk of his lips. “I’ll let the others know.”
12
Chapter 12
Marcus
I’mgettingedgy.We’vebeen in this place for over an hour, and everything I’ve heard is making me increasingly uncomfortable.
This is war.
I stand to one side of the crowded strategy room, taking in all that’s been said.
“Evelyn Blackwood is being held here.” Isabella points to a spot on a map that is floating on one of the glass screens that dominates one wall.
