He ran his thumb over her name. As much as he needed her, he couldn’t let her see him this way. At the mercy of his darker side. Pushing the device into his pocket, he walked back to the one thing she hated but he needed right then.
Chapter 23
A low rumblepulled Darci out of her reading as silky-soft fur brushed her ankles.
“Bob.” She laughed when he jumped up and settled his overweight body on her lap. “You miss Echo, too, huh?” She stroked the cat’s thick soot-colored fur. He rewarded her with a flick of his heavy tail over her arm.
With the warriors on patrol and Echo in her healing sleep, the too-silent castle held all the appeal of a mausoleum. No wonder Bob felt lonely.
She set the book she’d been reading down on the coffee table. It was close to midnight, and Blaéz had been gone for over an hour. Worry inched its way into her belly. What was so important that he had to go out again?
And thatreprimandon the ladder? God, her tummy dipped just thinking about it. The man knew how to exact reprisal with just his hands and mouth. Her fingers tightened in Bob’s fur. With a low rumble, he lifted his head and stared at her with those unblinking amber eyes.
“I’m sorry—cut me some slack if I sigh over him, okay? The man rocks my world. No one has done that, ever.” She smoothed down Bob’s fur. “C’mon, let’s go get us both something to drink. I’m thirsty.” She rose and left the library, hugging the heavy, purring cat who seemed quite content he didn’t have to walk.
In the kitchen, he hopped out of her arms and almost face-planted on the floor.
“Darn it, Bob, don’t do that. I can’t have you hurt,” Darci grumbled. “What ever will I tell Echo when she awakens, huh?”
When he finally righted himself and stared at her, she shook her head. “Okay, one milk coming up.” She poured the creamy liquid in a bowl, set it on the floor, and helped herself to apple juice. Finishing her drink, she rinsed her glass. “Right, then. I’m off to bed,” she told the cat. “Coming or staying?”
In response, the feline bounded toward the pantry and to Hedori’s quarters.
Snorting, Darci headed upstairs. She walked into their softly lit bedroom and drew to a halt. Frowning, she glanced around then crossed to the slightly ajar study door. The knot in her stomach loosened in relief.
Blaéz stood near the window in the darkened room, staring outside.
“You’re back.” She reached for the light switch near the door.
“Don’t—”
Too late. Brightness flooded the room. His lips tightened.
Darci searched his face. He wasn’t bruised. Not a scratch marred him. Yet the vibe he gave off made her uneasy. His expression flat, his entire body appeared like a coiled spring. He watched her with hooded eyes.
Something was very off. A chill darted through her as understanding struck, along with gut-churning fear. He hadn’t been in a fight—he was fighting with himself. “Is the tie pulling you back to the demon?”
He didn’t respond, continued staring at her. She hurried across to him. “Blaéz—”
He stepped away, eyes glowing like pale moons. “Stay back.”
She stumbled to a halt. “Let me help you.”
“No.” His hands clenched. Unclenched. “I am…not…myself right now.”
It’s when he’s vulnerable that he’s at his most dangerous.
He didn’t have to say it, but Darci saw it in his eyes.
It mattered little to her. No way could she stand aside while he suffered.
Cautiously, she approached him like one would a wounded animal—a risk she knew, and a chance she took. If he hurt her…then he was lost. Her heart refused to accept that. She reached for him, he jerked away.
“I didn’t go fight in the cages because you hate them…” His words seemed wrung out of him. “But it’s the only way to get rid of this thing—the roiling darkness inside of me…”
In that intrinsic part of her soul, Darci understood just how tenuous his hold to this world was with that demon after him out for revenge when he was out on the streets. Even if he did quench the need for a fight, Blaéz would have no safety net away from her.
“Then use me,” she pleaded as utter terror seized her at how close to the edge he was. “You need me, I’m here. Let me help ground you.”
