How very fucking annoying.
“I hate you,” I seethed as my vision went red. Suddenly, a new urge stormed through my belly, hunger raking its bloody claws down my insides. Forget running. Maybe I could just fight him instead. Drain his blood like the Cult of Lilith had wanted to do to me. It could help breed more demons.
I smiled.
I liked the sound of that.
His eyes narrowed as he held up the metal rod, sensing my next move. With an animalistic growl, I lunged forward and slammed my boot into his knee. He waved the rod around like he was going to slam it into my head, but I didn’t even flinch. He would never hurt Eva, not even when she was like this.
Check. Mate.
Narrowing his eyes, he took a step back, wincing from where I’d hit him. His leg wobbled beneath him, and an annoying twinge of guilt clenched my gut. What the hell was that all about?
Go away, Human Eva. I’m in charge now, bitch.
“Nice one,” he said, smiling through the clear pain etched into his face. His jaw tight, his eyes hard, the flicker of his cheek as he grimaced. “Self defense class?”
I pursed my lips. “Human Eva took a class when she first moved to New York. Unlucky for both you and her, I now have the power to use those skills in a way she never could. That broken thing never had much strength.”
Anger churned in his eyes. “She has more strength than you ever will.”
I snorted. “I think we both know that’s a lie, Caim Stone. With me in charge, she never has to die. Otherwise, she has...what? Months? Weeks? Maybe even days. Her body can barely withstand her illness anymore. She’s close to death.”
His entire body tensed, and I knew I had him.
My smile widened. “You know I’m right. Without fully transforming into a demon, Eva’s life will be fleeting. I have the power to heal her, to give her the ability to live by your side for centuries. Nothing will take her away from you.”
Gaze darkening, Caim strode forward. The angry glint was gone, so I allowed him to close the distance between us. A gentle hand wrapped around my elbow as his gaze swept across my face. Something flickered in the depths of my stomach. A yearning for his touch and his lips and everything else.
“You’re right. I would love nothing more than to spend an eternity with Eva.” His fingers tightened around me. “The problem is, you aren’t Eva. You’re something else entirely.”
With a hiss, I tried to yank my arm away, but he held me tight.
“You’re one to talk. You’re a demon, Caim. Just like me. Isn’t it a little hypocritical to turn your nose up at me?”
His smile tightened. “If you believe that you and Eva are one and the same, then say it. Tell me you’re her.”
I opened my mouth to agree. But why would I do that? I wasn’t Eva, and I never wanted to be. I was better than a weak, puny human who could barely look after herself. Hell, I could see all her memories as if they were my own. She’d fainted on more than a dozen instances. She’d spent so many days tucked up in bed. Most mortals were weak, but she was far worse than most.
Her life was amess.
I wrinkled my nose. “Fine. We’re not totally the same, but we don’t need to be. She’s still a big part of me. I’m just...better. Enhanced. Isn’t that what you want?”
“Ah, but you see,” he said with a dangerous glint in his eye. “I’ve looked into Eva’s eyes a thousand times, and I know what lies in the depths of her soul. When I look at you now, I don’t see the woman I love. I see a desperate monster trying—and failing—to take control.”
A million things went through my head all at once. A jumble of thoughts and emotions. My mind snagged on one word.Love.Before jumping on to the next.Desperate. The human warred with the demon, each fighting to take control in a reaction to Caim’s words. Anger battled with hope. Rage tried to tramp down a growing sense of calm.
My fingers curled into fists, and a wild hiss escaped from my lips. “Nice try, asshole, but I’m not going to get taken down that easily. Let go of me. Now.”
“Ah.” He pressed his forehead against mine. “There you are, Eva.”
But he wasn’t talking to me. He was addressing the human whose stupid hope had flared to life when he’d dropped the l-bomb. I rolled my eyes and shoved her back down. No humans wanted here, thanks.Fuck off.
I grinned. “Eva’s not here, I’m afraid. You’re still talking to me. And you’re going to just have to accept that she’s not coming back.”
He gently brushed a strand of hair away from my face, his sloppy smile irritating the shit out of me. “Did you like hearing that, my love? I was holding it back, hoping to say it at a better time. I know we haven’t known each other for very long, but every single part of me knows that what I feel is true.”
The human’s heart soared. She shoved me aside with a powerful punch in my gut.
