Knock. Knock.
Before I could say come in, my door opens up, and there standing in the entry is my goddess herself.
I shoot up in my seat and plaster the biggest smile on my face. I love it when she comes to surprise me. Fates, I love this woman.
“Lilith, Dearest. What brings you by? You know you’re supposed to take it easy today. You need to save your strength for the trip to Earth tomorrow,” I say, babying her as she enjoys. I walk around my desk to greet her, opening my arms for her to rush into them, but stop short when I notice her look. A frown mars her beautiful face, and I’m lost as to the reason.
“Let me ask you this, Carl,” she says, throwing me a hateful look. It throws me for a loop, and I take an involuntary step back, dropping my arms.
“Dearest, what is wrong?” I ask as my stomach plummets.
“Do you think I’m weak?”
“No! Of course not!” My throat suddenly feels dry with where this line of questioning is going.
“Then why would you think I would need torest,huh? I’m not a weakhumanthat needs to be taken care of.” She places her hands on her hips, and her eyes start glowing red.
“I never s—”
“Or is that what you’re hoping to get with a trip to Earth? Are you looking to find one? I know howfascinatedyou are with them.” Her anger is palpable, and all I can do is stand there dumbfounded.
“NO!” I manage to get out through my dry throat.
“Look, Carl, I’m going to Earth without you. Don’t follow me, and go on and live your life. Move on and have kids.”
“What? Where is this coming from, Lilith?” I say, stepping closer to her. I’m just not understanding what is going on. This morning she was so happy. What has changed in the past five hours or so?
“This shouldn’t be a surprise. I mean, look at you,” Lilith says and points at me, halting me once again in my spot. Looking down, I take in my appearance. My white lab coat is a little rumpled, but other than that, I’m still wearing my glasses, and I know my black wavy hair is a bit disheveled. She had always told me she liked the ‘nerdy’ look though. Hell, that’s one of the reasons I wore the glasses, even though I didn’t need them.
“I don’t understand.” I look back at her and find her snarling at me.
“You are a sniveling,weak-bloodedFae that doesn’t even have his heritage anymore. Can I even call you Fae when you’ve given up the name? Why would I want someone like you? What would you truly bring to my life?” Her words are barbs of the thickest Huckabee tree, piercing truly to my soul.
“You don’t mean that,” I say with conviction.
“You disgust me,” she growls.
“Lilith! This isn’t right.” I shake my head and step closer. This isn’t my Lilith. That I know for sure. Something is wrong.
“We’re over,” she says.
“Please,” I beg, dropping to my knees as tears flow down my face as she says the last words to destroy me.
“I release you, Carl Steinbeck, from my love and honor,” she says, walking out and slamming the door behind her.
She just left me. She just revoked my life and the binding that I made to her when we pledged ourselves to each other. I don’t feel anything magical happen to me besides the emotional pain that seeps into my bones as I sink fully to the floor. I’m grateful at least for the emptiness because breaking the bond, I was told, could quickly kill the Fae who makes it. Maybe Lilith is right, I’m not Fae anymore, so perhaps I’m not even worth dying as one.
CHAPTER4
Bloody Mary?
Daniel
If I didn’t know better, I would say I was a Pride Demoninstead of a Vampire.Looking around my apartment, I just can’t decide what to pack. Yes, most of the stuff I could get on Earth, but I don’t want to say goodbye to my babies. Looking over at my cufflinks and shoe collection, my heart breaks a little bit.
I still don’t understand why I can’t take all of them. While Carl collected diplomas and Jessup got grizzly trophies for his fights, I collected cufflinks and shoes. Though they were surely going to bring theirs to Earth, Lilith has forbidden me from bringing my entire collection. I can only bring thirty pairs! Who in the world can live with only thirty pairs of shoes?
My woman is nuts, certifiably crazy, but I always did have a thing for the loony ones. Who knew that I would have a mate? When that starburst showed up on my right shoulder—after my first night with her—I was ecstatic. Not only did I find the love of my life, but a few of my powers got a boost also. I didn’t need to drink blood as often, I was stronger, faster, and my endurance definitely paid off in the bedroom.
