Page 19 of Cryptic Dreams

Why now?

Why would the Gods of Old feel the need to not only show me that I am one of a rare few to find their mate at my age, but also that they created her in way that meant she would so quickly become the very heart of me—my heart living and beating outside of my chest—at a time when I am about to blow apart our society in order to rebuild a foundation over the top of the blood and bones of those that have held us captive for so long?

Why now?

Why dangle such a gift, an unattainable treasure in front of me knowing damn well my accepting it would be both of our demise?

Denial it is.

I look at Zephyr a little longer, take in every detail of her beautiful face then turn and stalk toward the front of the club. I jump from the roof, land on my feet and head toward the door, the ache in my chest growing with each step that leads me away from her.

It is for her own good—hers andmine.

I am a Descendant about to start a war, one that will bring much bloodshed, and the last thing I need is to have a mate to worry about during the process. Zephyr is the last thing I need, just as I am the last thing she does as well.

Now, if only I could believe my own lies, that would be real fucking grand.

6

I Just May Be the Devil

WRAITH

Bloody. Fucking. Hell.

That’s the exact phrase that runs through my head as I walk up to my booth and see not only Orion and Aries waiting for me, but the two of them engaged in a rather intense conversation with none other than Zephyr.

There goes my plan to avoid her while stalking her.

It’s bad enough that I’ve literally been following her everywhere the last few nights, and can’t think about anything other than her. I haven’t even been able to pick up any playthings since I first saw her, the engaged couple being the last time I had any form of sex with something other than my own bloody hand.

And yes, I’ve been doing that an ungodly amount because the persistent and constant erection I have whenever I simplythink her namehas called for drastic measures of the wanking variety.

Now I can’t even come to the club to hatch my evil schemes because she’s here, too. She is here, and she is connected to my friends, and she currently looks rather pissed. And goddammit if that doesn’t make my dick harder than steel.

I knew there was a fire inside that female, knew the frightened and timid creature I’ve seen on multiple occasions wasn’t her true self. I fucking knew it and I will be damned straight to hell if I don’t fucking like the way those golden eyes burn.

Andfuck, I really want that fire to consume her and bring the world to its knees the way I know she can.

She is my mate, after all. She’d have to be fiery to put up with an arse like me, have to be strong and full of spunk to take on... goddammit, and now she’s looking in my direction because I’ve grown careless with my thoughts again.

Not my mate.

Don’t have.

Don’t need.

Don’t want.

Not. My. Mate.

Now if only I could get the memo to my dick that is trying like hell to detach itself from my body in order to greet this female himself, that would be fucking smashing.

For a moment I consider leaving. I consider rescheduling my meeting for a night Zephyr will be at work in order to avoid sharing her space, but I can’t. I need to discuss the most recent events with Orion and devise a plan moving forward. It’s rather pressing actually, since the outcome could be quite disastrous, so postponing just to steer clear of Zephyr isn’t really an option.

But neither is walking up to the three of them with a massive boner, though I seem to have no other alternative because Aries has now spotted me.

Shite.