Page 89 of Dark Flame

He’s here.The fact he got through the wards Morgan claimed were around town becomes unimportant compared to the sight of him, which I can’t help but drink in. His hair, blown back and windswept, presumably from his run, and his black eyes that are entirely focused on me while ignoring the witch who’s a much greater threat. His chest rises and falls with breaths he doesn’t have to take, his nostrils flaring as he studies me from head to toe, a rumble filling the hallway.

I force my back to him, his gaze caressing my spine with the same pressure his hands would. My body is hyper-aware of his presence, like everything existing between us before yesterday no longer matters.

But it does. A lot.

“Don’t,” I warn Morgan. “He won’t hurt you. He’s here for me.”

“You’re protecting him?” Her hands lower. “I thought…no matter.” She shakes her head, focusing on him again. “The barrier is designed to keep any witch, vampire, or shifter not born of Highridge Coven out. How did you get through?”

“Walked over the town’s line,” he replies, his voice a dark rumble I feel in the base of my stomach. “Not my fault your spells aren’t up to par.”

Morgan stares considerably at him before glancing at me, back and forth as her conclusion is drawn. “He drank your blood. He has some of you inside him. That’s how.”

“I’m only here for Harlow. Then I’ll leave.”

“That won’t be happening.” Morgan slips her arm around my waist and yanks me away from him before I can properly react.

Alec’s eyes flash a threatening red, and he narrows in on where she’s holding me. I’ve seen this look before. The look before attacking, like he had at the party and my room. If he thinks I’m threatened?—

I push away to place myself between them, shaking my head to ask her to stop fighting—and him to not attack. “I’ll speak with him, it’s fine. We won’t go anywhere.”

Her lips fold together as she debates what she doesn’t truly have a say in before finally coming to the same conclusion with a resigned sigh. “If that’s what you want. Not in here, though. I won’t have a vampire inside my home. Go around back so no one sees him.” To Alec, she adds, “You harm her, I’ll be coming for your fangs.”

“I’d rather rip them out myself if I do,” he replies, his words echoing around the confused and empty cavities of my heart.

Ignoring the turbulent sensation, I step outside and scan the area to make sure we’re alone. Given it’s the middle of the night, most of the nearby homes have their lights off.

I lead Alec around the side of the house towards the small, fenced-in area, passing through the waist-high gate. It’s too dark to make out anything but the single thick tree in the corner and a few planter boxes towards the other side.

The moment my feet cross the backyard’s threshold, the wind picks up. No, wait—that’s because hands grip my hips, turning me around, and then my back’s against the tree after having been rushed across the yard, an imposing body trapping me there.

Defend yourself. He trapped you. Took all your choices. He’s the enemy.A coolness wraps around my wrists, tempting the shadows to return.Remember how good it felt claiming control of your destiny yesterday, when you pinned him to the wall? Think about?—

Alec’s rough, dizzying kiss silences the voice, claiming every ounce of that very control for himself.

Fourth Intermission

FREYA

One overbearing vampire.

One formidable coven of witches.

And one pissed-off woman who’s been betrayed by almost everyone in her life, that vampire included.

I’m taking bets. Want in?

And for a snack to get through the next bit, I’m thinking…hmm…poutine? We are in the tourist trap of the mountains, after all. Gotta eat like the locals do.

Oh, don’t worry, the drama between our lovebirds isfarfrom over. So many answers and questions still to go.

It’ll get better and worse.

They do gotta hurry up, though, because while the vampire is fun to mess with, now that we’re in Banff, I’ve scoped out the next guy.

Wolves have a temper.

Alec needs to move this along so I can go pet my next animal friend. Think the soon-to-be alpha shifter would prefer a pink or purple collar? I’m thinking pink; it is my favourite colour.