Page 181 of Dark Souls

Hope was a dangerous thing. That was a lesson I had learned the hard way. But I couldn’t stop myself from feeling it. From being consumed by it. Hope for a future I never thought I’d have. Hope to be reunited with my demon side. And hope for my brother. For him to finally live the life he deserved. The life we both deserved.

“I’ll stay with him while he works on it,” Ronnie said, peering down into my eyes. “I won’t let that sigil out of my sight, I promise.”

I nodded, feeling a lightness at the sweet gesture. “I just want to find Luka. That’s all I want to do right now.”

“Well, this will definitely help. If Leif can find a way to break the spell on yours, he’ll also be able to do it for Luka.”

Ronnie

She was a dream I never wanted to wake up from.

I’d never seen anything like her in all my life. From the smoothness of her skin to those mesmerising bright green eyes against the deep red hair that swayed elegantly around gorgeous curves. She was a sight I’d never tire of looking at. In fact, I couldn’t drag my gaze away from her. I was scared I might blink, and she’d disappear. And I knew I was probably freaking her out by staring. She kept glancing over at me while she sat on the sofa in Arius’ office between Ilaria and Ruby. She could obviously feel my eyes on her. I forced myself to look away each time, not wanting to make her feel more uncomfortable than she already did, but it wouldn’t be long, seconds in fact until I was staring again. But it wasn’t just her beauty that had me floored. It was how strong, smart, resilient and spirited she was, despite everything she’d been through. She was a fighter. The fact she nearly staked me when I walked through that door just proved it.

Here comes the sickening cliché I thought would never happen in a million years. The moment those green eyes found mine, I fell so fucking hard. I never believed in love at first sight. Lust, yeah. But love? I’d just been proven wrong. I may have promised Luka I’d give my life for his sister because of the sire bond but now, I truly meant it from the heart. She was mine to protect. Mine to love. I was the luckiest son of a bitch alive.

The doors opened and Leif marched in, his face animated with excitement until he saw Hana and his feet faltered. All the colour drained from his face and he looked as though he had seen a ghost. I stood up immediately, overcome with protectiveness and possessiveness as he stared at my mate with an unreadable expression.

“Leif?” Ilaria snapped her fingers, causing him to blink and swallow. As though his soul had just returned to his body, he looked around the room at everyone’s faces before he stared at Hana again.

Hana shrunk further into the sofa to hide under his attention. I growled through my fangs in warning. His gaze darted to me, startled, and then he seemed to snap out of whatever that was.

“Sorry,” he muttered, his voice small and fragile. Nothing like how it usually sounded. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to—” He peered back over at Hana as she stared up at him, terrified. “It’s just… I thought for a second…” He shook his head, as if to shake the thought from his mind. “You just reminded me so much of someone. It’s the hair. Sorry.”

The room fell silent, all his family staring at each other with concern as he marched over to the bar in the corner and opened a bottle of whiskey. He hesitated as he tilted the bottle to pour a glass, his hand shaking slightly. And then he lowered it. He took a few seconds to compose himself and turned back around with a smile plastered on his face. Aware of Hana’s anxiety around other men, I blocked his path when he made his way toward her. He glanced at me as if he understood, and then smiled brightly at her.

“That was rude of me. It’s nice to meet you, Hana. I’m Leif. Ilaria’s brother. I would shake your hand, but Ronnie here might bite it off. Do you mind if I take a look at the sigil?”

I glanced over my shoulder to see Hana hesitating. Her eyes locked with mine and a feeling of warmth spread through me when I watched that hesitation fade. She nodded. “Okay. Ronnie has it.”

Leif held open his hand, waiting for me to pass it to him, but I shook my head. “I’ll come with you.”

The warlock rolled his eyes but didn’t argue, heading back to the door. “Come on then, big guy.”

“Leif,” Ilaria stopped him as she stood up from the sofa, and he turned to face her. “Your phone, please? If this plan is going to work, I need it.”

Leif sighed heavily before rummaging around in his pocket and pulling it out. He tossed it her way. “Like I said, I really don’t think Lia has anything to do with this.”

“Well, we are about to find out. For her sake, I hope you’re right,” Ilaria snapped, catching the phone in her hands.

Leif left the room and I instinctively walked towards Hana to say goodbye. The uncertainty in her eyes as I loomed over her made me rear back to give her space. I wanted to touch her so badly. To hold her. To make her feel safe. But she didn’t entirely trust me. Or perhaps she didn’t trust anyone. I could tell she wanted to, but she was having a hard time adjusting.

“I’ll come back to you as soon as I can,” I said instead. I dug my hands into my jeans pockets, clenching my fist around the sigil protectively as those bright, beautiful eyes, so innocent and endearing, held me captive.

A few beats passed between us, stretching into infinity before she quietly said, “Please do.”

Damn my heart. I swear it just exploded.

Tugging open the office door, I walked straight into Leif’s chest. He wrapped his arms around me in a bear hug and the world started spinning. When the ground stopped shifting beneath my feet and the dizziness stopped, I shoved him off me as he laughed when I heaved over, fighting a wave of nausea.

“Oh, I do love breaking in a virgin,” Leif chuckled, walking around a table that was piled high with books, potion bottles, herbs, and crystals.

“What?” I coughed, holding my knees.

“A transportation virgin? Fairplay. You haven’t hurled. A strong stomach and strong arms, I see?” He winked at me.

I straightened my back. “Ilaria has transported me a number of times but never like that. And are you seriously flirting with me right now?”

“Probably.” He laughed, opening up a large leather-bound book that looked older than my grandma. “Just ignore me. It’s like second nature to me at this point.”