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17

EVANGELINE

I ’d missed my check in by more than a few hours, and I clenched my hand to stop from shaking, then started typing.

Sorry, things got complicated. I’m fine. Found out some things. Not good, btw.

The screen glowed against the darkness, the only light in the all-black bedroom, except for the fire burning low in the grate, a pale orange glow heating the hearth. My fingers hovered over the keyboard, hesitating. I hated lying to Blake. But if he knew Ravok had been here, nothing would prevent him from rescuing me and once I was back at Crimson House…

I would put everyone I loved in danger.

If Ravok was truly only after me, and I suspected that much, at least, was true, then I couldn’t go anywhere near Crimson House. Not until Ravok was dead.

I hated keeping things from my mate, but sometimes Blake was over protective to a fault. Not that I minded, only that in this case, I had to make the decision that kept everyone safe.

So what if Ravok, the mighty Elder who saw the future, was hunting me?

He would soon be added to a long line of arrogant, overly confident males who’d underestimated me and found out how badly they’d fucked up.

I blew out a long breath, thinking back to my totally inappropriate response to an unmuted Malachi earlier. Lapse of his power or not, some things… yeah, there were some things Blake didn’t need to know.

I took a slow breath, forcing my hands steady, and resumed typing.

Silas, Alistair, and Dante are gone. Ravok turned them into thralls.

I clenched my jaw, shoving back the surge of…I couldn’t call this feeling grief. Regret, maybe. After a lifetime of hate, I should have rejoiced at what they’d become, but I only felt sadness. Regardless, I didn’t have time for regrets.

My magic manifested and even though it was my first time using my power, I almost killed Ravok. All I need is another chance. One more day, Blake. Let us track him down while he’s still weak. Then I’ll come home and we can have that life we dreamed about.

I didn’t mention the truth.

That my dark fire was no longer a tiny flame cradled in my chubby hands. That my magic wasn’t just manifesting—this power was unpredictable, volatile, possibly even evil. That every time I touched that churning darkness, I felt like something inside me unraveled a little bit more.

No, my mate didn’t need to know that, either.

I hit send and let my phone drop into my lap. My head swam as I sat deeper into the pillows, a wave of dizziness washing over me.

I pressed a hand to my cold temple, the room spinning uncontrollably. Damn it.

Of course, vampire biology was going to fuck me yet again. I’d signed up for immortality, unlimited strength and speed, and I’d gotten sensitive skin and pointed teeth.

But my real problem—it had been too long since I fed. A week, maybe. Between the battle and tracking Ravok and wielding my magic not once, but twice, I’d drained myself to the dredges. All the signs were there, the sluggish limbs, the constant chill, the way my senses dulled around the edges.

I needed blood. Soon.

The phone vibrated violently, the screen lighting up with Blake’s name. I barely had time to pick it up before his reply came through.

No. That’s unacceptable. You’re coming home. Now.

I exhaled, knowing where this was going.

Blake, I only need one more day ? —

Absolutely not. You asked for two days and that killed me, but I gave those to you. You’re my mate. You belong here with me. Not chasing after some monster alone.

The word mate sent a sharp pang of want through me, which I ignored. And reminding him I wasn’t alone would only send him over the edge. Best to leave Malachi out of this.

I can end this, Blake, before anyone gets hurt. I have to try.

His reply was instantaneous.

Try ? What happens when you get yourself killed, Evangeline?

I clenched my teeth, my grip tightening on the phone. Nobody except Blake had ever told me what to do, and honestly, his overbearing male attitude rankled a little. Why couldn’t he trust me to get the job done, without him swooping down to save me?

As if in response, fear trickled down the mating bond, fear and sadness and wild panic and I ran my hand down my face.

I typed slowly, choosing my words carefully. I get that you’re scared for me. I’m being careful and learning everything I can about my magic and about Ravok. If we don’t stop him now, there’s a chance we never will. I saw him. He could destroy us, Blake. All of us.

You don’t know that.

You think I can survive losing you?

Because I fucking can’t.

That’s all I know.

The responses came like gunshots, one after another and I couldn’t even tell him the truth about why I had to avoid Crimson House at all costs.

But if we didn’t kill Ravok tonight or tomorrow, there was a possibility we never would.

And if Blake knew—if he even suspected —I was planning to use myself as bait to get close enough to Ravok to do that killing…yeah, the thrown over shoulder/dragged back home scenario was definitely happening.

I’m going to kill him. Once that’s done, I’m coming home. Just not yet.

For a long moment, there was no reply. Then?—

You’re mine, Evangeline. And I always protect what’s mine. Never forget that.

I swallowed hard, my chest tight.

I am yours. Always yours. And you have to trust me.

Nothing. Minutes passed. My fingers trembled as I held the phone, waiting for his response, but none came, and that tightness cracked my chest as I typed out what I knew would be my last message of the night.

Don’t come for me, Blake. As your mate, I forbid you to interfere. Stay at Crimson House and I will find you when this is finished.

I closed my eyes, exhaling slowly as I shut my phone down to conserve the battery. My mate was angry, but he had to understand. He had to.

Because no matter how much I wanted to go home to him, no matter how much I loved him, I would lose everything that mattered if Ravok survived. I’d seen what that monster was capable of, and I would never risk my future.

This wasn’t over until Ravok was dead, preferably burned to ash and missing his head.

I chewed my lip and plucked at my filthy clothes, the ones I’d been in for days now. I needed a shower and sleep, but those luxuries paled in the face of what I really required.

I had to ask a favor, and my most logical alternative…I blew out a nervous breath.

I couldn’t lie to myself any longer. There was something building between Malachi and me. Today had been more than biology and blood, today had been about something deeper, something…more lasting.

Something dangerous that scared me…because it felt so right.

Which made what I was about to do the riskiest choice I had ever made.