Page 110 of Origins of Eternity

“Arwen, it felt like that before I even said words to you. It wasn’t me trying to convince you to fall in love with me. It was you. Those wereyourfeelings.”

“If Cassia is so horrible, why didn’t you kill her?”

“It would’ve been a battle. She’s stronger than me, and she drinks from humans, and I’d already gotten cut. I would have had I needed to, but she also had people upstairs who would’ve come down to fight alongside her, and there was a chance I wouldn’t make it out alive if I didn’t try to use my ability. I only wanted to test it, but you were there, too, and I couldn’t risk the others seeing you and trying to fight me with you there, Arwen. So, I did what I did and got you out of there. We’re probably safe here for tonight, but I’m not sure. Maybe we should sleep in the hidden room just in case. It’s a twin bed, but I’ll sleep on the floor, if you want. If it works and she doesn’t remember me or you, her people will just follow wherever she goes, so we’ll be fine, but I’ve never told someone to forget a whole person before,and I was a part of her life for so long. That’s a lot of memories her brain is trying to rewrite. I don’t know how that will go.”

“Iro, I can’t,” she replied.

“Can’t what?”

“Stay here.”

“Why not?”

“I… I feel like I need to be away from you right now.”

“Away from me for how long?”

“I’m not sure yet. I also need to find Zara and talk to her. I need to make sure she’s okay. I have an apartment I need to get back to and a job that I’m supposed to go to on Monday. I don’t know how to do any of this.”

“I know. That’s why you should stay. I’ll help you, Arwen. We can talk about it.”

“Not yet,” she said. “I need some time alone.”

“Time alone, or time alone with Zara?”

“She’s my friend. And she’s a vampire, too, apparently. I need to talk to her.”

Iro nodded, stood, and walked back over to the fridge. She pulled out two more containers and walked back over, setting them on the table.

“Take those with you. Zara might need one as well. And I’ll have more sent to the office. I have a butcher I trust. You and Zara stay together at least for tonight.”

“You’re not going to argue with me? Try to lock me in that room again?”

“The one thing I will never take away from you is your choice, Arwen. I want you to stay here so that I can protect you if I have to, but if this is what you want, I won’t stop you. I would only request that you don’t tell anyone about us, that you don’t hurt anyone, that you do whatever you can to keep yourself safe, and that you only drink what I’ll send you to drink. Once you start on human blood, it is incredibly difficult to stop. Ask Zara.”

“Zara has–”

“She can tell you everything.” Iro motioned for Arwen to stand. “I need to sleep now so that this heals.”

“Oh, okay,” Arwen replied and picked up the two containers.

“My car is parked right out front. Take it. I have the car service if I need it. Keys are by the door.”

“Iro, are you okay? You’re cut, and–”

“No, I am not okay. The woman I love is walking out the door, and I’m scared she may never return.”

CHAPTER 32

Zara

“She’s on her way to you,” Iro said.

“Sheis? Why?” she asked as she put the phone to her other ear.

“Zara, I was too late.”

“Oh,” Zara said.