Page 16 of Sacrifice of the Vampir

"Kenya—"

"He's my mate, Talin. If you can see him, really see him, then I need to be there. I need to know." Her eyes flashed with determination. "Besides, my connection to him might help somehow."

She was right. The connection between me and Elias had amplified everything, but it had also made it harder to control. Having Kenya there, with her bond to Alex, might help me get to him faster.

"Okay," I agreed. "I'll see you tomorrow night."

I slid into my car, very aware of the silver thread that still connected me to the vampire in the alley. Even with a little bit of distance between us, I could still feel him all around me, inside of me. A steady presence at the edge of my consciousness, order and control wrapped around carefully leashed hunger.

Tomorrow night, I'd have to face him again. Face this thing between us that neither of us wanted but couldn't seem to escape.

Tomorrow night, I'd have to pretend that the almost-kiss hadn't rewired something fundamental inside me.

Tomorrow night, I'd have to try to find Alex while ignoring the fact that I'd found that missing piece of myself that didn't fit anymore.

I started the car and pulled away from the curb, but I couldn't resist one last look in the rearview mirror. Elias had walked out to the sidewalk in front of the club, watching me go.

Letting me go.

For now.

The thread between us pulled taut as I drove away, but it didn't break. If anything, it seemed to grow stronger, humming with both sweet promises and deadly threats in equal measure.

I pressed my hand against my chest over my heartbeat, feeling the uneven landscape beneath the fabric of my vest and bra. Tomorrow night, I'd have to be stronger. Smarter.

Tomorrow night, I'd have to pretend that Elias Noire wasn't everything I'd never let myself want.

Tomorrow night, I'd have to lie better than I'd ever lied before.

Chapter 5

Elias

Three days.

Seventy-two hours since I'd let Talin Moss walk out of The Purple Fang without stopping her. Since I'd convinced myself distance was the right call, the smart play, the only way to maintain the control I'd spent over a century perfecting.

I counted the bottles behind the bar. Again.

The numbers never changed. The arrangement stayed perfect. Clean lines. Proper order. Everything in its designated place.

Everything except the restless thing clawing at my chest.

I exhaled.

I should stay away from her.

"You've cleaned that glass four times."

Jamal's voice cut through my concentration. I glanced down at the tumbler in my hand, polished to a shine that could've blinded someone. Set it down. Picked up another.

"Just being thorough."

"You reorganized the entire stock room yesterday." He leaned against the bar, studying me with those too-knowing eyes. "Twice."

"It needed it."

"The bottles were already alphabetized by type and grouped by region."