Dead After Dark (Companion #6.5)(102)

“I’ll contact you telepathically . . . if I can’t come back.” An aching tremor shook through Trey’s body, reminding him it was time to go. He strode to his Bronco. When he reached the door, I’m waiting, Belador, whispered past his ear.

Where? Trey asked and stuck the key in the ignition.

Your ride will bring you to me.

The truck engine cranked without Trey touching the key. The gearshift moved into place and the Bronco accelerated.



“Why won’t you wake up, Rowan?” Sasha sat on the edge of the bed, holding her sister’s hand. She could not lose Trey or Rowan when both had just come back into her life.

Lucien strode into the room and placed the palm of his hand over Rowan’s forehead. “Something holds her unconscious.”

“What can I do?”

“Nothing. In fact, it’s probably best that you stay away until we see what state she’ll be in when she awakes.”

“I’m not leaving her alone.” Sasha crossed her arms.

“Go downstairs and rest. I’ll stay with her.”

Sasha tapped her foot, debating the merits of leaving her sister in the care of a man who Rowan believed hated witches.

“I never said I hated witches,” he said with a sexy smile.

“You never said you didn’t.”

“Point taken, but your sister is safe with me.”

His gentle assurance swayed Sasha’s decision to relinquish guard over her sister. “Please call me if she needs me.”

Downstairs, Sasha paced the house from one end to the other. She stalked off to her bedroom where she dropped to the bed and laid back. Sleep would be impossible tonight, but she’d conserve her strength in case her powers were needed.

Sasha.

She scanned the room. Was that Trey? He sounded far away.

Sasha, I need to tell you something.

She sat up quickly and glanced around. Was he reaching her telepathically? If so, shouldn’t she hear it inside her head and not whispering through the room? “Trey, is that you?”

Yes. I’m hurt. I just wanted to say good-bye before I die.

Her heart jumped in her chest. She didn’t waste another second debating telepathic properties and ran to her closet to change into nylon pants and a sweatshirt. She yanked her hair into a ponytail and donned boots then paused. Could she trust Rowan to a man Trey clearly did not trust? But Rowan did trust Lucien and Sasha put a lot of stock in her sister’s intuitive ability. She prayed she was making the right decision then realized she didn’t know where she was going.

“Trey, where are you?” she whispered.

Lying on the steps where we first encountered Vyan.

Piedmont Park. Her throat constricted at the image of Trey dying. She cloaked herself and slipped from the house, then let her Subaru roll down to the street before cranking the engine.

When she reached Piedmont Park fat raindrops pelted the windshield, but she couldn’t waste a minute hunting an umbrella.

Sasha raced against sheets of water, sloshing through puddles in the park. She crossed the footbridge over the lake and wrenched to a stop when invisible hands grabbed her arms, lifting her a couple inches off the ground. She began to float forward until she saw Trey facing the Hindu warrior. She opened her mouth to shout but the words vanished from her mind.



Where was that Kujoo warrior hiding? The park was empty. Weariness bled through Trey’s soaked body. His muscles ached with the astronomical pull that ruled a Belador’s life from controlling a warrior’s powers to when the females were fertile.

“I’m waiting for you, Belador.”

Trey swiveled around to find Vyan standing at the top of the steps, his long jacket billowing in the wind. A sword the length of Trey’s arm hung at Vyan’s side.

“Too much blood has been shed in the past by both of our ancestors,” Trey started, wishing he had a better argument. “Beladors today are repaying the debt in this lifetime. I have no other way to make up for the sins my ancestors committed.”

“Oh, but you do. You have the witch.”

“Sasha had nothing to do with the wars between our people.”

“A witch is the key to freeing my people.” Vyan reached into his pocket and produced the stone. The rock glowed and lightning bolts spiked around them. “Words will not end this conflict. Only one of us will leave victoriously from here.”

“Then fight me like a true warrior.” Trey opened his arms wide. “I’ve brought no weapons. Have you no honor?”

Vyan scowled and moved as fast as a flash of light to stand ten feet from Trey. “Do not question my honor. Unlike your people, I never raped and murdered innocent women and children.”

“Neither have I. Leave Sasha out of this and I’ll give you what you want.”

“She will not go with you, Belador.” Vyan turned to his left. “Is that not true, witch?”

Trey twisted to his right. Sasha moved toward where they stood, her boots not touching the ground. Her eyes were unfocused as if she didn’t recognize him. Water ran down her pasty complexion and plastered her hair to her shoulders and face. Her soaked sweatshirt clung to her trembling body.

No. “Stay back, Sasha.”

“Yes,” she answered like a zombie before dropping down to stand on the grass. “I will stay with Vyan.”