On the Prowl (Bad Things #2)(58)

Her chest seemed to ache—her heart seemed to burn—as she walked toward Simon. She touched the torch to his shirt. His pants. The fire flared.

He burned.

The wind whipped as Luke flew up into the air, taking Leo away with him. And the whipping wind made the fire burn even faster, as if Luke had intentionally meant to stoke the flames.

Maybe he had.

Rayce picked the angel up into his arms and carried her out.

Rose stood right there, not moving until she was sure that Simon was gone. She wasn’t going to look over her shoulder, always worried that he would reappear.

He was one monster that she would end.

When he was ash, she finally turned away from him. The torch still blazed in her hand even though the flames should have gone out long ago. Probably another bit of magic from Luke. When it came to fire, Luke always had total control.

Still holding that torch, Rose made her way outside. Julian followed right behind her, not saying a word. When she stepped outside, she realized the day had turned to night. Stars glittered overhead. They were so bright in the darkness.

She didn’t see Rayce or the angel. And there was no sign of the witch or the muse. Everyone had vanished. She didn’t blame them. She wanted to get away from that scene and forget the nightmare in the Everglades, too.

“You could’ve…had your life back.”

“I like the life I have.”

“You hate drinking blood.”

“Not your blood.” She loved the connection she felt when she bit him.

His face was tormented in the torch light. “You never wanted this. You never wanted—”

“I wanted you.” There would be no more hiding. Not from him and not from herself. “I wanted you from the first moment I saw you, and yes, after my change, I was scared…but I still wanted you. I used to dream about you at night. I ached for you.” She swallowed. “And I loved you.” No, not loved. “I love you. I love you, Julian.”

He didn’t move. Why wasn’t he moving?

“Ah, right, excuse me,” Luke suddenly said as he stepped from the shadows. The guy had come back far faster than she’d expected. Luckily, Luke appeared to have returned alone. She didn’t see Leo.

The torch jerked in her hand.

“I hate to interrupt sentimental moments, but we need to seal the deal.”

Deal. She was coming to hate that word.

“Burn the building down, Rose. I’ll make sure the fire doesn’t spread from the scene. End this now.”

She looked back at the building. And then she went forward, touching the torch to different spots of wood. Flames flickered. They grew. They spread.

She turned back to see Luke standing right beside Julian.

“You know what he is?” Luke asked her carefully.

She did. “The man I love.”

“An assassin. A paranormal killer.” He paused. “That was what he became…for you. Because he wanted you to live so much.” Luke exhaled. “Can you live with that? Because if you can’t, then walk the hell away now. It will be kinder to him.” He waved his hand, and her torch sputtered out. “The fire won’t spread. What happens next, it’s up to you.” The he looked up into the sky. “I have a dumbass twin brother to finish dealing with.”

He flew away.

She dropped the chunk of wood and moved toward Julian.

“Don’t.”

She frowned. The flames crackled behind her.

“You…shit…you don’t see it, do you? Leo was right. That bastard was right about one thing—I am like Simon.”

“No.” She stepped toward him. “You’re not.”

“I made a deal. I killed, for you. Simon killed—he killed because he thought he’d get his wife back.”

Rose grabbed his arms. “Did you hurt innocents? Did you torture to steal power?”

“I killed. That’s what I am. I’m a killer in my core and you…you have always deserved better. I knew it the first time I saw you. Beautiful Rose, with sunlight on your hair and sand between your toes. You deserved a life I could never give you.” He swallowed. “Then I took your life away.”

“No, no, you fought to keep me! I can see that now—”

His laugh was bitter and oddly broken. “What you need to see is that I’m a bastard. One who is so twisted inside he can’t get past his own desires. I knew you wouldn’t want to be a vampire, but I couldn’t let you go.”

“Julian, let’s just…let’s get out of here, okay?” Because he was scaring her. She’d said she loved him—several times now—and he hadn’t mentioned love even once to her. Granted, it had been one hell of a day, so she was trying to cut the guy a little slack, but the fear still coiled inside of her. “Look, there’s a chopper right there. You’re the tough, do-anything-type, so my money says you can fly that bird—”

“I can.”

“Then get us out of here. Take us—take us some place where we can be alone. Where we can start over.”

“There isn’t any going back.” Deep lines bracketed his mouth. “I learned that a long time ago.”

“Julian…”

But he caught her hand and pulled her toward the chopper. He lifted her up and made sure she was buckled in her seat. He took the pilot’s spot and pushed some buttons and soon they were lifting up into the air.