Blonde & Blue (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #4)(43)

The sounds of the dying man behind me were especially loud. I swallowed hard, struggling to tune it out. Kale could have at least put the guy out of his misery. I couldn’t do it. I knew the moment I drew close enough to see his bloody throat, I’d be a goner.

“Don’t do this, Kale.” I stared into the darkness ahead, willing him to make this easy on both of us.

I could feel him, lying in wait. As each moment dragged by, my trepidation grew. This was a game to him, and I didn’t want to play.

I grew frustrated quickly. I didn’t appreciate being treated like the mouse in this game. “Here kitty kitty.” The taunt sounded like a challenge, and I regretted it as soon as it left my lips. “You don’t want to play with me, Kale. You could have killed Jez!”

Thunder crashed overhead, followed moments later by a streak of lightning. The brief illumination lit up my surroundings. If I hadn’t been able to feel Kale, I would have believed I was alone out there. Well, me and what was left of his victims.

The air around me never rippled. Not a sound betrayed Kale’s movement. He was just suddenly there, right in front of me. I jumped, choking on a shriek, stumbling as I backed away.

The rain came down harder, and I shoved my damp hair out of my face, peering at Kale like it was my first time laying eyes on him. I barely recognized him. His face was stained with the blood of his victims and his hair was matted with it. The solid black of his eyes revealed how far gone he was. Too late, I second-guessed coming here alone, but I wasn’t going back now.

Clad in his usual stylish attire, pinstriped pants, a dark shirt and his leather duster, Kale looked like my dreams and nightmares united in one painfully beautiful form. He smelled like blood and death and wore the devilish grin of one mad with bloodlust. His blood-soaked power beckoned to me.

I was instantly defensive, gathering my power tight to me. “Kale, I-,”

I was airborne before I realized he’d metaphysically bitch-slapped me. I hit the ground hard, skidding to a stop next to Kale’s forgotten victim. I was on my feet immediately, determined not to let on how much that had hurt. My back and legs stung from scraping along the hard, wet pavement. I prayed that the impact hadn’t drawn blood.

Kale advanced on me but made no further move. I stared into his eyes, rife with madness, and I felt despair. I didn’t want this to become a violent confrontation, not if I could help it.

“I thought you said you didn’t want to hurt me.” Appealing to his softer side was my first choice, but I was ready to hurt him if he refused to back down. I knew I could do it.

“I believe I said I didn’t want to kill you.” Kale regarded me thoughtfully, an amused smile dancing about his lips. “I definitely want to hurt you.”

The unspoken promises in his words brought forth my wolf with a snarl. I was all fangs and claws, ready to make him regret whatever he was thinking. Kale reacted with a laugh that shook me to the core. It was pure evil.

“This isn’t you, Kale. Let’s be reasonable here. You hurt Jez. She’s your friend. I’m your friend.”

He scoffed, pushing a lock of wet hair back from his forehead. “This is me, Alexa. This is the side you’ve always hoped you’d never see again, but just looking at you brings it out of me. We both knew this would happen. You can’t save me from myself. You know this. You can’t even save yourself. Once it’s in you, it is you.”

“No.” I shook my head vehemently. “That’s bullshit. It doesn’t have to be this way. You know it doesn’t.”

“Who are you trying to convince? I get it. You’re young and still so new to this. You want to believe there is another way. Try telling that to this poor sap.” Kale nudged the body next to us with a booted foot. The man had finally expired. “There is only blood and death. Either that or insanity.”

“I guess you’d know, huh?” I was scrambling to put the right words together. Anything to get through to him. “Blood and death doesn’t mean hurting the people that care about you. We love you, Kale. We can help you.”

I gasped when he stepped in close and laid a finger over my lips to silence me. I battled against the urge to jerk away.

“Be careful what you say, my love. Words can so easily be taken out of context.” He smiled down at me, revealing fangs.

My stomach tightened as he pulled at my energy. I pushed back against him, a warning. “So can actions. Don’t do something we’ll both regret, Kale.”

His laughter stoked the fire that always burned between us. “Not to worry. I don’t plan to regret anything.”

So being rational wasn’t going to work. Good to know. What did I have left? Brute force? He’d like that; he wanted it.

“I’m not going to face off with you. Not like this.” I steeled myself against the call of his power to mine. He was encouraging it, and though I resisted, my will was weak. It was Kale; I’d always wanted him.

“Then why did you come?” He challenged, his smile vanishing. “You want it as bad as I do. The rush of the power, the struggle of your prey as you give in to the thrill of the bloodlust that you try so hard to deny. Did you come to stop me, pretty wolf? Or, was it to join me?”

“Back off, Kale!” The force that accompanied my shout shoved him back a few feet. I didn’t want this to be a clash of metaphysical ability but instinct was guiding my action.