Darker (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #6)(92)

He slipped his t-shirt over his head and marched toward the door, pausing to hold a hand out to me. I hurried to catch up, wincing in pain. My bruised, battered body was stiff and sore.

Arys was more conflicted than I’d known, and he did a damn good job of hiding it. Worry gripped my heart in icy hands.

As we exited Lilah’s sacrificial room from hell, Falon entered. He closed the double doors behind him. I imagined he would clean the place up, as if nothing had ever happened here. I owed him a kick in the nuts. Or two. Though he’d freed my sister, he had taken extra liberties by smacking me around. I wouldn’t forget that.

Broken glass and debris from fallen paintings and photos littered the hall. We emerged in the foyer to find Jez, Juliet and Willow along with two brown wolves I recognized as Coby and Kylarai. My eyes filled with happy tears. They had come for me.

My sister was first to grab me in a hug. I savored her scent and the way she felt in my arms. FPA or not, I was not letting anything come between us again. A sob choked me, and I tightened my grip, wishing I never had to let go.

“Are you ok?” I smoothed a hand through her hair, searching her for serious injury. “Did anyone hurt you?”

“No, I’m fine. Thanks to Falon.” She handed me the Dragon Claw. “Very impressive weapon.”

“It’s only as good as the one who wields it.” I smiled through the tears.

We all had our share of injuries, even poor Willow with his silver wound. Nothing we wouldn’t all survive though.

Kylarai and Coby had taken down the vampires guarding the exterior as well as those who tried to escape. It was no easy task, but one they had accomplished well together. Tongue lolling in joy despite an angry cut over one eye, Coby gave my hand an affectionate nuzzle.

“Everything ok?” Jez asked, a knowing look in her emerald eyes.

“Not as far as Shya is concerned, but overall, yeah, it’s ok.” I sighed, feeling weak and light-headed. A break from this life would be nice, even if just for a little while. “Hey, Jez, you know that Vegas trip you’ve been going on about? I think it’s time we do that.”

“Seriously?” She squealed with more energy than I could have mustered. “I can’t wait to start planning.”

Arys didn’t approve. I could feel it. He was smart enough to say nothing.

“I need to get away. Just for a while. Besides, I’d like to see the Sin City version of The Wicked Kiss. It must be outrageous.”

I was eager to leave Lilah’s house. I wondered how long it would be before she found her way back. If Salem were smart, he would keep his twin flame close where she belonged. No sooner had that thought passed through my mind than Arys’s voice followed. ‘Never forget you just had that thought.’

I hadn’t felt him in my head. Keeping my thoughts carefully neutral, I merely nodded.

Arys insisted I go with him when we left. After lavishing hugs and kisses on my companions, I accompanied him to my car where he’d parked it several blocks away. He tossed me the keys without a word. The entire walk to the car had been in silence.

I was tired and hungry, for more than one thing. Sliding onto the driver’s seat, I put the key in the ignition and waited.

“Drive,” Arys said.

“Talk. I know there’s something you’re not saying.”

“Don’t go to Vegas.” Ah, there it was.

“I’m going. I need to get away from here. I need a break from this shit.”

“Vegas is not the place to take a break.” His anger had faded, replaced by defeat. “It’s dangerous. There’s a lot going on there, Lex. Stuff we don’t need to get involved in.”

I shrugged and started the car. “So we won’t. I just want to go let off some steam. Drink, gamble, show Criss Angel how it’s done. That kind of thing.”

My joke did not earn me a smile from him. Instead, he shook his head and gazed out the window. “It won’t be like that. The minute you step foot in that city, they will know you’re there.”

“Who is they?”

He reached over and captured my hand. Slipping his fingers through mine, he sighed. “You drive me crazy.”

“Ditto, baby.” What else could I say?

“I’m going with you.”

“I wouldn’t have expected otherwise.”

He laughed then, a melodic sound that sent shivers down my spine. Nobody infuriated me the way Arys did. Nobody brought me to my knees quite the way he did either. As much as I wanted to thump him at times, I was head over heels for him. Being his twin flame didn’t mean I had to love him. That blessing, however, would bring us through whatever lay ahead.

“You know how much I love you?” He echoed my thoughts.

“No,” I teased. “How much?” I squeezed his hand, hoping that one small action conveyed the pulse-pounding emotion filling my heart.

“Turn the car off and get over here so I can show you.” His seductive smile sent a tremor through me. I couldn’t resist him.

We had to talk about so much. So many choices had to be made, and so many plans had to be laid. For now, I was where I wanted to be. With the vampire that had changed my life forever. Faith would carry us through. It had to.

Excitement had me shimmying out of my yoga pants. Car sex was never easy, but it was always fun. I climbed awkwardly over the center console, settling myself atop him. Arys freed himself from the confines of his jeans. He pulled me down on his lap, impaling me on his velvet-smooth erection. He erupted into laughter when I hit my head on the low car ceiling.