Darker (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #6)(93)

I held him inside me for a moment, savoring the way it felt when he filled me. Our eyes met, and a jolt of electricity joined us in a way beyond the physical. With every such encounter, my need for him grew. Bound on every level, I understood his need to go to all lengths to protect us. I even understood his craving to fulfill the witch’s premonition, well almost.

For a long time, we’d wondered what our purpose was. Now, I was sure of it. We had to bring Shya down, somehow. Some way, we would stop the demon from rising to greater power, even if that meant I had to die to do it.

* * * *

The long awaited housewarming party was well under way. Just an hour past sunset, the evening was young and beautiful. The weather was perfect for the end of summer, warm and still. A faint pink glow shone ever so slightly on the horizon.

Coby manned the barbecue, serving up a variety of burgers and steaks that made my mouth water. Jez, Arys and I lounged on the patio, enjoying the calm and the presence of friends. I lay back in a lounge chair, a raspberry lemonade in one hand and a slice of watermelon in the other.

“Refills?” Kylarai stepped onto the patio from the kitchen, a fresh pitcher of lemonade in hand.

Jez sat up straighter in her chair, looking interested. “Did you put vodka in it this time?”

“Yes,” Ky said with an eye roll.

It had been just a few days since everything went down at Lilah’s. I felt a great sense of liberation knowing she wasn’t out there, plotting my demise. No, I had Shya for that. Knowing Lilah was fleeing her twin flame made me see her in a whole new light. It also changed the way I saw myself.

Lilah and Arys were of the darkness. They saw the twin bond differently. It drove them both mad in their own way. One sought to escape the bond, the other, to protect it. Ultimately, they feared it because they couldn’t control it.

It had tested my sanity, too. In some ways, it always would. The spark of Arys that I carried with me always ensured the darkness lived in me. But, I lived within him, too. As long as we had that balance, we were doing fine.

“Good Lord, that smells awful.” Arys wrinkled his nose, watching Coby flip burgers. “The rest of you smell pretty good though. Especially the cat. That’s a delicacy.”

He chuckled, giving Jez a teasing wink. She regarded him through narrowed eyes, a hint of a smile on her ruby lips. “Watch it, vampire. I’ll stab your eyes out.”

The sound of their shared laughter was beautiful. What started out as a bittersweet gathering was fast becoming a lighthearted, joyful time. We all needed it.

“So,” Arys exchanged a grin with Coby. “When does the strip poker start?”

“You’re a poker master. None of us has had three hundred years to master the game. You’re a bad boy, Arys.” I shook my finger at him. “Besides, you know I barely understand how to play.”

“Good,” he quipped. “Then you’ll be naked in no time.”

Simultaneously, Jez said, “I’m in. Get the cards.”

They shared another ridiculous laugh to which I rolled my eyes. I finished off the juicy piece of watermelon and considered having another. I glanced at Arys and wondered briefly what it was like to not only be unable to eat human food but to downright loathe even the smell.

“So, is all quiet on the demon front?” Jez asked, curiosity shining in her eyes.

“So far so good.” I swirled the lemonade in my glass and took a sip.

Kylarai shuddered and made a noise of disgust. “If I never come face to face with a demon again, it will be too soon. I don’t envy you, Alexa. In fact, I fear for you.”

I didn’t want to ruin the evening by discussing Shya. Doing my best to shrug off the concern, I shook my head, but Arys couldn’t resist adding his two cents.

“Alexa isn’t inferior to any of those rejects from hell. She’s got leverage over Shya. He needs her.” He spoke confidently without being haughty. That still didn’t earn him any points with Kylarai.

She met Arys’s eyes, frowning in disdain. “Right. Because of her tie to you. That’s why she’s valuable to him.”

Arys and Kylarai stared at each other as if they were unaware of their audience. The two of them had never been close, but in the year since Arys and I had bonded, Kylarai had made it clear that she was not a fan of Arys in the least. She seemed to blame him for the dark side of me, but it wasn’t his fault. He didn’t create this union. He was as much a victim of it as I.

“Yes.” Arys leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms, exuding disinterest. “So give her some credit for being able to hold her own with monsters like that.”

“Monsters like you?” Kylarai clamped her lips shut as soon as the words left her mouth. It wasn’t like her to pick a fight with anyone, though those close to her knew she was gentle and loving but a brutal killer beneath it all.

“So…” I gestured to Jez, seeking an ally in this little upset. “Who wants to play strip poker?”

“I do,” Jez chimed in, raising her glass in an air toast.

Our lame attempt at changing the subject failed. The mood had shifted with such a brief exchange. Resentment tainted the air.

Arys’s appearance was casual and relaxed, but I could feel the defensive fury spilling through him. “I think it’s safe to say we’re all monsters here. Is there no blood on your hands, Kylarai?”