Only Vampires Cry Blood (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #3)(18)

“Arys doesn't have a clue that you're here. Does he?”

I jumped at his words. Fighting back the panic that threatened to envelope me, I knew I had no choice but to answer honestly. I prayed that this wouldn't blow up on me.

“No. He doesn't. In fact, he was adamant that I stay the hell away from you. But, this isn't about him. It's about me.”

A low chuckle came from Harley. It stroked me in places that only a lover knows, and I shuddered in both pleasure and revulsion.

“You're bound to him. Do you think that he won't find out? Don't be a fool. You can't keep him out of your head forever,” he said, leaning forward in his seat. “And trust me; you don't want to see Arys in a jealous rage.”

I knew that already, but hearing him say it reinforced my fears. “I can handle Arys.

Just tell me if you're willing to help me or not.”

Placing his chin in his hands, Harley studied me until I felt like I was on display. It didn't take long for me to grow short tempered. I wanted to ask him what the hell he was looking at, but then I felt it, the slightest touch of his power. Similar to what Veryl had done in his office, Harley was metaphysically feeling me out. It was invasive, rude and strangely, I liked it. God! The man was so frustrating.

“You'll have to be a little more specific, Alexa. From where I'm sitting, you have more than enough power to blow this city wide open. What exactly is it that you seek from me?”

Again with the talk about how much power I had. If only that was the problem. I ran a hand through my long hair, shoving it away from my face in frustration. “That's just the thing. I'm so f**king sick of hearing everyone go on about how much power I've got when I have no idea what the hell to do with most of it. I feel like I'm running on all cylinders and going nowhere.”

I paused in my pacing, fearing that I had revealed too much but knowing it may be the only way. Harley knew things, and I needed to know them, too. I didn't have the patience to figure it out over the course of my lifetime. I wanted to know now.

He seemed to consider this, or maybe he was just trying to unnerve me. “You know what your problem is? You still have that pesky heartbeat. It's what holds you back.

Much of your power comes from your link to a vampire. That kind of power comes from the dead, something that you are not. Yet.”

“Please don't tell me that death is my only option.” I groaned, overcome with the urge to hit something. “That's not what I came to hear.”

“Death is rarely the only option. However, if you think you've got power now, just wait until then.” He shifted, crossing one leg over the other. There was a spark of excitement in his ebony orbs. “I can help you. I can show you what you are capable of.”

“And control?” I asked, needing to pinpoint my main concern. “Can you show me how to control it?”

He smiled at me like I was a needy child. “Of course.”

I got the feeling that he was enjoying this far more than I'd hoped he would. “That's not going to come without a price, is it?” If his terms were completely outrageous, I would have no choice but to walk away.

“You're a clever lady, Alexa. I'm sure we can strike some kind of bargain.” Harley rose to his feet, crossing the space between us slowly, as if trying not to frighten a spooked animal.

I watched him come towards me, and the butterflies in my stomach set to flight. The power coiled inside my core reacted to my fear, growing to fill me with a warm glow that quickly grew hot. I struggled against the urge to tap it.

“Just tell me what you want, Harley. I don't have a lot of room to negotiate. Make it reasonable.”

Just as I was about to take a step back, toward the door, he came to a stop. “Why are you so skittish? You're a predator for crying out loud.”

I was surprised by his scolding tone. I'd have thought that Harley would prefer me to act like prey, unless it was testing his control. He was right though. I detested being treated like prey. I had no reason to be afraid of him. I think more than anything, I feared what he would want from me. There had been a time when he'd begged Arys for me, claiming that I was something that Arys owed him. My spine crawled with what felt like the slither of a snake. I could still hear his desperate plea ringing in my ears.

“Maybe I should just go.” Ignoring the ready energy inside me, I followed the instinct of my wolf and spun on my heel.

“Wait!” His hand shot out before I'd taken a full step, grasping my forearm. The urge to lash out at him with a fiery blast was almost too much. Whirling to face him, I was shocked to see the satisfied smirk that he wore. “Now that's more like it. Never forget about the wolf, my dear. It is what gives you the edge no vampire will ever have.”

“What the hell do you want?” I jerked my arm from his grip, and he let go. I was seething, which was exactly what he wanted. “Tell me what you want, or just forget that I ever came.”

His smile vanished immediately. With a deadly serious expression, he said, “You know what I want. Let's not play coy. I want you. In whatever way I can have you.”

Harley's eyes fell to my lips and curling his fingers ever so slightly, he pulled the angry energy I was giving off into him. “I knew you'd be back.”

The psychic touch felt physical, as if he was running his fingertips along my skin.