Only Vampires Cry Blood (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #3)(34)

“So I did.” His words came out on a whisper. “If only I could turn back time.”

“You wouldn't have done it any other way, Arys, and you know it. You love us both, and it kills you because you can't have us both.”

“That's not what this is about.” He pulled back before I could lose myself in him.

Why was he doing this to me? It was beyond torturous. “I don't want him. Those days are long over.”

“I just need to know how to live with this, with what you do to me.” I reached for him, and he stepped away. Panic gripped me, and I felt like I'd be ill. “Arys?”

Turning his back on me, he started to walk away. Then, I spotted his car across the parking lot, the Pontiac that he almost never drove. Was he just going to walk away from me after going to the trouble of confronting me here?

He paused long enough to toss a parting comment over his shoulder. “Goodnight, Alexa. If I don't leave now, I fear I'll kill us both. You need to decide what is more important to you: your search for answers or my sanity.”

“Are you f**king kidding me?” I yelled the words with a new fury building. “You can't twist this around so that it suits you. My opinion is valid, too, damn you!”

He was halfway across the parking lot when he paused. A moment later a twenty-something male emerged from the shadows, chatting away on his cell phone. I could see what was coming before it happened, but I could do nothing to stop it.

Arys sprang on the man like a wild cat on prey. I bit back a scream, watching in horror as he bit deeply. From where I stood, I saw the blood spray. I began to gasp for air, leaning against my car in an attempt to stay on my feet. The bloodlust had no problem overtaking me as I watched Arys kill an innocent man. As horrified as I was by it, the vision before me was stirring my dark side into a frenzy. I loved watching Arys in his element, regardless of the circumstances.

Slowly, I sunk to the ground beside my car. My entire body shook with the need to taste the hot human blood that Arys had spilled. Yet, my heart was breaking because I knew I was witnessing an act that spoke louder than words. Arys was exhibiting his true feelings in the only way that he knew how, by showing them. And, it was entirely my fault.

When the bloodless corpse lay forgotten in the middle of the parking lot, Arys didn't so much as glance back at me. He got into the black Firebird and left as if it was just so easy. I didn't cry, not then anyway. Numb and detached, I got into my car and drove robotically. Only when I sat alone in the parking lot of a small, seedy bar did I let the blood tears fall.

* * * *

The shot of straight whiskey burned its way down my throat. I slammed the shooter glass on the bar and motioned to the bartender for another. He didn't say a word as he poured the honey brown liquid, but I could see the question in his eyes. I was wondering the same thing. What was a girl like me doing in a place like this? It was a small bar, not a nightclub in any way. The majority of the patrons were doing much the same as I was, drinking alone. I was the only woman in the place that didn't work there, no big deal. As long as nobody bothered me, I couldn't care less.

I'd lost count after my fourth or fifth shot of whiskey. It wasn't that I was drunk but that I just didn't give a shit. Werewolves can hold more liquor than humans so drowning my sorrows could take a while. Last call was still a couple hours away, more than enough time.

Alcohol is famous for numbing out, if only it would work. Rather than ease the ache of the blood hunger and the need to find Arys and slap him around, it only encouraged it.

I knew he was out there killing and God only knew what else. I had only to focus on opening the mental door between us to know what he was really doing. Yeah, maybe after a few more rounds.

Swallowing another satisfyingly strong whiskey shot, I jumped when my cell phone vibrated in the pocket of my jeans. Talk about heart attack inducing. It was Kale. Shit! I had totally forgotten that I was supposed to call him to let him know I'd made it out of The Wicked Kiss in one piece.

“Hello?” I answered, making my way to the ladies room to escape the loud country music.

“So am I riding in to rescue you or have you decided to stay all night?” Kale didn't bother with small talk, cutting right to the chase.

“I left a while ago.” I debated on how much to tell him. Before I could censor myself, the truth poured out. “Arys was waiting for me outside. It wasn't a pleasant experience.”

There was a slight pause before Kale replied, “Are you alright? Have you been drinking?”

“How can you tell?”

“Because it sounds like you need to be cut off. Where are you?”

I scowled, but since he couldn't see it, it was a total waste. “I'm fine, Kale. Just having a few drinks to calm down. It was a nasty little argument. I'm trying to forget about it.”

“Tell me,” he insisted. With a sigh, I gave him the address. “Stay put. I'm on my way.”

After hanging up with Kale, I sent Shaz a quick message to let him know I was fine and no longer with Harley. I'd tell him about Arys later.

Returning to my stool at the bar, I ordered a few more shots and settled in to wait for Kale. I was dying to know what Arys was doing. Would he even allow me to access his thoughts? He could always shut me out. The real question was, did I want to access them? Yes. The curiosity was killing me.