Only Vampires Cry Blood (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #3)(45)

I stood frozen as my heart dropped, unable to look away. I barely felt Kale's cool hand on my arm. This is what Arys had been doing? He blocked me out so that he could revisit his past with Harley, and from what I could see, he was enjoying it.

The shock hit me, and it felt like time had stopped. When Harley lifted his head and looked at me, reality really hit home. His smile was pure evil. He didn't appear to be all that affected by my presence in his suite.

“I knew you'd come,” he purred in a low, seductive lilt.

I hated him. I hated every single fiber of his being. He loved this moment. A part of me wanted to crawl onto that bed with them, to taste that rich human blood they were spilling. Knowing that side of me was linked to Harley through Arys made my blood boil.

Arys lifted his head suddenly, as if just noticing my presence. Blood stained his fangs and lower lip. His eyes were wild, glowing with a feral light. There was no semblance of my Arys in those eyes. All I saw was a vampire lost in the throes of passion and death. The man who had confessed his love to me was absent.

“Alexa.”

My name was a growl on his lips. I'd seen enough. I couldn't stand to look at him another moment. I took a step back, stumbling into Kale who steadied me. Turning, I ran from the room, intent only on the rear exit door at the far end of the hall. Kale called my name, but he didn't pursue me. I ran, and I never stopped running until I reached my car.

The honking of horns and shouts from angry drivers when I darted across the busy street never phased me. I was in another world.

Driving was a horrible idea. I was a menace on the road. I knew I had to stop somewhere, but I had to get away from The Wicked Kiss. The very building seemed to laugh and mock me as I sped away. I went to the only nearby place where I knew I could be safe and alone with my thoughts. When I pulled up to the building where my office was, I was grateful to find it dark and empty. If anyone had been there, I wouldn't have gone in.

I let myself in, leaving the lights off. Though I was tempted to hit up Jez' office for the bottle of vodka I knew she had stashed in there, I went straight to my own office. I felt like I couldn't breathe. The need for air was almost panic inducing. I was an idiot, a blind fool who had made the mistake of falling for someone who wasn't able to handle it.

What I'd seen had hurt me more than I wanted to acknowledge. Arys was a vampire.

What had I expected from him? More than that, a voice inside my head whispered. He said he loved me.

I shivered despite the warmth inside the building. The pain seared me, filling every part of my being. It flashed me back to the only other time I had ever hurt like this. The first time Raoul had slept with another woman after I'd been with him. Yet even my starry-eyed youthful heartbreak paled in comparison to what I felt when I laid eyes on Arys and Harley.

The image of that woman and their hands and mouths all over her made me want to scream. So, I did. Childishly, I threw random objects and punched several gaping holes in the wall before falling to my knees. I wept with full, gut wrenching sobs that sapped my strength.

I hated Harley with a passion that I hadn't felt for a foe in a very long time. The worst part was that I loved Arys, but I desired the ability to hate him as well. This was all my fault. I had let my power hungry nature and lust draw me into bed with Arys without a second thought. This was the price I had to pay for that. Now I was bound to him until one or both of us ceased to exist. The consequences were overwhelming.

I'm not sure how much time passed before I heard a key turn in the front door. I'd locked it behind me so the only person that could come in would have to have a key. Shit.

I wasn't ready to face any of my friends or colleagues. Not like this.

Pulling myself to my feet, I gripped the edge of my desk so tight that the wood cut into my hands. I dug my sharp claws into it, feeling the wood chip away in flakes. Kale's cold vampire energy reached me before he appeared in the open doorway.

My back was to the door, but I knew when he stood there. I didn't turn to face him. I could only imagine what a mess I was.

“Alexa? Can I come in?” Kale asked softly. When I didn't respond, he entered the room and came to a stop a few feet from me. I knew he was surveying the mess I'd made.

“You knew he was there,” I murmured, my voice thick with tears. “You didn't tell me.”

He was quiet for a moment before replying. “I'm sorry. I couldn't.”

He didn't explain further, and I didn't prompt. It wasn't his fault. My tears fell silently, but they didn't stop. I was overcome by the despair that settled deep within me.

Kale's undead energy was comforting in ways that I didn't understand. When he moved to wrap his arms around me from behind, I didn't stop him.

Kale pulled me against him, my back pressed to his chest. I stiffened, uncertain whether I should allow such a bold move or resist. The truth was, I didn't want to resist.

Being in Kale's arms felt like that forbidden fruit. The one you're not supposed to eat but can't help but do so because it tastes so damn good. Wrong … it was so wrong. And, I didn't care, not after seeing Arys tonight.

“God, you feel so good.” His whispered words in my ear sent a warm shiver down my spine. “He doesn't deserve you.”

I wiped my tears, grimacing at the thought of how blood smeared my face must be.

This strange moment with Kale had been coming for some time now. Go figure that Arys had led us to it.