The Wicked Kiss (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #2)(40)

The horror novel had caught my attention easily with gore and slaughter right from page one. I had a penchant for the harsh writing style of most horror authors, a refreshing break from some of the more feminine pieces Kylarai was inclined to bring home. I was so engrossed in the tale of terror that I didn’t fully register the sounds when Lilah let herself out of the building.

When the front doorbell rang, I almost leaped out of my skin. A shot of adrenaline slammed through me, and I had to take a deep breath. I quickly bookmarked my spot in the book before closing the file and turning off the monitor. As my legs carried me to the door, I had to fight the sensation that they were made of jelly.

As my fingers closed over the lock, the strangest feeling swept me. Everything inside me screamed not to open the door. I paused and questioned the rationality of that. It just felt like a vampire. And, I had just been reading a slasher novel all alone in a large, dark office.

I forced myself to clear my thoughts and focus on my instinct. It continued to persist that whatever was on the other side of the door was something I did not want to meet with face to face. The bell sounded again, and I stood motionless, uncertain.

Despite all of my instincts, something else was pushing me to open the door. The promise of something big on the other side was almost too much to ignore. Against my better judgment and the cry of protest from my wolf, I unlocked the door and pulled it open. A thousand different words for describing stupidity flooded my brain as I looked out on the vampire smirking down at me on the front step.

Harley Kayson looked just as he had in every memory of Arys’ I could recall. To say that I was frightened would have been understatement of the year. I was staring at a monster far worse than what any horror author could conjure up.

I stared at Harley with dread etched on my features. He smiled back at me, knowing he had me right where he wanted me. I swallowed hard but didn’t dare speak.

“What’s wrong, Alexa? You don’t look very happy to see me.” He stared at me with eyes so dark they appeared black. “I assume I need no introduction.”

He took his time looking me over from head to toe and back again. A shake of his head drew my attention to his short, dark hair. The barest traces of silver lined his temples. Clad in an obviously expensive suit, he looked as if he had just stepped out of one of Arys’ memories.

“You’re just like he said you were. But better.” If his words were supposed to ease my panic, they succeeded in having the opposite effect.

With a thought, I held energy ready at my fingertips. It didn’t seem to faze him.

Instead, it encouraged his interest in me.

“So it’s true.” He nodded more to himself than to me. Before I could consider slamming the door in his face, he shoved past me, glancing around at the empty office.

“You can relax though. I’m here to talk … this time. Is there somewhere that we can sit?

Or, would you prefer to stand?”

My mind raced a mile a minute as a series of horrific images flashed behind my eyes.

This monster was beyond vampire, he was pure evil. I stood my ground as he slowly circled me, getting a good look.

“What the hell do you want?” My voice shook with fear, and I swallowed hard.

He studied me pensively. “I haven’t decided yet.”

“Yeah, well I don’t have time for this shit. You really should be going.” I wanted to toss the power I held ready, but something was sapping my confidence. He was giving me a daring look; he wanted me to do it.

Harley cleared the remaining few feet between us in less than a second. I gasped when he stood close, gazing at me with open, raw hunger. I swear I felt my heart come to a stop.

Before I could react, he grabbed my hand, ignoring the dancing blue and golden yellow within it. I almost choked on my fear when the power I held fell flat. He took it into himself with a touch, as easy as if I hadn’t been resisting.

A smile of pure pleasure crossed his face as he tasted my energy. “I’m sorry, darling, but I’m not about to spar with you here. You and I are going to have a little chat. It’s your choice how much of that chat is talking and how much of that is power games.”

I obviously had little real choice in this matter. Of course, the last thing I wanted to do was battle it out with Harley. I sighed and crossed my arms over my chest. “What do you want to talk about?”

“What do you think? There seems to be just one thing we have in common.”

“Arys.”

“None other.”

“What about him?” I narrowed my eyes suspiciously at the intimidating vampire.

“I want to know more about what you have with him. He wasn’t inclined to do a lot of talking about that when he took it upon himself to defend your honor, which I have yet to truly threaten.” He raised a dark eyebrow and grinned. That action seemed to be threat enough for me. “You are not like any other werewolf, human or vampire. You seem to have a little of every world, and my dear Arys is somehow connected to you. It’s only natural that I am curious.”

“Of course.” I nodded, hating that he referred to Arys as his. Arys had never been his. I had to bite my tongue to keep from saying so. “I’m sure you know we've bonded our power.”

“What have you gained from that?” His eyes remained on mine, but I could feel his analysis of me on every level.