"Tell him that…" I stared into the fire. "…and you'll get your throat ripped out — again."
"Once. He did that once." Alex elbowed me and took a position in front of the fire. "You did what you had to do."
"Right." My voice sounded hollow, funny, because I felt hollow, like an empty shell. "And now I'm bonded — to someone I don't love. Tell me, how does that work out in all those romance novels Stephanie likes to read?"
Alex ignored me as another one of Genesis's screams rocked the mansion. She was transitioning, meaning, for a human, she would be going into an absolute frenzy to be with me. I should be pleased.
I wasn't.
I wasn't that type of vampire.
One who feasted on the lust of others.
It was a trick — like magic. The mating caused her physical body to want me in ways that were indescribable, but she still had full control over her mind. And wasn't that the horrible part?
I could own her body.
I had to earn her heart.
"You're the only being alive who's pissed about having meaningless sex," Alex said in a low voice.
"Siren," I hissed, "you base your life on meaningless sex."
"And my blood pressure's way lower," he joked.
"Not laughing."
"It was kind of funny," he mumbled. "Look, just… hold her again. Maybe it will help things along. You'll sure as hell feel better. I'll sleep better. Mason won't have to kill her because she doesn't make it through, and Cassius won't end up finding her. We win."
"But do we?" I spoke the question we'd been asking ourselves for years upon years. "How long do we repeat the process? How long does the madness continue?"
Alex was silent.
Another scream.
I winced and braced myself against the mantel, nearly prying it from its place on the wall.
Alex shook his head. "If it's this bad for you — imagine how bad it is for her. She's human, Ethan. She could die. Or is that what you want? To take it all back? Would you… let her die? Just because you're afraid of what happens if she lives?"
"Take it back!" I roared; my hand crumpled the wood and tossed it into the fire.
"Fear isn't welcome here," he mocked.
I punched him in the jaw.
He went flying across the room, slamming into the wall, before chuckling and regaining his balance. "That all you got?"
"Don't tempt me to end you."
"Like you could," he spat. "Now do your job, Ethan. Go to her."
A piercing scream had me catching my breath, holding my hand to my chest.
Alex looked heavenward and swore.
"Fine," I barked. "I'll hold her — again. But you know what you ask, if that much physical contact is made? I'll be lost to her."
Alex's smile fell from his face. "You've been lost to her from the minute Cassius uttered her name. Don't for one second think otherwise. Now go to her, before you give her to Cassius like before."
"Leave," I barked. "And never speak of that again."
Alex held up his hands and stomped out of the room.
While my heart decided to ram against my ribs so hard I had to fight to catch a breath again.
Slowly, I made my way up to her room. The screams were getting louder and louder, but the closer my body was the less the pain.
Finally, when I entered the room, it was to see Mason pacing a hole through the damn floor and pulling at his overly long hair.
"Leave us," I whispered in a hoarse voice.
Mason paused, tilted his head, and smirked, "Careful, humans do break."
"I can be gentle."
He barked out a laugh. "You drove your fist into a granite countertop when we ran out of wine last week."
I rolled my eyes and pointed to the door.
Genesis
Cool water touched my lips. Greedily, I reached out, my hands coming into contact with the glass and something else warm. I drank as much as I could and then slowly opened my eyes.
Ethan.
My heart clenched in my chest. Was he back to make fun of me? Watch me suffer only to leave again? I recoiled, the pain started to subside enough that I didn't want to actually kill myself.
Apparently, I'd asked Mason to do just that a few times.
"Sorry…" Ethan mumbled, setting the glass down on the table. "If I stay, it will be… easier."
It didn't feel easier.
It felt hot.
Not exactly painful, but hot to the point that my body kept telling me if I only scooted a little bit closer to him, I'd be okay. If only he'd tilt his head a fraction of an inch and kiss me — the pain would dissipate completely. I was at war with my own body, and I hated him for causing it — for bonding with me without even asking if it was okay first.
Not that I'd had a lot of options once my number had been called.
And once Cassius had marked me.
I'd dreamt of him again.
Of his cool lips. I'd reached out, but the minute my hands had come into contact with his body, I'd been jolted awake by Mason.
His words had been clear. "Never, under any circumstances touch Cassius." Even in my dreams.
Weird.
A shudder wracked my body. Ethan let out a curse then wrapped his arm around me. His skin was hot to the touch, but it still comforted me. I ducked my head under his arm and let out a heavy sigh as another wave of pain shot from my toes all the way up to my head, causing a splitting headache.
I turned into his body — not really in control of my own actions — just knowing that he would make it better.
He shifted next to me, pulling me closer.
"So…" His voice was hoarse. "Tell me about… school."
"What?" I gasped, my voice sounded like I'd spent the night screaming at a concert. "School?"
"Yeah, your studies… about immortals. Tell me about it."
"Immortals suck." I sighed. "If I disrespect you enough, will you kill me?"
His lips twitched as if he was fighting a smile. "Not now, no. It would be like killing myself."
"And that's supposed to deter me from wanting certain death?"
This time he did smile. "What did you learn about mating?"
"There was no mating chapter." My hand pressed against his chest. What was I doing? My fingers ducked into the V of his white shirt, pressing against his warm skin. I wanted to taste him. Why?
"Hmm…" His free hand moved to cover mine and slowly peel it from his body. "That's unfortunate."
"Yeah." I jerked my hand away from his and placed it against his skin again. It felt too good, and I was so sick and tired of feeling pain.
He hissed out a breath and closed his eyes, leaning his head back against the headboard. "You have one more transition before the bond is complete. Your body will crave mine… but it doesn't have to mean anything."
"Huh?" I was too distracted by the curve of his full mouth to hear all the words coming out of it. His lips were so full and inviting. I leaned forward.
Ethan kept my body pinned so I couldn't move. The more I squirmed against him the more irritated he looked. His eyes were so green and captivating it seemed like they were glowing.