8. Chapter 8

8

Chapter 8

Darick

G od, she's stubborn.

Although I guess I can't blame her. Considering all that's happened in the past couple of days…weeks…it's not surprising that she's confused. Angry.

She thinks I took her sister.

I pause at the edge of the garden, her cottage a warm, inviting presence in the darkness. Light spills from the windows, and I can hear movement inside. My enhanced senses pick up the faint scent of blossoms and magic that always seems to surround her.

For a moment, I hesitate. Maybe this is a mistake. Maybe I should turn back, find another way…

But then I think of Lucien, of the danger looming over all of us. I think of Rowan's fierce green eyes, the firm set of her jaw, the power that ripples through her…and the air of vulnerability that still colors the world about her. She needs to know what she's up against.

Before I can talk myself out of it, I stride toward the front door. My hand hovers over the wood for a moment before I knock, three sharp raps that seem to echo in the quiet night.

There's a sound from inside, footsteps approaching. My body tenses, ready to face her.

The door swings open, and there she is. Rowan stands before me, her eyes widening in shock as she takes me in. For a moment, we both freeze, staring at each other.

Then her expression hardens, anger flashing in her eyes. Before I can say a word, she raises her hand, sparks lighting the air between her fingertips.

"Stop!" I say sharply, eyeing the building magic with apprehension. The last thing I need is another blast of that power. She jerks slightly, glancing at her hands and frowning, as if she didn't realize what she'd been doing.

"What do you want, Darick?" Her voice is icy.

"I already told you; we need to talk."

"And I already told you that I'm not interested." She folds her arms over her chest.

"It's important," I press.

"To you, maybe. For me?" She tilts her head. "Not so much. I already know everything about you I need to know."

"Oh, yeah?" I tilt my head, too. "And what's that?"

"That you're a sick bastard. A liar. A manipulator." Her eyes grow more stormy with every word.

"Tough talk, little witch."

"And I mean it." That pretty jaw juts out further. "Where is my sister, Darick? What did you do with Mia?"

I take a deep breath, trying to calm the frustration building inside me. "Rowan, listen to me. I had nothing to do with Mia's disappearance. I swear it."

Her eyes narrow, disbelief written across her face. "Then explain the photos on your phone."

"I can't," I admit. "Not yet. But I'm trying to figure it out. I want to help you find her."

Rowan scoffs, but I catch a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes. "Why should I believe you?"

I take a chance on stepping closer. "Because despite everything, you know me. You've been inside my head, just as I've been in yours. You know I'm not lying about this."

She falters for a moment, her gaze dropping to my lips before snapping back up to meet my eyes. The air between us sizzles with tension, and I fight the urge to reach out and touch her.

"I don't know what to believe anymore," she whispers softly.

"Then let me prove it to you," I plead. "Work with me. Let's find Mia together."

Rowan's shoulders slump slightly, the fight draining out of her. She looks exhausted, vulnerable, and so achingly beautiful that it takes all my self-control not to pull her into my arms.

"I can't trust you," she says, but there's a hint of regret in her tone.

"You don't have to trust me," I counter. "Just…don't shut me out completely. Let me help."

She studies me for a long moment, her expression unreadable. I can almost see the battle raging inside her – the desire to find her sister warring with her distrust of me.

I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what I'm about to say. "Rowan, you can't deny what's between us. What happened…it wasn't just physical. You felt it, too; I know you did."

Her eyes flash with a mix of emotions – anger, confusion, and something deeper that she's trying to hide. "That was a mistake," she says, but her voice wavers.

"Was it?" I step closer. "Because I've lived for a hundred lifetimes, and I've never experienced anything like that. Never felt a connection so…profound."

Rowan's breath catches, and I can see the conflict in her eyes. She wants to believe me, but her distrust is holding her back.

"I know you're scared," I continue, my voice softening. "Hell, I'm scared too. This thing between us, it's…it's something I can't even begin to understand."

Her gaze meets mine, and for a moment, I see a flicker of the same longing I feel. "Darick, I—"

"You can feel it, can't you?" I press, taking yet another step closer. "This pull between us. It's not just about the blood or the magic. It's something…more."

Rowan's lips part, but no words come out. She's fighting her own fears, her own desires; I know it.

"I'm not asking you to forget everything else," I say softly. "I'm just asking you to acknowledge that there's something here."

Without realizing it, I've closed the distance between us, and now, I'm surrounded by the scent of her, the sweet, intoxicating heat of her. And it's fucking irresistible.

I lean in, unable to resist the pull between us any longer. My lips meet Rowan's, and for a moment, the world falls away. The kiss is electric, charged with all the unspoken feelings between us. I feel her respond, her body softening against mine as she parts her lips.

But I can't cross the threshold of her fucking doorway. The invisible barrier keeps me just outside, an unyielding reminder of the divide between our worlds. Still, I pour everything I feel into the kiss, trying to convey what words have failed to express.

Rowan's hand comes up, fingers curling into the fabric of my shirt. I can sense her internal struggle, the way she fights against her own need. Her heartbeat races, a staccato rhythm that echoes in my ears.

I break the kiss, pulling back just enough to meet her gaze. Her eyes are wide, pupils dilated, desire and confusion swirling in their depths. Her breath comes in short, quick gasps, and I can smell the intoxicating scent of her blood rushing just beneath her skin.

"Rowan," I murmur, my voice rough with emotion.

She blinks, as if coming out of a trance. Her hand is still fisted in my shirt, but I can see the moment reality crashes back in. The conflict in her eyes intensifies.

"I…" she starts. She swallows hard, shaking her head as if to clear it. "Darick, I can't…" She releases my shirt, and I can feel her pulling away, both physically and emotionally. The barrier between us seems to grow stronger, more impenetrable. But I'm not ready to let go, not yet.

"Please," I say, my voice urgent. "Just listen to me. We can figure this out together." The hunger is rising within me again – a damning reminder of how weak I am. I need her blood – not just any blood, but hers specifically. "There's no reason for us to change our arrangement. I'm willing to look beyond what happened."

"Our arrangement?" She seems bemused.

"Your blood, Rowan. It's what saved me when—" I don't want to say that it's how I survived her attack, but at some point, I'm going to have to let her know that I don't just want her blood; I need it. "Your blood strengthens me," I admit.

Her eyes narrow, suspicion creeping into her gaze. I press on, hoping to appeal to her desire for power. "But this can work for both of us. I can still give you stronger magic in exchange for blood. It doesn't have to be complicated."

Rowan freezes, her body going rigid. For a moment, she's utterly still, and I can almost see the thoughts whirling behind those expressive eyes.

Then, like a dam breaking, her anger floods out. "Are you kidding me?" she hisses. "After everything that's happened, you think I'd just…what? Go back to being your personal blood bank?"

I flinch at her words, but I can't back down now. "That's not what I meant—"

"Oh, I think that's exactly what you meant," Rowan interrupts. "You've been playing me from the start. All of it. The bond, the dreams, the…the… What we did together…" Her cheeks grow pink. "It was all just to get my blood! And now you're back for more."

Her accusation stings more than I care to admit. "No, Rowan, that's not true. Dammit, I—"

"Save it," she snaps. "I'm done with your lies, Darick. Done with all of it."

I force myself to remain calm. There's no point in both of us losing it. "Rowan, listen. I'm not in the best shape right now. That blast of magic…it took a lot out of me." I fucking hate how vulnerable I feel. "Your blood, it's different. Special. It's what I need to recover fully."

Her eyes flare, but I press on before she can interrupt. "I know you don't trust me, but we could help each other. If you work with me, I swear I'll do everything in my power to find Mia. And there are other dangers out there, Rowan. Dangers you don't fully understand. I can protect you."

Rowan scoffs. "Protect me? I don't need your protection, Darick. I can take care of myself."

"You don't know what you're up against," I insist, frustration seeping into my voice. "There are things going on that—"

"Stop," she cuts me off, her hand raised. "Just stop. I don't want to hear it. I don't want your help, your protection, or anything else from you. We're done here."

I take a step forward. "Rowan, for fuck's sake—"

Her eyes flash dangerously, and I feel the threat of sorcery in the air. "I'm warning you, Darick. Leave now, or I'll use my magic against you again. And this time, I won't hold back."

I stop short, weighing my options. The determination in her eyes tells me she means every word. Pushing her further now would only drive her away completely.

I stay silent for a long moment. "It doesn't have to be this way."

"Oh, it absolutely does." A muscle twitches in her jawline.

I grind my teeth together, fighting back the urge to argue further. It's clear Rowan won't listen to reason right now. "Fine," I say. "But think carefully about reconsidering, Rowan. This isn't just about us anymore."

"I'll manage just fine," she snaps. "I don't need you, Darick. Not now, not ever."

I take a step back, forcing myself to nod curtly. "If that's how you feel." I turn to leave, my shoulders tense with barely contained anger.

As I walk away from Rowan's cottage, frustration courses through me.

Damn her stubbornness! Can't she see I'm trying to help?

But she's made her choice. And now, so must I.

I pause at the edge of the property, looking back at the warm light spilling from her windows. Part of me wants to go back, to make her understand. But I know it's useless. She won't listen.

I clench my fists, anger and annoyance raging inside me. Fine. If Rowan won't help me, I'll find another way. Another witch.

The thought leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. I don't want anyone else's blood. But she's left me no choice. I need to regain my strength, and fast. There's too much at stake.

With a final glance at Rowan's cottage, I turn and disappear into the night. I don't want to do this, but I have to survive. And if that means finding someone else to feed from, so be it.