11. Chapter 11

11

Chapter 11

Rowan

I can't believe I'm doing this. It's totally nuts! Not only am I about to meet a freaking vampire, but I'm pretty sure he's behind what happened the other night. And I haven't told anyone. Not even Poppy.

Why didn't you tell anyone?

Truth be told, I'm afraid. Afraid that I'm the reason the vampires descended on our vigil. Afraid of what the others will say when they find out.

It might not be you!

But a persistent little part of me can't believe that.

So now, I'm standing in the place where it happened. Our sacred grove. It's been restored to its former beauty thanks to some strategic magic – the covens hated the idea of it being ruined. As I look around, there's a nagging question in my head.

Why here?

I've asked myself that a thousand times, but I couldn't think of anywhere else. He can't go out in daylight, so we have to meet at night. A public place would have been sensible, but I was afraid of being recognized with him. And there's no way I'd let him anywhere near my family home. So here I am, about to be alone in the woods with a vampire.

I have to trust him.

I give a dry laugh at the thought of it. It's ridiculous. But for now, I have to do it. He's stuck with this problem, too, after all. Both of us need to end this connection.

You know he could just kill you to do it, right?

The thought freezes me in my tracks. I've never been uncomfortable in the darkness, and certainly never in any of our sacred spaces, but suddenly, the grove feels ominous.

Where is he?

I suppress a shudder as I stop in the center of the clearing where it had all gone down just a few days ago. I turn in a circle, eyes straining as I try to see into the shadows.

The night air is still and silent, the only sounds the rustling of leaves and the distant hooting of an owl. I take a deep breath, trying to calm my heart. But my senses feel heightened, every shadow seeming to conceal a threat.

Come on, Ro! There's nothing to be worried about.

I shiver, not from the chill but from the growing apprehension that coils in the pit of my stomach. Why did I agree to this? Meeting a vampire alone in the very place where his kind attacked my family – it's madness. But I can't help myself. I need to understand what's happening to me.

But seconds drag into minutes, my nerves stringing more taut as time passes.

Where the hell is he?

"This was a bad idea," I huff. I should get out of here.

Just as I'm about to turn and leave, a sudden movement in the darkness makes me freeze. My breath catches in my throat as a tall, imposing figure emerges from the shadows.

It's him.

He moves with a predatory grace, his pale features illuminated by the light filtering through the trees. He's beside me before I've had a chance to process that he's arrived.

"Holy shit!" I squawk, clutching my hand to my throat. I'm not sure if my pulse just accelerated because of his sudden appearance or if it's got something to do with the way the light makes his eyes seem to glow.

"You're here." His deep voice catches me off guard. It's grown so familiar, but I'm not accustomed to hearing it like this. Until now, it's been in my head, not coming from a tall, muscular, insanely beautiful man.

He's not a man. He's a vampire.

"Of course I'm here," I snap. "You're late." My voice is unsteady. I clench my fists, willing myself to appear more confident than I feel.

Darick's icy eyes bore into me, his expression unreadable. "I'm here now," he says. His voice still unnerves me; its rich tone seems to roll over my skin. He raises an eyebrow, his chin held high. There's something regal in his bearing. A confidence that tells me that this is no ordinary vamp I've gotten myself stuck with. He's powerful. Strong. I have no doubt about it.

God, I'm in so much shit.

I take a step back, putting some distance between us. "Start talking," I snap, my fear giving way to anger. "What's going on here?"

"I was going to ask you the same thing." There's something appraising about the way he runs his eyes over me, and it makes me want to squirm.

"Well, I don't have any answers for you. Just make it stop."

"You're the witch. Why don't you make it stop?" He tilts his head. Light touches the hard line of his jaw. It's strong, chiseled. Altogether too perfectly shaped.

"Because…because…" I fumble for words.

Because I'm a sucky witch, dammit.

Although he doesn't need to know that. Then again, perhaps he already does.

I can't hold back anymore. The fear and anger that has been bubbling inside me since that night explodes out. "You orchestrated this whole thing, didn't you?" I accuse, my voice trembling with rage. "This connection, the attack on my family – it was all you!" My hands are shaking, and I clench them into fists to steady myself. "What kind of sick game are you playing? Was it fun for you, listening in on my private thoughts? Planning your attack?"

Darick's eyes flash ominously, and for a moment, I remember just how dangerous he really is.

He's a killer, Ro!

He could end my life in less time than it takes me to draw my next breath. But I'm too far gone to care.

"Tell me the truth!" I demand, taking a step closer despite my better judgment. "Why did you do it? What do you want from us?"

To my surprise, Darick's composure cracks. His face darkens with frustration. "I didn't do any of this," he says firmly. "Do you think I want some witch in my head? That I'd choose to form a connection with someone like you?"

His words sting, but I don't back down. "Then explain it," I challenge. "Explain how you just happened to show up during the attack. Explain why you're in here!" I tap my temple.

"I can't!" Darick snaps, his own frustration evident. "I don't know why this is happening any more than you do. But I swear to you, I had nothing to do with the attack on your coven. I was there to stop it."

I scoff, but he continues, his voice growing more insistent. "Think about it. If I had planned the attack, why would I have fought against my own kind? Why would I be here now, trying to figure this out with you?"

"Fought against your own kind?" I frown.

"My men and I were there to put an end to it." His jaw sets.

I'm silent for a moment. I'm suddenly thinking of the mutilated vampires we'd found; the ones not killed with magic.

Was it him? Could it have been — ?

No! I refuse to believe it. The only good vampire is a dead vampire.

"Why?" I stick my jaw out. There's nothing he could say to change my mind about his species.

"Because I…I…" He trails off, his wide torso heaving as he exhales deeply. "It's complicated."

"Surprise, surprise." I cross my arms over my chest. Maybe to show him that I mean business. And maybe to block out the strange effect he's having on my heart rate. "You're not going to tell me because it would all be lies."

"Look, it's not important." He straightens, towering over me. My God, his shoulders are insanely broad. "What is important is finding a solution to this problem we share."

I nod in response because whatever else might be going on, this much is true. "So what are you going to do about it?"

"For fuck's sake, woman! Have you not been listening to me?" He heaves an exasperated breath. "I know as little as you do."

"Then why did you even suggest that we meet?" I sound surly, but I can't help myself.

"Because we had to start somewhere. And because I was curious about—" He stops suddenly.

"Curious about?"

"You."

I freeze, caught off guard by his admission. Curious about me? Why would a powerful vampire be curious about a witch who can barely cast a spell without turning someone blue?

But as I look up at him, I'm struck by the intensity in his chilling eyes, and for a moment, I forget how to breathe. There's something magnetic about his gaze, drawing me in despite every instinct screaming at me to run.

Darick takes a step closer, and I find myself rooted to the spot. The air between us feels charged, electric. I should move away, put some distance between us, but I can't seem to make my body obey.

"What is it about you?" he murmurs, his voice low and husky. His words are completely unexpected, and they send a shiver over my skin that has nothing to do with fear.

I swallow hard, trying to find my voice. "About me? I… I don't know what you mean," I stammer, hating how breathless I sound.

He reaches out, his hand hovering just inches from my face. I can feel the coolness radiating from his skin, and part of me wants to lean into it.

What is wrong with you?

"There's something about you," Darick says, his eyes never leaving mine. "I can't quite put my finger on it, but…"

I'm acutely aware of how close we are now. If I took just one small step forward, we'd be touching. The thought sends a jolt of electricity through me, and I see Darick's nostrils flare slightly, as if he can sense it too.

We stand there, frozen in this moment of unexpected suspense. I can hear my heart thundering in my ears, and I wonder if he can hear it too. His gaze flickers to my lips for just a second, and my breath catches in my throat.

And then, it happens. One moment we're silent, tension crackling between us, and the next, Darick's mouth is on mine, kissing me as if he's been holding back and can't contain himself any longer. His lips are firm…warmer than I'd imagined…although why would I have been imagining how his lips felt?

You didn't! You never thought about his lips, or kissing him, or any of this.

So then, why am I so lost in it? My mind screams at me to push him away, to run, but my body has other ideas. Suddenly, I find myself responding, my arms wrapping around his neck as I press closer to him. His skin is cool compared to the heat building inside me. I cling to him as I return the kiss with equal fervor. It's like nothing I've ever experienced before – electric, intoxicating, and utterly wrong. But I can't bring myself to care about right or wrong right now.

Darick's arms encircle my waist, pulling me flush against him. I can feel the hard planes of his chest, the strength in his arms as he holds me. I rise up on my tiptoes, trying to get even closer.

The world around us fades away. There's no sacred grove, no vampire-witch feud, no mysterious psychic connection. There's just us, lost in this moment, in this kiss that's shaking me to my very core.

Oh. My. God!

Part of me knows this is insane. He's a vampire, for crying out loud! The enemy of my people, possibly involved in an attack on my family. But another part of me – an insane impulsive part – doesn't want this to end.

But it has to end. Of course it does. Because clearly, I've lost my mind.

I break away from the kiss, gasping for air. My head spins, a whirlwind of emotions crashing over me. What just happened? How could I let this happen?

"You… you…" I stammer, my voice shaking. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"

Darick looks as stunned as I feel, his eyes wide with surprise. But I don't give him a chance to respond.

"Is this some kind of trick?" I spit out, shoving hard against his chest. He barely moves, but I need to put distance between us. "You think you can just waltz in here and… and…"

I can't even bring myself to say it. My lips still tingle from his kiss, and I hate myself for wanting more. But I do. I do want more, dammit!

Oh, dear God! This is unthinkable!

"Wait, I—" Darick starts, reaching out toward me.

"Don't touch me!" I yell, stumbling backward. "Stay away from me, you…you bloodsucker!"

The insult feels childish on my tongue, but I'm too flustered to care. My heart is racing, my thoughts a jumbled mess. I need to get out of here. Now.

Without another word, I turn and run. I sprint through the trees, branches whipping at my face as I flee. I don't care where I'm going, as long as it's away from him, away from what just happened.

I run until my lungs burn and my legs ache, finally collapsing against a tree trunk. Tears sting my eyes as I try to catch my breath.

What have I done?