10. AMAND

Chapter 10

AMAND

"Are we going to talk about it?" Rowan growls out as he stalks into our shared office. We outfitted this warehouse into something we could find solace in but sometimes it feels empty of the homey aura I grew up in. My parents tried their best, giving me everything I needed. They were both human with latent magic and had no idea how to care for a Basilisk. It didn't help that I was a wild child, always looking for the next thrill or chase.

My venom came in later than most and thank fuck I had curtailed my desires before I killed someone. Finding Rowan was a godsend, the ruthless beast able to tame my needs in an instant. I've done the same for him, both of us finding a home in each other. I thought that was all we needed until Lev showed up at the abandoned building.

Now, my heart hurts and I keep fighting the urge to follow my instincts and show up at his home.

"You didn't answer my question, Amand."

"Because I'm actively ignoring it." He growls again and I whip around, narrowing my gaze at him. "What exactly would you like to talk about, Rowan? The fact that in some fucked up way, we just found our mate? Or that whatever connection between him and us goes deeper than biology? Or how about those healing gashes on his back that we're both wondering where they came from?" I didn't want to bring up the last part because my beast wants to know who did it.

When they did it and why they're still alive.

Lev didn't mention them and beneath the pure look of ecstasy on his face, I couldn't see any pain. I'm frustrated that my magic can't figure out more.

Rowan raises an eyebrow as a deviant smile spreads across his face. "The mates thing is bullshit. No, listen to me." He plops into a chair beside me. "Mates feel that bond and then nurture it. There is no instantaneous connection. There is no absolute need to be inside his tight as fuck hole. There is no need to hold him in my arms until he falls asleep. Mates also never feel the need to kill each other."

He leans back, running his hands through his short strands. His jaw is pulled tight, his gaze unfocused. It takes me a moment to register the words that come out of Rowan's mouth. "You want to kill him?"

"You don't?"

"I always want to kill things. I just…" I chew on my bottom lip as I turn back to my computer, intent on researching these symptoms. "We're definitely mates, Rowan. Like you and I are. There's just something else that—" I freeze, staring at a definition that I've only come across a few times. A definition that would explain everything that just happened in the last 24 hours.

Rowan leans over my shoulder. "Fatal attraction? That is also bullshit. That doesn't exist. It's just something murderers use to explain why they killed their bonded pair."

"Is it? Or is it an explanation for why some designations just don't work with others?" This isn't something I considered. Lev should have died or succumbed to the venom running through his body the moment we kissed him in Vince's office. He should have crumpled to the ground in pain after Rowan fucked him. He should have kicked the bucket curled up in Rowan's lap and yet, Lev is still very much alive.

Rowan catches onto my train of thought as he whips out his phone. "Vince? Yes. I need Lev's address. It's important. You don't need to know if we're working together. Give me the fucking— thank you . You'll get your update tomorrow." I grimace, remembering that we do have to debrief Vince on everything we've found. It feels like cheating with all the evidence Lev handed us but that's tomorrow's problem.

Today, I need to see with my own eyes that Lev is alive and well.