Chapter 10

CHAPTER TEN

Dawn came faster than I expected, the pale light creeping through my window and jolting me from a restless sleep. My body ached from tossing and turning all night, thinking of our impending journey.

On this mission, we didn't have to travel through a portal. A small mercy, I thought, remembering the disorienting sensation of our last interdimensional trip. Maggie was still recovering from being possessed, her absence a palpable void in our team. Even if Garrick had been chosen, I knew he wouldn't have left Maggie's side. The thought of their devotion brought a bittersweet pang to my chest.

With trembling fingers, I checked my gear one last time. My trusted bow felt cool and familiar in my hands, a stark contrast to the nervous heat radiating from my palms. I slung my quiver over my shoulder, the arrows rattling softly.

I zipped open my backpack, the sound unnaturally loud in the quiet morning. Inside, I had carefully packed the mysterious shimmering vial. Next to it lay the compass and the mirror. Each item seemed to pulse with latent energy. I added a change of clothes, a water bottle that sloshed reassuringly, a tightly rolled blanket, and a first aid kit that I prayed we wouldn't need.

At my side, I felt the reassuring weight of a sheathed dagger.

I glimpsed my reflection in the mirror and barely recognized the determined young woman staring back at me. My face was pale, dark circles under my eyes betraying my sleepless night. I hadn't bothered with makeup, save for a swipe of lip gloss to soothe my dry, nervous lips. My blonde hair was pulled back into a loose ponytail, practical and unadorned.

This was definitely one of my hunter uniforms, I mused, running my hands over the familiar fabric. Each piece of clothing was chosen for functionality rather than style.

With a deep breath that did little to calm my racing heart, I shrugged on a thick leather jacket. The material creaked as I moved, already warming to my body heat. I hoisted my quiver and backpack over my shoulders.

I was as ready as I could be, I told myself, trying to ignore the knot of fear in my stomach. Hopefully, I didn't get turned into stone. The thought froze my blood, but I squared my shoulders, pushing the fear aside. Whatever lay ahead, I would face it head-on.

I opened the door on softly creaking hinges to find Justice standing there, his tall frame filling the doorway. The rich aroma of coffee wafted from the steaming cup in his hand, making my mouth water instantly. My heart skipped a beat at his thoughtful gesture.

I flashed him a warm smile, feeling heat rise to my cheeks. My hand instinctively moved to my chest. "A man after my own heart," I murmured.

"It's early, and I thought you could use a cup." Justice's deep voice sent a shiver down my spine.

I took in his appearance. His hair, usually tied back, now flowed freely over his shoulders like a dark river, framing his face. Dark circles still lingered under his eyes, but his color was a little better. The sight brought a mix of relief and worry churning in my stomach.

He must have drunk some blood, I realized. Yet the nagging question persisted, making my chest tighten. How long could he keep this up? We didn't have long to find the Crown of Envy to restore his health. What if we were too late? The thought made my breath catch in my throat.

As if reading my thoughts, Justice's cool fingers brushed my skin as he ran the back of his knuckles down my cheek. The gentle touch sent tingles across my face, momentarily calming my racing mind.

"You need to stop worrying," he murmured. "I told you, I'm a vampire and can last longer than humans."

I leaned into his touch, savoring the contact. "I know, but I love you and can't lose you." My voice choked on the words, emotion constricting my throat. The mere thought of going through life without him made my eyes sting.

In one swift motion, Justice set the coffee cup on a nearby table, the liquid sloshing dangerously close to the rim. Before I could react, his arm snaked around my waist, pulling me flush against his body. The sudden movement knocked the breath from my lungs, and my heart hammered.

His dark, intense eyes locked onto mine for a fleeting moment. In them, I saw a swirling mix of desire, desperation, and something deeper—a fierce, primal need that made my knees weak.

Then his lips crashed onto mine with an urgency that stole what little breath I had left. This wasn't a gentle kiss. It was raw, passionate, almost frantic. His mouth moved against mine with a fervor that spoke of barely contained hunger, not only for blood but for life itself.

One of his hands tangled in my hair, tugging slightly to angle my head, deepening the kiss. His other hand pressed into the small of my back, eliminating any space between us. I felt every line of his body against mine, the coolness of his skin a stark contrast to the heat building within me.

His tongue swept across my lower lip, demanding entry, which I willingly granted. The taste of him—a mixture of copper and something uniquely Justice—flooded my senses, making my head spin. A soft moan escaped me, swallowed by his relentless kiss.

There was a possessiveness in the way he held me, in the way his lips claimed mine. It felt like he was marking me, branding me as his own. The dominance in his actions sent a shiver down my spine as excitement and surrender washed over me.

I clutched his shoulders, my fingers digging into the hard muscle, desperate to anchor myself in the storm of sensations. My lungs burned for air, but I couldn't bring myself to break away. At this moment, Justice's kiss felt more essential than oxygen.

When he finally pulled back, it was only by a fraction. His forehead rested against mine, our ragged breaths mingling in the scant space between us. My lips tingled, swollen from the intensity of the kiss. The rapid rise and fall of his chest matched my labored breathing.

With the taste of him still on my lips and the solid warmth of his body against mine, I understood. This wasn't merely a kiss. It was a promise, a declaration, and a desperate plea rolled into one.

Someone cleared their throat from out in the hall. I didn't need to turn around. I knew it was my overprotective brother.

Justice released me, grabbed the coffee cup off the table, and handed it to me. My lips were still swollen where he had kissed me. The tender moment had ended too soon.

I heard a familiar voice.

"Oh, come on!"

I turned to see Damon standing in the doorway, coffee mug in hand, his face a picture of exasperation. My cheeks flushed hot with embarrassment, but I didn't step away from Justice.

"It's too early for this crap," Damon grumbled, his green eyes flashing with anger and resignation. He gestured wildly at us with his free hand. "Seriously? Some of us are trying to keep our breakfast down, you know."

Damon inhaled deeply, running a hand down his face in a gesture I'd seen a thousand times when he was trying to keep his cool.

"Look, I get it. You're together." The words emerged like they physically pained him. My heart clenched at the conflict in his eyes. "But do you have to be so…vampirey about it?" He pointed an accusatory finger at Justice. "And you, Twilight. You think you could dial it back a notch? She needs to breathe, you know. Oxygen. It's kind of important for us humans."

Justice stiffened beside me, but he remained silent. I opened my mouth to defend us, but Damon cut me off.

"Just…get a room, will you?" he grumbled, shaking his head as he moved to push past us. "And if I see any fang, so help me…"

He left the threat unfinished, shooting one last warning glance at Justice before continuing down the hallway. I heard him muttering about the impossibility of normal family dynamics.

As Damon's footsteps faded, I released a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding. I looked at Justice, seeing amusement and concern in his eyes.

"Well," I remarked, trying to lighten the mood. "I guess that's Damon's way of giving us his blessing?"

Justice braced his shoulders as if preparing to do battle. "Like he could keep us apart."

I cocked my eyebrow. "Protective, are we?"

"When it comes to you, yes." He chuckled, but I noticed the tension in his shoulders. This wouldn't be the last time we'd have to deal with Damon's protective streak. But for now, at least, we had bigger things to worry about.