Part 18 (2/2)

Then it hit me. Why he did what he did. He sucked out other's souls because he never had or ever would have one of his own.

”Oh. My. G.o.d.” He chuckled. ”You actually look shocked. What did you think, I'd grown a heart or something?” he played his arms out to the side. ”Please. I'm a heartless, soulless killer. That's what I do and who I am. Don't ever think otherwise. Because that would be a huge mistake on your part.”

His arms dropped back to his side, and then he motioned toward Trevor. ”Now, get your boy here and get out of my room. But I expect you back here at the a.s.s crack of noon to start your slave duties.”

I put my arm around Trevor and led him out of Thane's room. We returned to ours. Once inside, I helped him to the sofa, then got him a gla.s.s of water.

He took a sip, swallowing with difficulty, then set the gla.s.s on the table. ”You see why I told you to stay out of it?”

”I couldn't let him kill that girl, Trevor. Period. Sorry if that bothers you, but I can't change it. Whatever he does to me, will be worth it.”

He shook his head, then rubbed at his neck.

”You should be thanking me for saving your life as well.” I slumped on the sofa beside him.

He smirked. ”Takes more than that to kill me. I'm not fully human, remember?”

”Well, c.r.a.p, how am I supposed to know? I didn't get the new cambion instruction manual.”

He took another drink of water.

”You really need to tell me these things. I'm running around blind, deaf and dumb most of the time. I want to know everything.”

”You're right. I've kept you in the dark thinking I was protecting you by not telling you anything.”

I nodded, satisfied that he agreed with me.

”Ask away.”

Biting on my lip, I really had only one question. ”I want to know how to feed without killing someone.”

He looked at me for a long moment, then back at the floor. ”I'm afraid I can't teach you that.”

”Why not?”

”Because I have no idea how.”

”In all these months, you never tried to figure it out?”

He smirked. ”It's not like I could practice on someone. aeOh hey, baby hold still while I try and stop from sucking the life out of you. Tell me when, okay?'”

He stood and went to the mini fridge. He opened it and took out two sodas. Coming back to the sofa, he handed me one.

”So this whole time, you haven't...” I popped the tab on the can to avoid looking at him, ”ah, you know.”

He took a sip of his drink. ”Nope. You're actually the first girl I've kissed since.”

”Oh.” I sipped my soda not sure what to say to that. Thanks just didn't seem to be appropriate. ”Well,” I started, unsure, ”We could practice on each other?”

”What?” he stammered, nearly spilling his drink all over himself. ”Are you crazy?”

”Maybe. Been through a lot. Wouldn't surprise me if I am just a little.”

”Just forget about it. It's stupid.”

”It's not, Trevor. Think about it. Feeding makes us stronger. However much I don't want to, I vividly remember how feeding on Josh made me feel. I was strong, invincible even. Feeding could make us better equipped to deal with Thane and the rest of them.”

He lifted his soda to his mouth and drained it. After setting the empty on the table, he looked at me. ”Sounds like you just want to kiss me again.”

I jumped to my feet, angry. ”You know what? Forget it.” I headed toward the bedroom. ”Obviously you don't want to really do what it takes to end these guys.”

I reached the door when he said, ”Salem.” It was more of a plea than a statement.

Without turning, I paused, my hand on the door handle. ”What?”

”I'm sorry I said that about kissing me.”

I glanced over my shoulder at him. ”Don't be. It's true. I do want to kiss you. When I don't want to punch you in the nose. And not because I want to feed from you.” I turned the k.n.o.b, pushed open the door and went in.

I closed it behind me, and locked it. Without shedding my clothes, I crawled into bed, burying under the covers. Although I was beyond tired, I knew I wouldn't fall asleep easily. I had too many things racing around in my head. Like the fact that I had to report to Thane in the afternoon to do G.o.d knew what. Trevor also raced around in my mind. His face, his voice, the touch of his hands, the sensation of his lips on mine. And of how much I wanted to feel that again.

He was a stubborn jerk most times, but that didn't stop me from falling for him. The realization of that hit me like a bomb and I rolled onto my back biting down on my tongue to stem the urge to scream.

I was never going to get to sleep now.

Chapter 23.

At half past noon, I knocked on Thane's door. My hands were shaking and my gut was roiling. I had no idea what to expect. What he was going to make me do. Frightening scenarios had plagued my dreams and I'd barely gotten four hours of sleep.

When I'd finally gotten up, I'd found Trevor sitting on the sofa, hands folded as if waiting for me. I'd expected him to make a fuss about going. I expected an argument, but he just nodded to me and told me to be careful. I'd been a little disappointed, until he said if I wasn't back in two hours he'd come for me. The way he'd said it sent the b.u.t.terflies a fluttering.

I knocked again. Harder this time. After a few more seconds, the door finally opened. Thane was there, rumpled from sleep, his hair in disarray, s.h.i.+rtless and barefoot. He looked too normal for the circ.u.mstances. It unnerved me.

Yawning, he pulled the door wider for me. ”You're prompt.”

I entered, looking around for any sign of danger. Despite the incubus himself. ”I wanted to get this over with.”

”Fair enough.” He shut the door, bolted it, then shuffled back to the big bed, dived in and threw the covers over his head.

I watched him warily. Was this a trick?

”Clean up, while I sleep some more.”

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