Part 8 (2/2)

”Stop saying that!” I interrupt. The intrusion comes from somewhere deep inside myself, immediately cutting me off. I close my mouth again, having lost all desire to speak.

”Unless-” Aria clears her throat and flashes a wicked smile.

”-unless I help you.”

Chapter 10. Liora.

I open my eyes, and my head feels like a punching bag. ”Tattie,” I groan. d.a.m.n Lucky and her late night drinking. I thought Tatiana said she was putting an end to that.

”Tattie,” I moan again when she doesn't arrive. I glance over to my nightstand but don't see any of her pink hangover remedy waiting for me. That's strange. Tatiana is always one step ahead of me when it comes to my morning rescue.

I force myself out of the comfortable bed, surprised to find I'm actually wearing pajamas for a change. Well, not real pajamas, but a tank top and some boxer shorts. Lucky actually had the decency to dress me before she fell asleep? What kind of miracle is that? But apparently she wasn't kind enough to not drink like a fish so close to sun-up and leave me feeling like death. Again.

Before I can take a step I plop back down on the bed, dizzy. I shake my head. This is weird...different. This isn't how I usually feel when I wake up after one of Lucky's benders. Yeah, I still feel like c.r.a.p, but it's more of a drugged feeling...like I'd taken some really strong valium or something.

After taking several deep breaths, I make my way out to the kitchen, carefully avoiding the piles of clothes scattered all over the floor. ”Tattie? What happened to my room? It looks like the Dominatrix Depot exploded in there...”

My voice trails off. I'm so accustomed to awaking to the smells of freshly baked bread, sizzling bacon, and coffee brewing, the empty and aroma-free kitchen is a disappointment...and a bit alarming. I can't remember a morning when Tatiana hasn't greeted me.

”Tat? Tattie, where are you?”

Her bedroom door is closed, and I tap lightly before letting myself in. The room is dark and quiet, but the sight on the far side sends a shot of fear through my heart. Tatiana is lying motionless on her bed, her arms clasped on her stomach as if laid out in a casket.

For a split second I stand there, overwhelmed with fear. But only for a second. I cross the room in two quick strides and grab her hands. They're still warm.

”Tattie...Tattie, are you okay? Can you hear me?” I whisper in her ear, shaking her gently. I stare carefully at her, looking for any movement...any sign of life. She's so still, I can't tell if she's even breathing. ”Tattie...open your eyes, Tattie...please,” I plead, louder now. I shake her harder as the tears start to form.

Maybe my eyes are playing tricks on me, but I think I make out a faint rise and fall. I rest my ear to her chest, hold my breath, and pray for a heartbeat.

There's a sudden movement, and I lift my head to meet Tatiana's disoriented gaze. She gives a small cough and struggles to sit up.

”Liora, dear, what are you doing?” she asks in a raspy voice.

”Oh, Tat, you scared me! Don't ever do that again!” I exclaim, throwing my arms around her neck and pulling her close. The tears roll down my cheeks, but I smile widely and squeeze her tight.

”Have you lost your mind, dear child? What has gotten into you?”

I pull back and appraise her. ”You weren't in the kitchen when I woke up. And when I came to find you, you looked so...still.” I bite my lip and frown.

”Hmmm. I must have overslept. I'm sorry breakfast wasn't ready for you-”

”Oh, Tat, I don't care about that!” I playfully tap her dainty shoulder and smooth down her frayed silver mane. ”I was just concerned for a minute, 'cause I can't remember a time you haven't been up before me. And come to think of it, I don't think I've ever seen you actually sleep before.” I let out a relieved laugh and stand up to leave.

”Had you thought I died?” she asks with veiled amus.e.m.e.nt.

I pause and turn around. ”Well, no...I don't know. You were just lying there, so still, not moving. I couldn't even tell if you were breathing. So yeah, it kinda freaked me out for a moment. Don't ever do that again.”

I'm almost to the door when I hear her reply. ”I will one day, you know.”

My heart beats heavily in my chest. ”Will what?” I ask quietly.

”Die. Every mortal does, eventually. And I am no different.”

Tristan steadies himself against his Jaguar and flashes me a s.e.xy smirk. ”I was wondering if you'd show.”

”I said I would, didn't I?” When Tristan had asked me to meet him at the old Fisherman's Wharf landing, at first I'd thought he was joking. It was almost a hundred miles away.

I press the alarm on my keychain, and my Mustang lets off two quick beeps. I smooth my hair out of my face and fall into his arms. His lips meet mine in a rapid series of soft pecks before settling in for a deeper, more pa.s.sionate embrace. My arms wrapped around him, I catch him watching me while we kiss, his eyes only half-closed.

We both laugh. ”You peeked,” he says, and strokes the back of my head. I still get nervous when his hand wanders too near my Mark. Even though he knows the truth about me, I don't want him to be reminded any more than necessary.

”Yeah, well, you only know because you were peeking too,” I tease back, giving his hand a light squeeze. He looks down at me and grins.

”I like watching you kiss me,” he says huskily, leaning closer. ”I like seeing your lips on mine.”

”I like feeling them,” I whisper back, welcoming his kiss. My blood stirs and my skin tingles as he presses my body firmly against the side of the Jag. If I can just pretend he's Kieron...everything will be perfect.

But Tristan is not Kieron. And during my two hour drive out to the coast, I had decided that's a good thing. I had to share Kieron with Lucky. Being with him was a constant reminder that I'm not a normal human being-I'm part monster. And the only person who could love me was part monster.

But Tristan is normal. A regular human boy. And he wants me. Only me. He doesn't even know about Lucky...well, not all the dirty details anyway. And I'm not going to tell him unless I absolutely have to. Just this once I want something that belongs to me and only me.

Tristan presses his hips into mine, and I hook my thumbs through his belt loops. The morning sun warms our faces and sweetens our kisses. Seagulls squawk over the water, and the salty breeze is rich with the smells of marine life. Being with him is so uncomplicated. So easy. And that's what I need right now.

Tristan pulls back and lovingly strokes my hair. I reach up to his cheek and gently trace the wicked scar with my finger. Then, without really thinking, I stand on tiptoe and plant several soft kisses on his disfigured face. I'm surprised when a quick icy tingle shoots from my lips down to my stomach...much like the first time I saw him. I pull away and start walking toward the wooden dock.

”So what're we doing out here?” I ask.

”I have a surprise for you. Come on.” An impish grin lights his face, and he holds out his hand.

Together we head down to the water's edge. I wait while he goes to talk to an old man wearing a fisherman's cap. They shake hands and the man nods, then points toward a row of mid-sized boats. Tristan waves me over.

”C'mon, Liora.”

Slightly amused, I oblige. ”Tristan, what's going on?”

He drapes an arm across my shoulders and points to a charming white boat named the ”Sea Angel”.

”Hope you don't get seasick,” he says, smiling.

”We're going on that?” I ask. ”Seriously?”

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