AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“And if she’s not there? What then?”
“Let’s take it one haunted place at a time.” He must notice the change in me and frowns.
“What aren’t you saying?” he challenges gently. I swallow hard, refusing to look at him.
“If she’s in an unmarked grave or not there, we don’t have any other options, Lucien. She’ll be free and there won’t be anything we can do to stop it.” When he crouches down so we’re eye level I’m forced to look at him. There’s worry reflecting back at me in his gaze, but determination.
“You’ve got two living men who worship you. They’ll keep you safe.” Is that jealousy in his tone? “And you have me on this side watching as well. I can’t promise the same safety, but I’ll do everything in my power to make sure I don’t fail you, too.”
“You didn’t fail her, Lucien,” I correct him. “In fact, you did everything you could to get to her. Stella’s actions are not your responsibility. She should have been committed long before she was, her father should have seen the signs. Not you.”
He lets out a sigh that holds the weight of the world. “I spoke to him and he always promised to handle it,” Lucien admits. “I should have pushed harder.”
“You deserved so much better,” I say, standing so he’s forced to stand as well. He’s a bit taller than me and I notice this time his features are clearer. I can make out the copper tone in his hair and beard, the dusting of freckles on his skin. I’m studying him so intently that I almost miss the way his eyes dart to my lips.
So, I’m not alone.
“I should go,” he mutters and the pain in his eyes is mirrored in my own chest. We both want something we obviously can’t have and it hurts. I really have to talk to the guys about this.
“Please don’t,” I beg as I sit back down to give him space. “It might be boring but I’m trying to make some jewelry and can’t stay out of my head.”
“What are you making?" Lucien asks, following my change of subject.
“All the fire in the visions and research has inspired my new line. I think I’ll call it Blaze. Just fire-like jewelry. What do you think?” I ask, holding up my masterpieces so he can get a better view before I stand to be on his level again. I move it in my hands so that the beads shift between the red and orange like a flame, catching the light.
“You are a magician, I can see fire in that,” Lucien comments, returning his eyes to mine. “I’m impressed.”
Were our faces this close before? I get the urge to touch him, but would he even want me to? As if he was reading my thoughts, he leans in close until his lips are so near mine I can almost feel them. My eyes flicker down to those pouty, red lips of his.
Without a second thought, I lean forward and place my lips on his. Somehow, I don’t fall through him, I’m stopped by his lips as he kisses me back and pulls me into his arms.
What? Pulls me into his arms?
I jump back in shock, my legs are shaky under me and I feel faint. But sure enough, there he is in solid form.
“What? How?” Lucien asks as he stares down at his very solid, and very real body.
“I was going to ask you,” I reply before I black out.
Lucien
“What’s wrong, Raven?” Jayce’s voice is frantic as he runs through the apartment and bursts into the room. I managed to catch Raven as she fell, and she is still nestled in my arms as he stares around with wild eyes. “Holy shit. Eli!”
Ignoring him for a moment, I place her on the spare bed before the second man skids to a stop in the doorway.
“Holy shit! Wolf?”
You can’t ignore them, Lucien.
“She always made me feel stronger,” I admit. “More real.”
“Did something change this time?” Jayce asks pointedly. “What put it over the edge?”
How the hell do I tell them that she kissed me? That I put myself between their relationship? Would I ruin this before it even started? But lying isn’t something I do lightly.
“Raven and I have always been complicated,” I start, fighting to find the right words. Both men are focused on me now that they’ve ensured Raven is alright.
“I kissed him,” she says, getting all of our attention.
