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You passed out and I didn’t know what to do but I looked at Sam and thought, ‘I can’t make him not kill me with nice words and nice thoughts’, so I ran. I ran because I was afraid of him and afraid of you because I didn’t know what stopped you. I know I wanted to be what stopped you, but I didn’t know if that was naïve of me to think that way so I just left. I didn’t know what I’d do, how I’d get over you, how I’d even survive without you, and with the possibility of getting killed by another vampire and I’ve been in the pits of despair and with serious withdrawals or something, but that’s---”
He cut her off by tipping her chin up for a soft kiss, then said, “I heard you, heard your voice from far away. I must’ve been unconscious but you said you loved me in my dreams. You had this bright aura and I could feel your emotions stronger than ever but I thought I was dreaming and then it all went black. I woke up and you were gone and I had all kinds of blood on me. I couldn’t feel you.
There was gnawing inside me, this overpowering urge to inflict pain because I couldn’t find you or feel you. Sam almost took the brunt of it but he talked me down. I knew he went off. He and I talked it out. He said as soon as you stepped out of the panic room the aroma was like meat cooking to a half-starved half-crazed man. His instinct kicked in and I was the threat he had to remove to get to you.
Just like I reacted reflexively to the barrier between you and me, the locks. He talked me down… I came close to ripping his throat out, he convinced me he could help, that he wouldn’t come near you until he could get some of that tonic from Adrian and test it. I can read intentions, I can taste lies, even more now than before. I didn’t taste any lies with him. I’m still being cautious but I believe him.
And anyway, I don’t think you just walked out, Kyla, the more I think about it, I think you shut down. I should’ve been able to feel you. You were still in the city when I woke up, I checked everything out when I started to look at you and timing-wise, you weren’t that far. You were in the city for a few hours after I woke up before you caught that flight. If you weren’t sleeping I’m pretty sure you found a way to turn it off. Or maybe my body turned you off. I don’t know.”
“I didn’t sleep. Not for two days. And I was numb, Tristan. Scared and numb.”
He cuddled her close, “Okay. We’re gonna figure this out. I will. I will stop at nothing.” Their eyes locked.
“Nothing,” he repeated and ran his thumb across her cheekbone.
They stared at one another for a beat and then he said, “Let’s get going.”
They passed the maid as they left. She was pushing her cleaning cart toward them and when she saw Tristan her mouth dropped. She looked at him with sexual hunger but it was as if she’d never seen him in her life. Kyla felt anger rise in her. Tristan threw an arm over her shoulder and hauled her closer,
“Easy, princess; keep those claws sheathed.”
Kyla made a “grr” sound as they passed the woman on the way to the front office to check out.
He chuckled.
~~~“Tell me about Kovac Capital,” Kyla suggested. They’d been on the road for a few hours and she figured it was a good time to learn more about him, about his life, more about the obstacles they were facing.
Tristan was driving, looking handsome as always, with his strong hands on the wheel, hair blowing in the breeze, his eyes hidden behind sunglasses. He was wearing cargo jean shorts, sandals, and a black t-shirt. Kyla wore a racerback apple green A-line sun dress. It was hot out. Her curly hair was up in a messy bun and she had flip flops on her feet.
“It’s a company. It makes money. I’ve got a pretty traditional-looking executive position.” He shrugged.
“Traditional-looking, looking being the operative phrase? You said you also work to keep vampires secret. I’m sure you have stories you could tell. Close calls?”
He nodded, I keep money flowing in and I work to stop threats, keep our secrets safe. I’m on a few councils.”
“Is the money made honestly?”
“We do use our influence in some areas,” he admitted.
“You’re not giving much away…”
“This stuff is irrelevant.” He shrugged.
“What happens when you get the next promotion?” she asked.
He shook his head, “More autonomy. I report to Claudio now and wouldn’t. I’d have more direct contact with other leaders. Some larger scale decisions.” He shrugged again and then turned up the radio. His jaw was tight. Kyla’s Spidey senses were tweaked.
