"I do."
"How?"
"Isn't that why he's here?"
The only other possible reason for his presence was me. That he'd found me that quickly. The thought was terrifying.
"Killian." Lizzy rose from the table and went to stand beside him, saving me from having to answer. "We can't ignore this. If Marcus is really back..."
"I know,acushla."
Killian's eyes narrowed when he tore his attention from Lizzy and brought it back to me. "And how do we know ye’re not working with him? That this isn't some elaborate trap?"
"Because I would rather die than help that monster." The words tasted like venom. "Test me however you want. Read my mind. Whatever it takes to prove I'm telling the truth. But we're wasting time." I would just have to take the chance that he’d see more than I wanted him to.
He studied me for a long moment, then he turned and strode from the room without another word, leaving the rest of us staring after him.
9
KILLIAN
Ipaced back and forth in our bedroom, my mind churning with the implications of what Esme had told us. Lizzy sat on the edge of the bed, watching me with concern in her beautiful eyes.
"I don't know what to do,acushla," I confessed, running a hand through my hair. "This isn't our fight. We're vampires, not witches. We don't have the magic to go up against a djinn. And it isn't us he wants."
"But if Marcus is really back, we can't just ignore it," Lizzy said softly. "He's a threat to everyone, not just my aunt and cousins. He's a threat tome, Killian."
I sighed heavily, knowing she was right. "Judy and her witch’s coven are more than capable of handling this on their own. They've dealt with Marcus before. We should just send Esme to her."
"I don’t know what Esme’s family did to get his attention, but how would he even know she was here? Of all the places in the world she could’ve gone?” She shook her head, staring out the window with her brow furrowed in thought. “No. He's here for Alice and Alex,” she mused as her eyes followed me. “To try to force them to join him somehow.”
I nodded. "Aye. And he can fucking have them for all I care.” That would be two less witches I had to worry about.
"Alex is Kenya's mate, Killian. What's to stop the djinn from using her again to get to him?"
I stopped pacing and stared down at Lizzy, noting the worry etched on her perfect face. With a sigh, I sat down beside her on the bed and took her hand in mine.
My Lizzy was right. The thought of Kenya being used as a pawn in Marcus's twisted games again made my stomach churn. We'd almost lost her the last time, and I was confident we would have, if it wasn't for Alex.
"Kenya's stronger now," I said, trying to convince myself as much as Lizzy. "She can handle herself."
Lizzy gave me a knowing look. "Not if she loses her mate. Killian…you'll lose her. And what if you lost me? What would happen to you?"
“That willneverhappen.” It would destroy me. Besides the fact my heart would shatter into so many pieces I would want to end this unnatural life of mine the second she was gone, I quite literally couldn't live without her blood now that our bond was complete. And it would be the same for Kenya if something happened to Alex.
I sighed, scrubbing my hands over my face.
"We need to help her protect Alex."
I grimaced at the mention of the warlock's name. The darkness within that one set my teeth on edge. But Kenya loved him, and he was her mate. For her sake, I had to set aside my reservations.
"Fine. If it comes to that, then yes," I said grudgingly. "But let's hope it doesn't."
"Why else would he be here?"
"Maybe heisafter that one." I threw my arm toward the kitchen, where Brogan and Esme were talking.
Lizzy stood up from the bed and walked into my arms. I wrapped them around her, breathing in her sweet scent, running my hands over her back and ass. Every cell in my body came alive, eager as always to drown in my mate and forget the rest of this shite.
