His back was rigid as he stood by the desk. He didn't turn as she climbed unsteadily to her trembling legs. She looked at the door, and then back over to him. "You're really letting me go?" she asked in disbelief.
Liam closed his eyes as pain seared through his entire body. "Yes," he grated. "I don't expect you to stay with me Sera. I know that I can't expect that. I know what I am, what I can never give you."
"And what is that?" she whispered.
He couldn't look at her; she was the only bright thing in his entire joyless life. When she left, she would take all of the light with her, and leave him to drown in the dark. But he couldn't expect her to stay. He was a demon. He survived on blood. He could destroy her with a single flick of his wrist. He had nothing but blood and death to offer her.
"A life Sera, I can never offer you a life. I won't age; I won't die. I can offer you nothing. Now go, before I change my mind and decide that I don't care about anything, but keeping you with me no matter what it means. No matter how you feel about it."
Sera's gaze traveled back to the door. Her heart was ripping to shreds in her chest. She had never known such physically emotional suffering in her life. She couldn't breathe through the constriction in her chest; she could barely see through the tears burning her eyes. If she walked out of this room, and left him, then a part of her would cease to be. But, if she stayed, then she gave up her hopes of a family, of children. She would grow old and die. He would stay young and alive.
She could always join him. Horror shuddered through her at the thought of drinking blood, and her mind instantly shut out the possibility. She couldn't do that, no matter what, she couldn't do that. She had to give him up. She had too. Tears streaked down her face as she took a stumbling step forward, and halted.
"Go Sera," he muttered. "Leave."
She sobbed loudly as she fell against the door. "Liam," she whispered.
He didn't turn to her. He kept his eyes firmly shut as he waited for her to leave. It took every ounce of strength that he possessed not to grab her and keep her from leaving him. It took all he had not to grab her and force the memories from her mind. But he could not, would not, do that to her, to himself. It was better to end it now, to let her leave, instead of having to give her up in five years, ten years, when he loved her even more.
The touch on his arm caused his eyes to fly open. He had been so immersed in his own thoughts, in his own grief, that he hadn't heard her approach. "Sera," he managed to choke out.
"I don't want to leave," she whispered.
He swallowed heavily as he fought back the hope that threatened to choke him. "I can offer you nothing."
"You can offer me you. I just want you."
He was frozen as his conscience waged a war with his heart. His heart won out. With a groan, he pulled her snugly against him. "I hope you understand what this means," he said hoarsely.
"Yes."
"I'm never going to let you go now. Do you understand that?"
"I don't want you too."
His heart contracted as his hands convulsed around her. He buried his head in her fragrant hair. He had never done anything to deserve her. He didn't understand how she could love him so willingly, so freely, and so openly. She clung to him, her head buried in his chest, completely vulnerable, and totally giving.
He held her for a long time, unwilling to release her. She yawned and he took a small step back. He lifted her and crossed the room in three long strides to lay her down on the bed. "Lay with me," she whispered.
He climbed in beside her. She nuzzled closer to him as she savored in his strength and warmth. He held her in his arms, clinging to her as if he was a drowning man and she was his life raft. Which, she was.
CHAPTER 11
Liam's back was pressed firmly against the wall; he had one leg drawn up, and his arm draped over it. Mike sat across from him in the easy chair, which he'd turned sideways so that his long legs dangled casually over the side. He was smoking a cigarette, the ashes drifted to the floor as he ignored the ashtray in his hand.
"Well," Mike said. "I'll take care of Jacob's body."
"Thanks."
"No problem. What about her?"
"She'll be all right."
"You said she was pretty shook up. Great way to tell her too. I mean, you drop a bombshell on her and then transform yourself into a monster. That's not easy to take."
"She wouldn't believe me."
"Did you honestly expect her too?"
