Page 76 of Power of Shadow

He stands in the bathroom doorway, leaning casually against the frame, his legs crossed at the ankles, arms folded on his chest.

“I have fresh clothes for you in my bag if you want to take a bath here. Then we can go home. Unless you’d rather stay here for the night?”

Absolutely not. If this room looked different, I wouldn’t mind spending the night with Ryker. But this place is a flea-ridden hole. So, I shake my head.

My gaze follows him as he shifts and comes to a halt at my back. “A missed spot,” he whispers.

Until he leans down and runs his tongue along the column of my neck, I don’t know where he sees the spot.

That one gesture is enough to make me want to jump him like a tree. Jesus Christ, if he keeps teasing me like this, I’ll have to use my magic pink wand that’s in my nightstand.

“You’ll never use your wand again unless I’m using it for your pleasure.”

My eyebrows rise because I must have said it out loud. Unless he can read my mind...

My heart is racing. It has been happening a lot lately. It goes wild whenever Ryker is within arm’s reach.

This is crazy.

To distract myself, I pull out the knife I used in the warehouse today.

Ryker takes a step back and watches, this time as I wipe the blood from the blade. “You’re always so neat. I like to see you stained.”

My heart flutters like a trapped bird.

Sick bastard.

Chapter 17

Ryker

As soon as I open my eyes, I know it’s not going to be a good day.

Something tells me it’s going to be a disaster.

Sweaty, I sit up, torn from my sleep, ready to fight

It was just a dream, I tell myself. But am I sure?

Little Aisling runs around the living room of our family home pretending to ride a pony. She looks so innocent and funny at the same time. Her smile is contagious, and I smile too.

She’s wearing a pink dress that bounces with every step she takes. Her blond hair, just like our mother’s, flies around her head. Her rosy cheeks are adorable.

That laughter... Her laughter...

Warmth and sweetness, like honey, fill my heart. For the first time in a long time, I can breathe easily. Everything feels light.

But all good things must come to an end.

Our father walks into the room. He has his usual scowl on his face, unhappy to see my little sister’s joy. I’m sure he hates the joy that came into our home with Aisling’s arrival.

I want to protect her from that scowl and from him. His darkness should not corrupt her brightness.

I clear my throat, and my father’s laser gaze finds me.

And then I know...

In an instant, darkness creeps through the living room windows, and the sun hides in the corners.