Page 90 of The Temptation of Roan Island

I’ve wasted too much time fighting what was inevitable from our first game of Elementals. No, she piqued my interest even before that. She was always meant to be mine.

Jafeth watches me carefully.

For some reason, I don’t want him to see how much his words have affected me. Ever since Pippa disappeared, it’s like something has been torn loose in my soul, and now I know why. This isn’t anything like what I felt for Vivienne. This is fragile and dangerous all at once, and I want to guard it.

“You already know I love her,” I say in a tone intended to be glib. I don’t quite manage it. Hearing the words aloud, spoken by my own mouth, re-writes something inside me.

Jafeth makes a noise in his throat that’s almost a laugh. “I thought you were faking.”

My brother is more astute than we give him credit for.

“I was,” I confess quietly, keeping my attention on The Sanatorium. Most of the lights are out now.

“Will you bite her?” Jafeth asks.

A Solstice bite terrifies me. But living without her suddenly scares me more than anything else. What I feel for Pippa is more real than anything I’ve ever experienced. Biting her is the only way to give her the life she deserves, the life I want for her. A long, healthy, happy life. With me. Maybe even with more children.

“I want to,” I admit. “If she feels the same about me.” If we can find her in time.

Jafeth smiles, clapping me on my shoulder. “Trust me. That woman fucking adores you.”

A side door squeaks open, cutting off our conversation. We hurry into position as Mrs. Potter walks from the building, the metal door latching shut behind her. Her booted heels clack against the stone steps, then against the concrete of the path toward us. When she’s close enough, I step out, blocking her way.

She lets out a squeal. “Mr. Roan?”

There’s something satisfying about seeing the stunned look on her face. Since we don’t know how deep her involvement goes or where her loyalties lie, we opted for a surprise attack.

“Nurse.” There’s a note of derision in the word.

She takes a step back, bringing a hand to the center of her chest. “What on earth are you doing here?”

She shrinks away from me, smart enough to know she’s in danger. Jafeth blocks her retreat, and she bumps into him with a startled squeak.

“Where’s my wife?”

She raises her chin. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I think you do.” I take a step closer, crowding her space.

“I didn’t even know you got married.” She puts up a brave front, meeting my eyes, but that won’t last. “Who’s the lucky woman?”

I lean in close to her ear. “Where. Is. Pippa. Willoughby.”

Potter sucks in a telling breath. She knows. And she’ll pay for it.

“Where is my wife?!”

“I w-won’t tell you anything.”

“That isn’t your best choice tonight.” Jafeth half chuckles from behind her. She twists to look at him, and when she faces forward again, I flash my teeth. I don’t care if it reveals our secret. She probably suspects it after the new moon parties, and right now, I want her scared.

“There are things in motion you can’t change.” She tries to sidestep, but Jafeth and I follow the movement, locking her between us.

“I’ll go to my grave before I tell you,” she says.

A nice show of bravery. But ultimately fruitless. I’m getting Pippa back, whatever it takes.

Cold reality settles in my bones. I don’t want to kill this woman, but I will.