Page 43 of An Anomaly of Sunlight

“Amazing, isn’t it? I could drink and drink, but you’d never die. I didn’t believe it. That an angel’s blood could add centuries to a vampire’s life span. Turns out, it was true. The only cost is the vampire’s sanity.” My body shudders, the remnants of the splitting pain still rippling through my skull. “But who needs a brain, when their body could walk the earth for all eternity?

“That’s why the angels fled this world thousands of years ago. And yet, it’s told that some of those brave souls stayed behind, disguising themselves by wearing contact lenses. But you,” his head tilts, a manic smile spreading across his lips and sending a shiver down my spine.

“You my naive, darling girl didn’t know any better.” Leave it to me to be the target and cause of his insanity. “Anyway, lover boy should be here soon. Guess he missed the history lesson after all, but don’t worry. I’ll drain him, too. You’d hate for him to be left out wouldn’t you?”

What stands before me is no man. Enzo is pure, sentient evil. “But not before he watches me drink every last drop of that delicious fucking blood.”

Twenty-Eight

Skyler

Amethyst’s taste still lingers on my tongue. Kissing her goodbye replays in my mind. Flipping on the blinker to turn into Burrow’s, I notice a silver SUV in my fucking spot. Catching a glimpse of the Burrow’s logo sticker on the rear glass my good mood evaporates. Shouldn’t Maeve be in Vrynthis?

Oh well, it doesn’t matter. This is the perfect time to tell her about the email I received this morning. This new company wants to move forward with hiring me as an auditor. I may as well give her my two-week notice.

Onyx is at the register. Instead of the usual greeting I’d get from him, he just grits his teeth, frowning. I cock a brow, but before I get a chance to ask, Maeve is clearing her throat at the bottom of the office steps. “I see you got my message.” She motions for me to follow her into the office.

Message? I pull out my phone as I step behind the register. Sure enough, there’s one from Maeve. It doesn’t matter now though, seeing as I’m already here. Closing the door behind us, I chide, “Go on, then.” Maeve plops down in the chair at my desk like she owns the place then turns her laptop around to face me.

The blood drains from my face as the image freezes me in my tracks. “Seems you’re quite popular as of last night, Ashford.” I stare aimlessly at the photo of Amethyst on my lap. This can’t be happening. Who could have gotten this photo and how? I need to make sure Amethyst is okay. She tried to prevent this, and I didn’t listen. How fucking selfish.

“It goes without saying that I have to let you go,” Maeve says, emotionless. “Truly, I didn’t give a shit. But now that this is plastered all over social media, HR is involved.” Shrugging, I finally find my words. “Guess you don’t need my two-weeks, then. Just got word this morning another company wants to onboard me.”

I turn toward the office door, eyeing her over my shoulder. “I tried to do this right, Maeve. I found another job I just… I can’t fucking believe this is happening to Amethyst. It’s all my fault.” Something like pity flashes in her eyes. She opens her mouth, then closes it.

She nods her head, “I agree, whoever took the photo — that’s fucked. I hope you two can figure things out.” Her voice turns vulnerable, “Mates are more important than anything. And for what it’s worth, I’m sorry for trying to come between the two of you. I was out of line.”

She doesn’t divulge any other details, but the knowing look we share is enough to imply Maeve once had a mate. Without another word, we offer each other a nod, and I step out of my office at Burrow’s for the last time.

Just as the engine starts, the text tone dings in my pocket. I fish my phone out of my pocket and see Amethyst’s name on the screen. Oh Goddess, does she know? Frantically pulling the text up, numbness settles over my body. No. My eyes must be deceiving me.

Amethyst

It was all a mistake. I can’t do this. I wasn’t over my last relationship and you pushed me into this. I never needed an Angel. Goodbye Skyler.

Once again, I’m not enough.

No. It was real.

She was real.

I can’t accept this. I…

The cracking of my heart causes physical pain.

Tossing my phone to the passenger seat that still fucking smells like her I let my emotions run wild. The sting of disappointment. The jagged blade of hurt tearing into my heart. I settle on the flicker of anger. I grab onto it, fueling it. I need it to overpower the pain and confusion.

I need to feel anything other than this desperate longing for her.

The tires spin out as I leave the parking lot, speeding toward the house. I need a drink. To shift. I need anything to take my mind off of her. The text taunts me; you pushed me into this.

I did, didn’t I? Maybe this is what I fucking deserve. I catch up to a car going just under the speed limit, a growl of frustration leaving me.

With too much traffic to pass, I simmer in my thoughts. Then something sticks out to me. I feel ashamed for not noticing it before.

I wasn’t over my last relationship.

My foot slams the break. The car behind me nearly plows into me as I throw a blinker on at the last second and swerve into an empty field to turn around. A horn blares, but I barely hear it over the adrenaline in my veins.