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“Because I was trying to keep everything secret, which is what the wraith families want.”
Knowing that the vision constituted a second event, Malik had no problem believing his assistance was critical, so he made his decision quickly. “I’ll be right there, but where do you want me? At the vines?”
“Can you come back to my house?”
His heart kicked into high gear.
Back to her house, to the place he’d made love to her.
In a sudden swell of unexpected sensation, he forgot all about how much he resented the sudden appearance of a blood rose in his life. Instead, he focused on the other side of the coin, that he really liked this woman. Making love with her had been one of the best experiences of his entire life and not just because of the insane attraction, but because she’d taken the time to bathe him.
He didn’t think he would ever forget what he felt like in that moment, as though treated with great value. She’d honored him more than just a man who could give her pleasure, but someone she trusted and respected.
“I’ll be there as quickly as I can.”
Before he left, he filled Evan in on most of what he’d just gone through, choosing to reveal the existence of several wraith families hidden on Willow’s land. He needed at least one member of his Vampire Guard to be aware of the recent fast-moving events. “I think you’d better put the Guard on alert. Let them know that our pal Axton has been purchasing illegal charms in order to find wraiths he intends to murder.”
“Sweet Goddess, how long has Willow been hiding wraiths?”
“I think this has been going on for decades.”
“But this makes no sense. I mean, how could you not have known?”
And here was a big truth. “Because Willow has tremendous power, more than I’ve seen in even Alexandra the Bad. I believe she might have as much ability as Vojalie, or damn close.”
Evan whistled. “And where do you want me?”
“Just stick close to your phone or if you feel me battering your telepathic frequency, let me in.”
“You got it, boss.”
When Malik hung up, he slid his phone deep into the pocket of his leathers, then let his housekeeper know he was headed north again. He swept into the cool night air, flying high above the forest canopy.
When he arrived at Willow’s main treehouse, he saw her first before she saw him. She was sitting on her front porch, elbows on knees, head in hands. Boy, could he relate.
“Willow,” he called softly as he landed on the wood deck.
She sat up, pushing her long, red hair away from her face. She wore a tank-top and jeans again and looked amazing. Yeah, he had it bad.
“You look … so beautiful.” He hadn’t meant to speak the words out loud, but that’s exactly what had flipped through his mind.
She stood up. “Thank you.” But her brow was furrowed and her eyes looked a little red-rimmed.
A strange sensation moved through him, and he acted on it. Stepping close, he took her in his arms and just like that she came to him and sank against his chest. “This has been too much.”
His heart squeezed up tight as he held her. “I couldn’t agree more.” It occurred to him that Willow might have learned the truth about herself as well. “When this realm-person came to see you, did she have other things to tell you as well?”
He felt Willow sigh heavily. “You mean, that I’m a blood rose?”
Somehow, it made it much easier to have their shared reality hit the air. “Yes, that bizarre thing that is affecting both of us.”
She drew back to look at him, but didn’t pull out of his arms. “You knew, didn’t you, after we’d made love?”
He nodded. “I suspected, because I had no more pain. It’s unbelievable.”
“I’m sorry, Malik. I had no idea. I would never have asked you over earlier if I’d understood what I was. This must feel like some kind of trap to you.”
“I suspect we’re both feeling trapped, but I certainly don’t blame you. Willow, please know that. If anything, it explains my drive toward you, why I couldn’t keep away, and why I would chase you to the entrance to your land every time. I was obsessed, but now it makes sense.”
