Page 173 of Dark Fate

Fuck.

I lean against the wall, legs unsteady. I can’t keep this from him forever, but the thought of revealing my connection with Lucian sends anxiety through my stomach. How will Rhyland react? Angry? Jealous?

Danica

79

With a growl that's more about haste than anger, I manage a quick rinse and drag myself out of the shower. Really, what's my game plan here? How did Lucian morph into a player in this Xavier-esque mind powwow? It’s not our usual routine—just Rhyland and me. Something’s off.

Could the new stone amplify my mental connections, casting a wider net to ensnare the thoughts of vampires near and far? Honestly, I’m clueless—a novice at a summit of sages. Whatever’s happening, it feels like a jigsaw puzzle with pieces that don’t fit, a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma, and it’s gnawing at my patience.

Storming out, towel-clad, I hotfoot it after him. Planting my hands on my hips, I snap, feigning ignorance. "Come clean about what?"

Why am I dancing around the truth instead of laying it out?

He stares at me, ignoring my question.

Frustrated, I slap my hands on my thighs and whirl around, ready to bolt and throw on some clothes.

With vampire swiftness, Rhyland closes the distance in a heartbeat. He grabs my hair, spins me, and tugs just enough to lock my gaze with his.

"I want the fucking truth. Do you hear me?" Rhyland’s eyes blaze with rage. "Where did your mind wander off to? I could sense your confusion—your fear." Rhyland growls.

My body stiffens, but I stay cool despite my pounding heart. "I…" Damn it, why is this so difficult? Just spit it out, Dani! "I don’t know," I say, trying to sound casual, but the effort flops.

Rhyland's eyes narrow, sensing my fear despite my flimsy act. He knows me too well. Nothing gets past him.

"Don't lie to me, Dani. I can smell a lie on you. Now spill it; who were you talking to when I was," he grabs my pussy, "feeling you here?" His tone is menacing, and jealousy sparks in his eyes.

He’s nailed the one thing that bugs me—spinning tall tales. And here I am, tangoing with untruths. But can I spill the beans? Is this dance all to shield Lucian?

"It was nothing, I promise! Just a random brainwave hit me out of nowhere." A half-truth—my words tumble out, a silent plea for him to let it go. But Rhyland, being the shrewd Viking vamp he is, isn’t buying what I’m selling.

DAMN IT! What’s tying my tongue in knots?

"Don’t fuck with me, Dani," Rhyland growls, leaning in close enough that I can feel his breath hot on my face. "I know when something’s off with you, so don’t try and feed me any lies. Tell me the goddamn truth right now, or I’ll get it out of you myself."

I inhale a lungful of resolve, weighing my next move. Confession might win me some mercy points, or I could keep up the charade and pray Rhyland’s detective skills fail. With a resigned exhale, I settle for the truth.

"It was Lucian," I concede, staring at the wall as if it were the most fascinating sight. "Somehow, his thoughts and voice just... popped into my head. He was watching us, jealous—or so I gathered—before I shut that door in his mental face. I swear, it wasn’t me inviting him."

The silence that follows feels like walking a plank blindfolded. I shuffle awkwardly under his looming presence until he breaks the quiet.

"Fuck, I knew it!" Rhyland explodes, letting go and storming across the room.

My eyebrow arches and my arms wrap around my chest. He's so ticked he's practically drilling a path into the ground. "You knew what, exactly?" I toss back, frustrated.

"Nothing," he dismisses me, raking a hand through his locks.

This is where I draw the line. He can't just unload this and zip it like it's top secret. If I’m expected to lay it all on the table, he better be ready to join the sharing circle.

"So you're pissed because Lucian chatted telepathically with me—as if I dialed him into my headspace on purpose?" I cry out, my patience frayed.

"Yes," he bites out.

My mouth hangs open. "Seriously? Look, it's not like I summoned him to—"

In a flash, Rhyland's right in my face again. "You should've told me immediately, Dani," he growls. "Why am I always pulling info out of you? What Lucian did is screwed up, and you're covering for him?"

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