Page 73 of Taken By the Blood God

A few feet in front of me, Talant and Davian stood, side-by-side, their arms crossed over their chests. Though theylooked the same as I knew them now, I sensed that they were somehow…younger. The weight of their power wasn’t as heavy. Still, the sight of them together was intimidating. Probably because they both looked as serious as death.

“Will you choose one of us?” Davian asked, a scowl on his face.

I shook my head, watching as Davian turned to his brother.

“I told you we should decide between the two of us,” he hissed.

Talant scowled at him. “No. It’s Cassia’s decision. Not ours.”

“Clearly she isn’t willing to make the decision, brother.”

“I’m sure she isn’t since we’re both here, staring at her like we have every right to demand anything from her.”

I wanted to cover my ears as they bickered. The sound of their anger and frustration made my chest tight. Instead, I interrupted. “I won’t choose either of you,” I murmured, just loud enough for them to hear.

“What?” Talant asked, facing me.

As I studied him, I realized that he didn’t look the same. His eyes weren’t the warm amber I was used to. They were cold. Distant. As if he was completely removed from emotion.

I had to hold back a shudder at the icy weight of his gaze. “I won’t choose either of you,” I repeated, my voice stronger this time. “I care very deeply for both of you, but as I might care for a sibling. Not a lover.”

Davian’s scowl deepened as he stared at me. Without another word, he turned and stormed away, his anger hovering around him like a storm cloud.

It made me sad to see him leave, but I wouldn’t call him back. I knew to do so would give him false hope.

When I faced Talant, he was watching me, studying me. Then, he took a step toward me, holding out a hand.

“Cassia—"

I stepped away, lowering my eyes, and saw my reflection in the pool of water to my right. Long blonde hair was braided down my back and bright blue eyes met mine.

The dream dissolved as I woke with a start. My bedroom was still dark, swathed in shadows. I looked at the clock on the nightstand, the luminous dial showing that dawn would come soon.

Moving carefully, I slipped from beneath Talant’s arm and out of the bed. The morning air was chilly, so I grabbed my warmest robe from the hook in my bathroom and wrapped up.

The house was still and quiet as I crept downstairs and into the kitchen. I tried to shut out my thoughts and the dream as I put the kettle on the stove to boil. I focused on choosing dried herbs and flowers to add to my tea leaves. Lavender for calm, elderflower for protection and peace, and raspberries and hibiscus because it added sweetness. I placed everything in the tea ball as I warmed the tea pot and gathered everything on a small tray. I decided to sit outside and greet the day with the sun. The dream had left me unsettled and confused.

No, I wasn’t going to think about it yet. Once I had a cup of tea in my hand and my ass on a comfortable chair, I would let my thoughts go back to the dream.

After the tea brewed, I carried the tray outside to the back porch. I curled up on one of the couches, facing east, and picked up my cup. It was only then that I let my mind return to the dream and let myself feel the sadness and confusion that wanted to overwhelm me when I woke.

I sipped my tea and wondered if the dream was because of the story Talant told me the night before or if it was a memory. I would have to ask him if I would inherit some of Cassia’s memories along with her power. Because, if it was a memory, it would have been hers. They called me Cassia. And neither ofthem looked at me the way they did now. And I definitely didn’t look like myself in the reflection of the pond.

I drank down the pot of tea, watching as the sun lightened the sky.

When the pot was empty, I was calmer, but no closer to clarity. The sun was almost up, and I knew it wouldn’t be long before Talant woke up. When he did, we would talk.

With a sigh, I got to my feet and turned to gather the tray. As I straightened, I felt a shimmer of magic behind me. My shoulders tensed, and I reached for my power, ready to defend myself.

Before I could even turn my head, a strong arm hooked around my neck, yanking me backward, and a cloth was slapped down over my mouth and nose. A sharp chemical smell filled my nose and metallic bitterness bit into my tongue. My head swam as I tried to speak, to cast a spell, but the hand over my mouth was too tight. My jaw wouldn’t move. Darkness grew at the edges of my vision until it consumed me. I was falling, even as my body was lifted. Falling into a pit of black, a void that would devour me.

Chapter

Twenty-Nine

Talant

I awoke to an empty bed, reaching for Minerva. My heart raced and sweat broke out on my skin. She was in danger. I knew it. And she wasn’t here.

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