Page 27 of White Charms and Dark Secrets

“Where were they keeping you? I went with Rhydian when he tried to ask about you, but they denied ever picking you up. I swear to god, I'm going to tear that stupid, blond detective limb from limb,’ he threatens, a rumble rising up from his chest.

“Stupid, blond detective?” I echo, before it hits me. “You spoke to Kier?”

“We spoke,” he grits out.

“He didn't know that I got picked up. Like I said, they thought I was this Gina person. If Kier knew, he'd have told you and gotten me out of there himself.” I lie back on the sofa and throw a pillow over my face.I'm too damned tired for this inquisition right now.

“When did he become Kier rather than Detective Huxley, and why do you sound so fond of him now? Weren't you just bitching the other week about how annoying you found him, following you around everywhere? He made you a suspect in a murder investigation!” he presses on.

“He kind of saved my life the other day,” I admit, keeping the pillow over my head in an attempt to avoid the blow-up I know is coming.If I don’t see his reaction, it’s not really happening, right? Like the whole tree falls down in a forest thing?

“He saved your life?” Darren asks, his voice sounding strangled. I wish I could just disappear into the sofa I’m lying on.

“I got attacked by a vampire after leaving your place the other night. He happened to be tracking the vampire, and he took care of it. He healed me, and then brought me home.”

I hear a crash, followed by something breaking, and I really hope it wasn't anything of Grandma's. Then the pillow is suddenly ripped away from me.

“Hey! Give it back!” I protest, reaching for it, the effort futile. I really can't be bothered to get up and take it back. I look at Darren as he stands over me, his muscled body trembling a little, and his eyes have shifted. I frown. He's having serious trouble controlling his inner animal lately.

“Why. Didn't. You. Tell. Me.” he grinds out. Each word sounds difficult for him to speak.

“It wasn't a big deal. I'm fine,” I lie.In truth, I'm not sleeping well, and I'm now fucking terrified of vampires, which is probably the opposite of fine.

“You're lying. Why are you lying, Kayla? Did he hurt you? Is that why you're acting so weird with me?” he asks.

Mortification rocks through me as I sit up to face him properly.

“He bit me. Kier healed me, and now I'm fine,” I answer. He looks at me with doubt in his eyes, and I want to scream. I stand up, getting even more angry as I do so, because of how exhausted I am. I push my hands against his chest, shoving him lightly to move him back from me and out of my personal space.

“I'm just tired, pissed off, and stressed out. I spent the last three days knocked unconscious after being zapped multiple times with electric magic, then locked up in the country's worst prison. So, would it be too much for me to ask if you could just fuck right off and let me sleep?” I snap, finally losing my shit.

“They locked you in The Tomb?” he laments, latching onto that one nugget of information, horror leeching across his face.

“Yes, they did. Right now, I am so fucking exhausted, Darren. Please just go away.” I cover my face with my hands and hunch over a little, taking deep breaths as I try to calm down. I can't seem to suck any air in though, no matter how many times I breathe in.

I feel like everything is closing in around me, the room feels so much smaller. Everything's too loud. From the cars driving down the street outside, to the ticking of the clock on the wall. I cover my ears as I continue gasping for breath.

Strong arms wrap around me, pulling me back down onto the sofa, and Darren tucks me up against his chest. I keep struggling for breath as he tries to soothe me by rubbing my back.

“Just breathe slowly, Kayla. In... and out. In... and out,” Darren whispers in my ear, his words in time with my deep breathing. “You’re safe now. You’re okay, and I’m here with you. Just relax and breathe slowly, focus on my voice.”

He continues to hold me close, running light hands over my back as I gradually calm down. I’m not sure how long we sit here, waiting for me to settle.

“I’m sorry I snapped at you,” I mumble, burying my head against his chest.

“It’s okay. I shouldn’t have kept badgering you. I’m just worried about you, Kayla. Things have been so crazy for you over the last month or so, and I only want to make sure you’re okay. But I was wrong to push so hard. You can tell me more if and when you’re ready and want to talk about it.” He doesn’t sound happy about the idea of me not confiding in him, but I know he’s telling the truth. He won’t push again. I relax even more against him.

“I just don’t want to think about it.” I hear the crack in my voice, and I hate it. It sounds broken, weak, and that’s not who I am. I want to shut everything off, forget it ever happened. Forgetanyof this craziness happened. Before I can do that, though, the repercussions of the most recent events need to be dealt with. Once I’ve had a chance to sleep, I’ll call Kier and sort it out with him. I don’t want to continue to worry over what trouble Elias and Markus may cause.

“What do you want to think about?” Darren prods gently, moving his hand from my back to play with my hair instead. I sigh, leaning into the touch, not able to stop myself right now. All I want is to lie in Darren’s arms and let the world melt away.

“I don’t know,” I reply.

“You’re lying again,” he counters, but there’s no bite in his accusation, only concern.

“I want to sleep,” I confess. I take a deep breath before adding, “But I don’t want to be alone.”

“I’ll stay if you want me too,” he offers quickly, and I cringe, my hands clenching as tension rolls back into my body.

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