Page 79 of Night's Fall
There was a sunken living room to my right, which led to a low ledge that rose about three feet, giving way to all windows.Ithad a splendorous view of the city ofNocturn, theDolphinSeaand the various off-coast islands connected by old-world, still maintained, rarely used (except for cyclists, walkers and runners), pretty bridges.
And last, a direct view toSceptredIslefeaturing the prominent, illuminated, graceful fortress of theCelestialPalace.
To my left was a kitchen with what seemed like miles of glossy black cupboards and monochrome countertops.
Everything, as far asIcould tell, was decorated in black, grays, matte silver and polished chrome with accents of amethyst.
This was allItook in beforeAlekseiwas back, stunning me immobile again because he was in a long-sleeved dark-grayT-shirt that hugged his pecs and biceps, faded jeans, andSky-Trekrunning shoes.
Not once, in all my life, hadIseen him in casual gear, and as noted,Ipaid attention to him.
He stopped four feet in front of me, like he didn’t trust himself to get any closer, andIsaw immediately his temper had not cooled even a little bit, even if his eyes were now dark as night.
“Now…explain,” he bit off.
“E-explain what?”
“Explain…”
He drew a sharp breath into his nose.
“Explain…”Hetried again.
And failed again.
“Explain…what the fuck…”—his torso spiked toward me—“you were thinking, putting yourself in the path of aPR60!”
APR60?
What on earth was that?
“I think maybe we both need to take a brea—”Ibegan to suggest.
“Answer me,” he gritted.
“Perhaps—”
“Fucking answer me!” he roared.
Oh no.
No, no, no, no…
NO!
I lived with thisshitmy whole fuckinglifebeforeIleft my parents’ home.
I would not have my mate speak to me this way.
No.
Fucking.
Way.
“Calm down,”Isnapped.
“I’ll calm down when you answer my fucking question,” he fired back.
