Page 26 of Darkness Rising
“Yeah, calm down, Cupcake. In case you weren’t listening, your girlfriend wants to get herself killed.” Cameron stands slowly. Grass clings to his dark jeans.
“Actually, I listen to everything my girlfriend says.” Nollix passes a taunting look my way and I cock a brow at his ridiculous claim on me. “I apparently, just don’t listen nearly as fucking intently as you have been.” His attention narrows on Cameron as he folds his arms across his wide chest. It’s a stance of pure dominance.“Violence wants to murder her father.” He pauses as if the statement isn’t as crazy as it sounds. “I agree. We definitely should. I already know Jeriko would approve of death. Link,” his attention swings to his friend who’s sleeping soundly, “Link would do anything to keep Violence safe. And she’s not safe. She especially won’t be safe once you steal that little family heirloom you’re after. So,” his glare is hard as it pins Cameron in his place, “if you want us to help you get that book, you’ll help us first.”
The air crackles with a daring electric current. Nollix is testing Cameron. It doesn’t take a genius to figure that out. Nollix isn’t as deadly as Jeriko, but he does love confrontation just as much.
There’s no sympathy in Jeriko. Nollix is half demon and somehow he’s more human than Jeriko.
“Fine. But if she dies, I want you to remember whose idea this was.”
My eyes narrow on the Warlock.
“It wasmyidea,” I say with clipped words.
Let’s give credit where credit is due.
I’m sure they’ll carve that into my gravestone if Cameron is right.
Chapter Fifteen
Place of Peace
Cameron paces the rest of the morning. He looks like he’s five seconds away from a nervous break down.
Link sits lazily at my side. The memory of his lips against mine flutters through me every time our shoulders so much as touch.
And to my surprise, Jeriko and Nollix are arguing.
“I’m not going on a fucking death mission because you want to bury your cock in Princess Shitstorm over there.”
My brows lower as a scowl curls my lips.Link’s attention is pinned on Jeriko. His pretty irises gleam with hate. The sharp lines of his jaw are set tight.
My fingers push over the back of his hand. His smooth skin is warm against mine. The small touch deters his hard gaze. It softens his features. For several seconds he just stares at my hand against his.
“That’s not what this is about. He’s a madman. He’s going to kill her and then he’s going to kill us for being guilty by association.”Aggression shakes through Nollix’s voice. I feel his anger ripping through my chest.
“Speak for yourself. I’m not at all associated with her. I wasn’t seen in his chambers like Cameron was. As of now, I’m not chasing after her. I know what loyalty means, and I’m not loyal to a woman.” He says the word ‘woman’ as if I’m an entirely different species. He says it like I’m a disgusting little thing he can’t even imagine being near.
It makes my blood boil.
Leaves start to swirl at my feet as I keep my eyes locked on Jeriko.
With the turn of the heavy winds, Nollix halts his argument. His gaze swings to me as if he can feel every part of me.
“Calm down, Vi.” Nollix’s wild eyes are fuming just like mine are. Our magic mingles between us. It’s a current of power. Mine pushes to gain momentum and his caresses to slow me down.
I can feel it deep down inside of me. When they accepted me into the Wild Hunt, I never realized a bond was created. In a way, it’s the only thing that made me feel alive over the last few years.
Link leans into me, brushing his palm across the scar along my knuckles just as I had done to him.
I’m too much like my father. Too powerful. Too reckless. Too dangerous. The difference is I hate him enough to know I never want to become him.
“Just breathe, Vi.” Link’s voice is low and comforting. His warm breath fans against my jaw.
My eyes close slowly and I inhale deeply through my nose.
“Bitch isn’t even stable enough to kill the King. So if your reasoning is right, we’re dead either way.” Jeriko’s harsh words snap my eyes open in an instant.
I hate that he’s right. I also hate that I love the swarming magic that’s ripping through my chest. It’s a shaking feeling that pumps through my blood.
