Page 17 of The Second Sight
“That is true. You are not one of my kind. I’ve existed for a very long time,” I said carefully. “I’ve encountered many supernatural beings in my centuries alive.”
“Centuries.” She was watching me closely now, her analytical mind pushing through the alcohol and adrenaline.
I could almost see her filing away my reactions to her reactions. Kasi was intelligent and observant. Dangerous qualities in someone who now knew what I was.
“Come home with me,” I said suddenly, surprising myself as much as her. “Come right now. I have books, artifacts, things that could help you understand what you are.”
Her eyebrows shot up in disbelief. “You want me to go to your home? Alone? With a vampire I just caught drinking someone’s blood? Are you insane?”
“Perhaps,” I admitted with a small smile. “But I’m also the only one who can answer the questions you must have. About what you are. About your dreams.” I paused, watching her face. “About your mother, perhaps?”
I’d struck a nerve. Interesting.
Before she could respond, a shrill electronic noise cut through our conversation. Her phone, vibrating in her purse. She flinched at the sound, her hand automatically moving to retrieve it.
I caught her wrist in a lightning-fast movement. “Don’t answer it.”
“It’s Brooklyn,” she said desperately, glancing at the screen. “My friend from inside the club. She’s probably worried about me. I disappeared from the bathroom a long time ago. We were leaving. She’s probably looking for me.”
I considered for a moment, weighing my options. I could force her to come with me now, but that would mean either killing her friend or kidnapping them. Both options would bring a police presence to the club and likely turn Kasi against me. Or I could let her return to her friend, and risk her telling someone what she’d seen, and what I was.
“We can go back inside,” I said finally, releasing her wrist. “If you agree to meet me tomorrow.”
“Where?” she asked immediately, relief evident in her voice.
“The Black Rose Café. Near the university. Eight o’clock.”
She nodded quickly, too quickly. “Fine. Yes. I’ll be there. Can we go back now? Please?”
I searched her face, looking for signs of deception. She was afraid, yes, but there was also a spark of genuine curiosity behind her eyes. Despite her fear, part of her wanted answers. She wanted to know what she was.
“Very well,” I agreed, stepping back to give her space. “But first, you should know what these are.” I reached into my pocket and produced her golden glasses, which I’d taken while she was distracted.
Her hand reached for them automatically, but I held them just out of reach. “They chose you, Kasi. They wouldn’t work for a human. Remember that when you start doubting what I’ve told you.”
I handed her the glasses, watching as she carefully folded them and placed them in her purse. Her movements were cautious, like she was handling something both precious and hazardous.
We walked together toward the end of the alley, the club entrance visible just down the block. Music spilled out each time the door opened, along with laughing, oblivious humans enjoying their night out, unaware of the predators that walked among them.
Just before we reached the sidewalk, I gripped her elbow, pulling her close to my side. I leaned down, my lips brushing the shell of her ear as I whispered my final warning.
“If you breathe a word of our conversation to Brooklyn or anyone else, I will hurt her. Do you understand?” I kept my voice soft, almost tender, which made the threat even more chilling. “With your name, I can find out where you live, Kasinda Bacchar.” I felt her stiffen beside me. “I can find everyone you care about. Remember that.”
Chapter
Seven
KASI
Seven’s fingers dug into my upper arm as he steered me back toward the club entrance, his grip firm enough to bruise but careful not to break skin. My legs felt disconnected from my body, moving forward only because he propelled me. My mind was still reeling from everything I’d just learned. Vampire. He mentioned my mother, but I knew she wasn’t a vampire.Was she?The pieces refused to fit together in my alcohol-fogged brain.
“Not the main entrance,” he murmured, changing our direction abruptly. “The staff door.”
He guided me toward a nondescript metal door a few feet away from the main entrance. It opened when he pulled the handle. It wasn’t locked? A narrow corridor stretched before us, poorly lit and smelling of industrial cleaner. My heels clicked against the concrete floor. The sound echoed off the walls.
Seven leaned down, his lips almost brushing my ear. His breath felt unnaturally cold against my skin, raising goosebumps down my neck.
“If you breathe a word of what you saw to anyone, especially your friend, I’ll hurt Brooklyn.” His voice was soft, almosttender, which somehow made the threat more terrifying. “She won’t see me coming. She won’t even have time to scream.”
