Page 74 of To Crave Darkly
Where had that question come from? “What do you mean?”
“I’ve seen the way he looks at you when he thinks no one is watching.”
Oh. Embarrassment flared to life in my chest and I looked away.
“Look, I don’t know exactly what is going on between the two of you and I know it’s not my place to pry, but Jasper is my friend and I just want to look out for him.”
Alec seemed to genuinely care, and it made me think that perhaps he wasn’t as much of a jerk as he portrayed. That somewhere deep down, likereallydeep down, there was a kindness in him.
Trust goes both ways. Maybe I should allow myself a small truth with Alec. Perhaps I would learn something in return. I bit the bullet and took a chance.
“To be honest with you, I don’t knowwhatis going on. He seems so conflicted. He will pull me in so far and then just push me away again. He’s said he wants to make me his but won’t tell me that means.”
“Shit. It’s worse than I thought.”
“What is?”
Alec turned away muttering under his breath. Panic fled through me at his words. He needed to explain what he meant, and he needed to do it now.
“What do you mean, Alec? Tell me.”
He ran his hand through his hair in frustration. When he turned back to face me his mouth was set into a grim line, like the words he was about to impart would be distasteful. “I’ve known Jasper for a long time and in all that time, I have ever known him to want one thing. The True Death.”
My stomach plummeted. I hoped that didn’t mean what I think it did.
“The True Death?”
“It’s when a vampire petitions the council to end their life. It’s forbidden for vampires to take their own lives. They have to have the request sanctioned by the Circle and they rarely grant it. Jasper had been granted it as a reward for bringing you in.”
Oh, God. No wonder he wouldn’t take a chance. He didn’t think he would be alive much longer. “But why would anyone want that?”
Alec gave a short, mocking laugh. “You’re so naïve, Lori. It’s almost adorable. Vampires live a long time. They don’t die naturally and can go on living for centuries. De Santis himself is well over a millennium in years.”
Jesus, no wonder the guy was stuck in his ways. They must have been ingrained in him for centuries. “But I don’t understand why Jasper would want this?”
Alec sighed deeply, clearly hesitant as to how much of Jasper’s story he should tell me. I placed my hand on Alec’s arm and looked up to him pleadingly. “Tell me, Alec, please.”
He stared at me for a long moment, indecision filling his eyes before he gave me a short, resolute nod. “Jasper has been an assassin all his life. He was raised as one from a young age and it was also the reason he was turned. He’s only ever known death and I think deep down it’s all he thinks he deserves.”
Sorrow lanced through me. Oh, Jasper. “But that’s not true. He deserves more than that.”
“I know. And I have tried for years to persuade him otherwise, but he never listens. But he might listen to you.”
“Thank you for telling me Alec, it means-” A loud wail sounded through the night and stopped my words. “What’s that?”
Alec’s body sprang into action. “Come on. That’s the town’s security alarm. We’re under attack.”
I ran after him towards the sound and tried to push the panic and fear out of my mind.
He was here.
Lucifer had come for me.
Chapter 29
LORI
The alarm sounded through the town. Its high pitch blare cut through the night like nails on a chalkboard. They were here. They’d come for me.
