Page 136 of The Firebrand
Elisabeta gimlet-eyed her brother before she opened the refrigerator. “Sit.” She motioned toward a stool while she withdrew a bottle of deep red liquid. Rein bit his lower lip, tracking the fluid as she poured it into a glass, clinking it onto the counter in front of him.
“Drink up.”
Rein counted to ten to prove he was in charge, a boulder-size lump in his throat. He grasped the glass with trembling hands, brought it to his lips, and drank. He resisted downing the contents in one gulp. After he finished, he slammed the empty down, asking for another.
Elisabeta poured two more glasses. Once he could hold his hand out straight, steady, Rein stood up. “I’m going to shower off the muck. Don’t let me keep you from doing whatever it is you were doing.”
“No worry. I won’t.”
He stumbled into the bathroom, removing his weapons and placing them on the counter with care. He tore off his blood-soaked clothes and tossed them into the trash. Then he turned on the hot faucet, waiting until the enclosure fogged with steam. Stepping in, he let the blistering water sluice down his back while he watched blood circle the drain. He lathered soap onto his skin. Taking a stiff brush, he scrubbed until wounds reopened. He scrubbed still more, striving to get clean. When his flesh was red and raw, he leaned against the shower stall, his chin dropped on his chest, his knees buckling.
I have nothing left. Braelyn slipped through my fingers because I can’t control myself. Well, fuck me.
After five minutes, he lifted his head, changing the temp from hot to cold.
Dressed in fresh clothes he had stashed in a guestroom closet, Rein came out, water still dripping from his hair. His temples throbbed. His stomach did high-wire acrobatics, and his muscles snapped like rubber bands. But,hey, his control was returning.
“Any whiskey?” he asked.
Elisabeta, leaning against the armrest of the couch with her legs stretched out, nodded, pointing to a cabinet.
Rein extracted a bottle and poured a drink. He clenched his fist around the tumbler as he sat at the other end of the sofa, pushing Elisabeta’s legs off.
Out of the corner of her eye, she studied his movements while he took long, slow sips, leaning back to relax despite an annoying tic in his cheek.
“You might offer someone else a drink, you know.”
“Sorry. I was concentrating on my fucking pain. Get it yourself.”
“Thank you, brother. You’re so kind.” She poured herself a tall glass. Pointing to the bottle, she indicated a refill for Rein.
“Sure, why not.”
He sighed as he scrutinized Elisabeta. Why did he hold her at arm’s length? She had nothing to do with his Awakening or its haunting memories. Once, he had acted like a big brother, teaching her to climb trees, use blades, conjure wildings, and cuss. When she had nightmares, she had slept on the floor by his bed. Then he left home. Not only had he deserted Alarik, but he had also left Elisabeta.
“I’m sorry, sis.”
“Whatever for?”
“Leaving you alone.”
She nodded, wiped mist from her eyes, and took a gulp. “What’s with the new look?”
“You’re going to love this. I’m bonding with my human. The Bludhunt called, and it’s pissed.” He raised his glass in a toast.
Elisabeta, repeating his gesture while squinting at him, sipped. Silence passed between them. “As much as it pains me to say this about the little Earther, and as much as I would like to wrap my hands around her scrawny neck and squeeze, why not just bond with her if it will ease your fucking pain? You’ve had the hots for her ever since you tried to stick your big banana in her at your house that morning.”
“Before that. But I’m not bonding with anyone, sis. Mating is for fucking idiots. You don’t actually think I’m going to go around with some female’s apron strings tied to my nuts.”
“We don’t all wear aprons anymore. From what I can see, Braelyn’s already got your balls in a knot. Give up.”
“Not my style.”
“I’m not saying I like her. Damn, I don’t even know her, but I know you. If you want her, she must be a hell of a female. And, if she is, you’d be a fucking idiot, as you say, to let her go. You’re no idiot. So, what’s the real reason?”
He tossed back the contents of—how many drinks had he had?Who cares.Rein poured another. “I’ll kill her.”
Elisabeta lowered her eyes. “Possible.” She swallowed another sip of whiskey. “Dominant vampires have killed weaker mates. And she is weak.”
