Page 21 of Blood Taken (Blood Mafia 2)
I run my hand over a few of the throwing knives, testing their weight. The first is too heavy, probably meant for a man. The second and third feel better, but not quite right. Then I spot them. The fourth pair. Their simple design mirrors the others, except for one key factor. Where the others are marked with a small oval symbol, these have a G etched into them. I'm not sure who they belonged to, probably a Georgeanne or Georgina, but when I pick them up, I know this is the set for me.
I ignore the small voice in the back of my mind telling me the only reason I like them is because they remind me of Grayson.
I shove all thoughts of the handsome vampire and his lessons aside and get in line. It's much shorter now, only five people stand between me and a much-needed release. They take longer than I appreciate with their turns. I keep my mouth firmly closed because I want Mack to help me. Grayson started the lessons and while it feels almost like I'm cheating on him by letting Mack teach me, I resolve to learn as much as I can before I leave.
I decided to leave the moment Gerry started asking me about my sexual proclivities. He's a grade-A asshole and I'm not about to make my home here with that sort of treatment, even if it means leaving the only people in the world who are like me. The only people who can help me learn about my powers.
I've started the clock on my time here, and they won't see my desire to leave until it's too late and I'm gone with the wind.
"I see you've found a set," Mack says when I reach the front of the line.
Holding up the shining metal weapons, I raise an eyebrow. "Tell me what to do."
He smirks. "Eager students always make the best pupils. Okay, here's what you do."
Chapter Six
Colt
Lacey's frown is telling and I don't wait for her to break the news. "You can't find her."
She flicks her gaze to me, clutching her mug in both hands and frowning down at her spread of witchy items. Demi's brush is in the ring of crystals, flowers, and daggers. There's a small cluster of bones tossed on the floor. I guess Lacey has a temper.
"No," she grumbles the word. "There's only one reason I can't locate her and penetrate through the magic."
She leaves us hanging on the answer.
Mateo growls. "And that is?" he manages to ask calmly.
Paling at his anger, she closes her eyes. "Blood magic."
"Are you sure?" Grayson asks.
Lacey fluffs her bangs with her fingers and pushes her glasses up her nose. "Yes, I'm sure. The only way a witch can hide anything from this particular spell—a spell purposefully crafted to break through any concealments—is with blood magic."
Mateo leaves the room, body shaking as he slams through the screen door and roars into the night.
Grayson blinks at Lacey. She blinks back, reading whatever it is he's communicating to her.
"I'm sorry," she whispers. "You know I'd do anything for you, but I won't do that."
Isn't that a song?
The errant thought reminds me of Demi, and I get mad all over again. I don't blame her for stabbing me. I can even understand why. Still, I am pissed at her because we were sharing something amazing, I wanted her so desperately I let her get the better of me.
That won't happen again.
You said that last time.
The voice in my head is an unwelcome reminder of a past long forgotten. I rub a finger over the scar which breaks apart my eyebrow, recalling the mad look in Ronnette's eyes. I remember the pain of being human with a fragile heart. I recall the horror of waking in the hospital with twenty stitches on my neck and four on my face.
Over the years, I've realized she had demons, not the real kind, emotional ones. I never figured out who broke her, but Ronnette only meant to protect herself from my love.
I forgave her long ago. I don't excuse her actions, but the anger I felt at her attack burned within me for so long, I turned into a shell of a man. If Mateo hadn't found and sired me, I'd be dead from my own self-destructive behavior.
Where Ronnette's attack was to kill, Demi's wasn't. She had a small window of time to kill me for good. She didn't. She merely wanted out, as she professed all along, and used an opportunity. It was smart and cunning. Brutally desperate.
I understand her motives.
