Burning Dawn (Angels of the Dark #3)(54)
Author: Gena Showalter

She was dying. She had to be dying.

Elin. Elin, sweetheart, you’re not dying. I need you to open your eyes.

No, the pain—

Is fading. I’ve left your mind.

Realizing he was correct, that the hammer had stopped pounding, she fluttered open her eyelids. Xerxes and Bjorn watched her with concern and curiosity—and now, Xerxes’s expression was heartbreakingly soft.

“Don’t ever do that again,” she spat, barely quelling the urge to slap him.

He sighed. “I give you my word. I will never again invade your thoughts without an invitation.”

“Good. Because I’ll be issuing an invitation in never!” She didn’t like his voice in her head. The words whispered through her, a wind she could feel in every cell. A foreign invasion. Unwelcome in every way.

“Very well,” he said. “But if ever you need me, simply think of me and project your words at the image. I will hear and I will find you.” He offered his hand, palm up. “Now, would you like to return to Arizona?”

“Without the Phoenix?”

“Without the Phoenix.”

“On my own?” she asked, just to be clear.

He nodded.

Her gaze swept through the suite, taking one last look at the luxury Thane enjoyed. Luxury she could have shared with him, if only his hatred hadn’t gotten in the way. Her heart hardened. “Yes. I’m ready.”

* * *

THANE DARTED THROUGH the evening sky at a furious, reckless pace. Wind slapped at him. His muscles burned. He welcomed the pain.

Elin was Phoenix. Half human, half soulless flame-eater. Sex with her could have enthralled him. Ruined him. He could have become mindless all over again.

Very few creatures possess the ability, and none who are weakened by human blood. You know this.

Didn’t matter. It wasn’t worth the risk. She affected him more than anyone else ever had, and had from minute one. She could be the exception.

Then why didn’t you taste a lie when she spoke about her husband?

Enough! He wanted to pluck out the rational part of his brain and watch it splatter on the surface of the earth. He didn’t like how out of control Elin made him feel—and hated that he actually yearned to spin out of control again. With her. Only with her. He didn’t want to remember that he’d felt only jealousy at her pointed mention of once sleeping with another man, followed closely by humiliation that he had once fallen prey to Kendra.

Elin knew his feelings about her race, and yet she still let him kiss her. Let him touch her. Bring her to climax twice—and even experience his own.

What, she was just supposed to confess and accept your rage as her due?

Another unwelcome observation. Another he ignored, plodding ahead with his ranting. She could have been planning to aid the Phoenix all along.

Please.

Why else would she refuse to give him the names of those who had hurt her? Because she hadn’t actually been hurt!

Or, because she despises the sight of blood, isn’t used to violence, and wanted to prevent more.

Thane rolled to the left to avoid hitting a flock of birds. What did he know about the girl, beyond any shadow of doubt?

She smelled of cherries. She tasted of them, too. She was soft to the touch and melted when he approached. Sometimes she looked at him with equal parts awe and apprehension. Sometimes she looked at him with insatiable hunger.

She had scars on her hands and back. Scars he should have kissed when he’d had the chance. She grew more beautiful every time he looked at her.

She had two different smiles. One she gave to the Downfall’s patrons. He’d been treated to it during his meeting with the Sent Ones. And then there was the one she’d given to him in the elevator. The first was sort of mechanical, definitely forced. The other was soft and sweet, loaded with promise.

What do you know about her, besides the physical?

She was a startling combination of attitude, kindness, and wit. Oh, was she amusing. Who else wanted to open a bakery when her culinary dishes tasted like cardboard—at best? Who else offered to go to first base so hard? Or teased him about playing games?

She’d missed Bellorie, a female who had caused her untold horror. She had found a demon’s screams too much to bear. She was merciful.

He remembered the hurt in her eyes after he’d pushed her off his lap. He remembered the way she’d bravely withstood his shouts of accusation, refusing to back down even though he could have ended her life with a flick of his wrist. She was sensitive, and she was brave.

She wasn’t going to survive with the Phoenix. Not this time. The warrior Orson—the one who’d had that twisted gleam in his eyes when he’d insisted the halfling be returned—wanted her for sinister purposes. He would break her.

He imagined Elin chained to the male’s bed. Her face battered and swollen, marked by tears. Her skin black-and-blue with bruises. He imagined her cries for help going unheeded—or worse, being met with laughter. He imagined her spirit broken, her sparkle forever extinguished.

The thoughts utterly shredded him.

He’d made a huge mistake, hadn’t he.

Elin wasn’t a weed. She was a rose. And one day, when he stood at the end of his life and looked back, he was going to regret his actions this day. More than anything else he’d ever done. He felt the knowledge in every cell in his body.

He didn’t bother slowing his momentum. He simply dived and twisted, heading back in the direction he’d come.

Keep Elin at the club, he projected to both Xerxes and Bjorn.

A tense pause razed his nerves. Then, I’m sorry, my friend, Xerxes said, but it’s too late for that.

Is she with the Phoenix? No. Please, no.

She isn’t. I dropped her off at her human home.

Thane’s fault. All his fault. She was alone, without any means of protection. But at least she wasn’t with the Phoenix. He was glad his friend had more sense than he. Where?

Xerxes rattled off the address. There’s something you should know.

More? Tell me.

You won’t like it.

He wouldn’t groan. Tell me anyway.

Very well. I…bonded with her. I can speak inside her mind, and she can speak into mine.

A violent wave of possessiveness surfaced, and he had to swallow a mouthful of threats. Only Thane should have the privilege. Even if he didn’t deserve it. Why?

I knew you’d want her back, and I wanted to keep a line of communication open.

Wise. But he should have been the one to do it. Foolish Thane. Thank you, my friend.

That’s not all. I saw into her memories, Thane. They’re bad. Really bad.