I step closer to Lucius. He doesn't move. "Why did you let me close? If you knew Xavier was involved, if he sent me, why did you keep me here?" And not just keep me close. Fuck me, hurt me in a way we both like. Show me a world I came to love.
He turns slightly towards me. "Some risks are worth it."
My head tilts back to keep my eyes on his as I move closer. "Are they?"
"I've lived a long time, Selene. I know when someone's worth it." He extends a finger, traces a strand of my hair that's fallen loose from my tight ponytail. His smile is so sad it hurts my heart. He does something I'd never expect. Not in a thousand years.
He turns his back.
The stake is somehow in my fingers.
I come forward. It's now or never. I could kill him. That's why he left his crypt open. He's letting me.
I toss the stake onto the floor by his feet. It lands with a clatter.
Lucius raises his head.
"I can't do it," I say, voice echoing a little in this stone tomb. "I won't. I wouldn't be here except…. Xavier said you killed my family, my pack. But then I met you and… I don't know what to believe any more…" I wait but he stays silent. "I guess you didn't kill them."
"Do you want me to deny it again?"
"No," I say, decided. "You didn't kill them. You've killed before but not like that. Not a massacre."
"You think better of me than anyone else, pet."
"It's not like you. Maybe before, a thousand years ago. But not now."
"I'm glad you think me so civilized." Light glints off his fangs, but he's not smiling.
"I've killed before. Xavier trained me. He found vampires for me to kill, and I staked them to practice for you. He told me they deserved to die." I trusted Xavier, but what if those vampires were innocent victims like my pack? "So I'm a killer, too." I swallow, working saliva into my dry mouth. Lucius still hasn't moved. "What do we do now?"
His cheek curves. "It's up to you, pet. What do you want to do?"
"I think... it's time say goodbye."
He breaks his stillness, twisting around. His face is composed, regal, but his eyes are sad. "A vampire and a shifter. Is it such an impossible thing?"
My eyes drop to the stake. "Yes. Xavier won't be happy about what I've done."
"I'll handle Xavier."
I swipe a hand over my brow, drop it to my throat. My skin feels clammy. "He chose me because I looked like Georgianna."
"Yes."
"He's been planning this awhile." I gnaw my lip. "When I leave here, I'll have to go on the run."
He shifts his weight. "What makes you think I'll let you go?" Red light gleams in his eyes.
"You told me you would. You said the ones you love always leave you."
"They always die."
"I'm not going to die. Not for awhile. I can run." I suck in a breath, feeling dizzy. There's not enough air in this crypt. "I can't stay here. Vampires and shifters don't belong together."
He gazes at me, face limned half in light, half in darkness.
Answer me, I want to shake him.
"You're right. A vampire in love with a shifter. It's an impossible thing."
"I ... I just wanted you to know.
"Go. with my blessing."
I jerk my chin up and take a step. Like a klutz, I misstep and stagger off the platform. In an instant, Lucius is at my side, a big, dark monolith of support. His scent washes over me.
"Selene--"
"No--" I pull away. I'm not as strong as I act. If he touches me, I'll crumble. "I'm fine." I'm not fine. My stomach roils,
My vision blurs, the world narrowing to the light at the end of the tunnel. I've got to get out of here before I do something weak, like burst into tears or vomit.
My legs wobble as I head for the exit, but I make it.
"Selene," Lucius calls after me. "Where will you go?"
I don't turn around. "Return to my pack's territory. See what happened to them."
"Take the blood. You might need it."
"Lucius--"
"Take it," he orders harshly, before continuing in a more normal voice. "And a car. My last gift to you."
I wait but he doesn't say anything else.
I want to tell him everything he means to me. Instead, I rally my weak limbs, my stomach still roiling.
He doesn't turn around or watch me go.
Fifteen minutes later, the night air hits my face as I stagger out the door. I make it to the side of the Lamborghini before leaning over to vomit on the pavement.
Several security guards pop up to watch.
"You okay?" One of the guards asks.
I wave my hand. "Too much to drink tonight." That's not it. The only thing I drank was what Xavier gave me. I must have caught a bug.
He fetches me a pack of wipes and bottle of water, points out the plastic bag stored in the glove compartment. I lean on the door, heaving air into my aching lungs. Would suck to throw up in such a nice car. But I've got to get out of here.
The sickness lessens long enough for me to throw my stuff in the back.
I've got the blood. I don't know why, but it seemed too good to waste. It can help me fight. If Xavier comes after me, I might need it.
The further I drive, the weaker I feel. I must have eaten something weird. If breaking up is making me physically ill, I'm a sentimental fool. It's not like we were together that long. I didn't expect it to last, did I?
I drive faster, my vision blurring. The sun's coming up.