He turned over his shoulder and saw Zari and the baby vampire talking in low whispers, their heads bent. His lips tightened. He was not the kind of man to stand by and just watch his pet, his woman – and Zari was his, will always be his – be seduced by another man.
But this was different.
She had been different, ever since she stepped out of the door, white-faced and unwilling to talk to him. Katarina had managed a smile for him, but her eyes were glassy. He had seen that look on her once, and it was the day before she had left him. She was hiding something from him again, and he had a feeling it was a secret she shared with Zari.
“Talk to me.” He sat on the edge of the tub, washing Zari’s back.
His pet only shook her head.
“Don’t make me force it out of you.”
“I’ll hate you forever if you do.” She looked up at him, and he was stunned to see in her eyes that she did mean it.
But he saw something else, too.
Guilt.
And that was when he realized the demon already had its claws in its next victim.
Someone tapped him on the shoulder.
“Hunter.” His voice was chilly as he acknowledged Katarina even before turning to look at her.
Katarina winced. “Ouch.”
He knew it was an attempt to regain their old camaraderie, but it didn’t work.
Her smile faded.
Once, such a sight would have been heartbreaking. He could remember the days when just the thought – the memory – of it would have made his chest tighten. And that had been as recent as a month ago, Alexandru thought. But now it did nothing to him. Now, he knew that he had changed as well. Now, he realized that for so long a time, he had clung to the memories – even when the love had faded – out of pride.
He no longer loved her.
Katarina.
He could say it freely now, and it did not hurt.
Alexandru turned to her, blindly, his chest heavy with regret.
Their eyes met, and a stricken look crossed her face. No. She walked past him, nearly running.
He went after her.
She deserved that from him now at least.
Katarina, wait.
Don’t call me that. Her voice was a sob in his mind, and Alexandru’s fists clenched. Even though she no longer had a claim to his heart, it did not erase the fact that she had been a large part of his life. He didn’t like seeing her hurt, would never stand by if he ever saw her in pain.
Katarina—-
I said, don’t call me that. Call me a hunter, call me a bitch – call me anything but that if you can’t say it like you used to.
They were in the woods now, the same woods that he had torn past in order to reach his pet when she had been trapped in her nightmares. It was one of the greatest hazards of being a soul seer. Visions lent more power to nightmares, turning them into murderous weapons.
Ahead of him, Katarina stumbled.
He was by her side in a second, knowing that a skilled huntress like her would only lose her footing like that for one of two reasons. She was dying…or she had her heart cut off, the way she had cut off his when she had left.
Slowly, he helped her up. Katarina, I’m sorry.
She closed her eyes tight. I don’t want to hear you say it.
I no longer have to.
She released a strangled sob. How can you be so sure you won’t love me again?
I know—-
But you haven’t given me a chance—-
I know. He spoke with both certainty and remorse because he did not want to give her any false hope.
Did you ever love me, Alexandru? She was crying now, beating his chest. I feel like such a fool. You didn’t really love me, did you? You only told yourself you did because you needed me while you haven’t met her yet – your heartkeeper—-
She sagged against his chest, her tears soaking his shirt.
Perhaps I did need someone to save me from myself all those years, but do you not realize? It could have been anyone else, but my heart chose you.
Katarina released a keening cry at his words.
So, yes, if you need to hear it, I loved you. With every thought, every beat of my heart, I loved you—-
Katarina sank to her knees, and he followed her, cupping her face so she would see in his eyes that he spoke the truth.
I love you, too, Alexandru. I never stopped, so how can you stop—-
“Because you left me.” This time, he spoke the words out loud, not to hurt but to have her hear the truth and make her realize just how big the hole she had left in his life – the hole he had been unable to fill until his pet stumbled into his life, a half-naked slave who ended up stealing the heart of her owner.