And the horrible part? She wasn't invested, at least not emotionally, and the last thing I wanted was for her to pity me. The idea made me snort out loud, a human pitying an immortal. The idea was laughable, if it wasn't so damn tragic.
She'd want to make the pain go away…
When really I just wanted to start over.
Cassius wasn't at his usual spot, opting for a more public arena. I hadn't wanted to argue with him yet again over what his presence did to mere mortals. I'd simply sent him a text and agreed to meet in the U District for coffee.
Cassius hated coffee.
But he drank it because it made him feel normal.
I drank it because it took the edge off wanting to rip someone's throat out.
The car squealed into a nearby parking spot. I hit the alarm and made my way toward Starbucks.
People stared.
They couldn't help it.
Just like they couldn't help but ask for autographs, even though they had no idea who I was — just assumed, by my looks, that I was famous or about to be.
Years ago, it had been flattering — when I still possessed a heart and didn't think the world was going to come crashing down around me at any second. Years ago, I had been naïve.
No more.
Cassius was sitting outside, though it was drizzling. He was covered by the umbrella, sipping at his cappuccino and reading the freaking newspaper, like he didn't already know everything there was to know.
I dropped my keys onto the table loudly.
He didn't look up. "Got you a caramel-macchiato thing that tastes like hell. You're welcome."
Rolling my eyes, I took the cup into my hands and sat down, bringing the hot liquid to my mouth.
It was bitter.
It tasted nothing like her.
I couldn't even pretend that I was enjoying myself. Would nothing take the edge off?
"So…" Cassius set down the paper, and gazed at me from behind his sunglasses, which kept people from asking why the hell his eyes kept turning white. "That was clever of you."
"Vampires… we're known for it," I said in a dry tone, leaning back in my chair. "Besides, you owed me, and you know it."
"I saved your life." Cassius snorted. "I hardly think that puts me in your debt."
"You had no proof, no right, no—"
He held up his hand. "Enough. I don't wish to discuss the past."
He never did.
I cursed and took another sip of coffee. "What's done is done. Now we wait."
Cassius looked so out of place sitting in a small chair, appearing to fit in. His body was too large, his countenance too dangerous. He tilted his head as if listening to the wind. "Her scent is on you."
"Caught that, did you?"
"A hundred years."
"People really need to stop reminding me," I grumbled, no longer interested in my coffee or the conversation we were having. Why the hell I'd agreed to meet with someone I used to call brother was beyond me.
"You aren't as strong as I am, Ethan. You cannot hope to keep me from her, not when so much is at stake."
And there it was.
I hissed out a breath. "I'm afraid your hands are tied."
"Are they?"
I stood, placing my palms on the table, towering over everyone. "You'd repeat history for your own selfish reasons? Is that what this is? I'm trying to save lives, Cassius! This has nothing to do with her!"
"Which is why your eyes," he said calmly, "continue to go black, why your blood boils beneath the skin that covers it, why your heart is in perfect cadence with hers. Yes, I can hear it, even from this far away, though I can't directly find her. Know this… I will."
"Unless you get her alone, you have no chance." I sat, half-tempted to toss my coffee in his face and tear his throat out for good measure.
"She'll come to me of her own accord. When you fail — and fail you will — she'll come to me. They always do."
My body shuddered with the onslaught of past memories. "You brainwashed her."
"I offered her a solution."
"You gave her death."
"I didn't say it was a good solution." Cassius shrugged. "Remember this, I've been damned to earth to help your cause — to help the immortals and humans keep balance. When you fail, it's my head — not yours."
I rolled my eyes. "It's been over five-hundred years since we've had a visit from one of the archangels. I highly doubt they're going to do it now. There's nothing special about her." That was a lie.
"I smell your doubt, vampire." Cassius growled my name pushed back the chair and stood. "Have your fun, try to win her affection, but know in the end, it will be me who has to save everyone."
"Has anyone ever told you that you have a god-complex?"
"I come by that quite naturally, I assure you." He nodded and walked off, calling behind him, "Do your worst, Ethan, or maybe I should say… try your best?"