Elias had been living with Jonas in New York for the last six months. Long enough to know half of the vampire population respected and emulated the former prince, while the other half failed to fall into line, choosing instead to embrace their predatory nature. This vampire obviously fell into the latter category.
“Five…four…three…”
Elias trailed off when Roksana’s attacker cursed and vanished into the shadows.
He couldn’t stop himself from waiting, holding his breath to see if she’d take advantage of his back being turned. He was almost disappointed when she didn’t. Bracing himself, Elias slowly turned to face the slayer, finding her immobile with shock.
Thirst for her blood—only hers—rocked him, but he used every ounce of strength to block it. God, he hadn’t seen her up close since the night she let him out of prison. In his pitiful, weakened state, his eyesight must have lacked the precision it did now. With the moonlight shining on her face, he could count every fleck of black around her irises. Could get lost in the indentations on her lower lip where she’d clearly been chewing. The subtle jut of her nipples might have gone undetected by a human man, but he witnessed the gradual swell and his cock followed suit, swiftly and relentlessly.
One taste. I would do anything for one taste of her.
Roksana blinked up at Elias and raised her stake in an unsteady hand, shifting her stance side to side, and he forced himself to ignore the stir of arousal in his belly. The poor girl. Her heart was going a thousand miles an hour. Didn’t she know he’d walk into the sun to take back the hurt he’d inflicted? Did she really think he’d inflict more?
“I didn’t need you to do that,” she said in a rush. “W-why did you do that?”
I’m drawn to you. I ache to be near you. Protecting you drives me.
The truth wasn’t an option. Roksana hated him. Admitting how deep his feelings ran would only repel her. Moreover, she might suspect he remembered that night in Vegas. Before the massacre. Before he’d lost his humanity. And if he admitted to remembering that night, he’d have to tell her the truth about who made him a vampire. About the deal he’d cut with Inessa to train her slayers, in exchange for her life that fateful night. The knowledge could endanger her—and he would never put her in harm’s way. His only wish left in this life was keeping her safe.
Lastly, he remembered how she’d spoken of her mother in the slayer prison.
The great Queen of Shadows is my mother. I train under her watch and for that, I am fortunate. She has honor and patience, something you’ll never understand. She’s given me the gift of vengeance and it is what pulled me from the hole you dropped me into, monster.
Elias knew what it was like to lose the last person on earth that meant a damn to you. He didn’t even realize how much he considered Jaxson a brother until he’d aimed his gun, did his job like a well-oiled machine and kept moving, even while his past seemed to be evaporating, like it never existed at all. No way would he cause Roksana that kind of pain. If she believed her mother to be some benevolent saint, that’s how it would stay. He’d never divest her of that notion and take away the remainder of who she loved.
Not when he’d allowed so many to be eliminated already.
“I asked you a question, vampire. Why did you help me?” Understanding seemed to dawn on her face. “I set you free from prison. Telling your buddy to vamoose is your way of returning the favor, da?”
Elias scoffed. “You think I put that much thought into it?” He shook his head. “The man I work for doesn’t want blood spilled on his turf. I’m doing my job. Nothing more, nothing less.”
Her posture deflated momentarily before she built herself back up. “Well, I guess it’s a good thing vampires don’t bleed.” She rocked back into a battle stance, twirling her stake once between her fingers. “I’ve been hunting you for months and tonight you’ll finally die by my hand.”
He pretended not to hear the wobble in her voice on that final word.
I’m sorry.
I’m sorry I couldn’t save them.
I’m sorry I drove you to this violent life so unsuited to your bright spirit.
Elias could say none of those things out loud. But in the spirit of keeping Roksana alive, he could use her hatred of him. Use it to make her tough. Use it to disguise his true feelings.
“Will a fight between us even be worth my time?” He rubbed at the scar bisecting his lip. “That vampire was making enough noise to wake the dead—and I should know, right? Meanwhile, you were daydreaming.”