Blood Ties (Blood Lust Sequel)--COMPLETED

Chapter Thirty-Three: Perfect

I felt my jaw drop after Duke finished speaking. It was a lot to take in, and at first, I wasn't sure which warranted the most attention.

 Finally, I sucked in a breath, and asked, "how did you find out about the prophecy? Not even Gabriel knew about it, at least consciously."

Duke sighed. "I heard it in Nero's head, after Havoc had beaten him." 

I thought about asking him why it took so long for him to glean that information from Nero's mind, when Duke answered my musings.

"He had been actively guarding his thoughts from me." He shrugged. "And when he was weakened by Havoc, his mental guard fell, and all of his thoughts flooded my senses."

"Wait, people can guard their thoughts from you?" I asked, intrigued.

Duke nodded. "With enough practice, sure. But it would take a lot of focus, and vigilance."

That was a handy bit of knowledge to have. I decided to tuck that into the back of my mind, and instead concentrate on the other matters at hand...like Aiden and his not so dead ex. 

"We need to tell Aiden the truth." 

One of the great things about talking to a telepath was how easily he could keep up with the shifts in my thought patterns. Though that did little to motivate him.

"Audrey, I," Duke stopped, seemingly lost for words. "I don't know if I could do that to him. Do you know how much the truth will hurt him?'

"So you would rather he be wrapped up in that bitch's charms?" I shot back, incredulous. "I know you love him. I do, too."

Duke sat up straighter when I said that. 

"But sometimes loving someone means hurting them." Even as I said it, I wasn't sure if it made sense. "Like pulling out a splinter. You know it needs to be done, and that it's going to hurt, but how else will that wound heal? How else is Aiden going to heal if you don't hurt him?"  

Duke looked totally stunned, blindsided by my words, which is hard to do to someone with his ability. Finally, he stood to come around to my side of the table, and put both hands on my shoulders. 

"For one so young, you are very wise." He smiled down at me, kind and warm. "Fine, I will tell him the truth. But we should find you an escort first." 

I started to protest, until I remembered that the AOD were hosting the ball. 

"I could keep an eye on her." 

Both Duke and I turned to see Linc approaching us, looking very dapper in a sleek, black tux. "Read my mind, tell me if I'd let anything happen to her." 

Duke was quiet for a moment, then exhaled audibly. "You may escort Audrey. For now." Then he turned his sights back on me to think, I'll find you as soon as I finish with Aiden. 

Can Linc really be trusted? I thought back, shooting him a glance.

He loves you. Duke mentally replied, surprising me. He won't let anything happen to you...even if he is ordered to do otherwise.

Duke's sudden candor left me reeling. 

Linc loved me? 

Linc?

The guy who bossed me around and slut-shamed me at every given opportunity? That Linc?

I couldn't quite wrap my head around it, but didn't have time to question Duke. He needed to find Aiden, and I wasn't about to hold him up any longer than necessary. So instead, I gave him a small nod, signaling him to go find our friend.