They Rise at Dusk (Book #1) ✔️

Chapter 45: Almost

I thought things would be easier once I came clean.

Instead, tension doubled in the town car on the drive back to Manhattan.

Once I've told the truth, everyone else has, too. Dorian showed some of his cards as well, and I didn't enjoy the taste his truth created on my tongue.

Jax was right; he was engaged to my sister, he wanted that Council seat, he wanted the throne. And I had no idea how far he'd go to get it.

On a more personal note – have I regressed back to a fifteen-year-old the moment Dorian showed some affection towards me? Was I that easily manipulated?

"You're not happy." Dorian said, his head leaned against the seat, eyelids half-closed.

"Life got a little too complicated for my taste." I said, not knowing how else to put it.

Being his enemy was easy. Straightforward. It required little to no reconsideration or second-guessing. Being his friend was much more convoluted.

"Can we deal with it tomorrow?" He asked, making me meet his gaze. "Please? Can we have one night of rest?"

I nodded, "I think we deserved it."

"After ten years, I think so too."

Everything I've been ignoring for the past few hours settled between us in the car, taking up all space and sucking out all air. I needed to address it. I had to.

"Dorian, last night-" I took in a deep breath, waiting for him to interrupt me, but he did no such thing. "I said some things last night. I'm not even sure what I said-"

"I said some things, too." He held my gaze, the dark blue in his eyes smooth and watery; tired. "But we were high. If you don't want it to count, it doesn't count."

The car stopped in front of his house, startling me.

"I-" I searched for my things, but everything was in my pockets. "I can just continue to Brooklyn, if that's okay. Or I can call a cab. I'll call a cab-"

"Stay." He grabbed my hand.

I swallowed my heartbeat, "You- you said someone will pick me up, to take me to my father. I-"

"Go tomorrow." Dorian stared at me, his hand sliding into mine, his thumb brushing the back. "Stay tonight."

The fifteen-year-old me screamed internally at the thought, her heart pounding like a war-drum in her chest, every inch of her body wanting to accept the invitation.

The twenty-five-year-old was quiet. For once, she shut the hell up.

"Alright." I nodded. "But I'm going to meet my family today. I'll come back after to- to check on Lucia."

Dorian smiled, "Okay."

He let my hand go and opened the door, giving me a second to gather my thoughts. I had practically told him I used to love him last night, and now he was inviting me to spend the night. In his room. In his bed.

I'd agree to it.

I was going to spend the night in Dorian's bed.

I exited the car, my mind dizzy with thoughts and ideas, and my legs ready to follow him wherever he wanted to go. Dorian stopped in front of the door and spread out his hand, blocking my path.

I looked up, trying to meet his gaze, but his expression was serious. His nose wrinkled.

"Something is wrong."

Panic consumed me from the inside out.

I tried to push past him, "Lucia is inside."

"Stop." He grabbed my arm and sniffed the air, "It's blood."