The Dark City Chronicles ⁓ Book Three
The apocalypse looms ever closer! Steamy romance, heart-stopping action, seductive vampires, magic that defies nature, sprinkles of dark-humor, and, as always, the everlasting bonds of friendship.
Hannah's strug...
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The kitchen was quiet—not because it wasn't occupied. As Reid approached, gazes turned to him, and the conversation being held ceased.
He stood at the door's threshold, and Kenneth came to stand beside him. A large square window had been left with its drapery pulled back. Moonlight glinted against the glossy pine cabinetry.
Gianna stood with her back to them, washing dishes in a basin sink. The ceiling fan over the counter island rustled her black dress with white flowering.
Sitting at the large wooden table were two vampires he'd never met. A man with dark blonde hair intensely scrutinized the playing cards before him as if they held a secret he wanted to unravel. Beside him was a woman with curly black hair and dark eyes, leaning her head against the man's shoulder.
Kiernan sat at the head of the table, resting his cheek against a palm. His dark eyes flickered to the doorway. Reid, for a foolish moment, wanted to stand straighter to appear more put together.
"I'd begun to fear you'd die in that room," Kiernan said dryly.
"After everything?" Reid returned and smiled. Kiernan may wear a bored expression, but Reid could feel relief and affection sparking through their bond. "Dying in bed is lame."
Kiernan snorted, and because he was scary, he said grimly, "There are worse ways to die." His fingers grazed the cards that he'd set face down when Reid had made his entrance. Kiernan had obviously been winning whatever game they'd been playing because he had the biggest pile of candy-significantly. It was impressive, actually. Everyone else had tiny amounts.
They were playing for candy. Vampires. The silliness lightened his mood and made his cheeks tingle with a wide smile.
Then, Reid's expression fell, and any lax of his sour mood was gone as he took in another occupant at the table. Lucas had an arm draped across the curved top of the empty chair beside him. His posture was relaxed, but Reid could hear the man's rapid heartbeat.
Lucas hadn't looked at him once, gaze fixed on the pile of cards in the middle of the table.
He tried to mentally will Lucas to look his way. The whispers helped, singing their dark song for Lucas to submit. Reid didn't use those exact words, but agreed with their sentiment.
His mental attack didn't work. He might have mind powers, but only if someone met his eyes, and he had to focus on taking control.
He saw the bruising on Lucas's face, and his guilt was suffocating.
Kenneth's fingers gently grazed his back. Reid leaned closer to the man's side and felt comforted in his presence. Even if they didn't have their bond anymore, he knew Kenneth could see how miserable he felt.
Gianna turned off the tap and snatched a hanging dish towel from the nearby oven door to dry her hands. She turned around, smiling. "Hungry?"
