but then, that was just because I was a non-practicing Hindu and not a Catholic. I’d lived too long to take hopeful words at face value and long stopped caring about divine judgment on my immortal soul.
A small, beaten up, clunking car pulled up. I straightened up, narrowing my eyes on the heat signature I could see through the window. The man was running hot. It was like a beacon of warmth in an already warm evening, even after all those bodies had passed by me. He ran hotter than a werewolf.
I saw him get out of the car, and my mouth went dry as my fangs began to ache. Ten years down the line and Raphael had only grown into his looks. He sported a five o’clock shadow I wanted to touch, not caring if the stubble was itchy or ticklish. His eyes were bright medium brown, both warm and distant as he looked around the parking lot, too sad for his own good. His dark brown hair was thick but cut short. The only thing that even remotely marred his handsome face were two scars, one on his lip, the other on his cheek. And his body?
Women probably tried to plaster themselves onto that man’s body like wet towels. He might have been wearing a long sleeve black shirt in summer, which was wild, but it did nothing to cover up how well proportioned and built he was.
And my fangs ached, sending me past physically curious and attracted into blinding fear, then a deep-seated anger bubbled up in my chest. I had to force my fangs to keep from dropping and becoming visible if I tried to talk.
Of all the people, of all the times, it had to be now. It just had to be right now. I was wrong about my lucky streak. This is a fucking nightmare.
He walked closer and frowned at me.
“Ma’am, are you okay?” he asked softly. His voice was rugged and weary. He seemed so tired.
“Are you Raphael Dominic Alvarez?” I asked, finding my voice as I realized there was no turning back now.
He took a step back from me, looking around the parking lot and church, probably thinking others were hiding in the bushes. He was really paranoid.
“I’m alone,” I said quickly. I tried to bury my feelings. There was no time for them. I had to act fast. “There’s no one else. I’m not lying to you.”
“Who are you, and how did you find me?” he demanded, fear and anger edging into his voice.
“My name is Kaliya Sahni, and I’m trying to save your life.” A new objective, a new reason to be involved, and as much as I hated it, I had to care now. “Mygi is coming after you, and they’re close. They hired a group who won’t fail like the last ones did.”
He was breathing harder now.
“How long do I have?” he asked, swallowing.
“They start hunting at sundown. Maybe we should go back to your place and talk. Better yet, come with me, and they won’t be able to find you.”
He shook his head slowly and backed away from me. I stood up quickly. He could not get away now. I couldn’t let him walk away and leave me there.
“Raphael, please, you have to listen to me.”
“I need to go pack. I never want to see you again. I never want to hear that name again. Do you understand me?” He was practically growling at the end. I licked my lips and tasted the air, but only picked up his scent, human and vulnerable.
Unacceptable.
“It’s too late for that,” I said quickly. “It’s way too late for both of us. You need to come with me. At least give me a chance to explain. Take me back to your place, and I’ll explain everything, okay? That’s all I’m asking. You can leave with or without me after that. If you want to run on your own, you can, but let me explain some things before you make that call.”
I was desperate. If he could give me just the trip back to his place, it didn’t matter what his decision was in the end. I would get my way. I had to. There were no options, my fangs an aching reminder that I couldn’t let him go now.
“Fuck you. I don’t need to take you anywhere.” Rage was the only thing I saw on his face now. I knew he was angry at being found again, probably because he couldn’t