Darkblood Prison - G.K. DeRosa Page 0,73

you,” I finally managed. “You remember the bond, right?”

He nodded.

“Well, that was all there was between us.”

“I don’t know if that’s true. But in any case, when we spoke about it earlier, I meant to tell you: I am sorry.”

“Don’t be. Things with Talon and me were always complicated.” I darted ahead, eager to reach Logan’s office and put an end to this uncomfortable conversation.

After a quick knock on the dark mahogany, I grabbed the knob and swung the door open. Talon stood in front of Logan’s desk with Vessa hanging off his arm. Uncontrollable rage coursed through my insides, red-hot heat scorching my veins and blooming over my cheeks. Had he spent the night with her? A dark cloud settled over my irises as my eyes raked over the cute blonde. Was he in love with her?

“Azara!”

I tore my gaze away from the petite she-wolf, peeled back the dark curtain settling over my vision and shook out my head.

“Azara?” By the look on Logan’s face, he must have called out my name more than once.

“Huh?”

“What’s going on with you? Did you hear what I said?”

I focused my gaze on the silver-haired gargoyle leaning over the massive desk. “No, sorry. What’s up?”

Talon stepped forward, and I met his stormy eyes for the first time. “Dallas and Hayden need us.”

All the other BS melted away as I focused on his words. “What happened?”

Logan turned his computer screen toward us. “I just received word from Maxim. He wants to test out the new team so you guys are up. Dallas and Hayden are trapped in this building in New York City. It’s crawling with Underworlders. They managed to get the humans out unseen, but they’re surrounded.” He glanced up at me, his typical steely gaze absent. “I hate to ask you, Azara, but they’re going to need your special power.”

I nodded, my lips in a tight line. Vander was the only one who didn’t know about my warlock portal-opening abilities, but I trusted him. After two years of watching over me, there probably wasn’t much he didn’t know.

“All right then. Ella is on her way, catching a ride with one of my gargoyles. The three of you need to go now.”

Vander’s eyes lit up. “The director wants me too?”

“That’s what he said.”

I could almost feel the happiness radiating off the wolf beside me. Hmm… I wonder what his wolf looks like.

“Awesome, let’s do this.” A flash of citrine encircled his hazel irises, and a deep growl vibrated his throat.

“I hate it when you get pulled into missions like these.” Vessa clung onto Talon’s bicep like a leech. “You boys be careful.”

What was I, chopped liver?

She got onto her tiptoes and brushed her lips over Talon’s cheek. His eyes widened, and his typically olive skin tone turned fifty shades of scarlet. I dropped my gaze, focusing on the interesting pattern on the rug. Talon and I were friends. It was what we’d agreed upon, and it was what we both wanted. I repeated it over and over in my head until it stuck. Too bad my heart never got the message.

Vessa flung herself at her brother next, as big crocodile tears dribbled down her perfect cheekbones.

Talon appeared beside me, his eyes searching mine, but I kept them trained to the floor. I couldn’t handle whatever he was going to say, not when we were about to go on our first real mission. As if he’d read my thoughts, the furrow of his brow relaxed and he settled in next to me without a word.

“I’ll keep an eye on Vessa,” said Logan when she finally released her brother. “I’ll make sure she doesn’t wander around any further than the second level.”

“Thanks, Logan.”

The warden pressed the com on the back of his ear, and Actaeon appeared in the doorway. “Please escort Vessa back to her quarters on the third floor.”

“Of course.”

I couldn’t help but smile as the big dragon tugged the little she-wolf away, a big pout puckering her pink lips. I waggled my fingers at her as the door slammed shut. Whatever she and Talon had, they’d never have this.

As soon as they were gone, Logan motioned for me then turned to Vander. “Given your previous assignment, I’m assuming you know about this.” He pointed at the faintly glowing mark on my arm.

“I do.”

“There’s probably something you don’t know,” I added. “And I need to ask that you promise to keep it a secret as Talon already has.”

The brothers exchanged a veiled look.

Logan continued,