stealth but making up for it with speed. It swiped some seeds from the bird feeder and disappeared across the lawn with several birds chirping harshly at its retreating form. The sense of calm I got just from watching the activity of nature out my door was instant. I took a deep breath before turning back to Arys.
“What information does Shya want from Bianca?”
“He’s looking for something. He thinks the FPA knows where it is. That’s all I know. I didn’t ask a lot of questions. He didn’t volunteer a lot of answers.”
That triggered a memory of Lilah not so long ago searching Veryl’s office for a mystery item. Now, I was intrigued. If it was something everyone wanted, there had to be a good reason. My gaze darted to the laptop on the table. Veryl’s files might shed some light on this mystery.
“You should know better,” I scolded. “You could be helping him get his hands on something he should never have.”
“Honestly, as long as it doesn’t affect us, I don’t give a damn what Shya does.”
I grumbled obscenities under my breath. With coffee in hand, I sat down in front of the laptop and turned it on. I could feel Arys watching me.
“Always on the hunt for answers,” he observed. “You’re going to drive yourself crazy.”
“Already halfway there,” I tossed back. “Every time I find answers, I only end up with more questions. I can’t stop looking. I’m sick of being in the dark. Especially now that I know my parents worked for the FPA.”
Arys’s noise of surprise gave me some satisfaction… Until he followed it up with a snotty remark.
“That explains so much, although it doesn’t explain why the hell you would willingly walk back into that building if you knew that. You’re reckless, Alexa. I get that. I grudgingly accept it. But, when did you become such a fool?”
“Did you just call me stupid?” I spun in my chair to face him, a growl rumbling in my throat.
A smirk curved his lips. “I did no such thing. Are you looking for a fight, my love? You know I’m always happy to comply.”
“I noticed.” With a scowl, I turned back to the laptop. I was touchy and temperamental. I was mad at him for making a deal with Shya, certain it would come back to haunt us.
“Are you really that pissed off at me? I only want to protect you.” His tone was serious; all sense of playfulness had vanished.
“I feel betrayed,” I confessed. “You warned me about Shya. You gave me shit for accepting the Dragon Claw from him. Now, you’re making deals with him. It’s shady. It makes me ill.”
The silence hung heavy and long. I stared at my laptop. I was afraid to see what expression he wore. The truth was I felt insecure. I’d already lost Shaz. Kale had gone from forbidden lover to murderous enemy. Arys was mine in the deepest sense, yet the promise of trial and conflict between twin flames had me worried. We weren’t meant to live happily ever after.
There was a squeak as Arys slid off the island stool. He joined me at the table, dragging a chair close to mine. “What is it you’re not saying?”
“I miss Shaz like crazy.” I sighed; those words carried a heavy weight. “I watched us fall apart, and I was helpless to stop it. I can’t go through that again. Not with you.”
“That will never happen,” he insisted, but I could see the doubt in his eyes. He knew as well as I did that being bound to one another didn’t guarantee us anything. Arys was quiet, thoughtful. After a minute he added, “Shaz misses you like crazy too, you know.”
I stiffened. The files momentarily forgotten, I turned to him in shock. “Has he been in touch with you?”
Arys froze. If the vampire could have paled, he would have. Realizing the error of his words, he shook his head and swore.
“He’s called a few times.” The admittance fell from his lips like acid. It burned. “He needed to know you were ok.”
“Then why didn’t he call me?” It stung that Shaz would stay in touch with the man he could barely stand but not with me. “And, why the hell didn’t you tell me?”
Arys reached to take my hand, but I stood up and walked away from the table. I felt betrayed by both of them. How many other things were the two of them hiding from me? Maybe I was