But maybe the choice had never been hers.
Chapter Nineteen
Energy spun through the room, and the inferno died abruptly. Nikki waited, half expecting another of Jasper's games. She refused to look up, refused to give him the satisfaction of her fear.
"Nikki, get up."
Michael's soft order seemed more a shout in the heavy silence. She glanced up quickly, elation, relief and fear tumbling through her.
He leaned against a wall near the doorway, his arms crossed, face impassive. Yet fury and death filled his eyes, and it chilled her soul. It wasn't only Jasper's death she saw in his eyes.
"Go,” he said softly, still not looking at her. “Get out and do not come back." She clung to the door frame and pulled her aching body upwards. The room spun, and she gasped softly, biting back the urge to be sick. She took a deep breath and forced herself to move, slowly edging towards Michael and safety.
Jasper's gaze burned through her soul, but he didn't move. Power whispered around her, a touch so different to the dark flames that had beaten at her only minutes before. Michael was holding Jasper still so she could escape.
She reached him and hesitated. His dark gaze met hers. For an instant the link flared to life, and their souls met in a dance that warmed her heart. Then regret flickered, and the link died, lost in a blaze of pain that made her eyes water.
She stared at him. Death rode his shoulders, and she didn't know what to say, what to do, to fight it. He reached out, gently touching her swollen cheek. She closed her eyes, leaning briefly into his touch. Lord, I love him. I don't want to lose him.
"How very touching,” Jasper commented dryly into the silence. “Be sure that I will take good care of her when you die, Kelly."
She ignored the mocking laughter that danced through her mind. “Michael—" He put a finger to her lips. “Leave us, Nikki. Don't come back, no matter what happens. Promise me." Her eyes widened in alarm. “No."
"Promise me. If you stay anywhere near, Jasper will attempt to kill you." And if I go, he will kill you. And she knew he would welcome that death. Because of her, because of her stupid fear...
"Michael. Don't—"
"Hush,” he said softly. “Promise me, Nikki."
Dread pounded erratically through her heart. She closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. “I promise. As long as you make me one."