blue water with the soft rays of light caressing my skin. And then the tingling began like a tiny spark between us. That tiny spark became a silver thread shimmering in a million shades as it wrapped around us and drew us closer. In that instant I knew I had found the one to complete me. But I also knew Thrain's fear was justified. The others had been oblivious to it, but I could feel the darkness around that bond, feeding from it, trying to draw us into a direction that would decide over our future. I doubted I could change that direction, but I vowed to myself I would rethink every step twice before making a decision.
I snuggled against him and let my thoughts draw me in. Thrain must've misinterpreted my sudden silence though because he leaned back and pulled me closer, mumbling something like, "We can take it slowly if you want."
"I'd like that." The steady beat of his heart and the silence of the night drew me to a place of love and comfort. Eventually, I closed my eyes and gave in to the need to sleep, and for the first time in weeks that unnerving darkness didn't descend upon me.
***
I didn't know how long I had been sleeping when the noise of cawing woke me up. I sat up groggily and squinted against the unnatural brightness of the ceiling light, wishing I could tell whoever was causing this much noise to shut up and let me catch some more snooze. My hair caught in something. "Ouch," I yelled out.
"Stand still," Thrain said. I stopped stirring as I watched him from the corner of my eye as he unwrapped a strand of hair from around the button of his shirt, then smiled. "Sorry."
"Thanks." I got up and peered out the window at the darkness stretching over the woods and mountains in the distance. My gaze searched the unnerving bird and found it perched on the windowsill. It was staring at Thrain as though unsure whether to trust his intentions.
"That bird's been watching me for hours," Thrain said, coming up behind me and grabbing me in a tight hug. My hands brushed his naked arms, soaking up the warmth of his skin. Not for the first time I wondered whether his unnatural heat was a demon thing.
"It's been following me for weeks," I said.
"A stalking bird?" Thrain laughed softly. "Now that's the kind of stalking I like."
My heart almost stopped at the thought of him with another woman. "Been stalked by many?"
"I was just kidding."
"Right." I nodded, feeling silly for my sudden outburst of jealousy. It wasn't like me. I wasn't usually the possessive type.
"What do you think it wants?" Thrain asked.
I shrugged. "My first guess was to warn me, but I'm not so sure now. It seems to know me."
"Maybe you should talk to it."
Admittedly, that thought didn't cross my mind. Talking to demons and vampires and what else not was one thing, but to a bird? I smirked. Wasn't happening. Once I started communicating with a crow, I knew my sanity was probably going down the gutter. Maybe one day I'd pluck up the courage and make a fool of myself, but not yet. There were more pressing issues to take care of.
"Is Cass back?" I asked. "She owes me a one-on-one."
"She's in the living room," Thrain said, so I got up, prepared to leave. He grabbed my hand and pulled me down on his lap, his hot breath brushing my cheek. "Hey, haven't you forgotten something?"
A kiss. Grinning, I gave in wholeheartedly, then pulled out of his embrace and left, wishing there would be many more to come. Soon but not soon enough.
Cass was already waiting for me in the living room. The others were gathered around her, Amber sitting on one side, Clare on the other. Aidan stood by the window, his gaze scanning the darkness. He was expecting someone or something. I would've liked to ask but I bit my tongue to keep quiet. Prying wasn't attractive—it was one of the few virtues my mother had tried to teach me. Unfortunately, this one was the hardest to follow because it completely defied my personality.
"Look who's decided to join us?" In spite of the glow on her face, Cass seemed bothered.
I sat down on the couch farthest from her. "Any news?"
"Me?" She shook her head, her red mane brushed the collar of her baggy top that accompanied her baggy jeans. "Nope, mate. You?"
"Don't think