a life after destiny. One he might explore and share with her. She would no longer have powers like he did, but she’d still have that beautiful mind, that fighting spirit that called to him.
“I’ll do it.”
22
The voice in Claire’s head screamed in protest as Dru left to collect the necessary items to complete the ritual. She addressed those thoughts, countering with rational explanations of why this would be the best choice. She’d no longer be able to control men with her presence, but who cared? She finally had the opportunity to connect with people. The sexiest man she’d ever encountered could be her friend. Another thing she’d never had in her life. The dark fires burning in his eyes when he’d said it suggested there might be more than that.
And she’d have her family. She’d be able to discover who’d called her home. She’d find the place she’d always longed for. And better yet, she wouldn’t be able to destroy it with her cursed power.
Dru returned a moment later carrying the long case he’d had with him at the airport. He laid the scarred, black leather case on the bed and opened it. An intricately carved, long sword lay gleaming against red satin, quiet in its repose, but lethal nonetheless. A reverence fell over her as she recognized and paid homage to the power the weapon wielded alone, without the warrior holding it. “It’s beautiful.”
Dru lifted it from the case, sending a sick aversion through her. She blinked and tried to calm her stomach. Instead, her heart raced as moisture coated her skin, leaving her cold and clammy.
He drew his brows together. “Are you okay?”
She wiped a hand across her damp face. “I don’t know. I was. It’s that…” She blinked again and tried to keep her gaze focused.
“Let’s get this done, then. You’ll feel better afterwards.”
She nodded, glad she hadn’t eaten anything that morning.
“Hold out your hand and repeat after me.”
Her fingers shook as she lifted them, and she wasn’t sure she could hold that stance for long.
“I wash all power from my soul. Accept its vital gift no more.” His voice boomed with authority. “The fire pumping through my veins will cease upon this very day.”
She repeated his words as her heartbeat thundered in a deafening roar.
“With the blood from my body…”
“With the blood from my body,” she whispered, her limbs growing weak.
“I pledge this covenant to Drustan Geddes and vow to never break it.”
“I pledge this covenant to Drustan Geddes and vow to never break it.”
She flinched as he lifted the virulent sword and sliced into his palm. Crimson blood surfaced, repulsion rolling through her like a frigid wave. Violent shivers claimed her as he placed the bloody blade on her hand and drew it across her skin. The sounded of her cry echoed endlessly in her head, an inferno erupting in her soul.
Through blurred vision, she watched as he clasped her hand with his and held her. Her very essence faded from her, and she could do nothing to prevent the feeling of slipping away.
He’d killed her.
Dru panicked at the sight of Claire lying pale against the vivid red covering on the bed. Remnants of her blood sizzled on his hand as he placed fingers against her neck, feeling for any sign of life.
It never occurred to him that Gwen might have given him a spell that would take Claire’s life. She wanted her dead after all.
But she hadn’t. A slight pulse tickled his fingers, and he quickly scooped up Claire’s frigid form, leaving behind the carnage of the past two days, and carried her upstairs to his bed.
She sighed as he jerked back the covers and carefully set her down before pulling the luxurious, down-filled comforter over her. The healthy, vibrant tone of her skin had paled. When he touched her cheek, she was colder than he and his fellow soldiers had been during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. Her breath barely moved the black covering up and down.
Helpless frustration pounded at his conscience until it felt like a bleeding, bruised mass inside his head. He shouldn’t care. He didn’t have a conscience. He’d neutralized his target. That’s all that should matter.
Still, he couldn’t leave her lying there wondering if she’d ever wake. He climbed in beside her, pulling her limp, lifeless body against him. He wrapped his arms and thighs around her softness, praying some of his warmth would seep into her and restore her energy. He knew she wasn’t his to keep,