Page 146 of Protected in Darkness
Surely the male wasn’t that dense. “I don’t know, Taayin. Maybe because you disappeared. Abandoned her.”
The realization flittered across the male’s face. “What’s his motive?”
Obsidian leaned back against one of the many machines. “No idea, but I’m certain he was the one to kill the females at the hotel. Sounds like he was stalking the place.”
“Never thought his selection was a coincidence,” Taayin mused. “But I figured it had to do with Penelope. What does he want with Asmia?”
Good question. Unfortunately, Obsidian had no fucking idea. “No telling with Perfidious. But I doubt he’s out to hurt her. If he was, he would’ve done so at the club.”
He’d evidently had the opportunity despite the fact she’d been surrounded by angels.
Taayin’s gaze dropped to the floor. “Every time I’ve been with her since … she’s been fantasizing it was him.”
If there was any bright side at all, Obsidian figured it was good they’d caught it early. As it was, it had only been a full twenty-four hours since they’d ventured to the club. Not that he wanted to know how many times Taayin and Asmia had been intimate during that time.
“Not because she wanted to,” Obsidian reminded him. “That’s not her fault.”
“Doesn’t make it any easier to handle.”
No, Obsidian doubted it did.
“She’s not myamsouelot, but… sometimes it feels like she is. Or at least she should be.”
For as long as he could remember, Taayin had been eager to be mated. Then, when Asmia had joined thefiestreigh, it was almost as though he had been, the two growing closer with every passing day.
“Have you ever thought maybe it doesn’t matter?” He watched Taayin. “So what if the Fates didn’t proclaim she’s the one your soul’s seeking. Doesn’t mean you don’t love her. Doesn’t mean you’re not meant to be with her.”
Evidently his response was not what Taayin expected, because the male stared up at him, eyes wide, mouth hanging open.
“What?” he asked. “If you’re walking through this life worried that the female you love isn’t the one you’re meant to be with, how the fuck do you enjoy the time you have with her?”
“So what am I supposed to do? Pretend she is?”
“For fuck’s sake, Taayin. You’re supposed to feel. Whatever that may be. Just fucking feel. I wish I could make it easy for you, but I can’t. No one can.”
As with any who’d been through this, Obsidian didn’t know how to fix their problems. Even if he could, it wasn’t his place to interfere. However, this was a distraction they didn’t need. For all they knew, Perfidious could be up to one of his games again, playing them all by diverting their attention.
Before either of them could say anything more, Obsidian felt Penelope’s pull from across the mansion.
“I have to go.”
Not bothering to waste time walking, he vanished his form, reappearing in the kitchen to find Penelope groaning, slumped over the counter.
“Ayreme?”
Penelope’s pained gaze lifted, met his. “Please … Obsidian.”
The others were sitting at the island, wide-eyed as they tried to figure out what to do to help her.
If they’d been alone, Obsidian would have eased her right then and there. Since they weren’t, he did the only thing he could think of. Lifting her into his arms, he held her close to his chest, then disappeared them both, materializing in their bedroom.
Penelope gasped when they returned to their physical form. It hadn’t even dawned on him that the move would be taxing on her body. While teleporting was a nifty trick, it wasn’t easy to do and for someone who’d never experienced it, it could be painful.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered, setting her on her feet.
She moaned softly, her eyes closing. He could feel her need. It had intensified, more so than he’d expected so soon after he’d first fed from her. Obsidian had thought for sure they’d have a few weeks’ reprieve, a couple of months if they were really lucky. That didn’t seem to be the case. In fact, he’d go so far as to say it was more powerful now than before.
“Get them off me,” she urged, tugging at her clothing.
