Blood Before Sunrise

“Calm yourself,” Raif said in a soft, even tone. “Think, Tyler. Consider where you’ve just been. What you’ve seen. You’d know there’s something wrong with your instincts if you’d settle down long enough to examine how you feel.”

“He’s right, Ty.” Probably not the best idea to take Raif’s side. But my only other option was to let Tyler rip him to shreds. I stepped between them, pushing Raif behind me. “Look at me, Ty. You can see the truth right here. Just. Look. At. Me.”

He always had a way of making the world melt away. And as his gaze locked with mine, there was nothing but him, me, and this moment. By small degrees, the spark of rage left his hazel eyes, and his expression softened. The bones in his jaw creaked as he unclenched his teeth, and as I brought my arms to his wide, strong shoulders, they relaxed as well, no longer tensed and ready for a fight.

“I have to leave,” he whispered, his body trembling from the immense self-control he exerted. “I’ll kill him if I don’t.”

The last thing I wanted was for Tyler to leave, but I knew he couldn’t stay here. “Go.” I began to shake from my own suppressed emotion. “Be safe.”

He pulled me into his arms and kissed me, a slow, deep, urgent demand that I answered and then some. When he pulled away, I was breathless, on the verge of tears, aching to the point where I wanted to scream in hopes of releasing the pressure. “I love you.” He kissed me again, a kiss good-bye, and turned on his heel. “Darian.” His voice became strained again. Not a good sign. “I need for you to wish me out of here. I-I can’t leave you here with him. My brain is screaming for me to stay. All I sense is danger, as if I leave I’ll lose you-forever. Get me the hell out of here before I do something I’ll regret.”

Where? I wondered. Who could help Tyler? Keep him safe? I stepped behind him, wrapped my arms around his waist, and laid my cheek against his back. “I love you,” I murmured. “Tyler, I wish you were at The Pit with Levi for the rest of the night.”

“I’ll see you soon,” Tyler said.

I closed my eyes and filled my lungs with his scent. A wave of energy pulsed around me, and I stumbled forward, my once-full arms slack and holding on to nothing but air. My eyes met Raif’s, his cold determination echoing mine. “I’m going to kill her, Raif.”

“Tread lightly, Darian.” I envied Raif’s unflappable attitude. “First things first. Tell me everything.”

This was going to be a long night.

The next morning, I walked through Ty’s door to the delicious aroma of pancakes and bacon. Tyler stood at the stove, a wan smile on his face. My heart lurched in my chest, tearing a little at the sight of him.

“How was your night?” Tyler did nothing to mask his accusatory tone as he flipped a huckleberry pancake onto a stack and handed me a plate.

I shrugged. “How was yours?”

“Not bad.” His hazel gaze locked with mine, as if he were trying to see into my soul. “It actually took the edge off, hanging with Levi. Worked better than I expected. Don’t think that just because I feel better, you’re off the hook, though. As soon as I’ve got your stomach full and your guard down, you’re going to tell me everything that’s been going on, starting with why you agreed to turn thief for this Fallon.”

He grabbed a plate for himself and joined me at the bar, scooting his stool close enough to mine that our bodies touched. I tried to stop my hand from shaking as I raised my fork to my mouth. Eating was the last thing on my mind. I wanted to throw up. “Was Levi able to help you find a way to resist Moira’s influence?” Maybe if I kept him distracted long enough, he wouldn’t press me about what had happened the night before.

“Hmm.” Tyler shoved a forkful of pancake into his mouth and chewed thoughtfully. “Honestly, Darian, I don’t think it’s her doing it. I can’t explain it, but I feel like someone wants me to believe it’s her. I’ll know more later. But until I can look into it and talk to my contact, I don’t want to jump to any conclusions. I’m checking Fallon out, too. I don’t think that’s even his real name. I can’t find anything about him-not even from the Northeast Division’s personnel records. Someone should have picked up on this. And I suppose it goes without saying that you need to stay the hell away from him. I don’t care what sort of deal he’s trying to make with you. I’m going to handle this situation with Delilah and Raif’s daughter from here on out.”

Apparently Tyler wasn’t messing around anymore either. Last night had been the last straw for both of us. “Ty, I know you’re worried, but this situation isn’t yours to handle. I can take care of this on my own. I’m not dragging you into it.”

Tyler threw his fork down on his plate. I flinched as he turned in his seat to face me and shouted, “Why do you insist on taking on the world by yourself?”

“Because that’s all I know, Tyler!” I hadn’t meant to shout back, but I couldn’t contain my emotions any longer. “Don’t you think if I could change that about myself, I would? I’ve had no one to rely on for almost a goddamned century, and so I’ve had no choice but to rely on myself!”

His expression softened, and he raked his fingers through the tousled curls of his hair as he took a couple of calming breaths. I know he wanted to understand, but how could he? Even from his first moment of existence, someone had sought him out and taken care of him. I’d been passed off to a governess as a child and then later to a husband, who despised me. Azriel had taken me under his wing, only to train me to shun all personal contact. And after he disappeared…? I’d done just what he’d taught me to do. I’d kept my nose to the ground. The people who paid my salary, and those whose lives I’d been paid to end, were the only contact I had with other living souls. I didn’t have the first clue how to relate to anyone on a personal level. God, I was so broken, it made me sick.

“Darian,” Ty said, his voice no longer angry but full of compassion, “you have to learn to let go and open up. You’re not alone anymore. You have to trust the people who care about you and allow us to help you.”

From the corner of my eye, I took in every minute detail of Tyler’s face as I pretended to pay attention to my breakfast. He looked haggard. Too tired and worn too thin. His coppery hair had lost some of its luster, the curls seeming drab. Under his mysterious hazel eyes, dark circles had begun to form, and the hollows beneath his cheeks appeared deeper. He was still the most amazing man I’d ever seen, despite his exhausted state. And I loved him so much, it hurt. I choked on the emotional overload, and I felt as though I couldn’t swallow or take a deep breath. Tears threatened, but I refused to let them come. He wanted me to trust him. He urged me to let him in and allow him to help. But how could I when doing that might put his life in danger? I could work on my many issues for him, but not now. I had to remain hard. I had to stay my course. I’d shed my tears already. I couldn’t allow myself the weakness when there was still so much for me to do.

Tyler doubled over the bar, cradling his head in his hands. A moan of agony escaped his lips as he got down from his stool, lowering his head between his knees and taking measured breaths.

“It’s her again, isn’t it? What’s she doing?” Every ounce of frustration and anger I felt over my own shortcomings dissolved into concern. I didn’t care what Tyler thought. Moira had to be responsible for this. My heart sped to a frantic rhythm as the panic set in.

“Nothing,” Ty panted through his pain. “Just a headache.”

“Bullshit, Tyler.” Visions of my blade piercing Moira’s heart grounded my swirling emotions. “How can I help you? Tell me what to do.”

I hovered above him, worrying like a mother hen. I was helpless. So fucking helpless! I could wield a sword, cut down my enemies, slit a throat, and deliver a mean right hook. But I could do absolutely nothing to assuage Ty’s pain. How could I fight an enemy who didn’t have to be present to launch an attack?

Tense, silence-filled moments passed, and Tyler stood. His weak smile was meant to be reassuring, but it did nothing other than fill me with a sense of dread. “I’m fine,” he said, caressing my arm as if it had been my pain, not his.

I could tell it took all the effort he could expend to appear fine. He wanted me to think whatever magic assaulted him caused nothing more than mild discomfort. But I knew better. Leaning against the bar, I fixed him with a suspicious gaze. He knew damned well I was wise to his ploy, but he pulled me into his arms and murmured, “Damn it, Darian, your stubbornness aggravates the hell out of me. If I could, I’d go back and punish every single person who ever hurt you. I can’t imagine what you must have gone through, all of those years, utterly alone. But you’re not alone anymore. You have me. And I love you.”

He cradled my face in his hands and slowly combed his fingers through my hair. A sigh escaped his lips, and he bent his nose to my temple, inhaling deeply. “You smell so good,” he murmured. “I’ve always thought so. Like a field of wildflowers after the rain. That first night we met-at The Pit-I couldn’t tear my eyes off you. I’d never seen