Suddenly, he looses a long breath and drags a hand through his hair, mussing it. He can’t suppress a grin, and he shakes his head. “Wicked minx,” he murmurs.
I smile, warmth blossoming in my chest at his words. He rolls out his shoulders and rakes his teeth over his bottom lip. I watch, cheeks heating, as he slips a hand into his trousers. His shoulders tremble and his breathe catches in his throat. One hand clings to the bannister of his bed as he works himself.
Heat blossoms in my core and my body aches for him. My eyes are wide, locked on his face as his brows furrow with pleasure. “Verity,” he murmurs under his breath. “I can see you there.”
Suddenly, his head snaps towards me and his eyes lock onto mine. I flinch, cold fear washing through me. My eyes scan the room, looking for any signs of the other me, but the room is empty.
He sees me.
“Come join me, Verity, darling.” Altair spreads his legs, showing me his desire.
“How?” I stammer, locked in place.
“Come now, you know the mechanics, Verity,” Altair says playfully. “The only question is where should we start?”
I swallow thickly and my body pulses with desire. “Is this real?” I ask softly.
Altair closes his eyes again, leaning his head back and taking a shallow breath. I stare at his cock and bite my lip – hard. I take a hesitant step towards him, imagining the passion we could share.
“I was hoping you would come,” he purrs. I feel my core throb at his words, and I shudder.
“Whose memory is this?” I ask as my nipples stiffen with desire.
He runs his long fingers down my thigh and it feels like lava. “Yours now,” he says. “Anything you want, I’ll make it memorable for you.”
I gasp as his hands grip my ass, tugging me towards him. “Mine?” I say breathlessly, fighting my overwhelming desire to mount him. “I don’t remember this.”
“It’s a new one,” he murmurs sensually, hazel eyes roving over my body. “Whatever you want, I’ll make it so, little Bloodbane.”
I freeze, fingers centimeters from tangling in his hair. I stare down at him, his words ringing in my ears. Altair cocks his head, watching me curiously. But his eyes are wrong. Too bright, too focused, too perfect.
I wrench away from him, fear washing over me like a tidal wave. “Who are you?” I breathe.
“Whatever you want,” it says, tilting its head to the side. “You ask and I will give.”
“No.” I shake my head, nausea welling in me. “Who the hell are you?”
The being that wears Altair’s body rises. It laces its pants easily and heaves a sigh. “Little Bloodbane, I was only giving you what you wished.”
“I asked for a memory, Altair’s memory. Not,” I stammer, “Not this.”
It raises a brow. “I cannot give you a memory that is not yours. I can only make them for you.”
“Why? Who are you?” I reach instinctively for my lantern in case I need to escape into the darkness.
“All of this.” It waves a lazy hand.
I squint disbelievingly. “The ether?”
“Of a sort,” it says smoothly. “Don’t worry, little Bloodbane, no harm will come to you by my hand.”
I feel sick, watching this not-Altair peer at me with almost perfect replicas of his eyes. This Altair is strong, healthy, and not burdened by the future. It’s not fair. And it’s not him. It feels wrong, and there’s a pain in my chest I don’t understand. I take a shaky breath, hands trembling.
“Stop,” I choke out, tears threatening to spill from my tired eyes. “Stop wearing him.”
The creature looks at me curiously before shifting into a lithe black cat. It purrs, twitching its tail back and forth. “This pleases you?”
I take a shuddering breath. “It’s fine.”
“You’re distressed,” it says matter-of-factly.
“I don’t know what the hell is going on here,” I snap, breathing shallowly.
“The ether does not take so kindly to all who grace the shadows,” the creature says. “But I like you, little Bloodbane. I welcome you back.”
I shake my head, turning my eyes to the lush carpet under my feet. “There won’t be a next time if I never get out of here.”
The ether cocks its head at me, eyes gleaming in the firelight. “I sense you require solitude. I will leave you to your memories.” It peers at me from the encroaching shadows. “Don’t stay too long, little Bloodbane, or you may not be able to get out.”
Chapter 14
Altair
I sit stiffly in the gilded chair. A hot breeze wafts through the open balcony doors into the small breakfast room. When I first stepped into the room, I thought that perhaps Erzur has learned some humility through the long years, but it took only seconds to recognize the wealth inside this room. Exquisite paintings grace the walls, an ornate, plush rug covering the hardwood floors. The table itself is brushed with gold leaf to match the trim on the walls.
I tap my fingers impatiently on the table. My stomach rumbles loudly and I grimace. Breakfast will only be served when Erzur arrives, and quite expectedly, she is late. I leap to my feet, anxiety and hunger gnawing at my stomach. I don’t have time for this nonsense. The light, gauzy curtains at the balcony arches flutter lazily in the breeze. I push past them and stare out over the valley. The gray stones of the cliff faces shimmer in the hot morning sun.
“Gold,” Erzur says demurely. I turn as she joins me on the balcony. “There are thousands of veins of gold, that’s why the cliffs sparkle so.”
I eye her, dipping my head in a shallow show of respect. Her brown eyes flit over me and she smiles broadly. I ignore the attractive splash of color on her full lips. “It’s a beautiful view,”
