Nick turned back around to see that Lana had her third empty whiskey glass lined up on the bar. He would have laughed if the situation hadn’t been so horrific. He knew that she wasn’t a drinker, and was surprised to see that the whiskey hadn’t seemed to affect her too much.
With the buzz of whispered worried conversations in the background, Nick sighed heavily. Then, tonelessly, he asked Brady, “Have you heard anything that might help?”
Brady reluctantly shook his head. “There is nothing that can help you find Dizag. Obviously, most of the shifter world has heard about this. Alix refuses to go into hiding, which isn’t surprising. She says that a queen would never abandon her people when there is danger around.”
Nick smiled. “That sounds like Alix. She is one tough cookie,” he said.
He looked at Lana and asked, “Have you met her?”
“No, but I’ve heard of her and everything she had done for the people of her kingdom, especially all of those who were hurt by Vardok. I think I would like her,” Lana said.
Brady smiled. “I think you would, too.” Turning back to Nick, he said, “Father sent a messenger to ask what was going on over here. He told me that there have been some disappearances and deaths in the shifter world, although the deaths don’t seem to be quite as gruesome as they are here.”
Nick turned around to survey the hushed crowd again. He saw Lucian in the back of the club, simply observing what was going on and nursing a bourbon. Lucian raised his glass to Nick, who nodded back.
After chatting a little more, Lana could see the pure exhaustion etched on Nick’s face. She touched his arm, and leaned into him.
“Let’s head back home. I need a shower and some sleep,” Lana said.
Nick agreed.
Once they were back home, Lana stood outside on the porch. “The neighborhood is lit up, making it seem more like noon instead of midnight. I know I’ll be safe if I just walk up and down the block a bit. I need to stretch and breathe and just not think about anything for a few minutes.”
Nick wasn’t about to let Lana out of his sight. Grabbing her hand, he pushed his keys back into his pocket, and they walked slowly down the road. The moon was missing just a tiny sliver, and Lana fancied that she could see the old man in the celestial body weeping.
The stars, however, were shining and twinkling as though there was nothing amiss and everything was perfect in the world.
After about half an hour, they headed back. Lana was jumpy. Every tumbling leaf or dancing blade of grass nearly scared her out of her skin. A cat scampered past, causing Lana to feel as though she was going to have a heart attack. She had never been so relieved to be inside of four walls in her life. They made her feel a little bit safer, although Dizag had already proven that a mere door and walls would not keep him out.
They both headed to the showers. When Lana stepped out, she saw that Nick had made her a sandwich. They sat together on the couch that faced the patio window, allowing the light from the night skies to shine in on them.
Lana trembled inside when Nick’s hand brushed hers. When he reached out and held her hand in his, she reveled in the comforting warmth that flowed through her.
She wanted to say something, but she didn’t know what. She knew what she wanted, what she needed, but she didn’t know how to ask for it. The words eluded her. Frustrated, she heaved a huge sigh.
The chemistry between her and Nick was thick. She wondered if he felt it. She wondered if he could sense how she felt.
After a half an hour, he said, “I’m sorry, but I am so beat. If I don’t get some sleep, I’m liable to pass out on the street and not wake up for a week.”
Lana nodded. Nick pulled her to her feet. She stood up chest-to-chest against Nick. She looked up into his beautiful eyes and licked her lips. She wanted so much for him to wrap his arms around her and pull her close to him.
However, after a couple of seconds, he yawned. Chuckling, he led her to the guest bedroom.
She turned around to face him. She wanted so much to ask him to stay. He could just sleep, just with her snuggled up against him.
Her lips parted and her chest began to heave. The look on his face made her knees weak. She reached up and touched his cheek.
Nick leaned into her touch and put his hand on the back of hers. They stood there, looking deep into each other’s eyes for just a few seconds.
Lana’s heart flew into her chest. She was sure that if she asked, he would say yes. Taking a deep breath, the words were on the tip of her tongue.
Then, Nick leaned down and kissed her cheek. He turned quickly and shut the door as he stepped into the hallway. Lana felt tears of disappointment well up in her eyes as she heard his footsteps tread down the corridor. His door opened and closed, almost sounding as though he had slammed it.
Lana leaned up against her door. He couldn’t have made his answer any clearer. He doesn’t want me.
Sighing, she slowly got undressed, meticulously folding each item and putting them in the chair. Then, facing another night alone, veiled in a shadow of loneliness and need, she slid between the sheets.
Holding one of the large pillows against her body, she allowed herself a moment to cry. She cried for the victims who were murdered. She cried for her sister.
