Power rippled off him in waves, and darkness flickered through his eyes as they burned into hers.
“Why was there blood?”
Damn. Maybe she shouldn’t have mentioned that so soon after he arrived. It just slipped out.
Judging by the pinch of Ryker’s lips and the feathering in his jaw, he wasn’t pleased about it. Probably not the best way to kick off their reunion.
Brynleigh swallowed. “I… uh…”
His hands landed on her shoulders.
“Who hurt you?” he growled.
Well, if she was being technical about it, two people had hurt her.
First, Jelisette had almost decapitated her.Thathad been a wholly unpleasant experience. But the fight against The Crimson Shade hadn’t been much better.
However, Brynleigh didn’t think that’s what he wanted to hear.
She put her hands on his, reveling in the warmth that seeped into her.
“It doesn’t matter,” she half-whispered, half-pleaded. “I healed.”
A fierce, primal growl rumbled through Ryker.
Seconds later, Marlowe echoed the sound. It would have been cute if the moment hadn’t been drenched in tension.
“It fucking does matter,” Ryker bit out through clenched teeth. “Who hurt you? Don’t make me ask again.”
Her tongue darted out and wet her lips. She had to tell him something.
Deciding to save the information about her fight at Horizon for later, she admitted, “Jelisette.”
Had she thought Ryker was upset before?
No.
That was nothing compared to what happened next.
The temperature in the apartment plummeted. Frost crawled up the windows. Ice covered his hands, which remained on her shoulders.
Outside, thunder rumbled. The sky darkened, hiding the sun from view.
Ryker snarled, “That fanged ancient bitch. Whatexactlydid she do?”
If Brynleigh had been a wiser vampire, she might have considered bending the truth. But she wasn’t wise, and she didn’t want to keep this from him.
Taking a deep breath, she wove her fingers through Ryker’s freezing ones.
Bringing their joined hands between them, Brynleigh swept her thumb over the back of his hand and marveled at the ice crawling overhis fingers. She probably should’ve been concerned about the way he was freezing everything, but she wasn’t. All she knew was he needed her.
She stepped closer until the warmth of his breath danced across her forehead.
“What did she do?” Ryker repeated with a growl.
Even now, he was beautiful in a way that made thinking difficult.
“She… choked me.”