"Care to join the party?" he grumbles, not looking me in the eye.
"I should go. This," I point between us, "is nothing but confusing. It's worse being here. Use the journal, and let me know when you're done so I can get it back to the light."
I try to barge by him, but he catches my hand, noticing a mark on my wrist that I've never seen before now.
"What's that?" I ask as he stares intensely at it, making my whole body ache for more of his touch.
His jaw clenches, and then he shakes his head.
"You need to get out of that house. Now."
"I already got out of that house. I'm sort of... right next door. Gage bought that house a while back, and we're staying there until my paperwork goes through for my new place a few towns over... in Edgebrook"
His eyes widen. Obviously, he hasn't noticed me over there, which is good.
"Unbelievable. It's like I can't get you away from me no matter how hard I fucking try."
The already shattered pieces of my heart break even more. A tear slips free, and I'm forced to look away.
"I'm trying."
"Try harder," he growls, and then he leaves so fast, he's a blur to my still mortal eyes.
Gage materializes in front of me, his lips thin. He doesn't have to say he overheard because Kane didn't use an immortal whisper when he cut me off at the knees.
"You ready?"
"I've been ready. I don't know why I'm still here. Why didn't you just vaporize me already?"
He frowns, and then he points downstairs.
"Zee refused to let us take you until you were conscious, since he thinks Thad and I are trying to take advantage. Personally, I didn't want to fight with anyone here, for obvious reasons. I kept an eye on you. Let's go."
Zee meets us as we reach the bottom of the stairs, and he hands me the book on Castine.
"I've made copies, took pictures, and made sure it's exactly as you brought it. You can go ahead and return it before you get into trouble."
"Thanks," I murmur softly, and then he tilts his head.
"Your eyes... they're... gold," he says in a bit of shock.
I glance in the mirror to see a color I've never seen before. I'm sure it stands for humiliation mingling with heartbreak.
"It happens. They shift from color to color."
"That's not normal," he says as he curiously studies me. "Does Kane know about this? It could have something to do with-"
"Her eyes have nothing to do with anything, Zee. Let them get out of here before I lose what little control I have left," Kane says while walking into the room, holding a clear glass full of red, thick liquid.
I shiver as I stare at it. How he hid this from me, I'll never know.
"What's wrong, Alyssa? Worried your blood is next?" he scoffs. "Go before it is."
Another tear drips, and Gage's tensed jaw becomes audible as his teeth grind together.
"You need to watch your mouth, Kane. I can promise you Alyssa is tied to people who would make Castine seem like a pleasant alternative," Gage hisses.
"Impossible," Kane murmurs as he turns to walk away.
I'm sick of the ache I feel to touch the bastard who has a heart as cold as the devil's. I head out, barging through the door, and then I consider taking a dip in the lake myself. Too bad I'm mortal. Hypothermia could actually kill me.
