I snorted on a laugh. She didn’t know the half of it.
Logan marched to the door then spun back. “I’ll lock up so no one can come in. Stay put until I return.”
Ugh, locked in a room with werewolf Barbie? Kill me now.
“Hurry back,” I called as he darted out.
Vessa stabbed at some lettuce, dragging it around her plate. After a few beats of silence, she glanced up at me. “Vander told me about your memory loss.”
“Umhmm,” I mumbled around another bite.
“Is it getting any better?”
“Yup. I’m starting to remember things, but they come in bits and flashes. Sometimes I feel like I’m playing connect the dots.”
“Must be annoying.”
Annoying? A toothache was annoying. This was hell. I shoved down the thoughts along with another mouthful of meatballs.
“Well, I know Vander was really worried about you when you were gone.” Her amber eyes met mine. “Talon too, but I did my best to keep him happy.”
A burst of jealousy flared in my chest. I ground my teeth together to keep from saying something nasty. Despite our complicated past, Talon and I weren’t together. From what I’d gathered from the other guys, we never really were. Still, I could barely restrain the urge to punch her.
“Talon’s so protective,” she continued. “He always gets too involved in the lives of his marks. It’s sweet, but it doesn’t last. Once his mission is over, he moves on.”
Anger swirled through my insides, entangling with the jealousy and a snarl built up in my throat. Talon is mine. My demon’s voice echoed through my mind, her words ping-ponging across my skull.
“I’m pretty sure I’m more than just his mark,” I spat out.
Her lips puckered. “Doubtful.”
Flashes of Talon and me skirted across my vision. They were the hardest to hold onto. I couldn’t remember details but the feelings they incited were too powerful to ignore. “He loves me,” I blurted.
Vessa’s light brows slammed together. “You’re wrong. He’s only obsessed with you. I’m his true love, and I always will be. He always comes back to me. Like he did for weeks while you were missing.”
Rage tore through my veins, heating my blood to boiling. Black blanketed my vision and before I could stop her, my demon took over.
Hungry. The inane shifter chattered on about my man. He’d been sworn to protect me after all, not this silly girl. The hunger clawed at my throat, but more than that, anger at the she-wolf’s words spurred me on. I leaned closer, and my jaw unlocked.
Vessa’s eyes widened as I neared, a swirl of blue vapor spilling from my lips. “Wh-what are you doing?”
I clasped the back of her neck and wrenched her face to mine. She opened her mouth to scream, but I clapped my hand over it. Locking my eyes to hers, I could feel the black eclipsing my vision as I caught her in my mesmerizing gaze. Gotcha.
Tendrils of dark energy poured out of me. Finally. The heady rush of power made my head spin. I dug my fingernails into her scalp, holding her firmly in place as the fine mist invaded her body. I breathed her in, the scent of wildflowers and patchouli mouthwatering.
Inhaling deeper, I drew her essence forth, a pale amber vapor escaping her slack jaw. Her light filled the darkness inside, and a wave of giddiness swam over me. I giggled as her head lolled back. Her power was average at best, not the strength I imagined her wolf brother would contain, but I couldn’t have him yet. I’d keep him around to satisfy other urges. I sucked in another breath and dazzling energy surged through my veins. Vessa may have been weak but she was better than nothing.
A sharp crash jerked my attention from my meal, and my head spun toward the entrance. The dragon shifter barreled through the locked door, the flames of hell burning through his irises. “Azara, no!”
Dammit, he always ruined my fun.
I dropped the blonde, her petite form curling into a ball on the rug. “She’s still alive,” I muttered as Talon slid to the floor beside her. He didn’t even spare me a passing glare.
“Thank the gods.” He pulled her into his arms, and a twinge of unexpected envy twisted my insides. After he called for the healer, I watched as he set her down on the couch with surprising gentleness for such a burly dragon. “You’re going to be all right, Vessa. Just rest,” he whispered.
Talon did care for her. The mindless she-wolf wasn’t lying about that. Another pang of jealousy assaulted me, squeezing my lungs. “It’s true then, you have been with her.”
He whirled at me, deep lines furrowing his brow. “What are you talking about?”
“The wolf said you’d been together in my absence.”
“I’m not talking to you about this,” he snarled. “Bring Azara back.”
I clucked my teeth, shaking my head. “I am Azara. You’re mistaken to believe that we’re two individuals. I am simply her demon half. If you love her, as you say you do, you must love all of her.”
“How can I when you do something like this?” He stared down at the unconscious shifter, anger darkening his features.
“Accept me or don’t. It’s up to you, dragon.”
Talon leapt to his feet, surprising me and I staggered back. His broad shoulders and barrel chest loomed over me, his searing irises boring holes into my head. I’d never admit he intimidated me, of course. I threw my own shoulders back and met his piercing gaze. “Azara’s strong. Stronger than you think, and if she wanted to, she could banish you to the darkest corners of her mind. So I think you are the one that needs to make a decision. Play nice or not at all.” His hands cupped my cheeks, and he locked his eyes to mine. The silver smolder tore into me, leaving me bare and exposed. I wrapped my arms around my middle as the darkness receded. “Bring her back,” he hissed.
My humanity flickered back on, and a rush of emotions pummeled my insides. I squeezed my eyes shut and fought against the brewing storm. I didn’t want to come back and face what I’d done.
“Azara, Azara, come back.”
That voice like warm honey drew me back from the dark recesses of my mind. It was no use fighting it, my body reacted to that smooth timbre like tides to the moon. I was hopeless against its pull.
I blinked and hot tears filled my eyes as they focused on the disappointed face a few inches from mine. Talon’s warm breath swirled with mine as I choked back a sob. Over his shoulder I could make out Vessa’s motionless form on the couch.
I remembered this time. I was aware of every second my demon had the reins. “I’m so sorry,” I blubbered, the weight of his gaze too heavy.
He slowly shook his head and pulled me into his chest. I buried my nose into his shirt and his comforting scent filled my senses. “Gods, Azara, what am I going to do with you?”
“Just lock me up and throw away the key. I can’t do this anymore. Just when I think I’m getting better, I lose it. My demon’s too strong.” I smothered another building sob in the soft fabric of his undershirt.
He pushed me out to arm’s length and captured my chin between his thumb and forefinger. “Don’t say that, Azara. Never stop fighting, do you hear me?”
I shook my head and lowered my gaze. “I’m starting to remember things and I—I don’t think I’ll be able to live with what Thax and Remy made me do.”