Page 79 of Blood Lovers

I swallow hard, feeling a lot like the little fourteen-year-old girl with Myer’s hand between her legs. Ready to agree to something just because it’s exciting, and I’m turned on, and I haven’t learned how to say no yet.

“I came to Ryet that way as well. He knows. He’s always known. And he agreed, Syrsee.”

“So you’ll think I’ll agree too?”

“You fed him, didn’t you?”

I just… sigh.

“You agreed to that part, at least. But there’s much more coming your way.”

“Promises.”

“What?”

“My grandma.” I look away from him, staring at younger me as she and younger Zusi talk boys. “She warned me about you and your promises. She said you were going to promise me something I want very badly and that the man I gave my heart to would be my downfall.”

“And you think that’s Ryet, do you?”

I shrug. “I don’t know. I saved him.” I look back over at Paul and meet his gaze with steady eyes. “But that doesn’t mean I’m sticking around.”

“So leave.”

“You’ll just follow me.”

“Of course I will. You’re mine.”

“So what’s the point? I like Ryet.”

Paul smiles. “He likes you too, I can tell. So stay.”

“If I stay, I wouldn’t be agreeing to anything.”

“Darling, this isn’t a trap. It’s not even an offer. Yet. But it will be. And you will have a choice. I do not need to trap souls.”

I scoff at him. “Wow. Did you just admit to wanting my soul?”

“Your soul is already mine, Syrsee. You’re a Black witch. You are damned. You are evil. You are going to Hell. That is a fact.” His face is stern as he says these words, but then it softens a little. “But it doesn’t have to stay that way.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’ll know soon. But for now, just…” He places his hand on my cheek again. “Enjoy my Ryet. He’s…” There’s a pause here, and Paul looks away for a moment, then meets my eyes to complete that thought. “He’s quite loyal. And attractive, of course. And honest, Syrsee. He’s not trapping you, either. I told him who you were.”

“What? When?”

“In the dream. But he’s not going to remember. That’s my gift to you right now. Some time. Just a little bit of time.”

“So I can tell him myself.”

“It would be better if it came from you. And once you tell him who you are, he’s not going to leave you.”

Leave me? Did I think he was going to leave me if he knew the truth?

Honestly, that thought never entered my mind. Not until those words came out of Paul’s mouth. But leave me? Will he?

“He won’t.” Paul is looking at me like he’s reading my mind. Which he is, I guess. That’s what he told me anyway.

“How do you know?”