It should give her a sense of satisfaction, knowing Dominic would pay for his crimes, but all she felt was hollow.
Tarian had tried to apologize, tried to explain, but she hadn’t wanted to hear it. Eventually he’d wrapped an arm around his shaken sister and walked out of her life.
Striding forward, she pushed open the glass door and stepped into the pristine waiting room of Fated Match.
“Melissa,” Chloe called, rising from her seat at the reception desk.
She plastered a smile on her face and strode over to the witch. “You win. My voicemail gave up from exhaustion two days ago.”
The other woman just grinned unapologetically. “I wanted to make sure you were okay. Abbey said you had a rough go of it.”
“And then some,” she agreed, leaning against the desk. “So they’ve got you manning phones?”
Chloe waved the question away. “I’ve seen four clients today, organized files, updated our systems and even managed a quick lunch. You know this place wouldn’t run without me.”
“Seems like it.” Melissa glanced at the hall that led to the offices. “Is Abbey expecting me?”
“No,” Chloe replied. “It’s Vivian who wants to see you.”
She arched a brow. What did the siren want?
Chloe shrugged. “You’re a big client, and we kinda screwed you. You can’t blame her for wanting to smooth any ruffled feathers.”
“I don’t have any,” Melissa said. “It’s not your fault I fell for the wrong guy.”
“Still, let her grovel a bit. For me. Please?”
Pushing away from the counter, she inclined her head. “How can I refuse?”
Chloe clapped her hands and gestured down the hall. “She’s free. Head on back.”
Melissa turned away as the phone rang. Chloe give the standard Fated Match greeting as she headed down the hall.
Vivian had the largest office, hidden behind the last door in the hallway. She knocked twice before opening the door.
“Melissa,” Vivian said, rising from her desk. “Come in.”
She stepped into the elegant room decorated completely in silver. The white wallpaper was threaded through with silver stripes. Silver edged the colorless armchairs and coffee table.
Vivian’s desk had the shine of metal even though it was designed like wood, and the gorgeous siren herself stood behind it.
“Please, have a seat,” Vivian said, indicating the chair before the desk.
“I heard you wanted to see me,” she said as she dropped into the chair.
“To apologize.” Vivian took her seat and folded her hands over the gleaming desk. “As the head of Fated Match, I wanted to assure you we have taken your situation very seriously and made some changes around here.”
“Oh?”
“It is no longer an option to refuse to disclose your race. We’re looking into security measures for members and are thinking about offering a new service of monitoring first dates. From a safe distance, of course. Nothing obtrusive, but it will add an extra level of safety.”
“For a price, I’m assuming.”
The siren’s smile never faltered. “In order to make reparations to you, I’d like to extend you our platinum level membership for the next decade. Free of charge.”
“No offense, Vivian, but I’m not going to want to use your services for quite some time.”
“I understand. We just wanted you to know how much we value your patronage and assist you in any way we can.” Her smile slipped slightly. “Though the unfortunate events surrounding your abduction occurred outside of a Fated Match event, we still take responsibility for your chance meeting in our office.”
“You also set up the first date.”
“Yes. Our apologies.”
Melissa shook her head. The siren would probably sell her to the necromancers herself if it brought in more business.
“I’d also like to make a personal recommendation of a were-cougar I know. Excellent fellow and no homicidal tendencies to speak of,” Vivian said.
“Exactly what I look for in a man.”
“Whenever you feel like getting back into the business of finding your mate, I’ll be happy to make the introductions.”
“And if I’ve already found my mate? What’s your plan then?”
“I…” The siren’s mouth opened and closed in shock. It would almost be comical if not for the tearing pain in her chest.
“I don’t want another introduction,” she said. “And I don’t want the platinum membership. I’m done with the dating scene.”
She had her charities and her friends. That was enough to fill a few lifetimes at least.
“I understand,” Vivian said, recovering smoothly. “Please let me know if your opinion on the matter changes, and Fated Match will be there to assist you. Otherwise, thank you for your benefaction.”
“Don’t worry, Viv, I’m not going to torch your organization.”
Some of the tension in Vivian’s shoulders eased, though her pleasant expression never changed. “I assure you,” Vivian said. “Our concern is for your well-being, not our reputation.”
“Right.” Melissa rose from her chair. “I trust you will stop flooding my phone with messages now?”
“Cross my heart.”
“If you had one.” The words were a cheap shot, but it didn’t stop the slight tingle of pleasure when the siren’s sharp nails left gouges in her shining desk.
Melissa stepped into the hall, shaking her head. Part of her admired the woman’s entrepreneurial spirit. She was not one to let her business get tarnished without a fight.
“Did Vivian sink her claws into you or the other way around?” Abbey asked, leaning against the open door of her office.
Melissa paused, wondering how she could bypass the other woman without offending her. “Neither,” she replied. “We had a civilized conversation.”
“Better watch out, or she’ll set you up on a date a night, just to bring you back into the fold.”
“I think I can resist her lures.” She started by Abbey only to stop when the human caught her arm.
“Lucian’s worried about you.”
“I’m fine.”
“I’m worried about you. Hell, even Chloe’s worried about you, and sometimes that woman is so damn cheerful you want to hold her down and tell her horrible things about the world.”
“Time heals all wounds,” she said. “And I’m immortal. I’ve got plenty of time to give.”
“Have you talked to him?” Abbey asked.
She shook her head.
Her friend chewed her lip, as she often did when she was debating something. Melissa waited patiently for Abbey to speak.
“Lucian says he fit into the council nicely. They worked out a multi-step plan for phasing necromancers into cities around the country. I think their numbers within the city limits will still be capped and monitored, but it’s a step in the right direction. He’s a good choice to lead them.”
“Good,” she said, looking away from Abbey. “I’m glad it all worked out. His people deserve this chance.” Glancing at her watch, she stared blindly at the tiny hands. “Look at the time. I’ve got to run, or I’ll be late for an appointment.”
“Then I won’t keep you. Just…let me know when you want to get together.”
“Drinks soon,” she lied with a smile. “Tell Lucian I said hello.”
“I will.”
Melissa left Fated Match with a wave to Chloe as she passed by, and stepped out onto the street.
The moon was bright overhead as she made her way to her waiting car. Popping on her sunglasses, she ducked into the vehicle and gave instructions to run straight home. It was one of her rare days off and she had no intention of doing anything other than watching horrible TV and drinking a bottle of wine. Or two.
As the city glowed beyond her window, she let her forehead fall against the glass. Abbey had meant well, but she didn’t want to talk about Tarian. The tearing in her chest hurt
too much.
Logically, she understood he’d made a decision he thought was in her best interest. Hell, even Lucian had thanked him for sending her out of the fighting. But Melissa didn’t know if she could forgive his choice. Had he always thought she was weak? That she couldn’t defend herself? When had she ever given that impression?
But even if she could get over his lack of faith in her abilities, she couldn’t get over the icy grip of his magic.
His power had run through her veins, robbing her of any free will. Dominic had enspelled her mind, but Tarian had commanded her body. The magic she’d once thought of as familiar had taken her over, proving to be more alien and desolate than she’d ever imagined. That, more than anything, was the reason she couldn’t see him. She was not a woman afraid of much, but when it came to Tarian’s abilities, every hair on her nape stood on end.
And what sort of relationship could she have when she was always on guard, waiting to see if her lover would snap his fingers and take away her free will?
It would never work. It should never have been started in the first place. Their romance had been idealistic and naive right from the beginning. Tarian couldn’t cut off a part of himself, and she wasn’t in the business of trying to change people even if he were willing. His magic was as vital to him as her fangs were to her. With another woman it wouldn’t be a problem, and he deserved the chance to find that happiness. Even if it wasn’t with her.
She opened her eyes to look out at the street.
Was it possible for him to be her mate but her not to be his? She’d dealt with breakups before. Ones that had lasted decades instead of days. And yet never before had she felt so empty inside. Like a part of her was missing.
It wasn’t fair that this city was filled with happy matches and hers had been doomed to failure right from the start.
She had no idea how she’d react when she saw him again. And their paths would cross. The council was a staple on her invite list for all her balls and galas. Tarian would come with the rest to represent his race. She’d have to shake his hand and smile, all the while pretending she didn’t miss him with every fiber of her being.
“We’re here, miss. Would you like me to see you up?”
“No need,” she said to her new driver. “I’ll be fine.” It wasn’t like she was a target any longer.
Melissa exited the car and made her way into her apartment building. The werewolf doorman bowed as she walked by, but she didn’t feel like stopping for a chat, as she would have most nights. Instead, she crossed the marble entranceway and made a beeline for the elevators.
Maybe she should travel, she mused as she pressed the button for her floor. It’d been ages since she’d last been to Europe. She could take a few weeks and wander the streets she’d known in decades past. Looking up old friends might get her mind off of Tarian.
The bell dinged to indicate her floor, and she stepped from the elevator, planning her vacation as she did so.
Melissa was so preoccupied she didn’t notice the figure by her door until she had nearly reached it.
When the man turned to face her, her stomach dropped to her toes.
“Melissa,” Tarian said.
Chapter Nineteen
Seconds ticked past as her mind whirled with her options. Turning and walking the other way seemed a good choice, but that would be the coward’s way out. She could ignore him and simply enter her apartment but that also seemed rather childish. The adult thing to do would be to smile and make small talk, pretend his presence didn’t make her bleed. However, seeing him there, looking every inch as gorgeous as she remembered, she didn’t know if she could pull off “unaffected”.
“Tarian,” she greeted him, lifting her chin. “I was not expecting you. If you require an appointment to discuss council business you can make one with my secretary and meet me at my office between the hours of ten and three.”
A tiny smile twisted his lips. “This isn’t about the council, and you know it.”
“Then we have nothing to discuss.” She strode to her door and unlocked it, trying to ignore the prickling awareness on the back of her neck, which had never been there before. She didn’t want to fear him, but her instincts screamed to get away from the necromancer as soon as possible.
“Going to invite me in?” he asked, leaning against her doorjamb.
“You didn’t need an invite last time.”
“That was different.”
She glanced at the door, not wanting to look into those eyes she’d fallen in love with. “I don’t have anything to say to you.”
“I know,” he breathed. “But I have things to say to you. Please, Melissa. Let me in.”
She wavered. Despite the logic telling her anyone with his abilities should be avoided at all costs, her heart still clenched at the sight of him. Maybe this would help. She’d hear him out and then they’d have closure. They could meet as polite strangers next time.
“Fine,” she said, stalking into her apartment. “You have five minutes.”
She kicked off her heels as Tarian closed the door behind them. Ignoring him, she went to the kitchen and pulled out a bag of blood.
He waited in silence as she poured the red liquid into a novelty mug Chloe had given her that read “got blood?” on the side and popped it into the microwave.
“Your time is ticking,” she reminded him, watching her mug rotate on the glass plate.
“Look at me.”
The microwave beeped, and she pulled out her drink.
“I don’t need to,” she said as she turned, blowing on her mug. “I know what you look like.” She tried to stalk past him but he caught her arm.
Taking the cup from her fingers, he set it on her floating island before tipping her chin up.
The blue of his gaze filled her view. For a brief instant, all she wanted to do was wrap her arms around him and block out the rest of the world. When he held her, all their problems fell away. They could go back to being the partners they’d been on the road. The ones learning to trust, too naive to believe the other would ever break their word.
He drew his knuckles gently over her skin. “God, I’ve missed you,” he whispered.
She closed her eyes and tried her hardest not to melt beneath his touch. “This isn’t helping either of us,” she said. “You should leave.”
“I will if you answer one question.”
She looked back up at him. “What?”
“Do you love me?”
Her already battered heart shattered. They were not going to do this. She would not stand here and rehash everything that had gone wrong. She couldn’t bear it. To hell with closure, she wanted him gone before she revealed even more pitiable secrets.
“Leave,” she said, her voice flat.
“You know how to get rid of me,” he replied, one thumb brushing against her lower lip. “Tell me you don’t love me, and I’ll never bother you again.”
“Did you forget what led to this lovely moment we’re having?”
He shook his head. “I don’t deny there are complications with our union, but I believe the benefits far outweigh any potential risks.”
“Going to woo me with finance speak?” she taunted.
“I’m trying to tell you every day I spend away from you is hell.”
She looked down. It should be comforting to know she wasn’t suffering alone, but instead it just made her sad that he was living the same pain she was.
“We can’t change what we are,” she whispered. “It makes no difference if I love you or not.”
“It does,” he replied. “I’ve waited centuries to find the one woman I’d spend eternity with, and I knew the first moment I saw you, Melissa. You were the one for me.”
She dragged her gaze back to his. “You said I wasn’t your mate.”
“I lied.”
The vise on her heart tightened even more. “I can’t be with someone who thinks I’m weak and in need of protection.”
“You are, w
ithout a doubt, a dangerous adversary, sweetheart,” he replied. “You fought me, remember? Every movement was elegant, lethal, and anything but weak.”
“You sent me away like a child.”
“Know why?”
She rolled her eyes. “For my own good.”
“No,” Tarian shook his head. “For mine. The thought of a world without you in it destroys me.” He stared down at her, every line of his face etched with sincerity. “I was trying to protect you because my world stops if you get hurt. It wasn’t a comment on your skills. If anything, it shone a spotlight on my weakness, not yours.”
She snorted. “You have a weakness?”
His hands cupped her face. “When it comes to you I do. I will always try to protect you, Melissa. It’s not an instinct I can shut off. That’s what happens when you find your mate.”
Ripping herself away from the comfort of his touch, she paced over to her living room. She looked out the tall patio windows as she wrapped her arms around herself.
“It’s not just that you didn’t trust me to fight,” she said.
“I know.” The words were soft from behind her.
She saw his reflection in the glass as he stood behind her right shoulder. “I can’t be with someone I can’t trust. Your powers are just too strong, Tarian.”
Hands skimmed over her shoulders in a light touch. “I could vow to you I’d never make this mistake again, but to be honest, I don’t know if that’s a promise I can keep. If I ever saw you in danger again, my instincts would be to save you any way I could.”
Pain slashed through her. Part of her had actually hoped for promises, false or not. Then she would have had an opening, a way of thinking seriously about their future. She could have fooled herself into believing it had only been one slip. That it would never happen again, and she could love him the way that she craved.
But instead he gave her honesty. She should appreciate the gesture instead of damning his integrity.
“Then there is no solution,” she said.
A tiny tinkling reached her ear, and she saw something shine in the window reflection.
Dying to Date Page 20
