Shes been through a lot, I said to the room in general.
Adrians glance at me only lasted a second, yet its effect lingered. So have you, Ivy.
True, and the fight wasnt even half over yet. The thought made me whisk the eggs far harder than necessary. Costa came over and gave me a supportive pat on the back.
Dont mind Jasmines attitude, he said lightly. I hated Adrian at first, too.
I stopped whisking to whirl around in surprise. But he pulled you out of a demon realm and saved your life!
Something dark flashed over Costas face, marring his tanned, attractive features. He did, yet I still hated him for a long time because of what happened to me in the realms. Some things, you get over. Some things his voice lowered until I doubted that anyone except me could hear him you dont.
A chill skittered up my spine. Yes, Costa had suffered horribly in the same realm that Adrian had ruled for almost a century, but Id been sure that hed forgiven Adrian since Adrian had walked away from that life to devote himself to destroying demons. Furthermore, Costa had fought side by side with us when wed searched for the slingshot, and through it all, Id never had reason to doubt his loyalty.
Yet that unfamiliar hardness in his dark brown gaze now made me wonder...what if Id been wrong?
CHAPTER NINE
WE MADE IT through the next two days without incident. When it was daylight, the four of us took turns driving, once Jasmine and I learned the trick to operating a forty-six-foot-long vehicle that was also towing a car. Once night fell, we parked on hallowed ground, avoiding the chance of running into any demons who ventured out in the dark to play. Brutus was our version of a security system then. While we slept, he was awake, either perching himself on the roof of the bus or flying overhead to scope out danger from the skies.
Despite being in near constant contact with Adrian for the past few days, there seemed to be an invisible wall between us. That could be because Jasmine had practically welded herself to my hip, but I wondered if something else was up.
I should just ask Adrian how he intended to prove that he wouldnt betray me again. Or ask him how he felt about methe other question I couldnt stop wondering about. Yet I didnt have the courage to do it, and the irony of that wasnt lost on me. How could I hope to win a fight against demons if I didnt even have the guts to wage an emotional battle?
Racetrack Playa in Death Valley, California, was hot, with sunshine so strong, the rays almost felt tangible. Id expected mile upon mile of gently rolling sand hills, but the terrain was flat, hard earth that reminded me more of an endless parking lot than a desert. In many ways, it was the exact opposite of a demon realm, yet this area had the same air of desolateness, and if I squinted, the mountains in the distance could have been gargantuan pyramids that demons so loved to show off with.
Jasmine looked around with more bemusement than trepidation, reminding me that the only realm shed seen had been Adrians. That had been a paradise compared to some of the others, with petrified trees mimicking a forest and frozen rivers reflecting lights from the magnificent, blue-hued city.
See all the rocks, Ivy? Adrian said, breaking through my memories. Those trails behind them are why were here.
Countless rocks did litter the cracked ground, ranging in size from baseballs to boulders. Most had trails behind them, indicating that theyd been dragged to their positions. Some of those trails were short, as if a child had pushed the smaller ones a few inches before growing bored, yet some of them stretched out farther than I could see, and it would take several people to move the bigger boulders even an inch.
Why would anyone want to come out to Death Valley just to push around rocks? I wondered. Talk about being in desperate need of a social life. Then I looked more closely at the trails behind the rocks. Something was missing...
There are no footprints, I said in surprise. How did those stones move, if no one was out here to move them?
Adrian gave me an arch look. Exactly. Scientists recently came up with a reason why the sailing stones moved on their own, but I dont buy it. Thats why this place is our first stop. Do you sense anything hallowed at play here?
The million-dollar question. I took a deep breath, focusing on the supernatural sensor inside me. After a few moments, I frowned. Nothing. Was this thing inside me even on?
I tried again, closing my eyes as I concentrated harder. Minutes ticked by, and still, nothing. Okay, maybe there wasnt anything sacred within a hundred miles of this place, but then I should have felt the lack of it. Instead, all I felt was sweat trickling down my body and a headache coming on.
Ivy. Adrians voice was low. Are you okay?
I opened my eyes, a sigh hissing through my teeth as I figured out the problem. No. Im completely out of shape!
Says who? Costa said, giving me a once-over.
I almost kicked a nearby rock out of frustration. Not like that. I spent the past couple months learning how to fight, but I havent worked on my hallowed radar since I found the slingshot. That means now, my hallowed radar is as sluggish as if it spent this whole time couch-surfing while bingeing on chips and beer.
Jasmine gave me an incredulous look. Are you serious?
As if Id joke about this, I muttered.
There had to be a way to jump-start my process. After all, Id managed to use my hallowed finder back when I didnt even know that I had the ability. Of course, back then my life was usually in danger, so that had probably factored into things
Inspiration hit and I spun around, grabbing Adrian by the arm. Choke me, I announced. Survival instinct kicks my abilities into gear, as you proved so memorably before.
A muscle ticked in his jaw. No.
But you have to, I said, which should have been obvious. Otherwise, wed wasted three days driving all the way out here.
His featured tightened. I only did that before because a childs life was on the line. Unless its life-or-death, Im never hurting you again. Besides his voice lost its harshness survival instinct isnt the only thing that can trigger your abilities. Adrenaline should work, too.
I let out a short laugh. So I should find a scorpion and pet it for the sheer terror of the experience?
His mouth quirked. You could, but I had something else in mind.
* * *
MY SEAT BELT was on as tight as I could stand. I also had one hand pressed against the side window while the other gripped the seat divider. In addition to that, my leg was braced against the dashboard so I could wedge my body farther into the seat. Still, it felt like Id be vaulted out of the car at any moment.
And I couldnt stop smiling. That was the craziest thing. At first, Id been nervous when Adrian gunned the Challenger to incredible speeds across the desert, leaving Jasmine, Costa and the bus containing Brutus far behind. Then Id been shocked by how he could spin the muscle car around in circles and cause it to drift while still maintaining complete control.
Id never done something reckless just for the fun of it before. Jasmine had always been the impulsive one. Id been careful, polishing my mask of normalcy as I went through the motions that were otherwise referred to as life. For the longest time, I blamed my ennui on the medication I took for my hallucinations, but then I found out the pills were placebos. My parents had supplied them, knowing there was no cure for my condition, but not wanting to admit that until they thought I could handle it. What they hadnt known was that the cause of my visions was supernatural instead of medical.
Id never done something reckless just for the fun of it before. Jasmine had always been the impulsive one. Id been careful, polishing my mask of normalcy as I went through the motions that were otherwise referred to as life. For the longest time, I blamed my ennui on the medication I took for my hallucinations, but then I found out the pills were placebos. My parents had supplied them, knowing there was no cure for my condition, but not wanting to admit that until they thought I could handle it. What they hadnt known was that the cause of my visions was supernatural instead of medical.
No, Id numbed myself to the world all on my own, resigning myself to never feeling the things that normal people felt. Then I met Adrian. He didnt just wake something up inside me; in many ways, hed transformed me. No wonder I had such difficulty controlling myself around him. Maybe, for the moment, I shouldnt even try to. Maybe, like I was doing with this wild car ride, I should just enjoy being reckless instead.
I unclipped my seat belt and slid across the seat. Adrian gave me a startled look, slowing the car at once. I didnt wait for it to stop before I leaned over and pressed my lips to his.
His response was immediate, and electric. He yanked me closer, the momentum from him hitting the brakes slamming me harder against him. I didnt care, because his mouth slanted over mine and his arms crushed me to him. I moaned as his tongue slashed past my lips, tangling with mine until I felt drunk with his taste. I breathed in his scent, reveled in the scrape of his lightly stubbled jaw, then arched in wordless bliss when he pulled me all the way onto his lap.
He kissed me deeper, each stroke of his tongue igniting my senses, until my whole body felt like it vibrated from desire. I was lightheaded, as if everything around me was still spinning, but the car had come to a complete stop. His hands moved down my back with sensual possessiveness before sliding over my hips and staying there. I wasnt aware that Id been gripping his shirt until it ripped open at the collar. The sound he made as his kiss became bruising caused things low in me to tighten so suddenly, I cried out.
That rush of passion did more than cause me to writhe with need in his arms. With an internal flash that was as intense as a solar flare, my abilities activated and I felt that the staff wasnt anywhere nearby. Oh, a few hallowed things were, but nothing as significant as an object that had channeled enough power from on high to control nature. That wouldnt register as a faint blip on my radar. It would blast it, just like Davids ancient slingshot had when I found it months ago.
Adrian pulled away, his hands now framing my face instead of gripping my hips. I felt that. What is it?
You can feel that? I asked with a gasp.
He brushed my hair away while his gaze raked over me. Youd be amazed by some of my abilities, Ivy.
The raw sensuality in his voice promised pleasure and threatened obsession. At the same time, there was something distinctly not sexy about my abilities rearing their head right now. To say that I hadnt been focusing on anything hallowed for the past several minutes was putting it mildly.
Yet my abilities had had their priorities in order, even if I hadnt. I uncurled myself from Adrians embrace and began to scoot back into my seat. His eyes stayed locked onto mine, but he didnt stop me.
You were right, adrenaline did the trick, but the staff isnt here, I said, voice raspy as I tried to regain control.
Ah. The word did nothing to tell me what he was thinking about my putting the brakes onor starting things to begin with. Was he frustrated? Upset? I couldnt stand not knowing.
Youyou could say something else about what just happened, I stammered.
The faintest smile tugged his lips, which were fuller from how hard hed kissed me. So could you, but if you want me to go first, fine. I love how you taste, how you feel, the little noises you make when youre turned on, and when you ripped my shirt open, I wanted to throw you in the back and fuck you so hard, all the windows would shatter.
Adrians tone was light and he never lost that half smile, but his stare said that he meant every word.
You promised. My response was 90 percent a reminder of his vow, and 10 percent a plea for him to forget it.
He reached out, catching my hand in his. Then he brought it to his lips, kissing my knuckles while never breaking his stare.
Thats why were still in the front seat, but you wanted to know what I was thinking, so I told you.
Then he let go of my hand and moved his seat forward. I looked away, flushing. I hadnt even noticed him moving it back, but I wouldnt have fit on his lap otherwise. Despite my tinge of embarrassment, I also felt a sense of relief. By repositioning his seat, Adrian was further confirming that nothing else was going to happen. Im the one whod started this, but Id only meant it to be a kiss. Not for it to end with sex.
Then again, if my hallowed radar hadnt acted up, who knows how this would have ended? With lots of broken windows?
Your turn, he said, interrupting that dangerous line of thought. Youre the one who kissed me. Why?
I squirmed at his bluntness. Isnt it kinda obvious?
Another ghost of a smile. I didnt make you guess what I was thinking when I answered you.
No, he sure hadnt. I looked away, unable to reply while on the receiving end of that deep blue stare. His gaze was too probing, too knowing, and yes, still too enticing.
I shouldnt have, I said at last. That makes me a tease, I suppose, but I felt so...free, right before I kissed you. I let out a choppy laugh. Guess it made me forget all the reasons why Im not.
Ivy. The way he said my name forced me to look at him. When I did, he pulled me into his arms before I even realized that hed moved.
Adrian
Shh, he murmured. I dont think Ive ever just held you before. I was always pushing you away, and the one time I didnt, we were also in this car. His lips brushed my hair. Did you know that old Challengers were your aphrodisiac?
I laughed, relaxing at his loose embrace and his light, bantering tone. What can I say? Im into vintage things.
His chuckle rumbled against my back. Ive missed you, Ivy. All of you, so dont think youre not free around me because you are. That means kissing me isnt teasing. I want to do truly filthy things to you, but I can wait. If Zach hurries his Archon ass up, I wont even have to wait long.
I had to say it. You do know its extremely twisted that you need an angels help to hook up, right?
This time, his laughter had an edge. I never have before, but with Zach, I can give you the guarantee that you demanded.
I didnt remind him that Id only promised him a chance, not a sure thing. How does Zach factor into you proving that you can beat your fate? I asked instead.
He tensed, but then relaxed almost as fast. Its complicated, so Id rather show you than tell you.
Thats what my prom date said right before I cracked a beer bottle over his head, I replied, my tone dry. You told me no more secrets, remember?
He angled his head so he could look at me, and his expression was serious. I dont want to tell you right now. Thats a choice, not a secret, and yes, theres a difference.