Page 98 of Thorn Evermore
“Never. Whatever you want, my darling, it’s yours.”
I rub my hand on his chest over his heart. “I already have everything I want.”
“Just wait.”
Chapter 28
KYSON
We walk home together at what feels like a leisurely pace. I almost want to laugh at the idea ofwalkingfor miles, something I never would have voluntarily done before, but it’s as easy as breathing. Well, maybe that’s not a good analogy anymore. Technically, I’m breathing, but it’s very different than it was.
“Neal got a bloody nose during the meeting,” I announce. “He’s been doing cocaine. It fell out of his bag.”
“Oh damn.”
“He used to do it when we were together, but I made him stop, and he did. I don’t know what happened that made him relapse, but it explains a lot of behavior.”
“I’m sorry, babe,” Thorn says, rubbing my back. “It must be so disappointing for you.”
“I’m not some squeaky-clean prude, you know. I honestly don’t care about anything people do for fun, as long as it’s actually fun and not hurting anyone. But addiction hurts people.”
“It does.” He lifts my hand, kissing it. “For the record, I’ve been reckless with drugs, but they can’t hurt me. I can’t become addicted no matter how hard I try.”
“I know. That’s different. You’re not tearing apart families or mistreating people you love.”
“No, and I don’t need them anymore. I don’t need to thrill seek. I have what I was always searching for. Having you in my life is far more intoxicating than anything I’ve ever ingested.”
“Is it more fun than killing people?”
Thorn snorts. “It’s different from that. I feel so… settled and content. When I’m working, it’s just that. Work. When I hunt, it’s because the energy inside me is too much. That first night at my place, I went hunting. I couldn’t make sense of all the emotions I was feeling. Since then though, I’ve been fine. Except for my very real desire to make Neal bleed.”
I laugh softly. “He’s not worthy. Besides, he’s done enough self-inflicted damage. He’s ruined his body and maybe his career. Karma made her point.”
“Indeed she did.”
“Oh. He told me he had a nightmare last night and I was in it. He didn’t elaborate but it made me wonder if he could somehow feel what I felt.”
Thorn grins. “Oh damn. That’s your ability. Raphael has it too.”
“Ability?”
“When your emotions are strong, you can make others feel them. You can envision something and they can feel it as if it’s really happening.”
“Really?”
“Yep. Be careful, love. That’s powerful stuff.”
I nod, walking on a bit. “What is yours?”
“My ability to compel is stronger than most. I could make the pope an atheist if I wanted to.”
“That’s incredible.”
“It is. Yours is different. It’s an impression you leave. Mine is a suggestion that embeds itself in my target’s mind.”
“You could change the world.”
“Yves won’t let me. Let mortals play their games, as he says. Besides, the world as it is works for us.”