“Yeah. It was…intense under the bridge.”

  “How’s Lamek?”

  “Don’t know. I haven’t gone to see him yet. Kind of scared to go back down there after the last two times. Though, maybe if I go alone, they won’t try to kill anyone.”

  “Probably. They like you.”

  “We’ll see. When we were under the bridge…there was a lot of shit that came out.”

  “Of Lamek?”

  “No!” Faye laughed. “About Molly. I’m not sure how I feel about it all, that’s it.”

  “But you’re staying at the house.”

  “Yes, Ben, I’m staying at the house. I’m not leaving. I promise you.”

  “Good.” He patted her leg. “Then I figure everything else with work itself out. You and Molly kind of always run circles around each other trying to catch one another and never seem to get there. You will, eventually, I think anyway, but for now that’s what it’s going to be.”

  “When did you become wise, Benny-boy?”

  “Don’t call me that.”

  Laughing hard, Faye stood up this time, stepping away so Ben couldn’t pull her back down. “I’ll talk to Molly about the ljiraq.”

  “Sure, but can we name it something else that I have chance in hell of pronouncing?”

  “Nope.” Grinning, Faye walked out of the game room and into the hall. She’d done what she’d gone there to do, convince him to fully embrace his shifter self and find a way to get a break from their boss. Molly confused her too much, and she needed the space.

  She would make all the plans, book all the flights, get everything ready before she went to talk to Molly. That way Molly would be less likely to say no, and she could go even without permission. She would anyway, whether Molly approved it all or not. Call it a vacation, she would enjoy her time. Hopefully Ben would come even if Molly said no.

  Faye walked through the hall toward her room when Malek popped out of Molly’s and pinned her with a look that sent shivers down her spine. Faye eyed him up and down, trying to figure out what he was up to. They’d found out more information as to why he was there, though she still wasn’t convinced it was all of it, and neither was Molly.

  Malek walked right up to her, grabbing her by the back of the neck, tilting her head, and crashing their mouths together. Faye groaned as he shoved her into the wall, his hands against her sides, moving up and down, teasing her breasts. Faye nipped at his lip, closed her eyes, and waited for him to slow down. When he pressed his lips near her ear, she shivered.

  “I’ll be staying here for some time. We can explore this more.”

  “Oh good.” Faye said the words on a breath. “Here I thought once was the only time we’d get. I’m not biting you, though. Sorry, but that was something I don’t want to experience again, at least until you’re done with whatever pissing match you’ve had with the fold.”

  Malek chuckled, the sound low in his throat. “Hopefully that will be ended soon enough.”

  “Oh? Do you have plans?”

  “Not yet, but Molly is smart. She’ll help me figure something out.”

  “That she is. Now, if you don’t mind…” Faye slipped from his grasp and walked backward down the hall toward her own room. “…I’ve really got some work to catch up on.”

  “You work?”

  She shrugged. “Guess you can train a vampire.”

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Faye waited until Molly left her bedroom. She’d made all the arrangements for her and Ben to leave in four days to head up to the arctic to chase down the ljiraq or at least some signs of it and gathered the information to make her case for Molly.

  As she stepped into Molly’s office, she couldn’t help but wonder if Malek had been leaving Molly’s bedroom for a very specific reason, one Faye had actually called her out on. Pushing the thought to the side, Faye plopped down into the chair across from Molly’s desk and stared up at her lover, the one consistent lover she’d had for four years which was the longest she’d ever spent in any kind of relationship, not that she’d call what she and Molly had a relationship, but she didn’t have a better term for it.

  “Your thoughts are loud, Faye.”

  “Are they?” Intentionally, Faye raked her gaze up and down Molly’s body—at least what she could see of it. Her breasts were pushed up in the shirt she wore, enough cleavage that there was very little left to Faye’s imagination. Goosebumps sprouted against Molly’s skin on her chest and arms, and Faye was satisfied with the reaction she’d gotten.

  “You are insatiable lately.”

  “I think it’s more you who are.” Faye crossed her arms and leaned into the chair, lifting her knee against the edge of Molly’s desk. She wasn’t there for a quick fuck, though she’d never deny one if Molly wanted it. She was there to talk about going to the arctic. Molly didn’t need to know it was because she needed a break from the house itself.

  “Cheeky.” Molly’s cheeks flushed. “What was it you wanted to discuss?”

  “I want to go on a trip to the arctic.”

  Molly froze. “No.”

  “Come on. What’s the worst that could happen?”

  “You of all people should know better than to ask that question, especially where you are involved.”

  Faye narrowed her gaze. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “You know what it means. No mission ever goes smoothly. There’s nothing there, anyway.”

  “There is.” Faye pouted. “You haven’t even bothered to listen to what.”

  Molly drew in a deep breath, settled the papers down, and gave Faye her full attention. “Then, pray tell, what is in the arctic that has grasped your attention so viscerally?”

  “Why are you talking like that? Whatever. There’s a creature there you might be interested in, but I know Ben is interested, and I thought since he’s exploring his shifter side, it might be a good chance for him to learn about some of his history and to explore some of what he can do.”

  “The ljiraq?”

  Faye glared. “How did you know that?”

  “I know a lot of things.” The corner of Molly’s lips quirked up. “I have searched for the ljiraq a few times before.”

  “And I assume you have found nothing.”

  “You assume correct.”

  Faye nodded. “Doesn’t mean we won’t find anything.”

  “Also correct.”

  “So can we go?”

  “You and Benjamin?”

  “Yes. Just us.” Faye rubbed her sweaty palms against her jeans to try and calm herself. She didn’t know why she was so worked up over requesting a mission, except she’d never actually requested one before. She’d either just left to go on one or did as she was told.

  “Faye, don’t take this question the wrong way, but you do intend to come back, don’t you?”

  “Why does everyone think I’m going to up and leave?”

  Molly gave her a soft smile, but Faye didn’t see it reach her eyes. Instead of answering, Molly stood up and came around to Faye. Grabbing her by the hand, she led her out onto the parapet, the breeze gathering up the curls of Molly’s hair and moving them across her shoulder as she stared out at the busy city surrounding them.

  “You have a tendency to leave when things are uncomfortable.”

  “My life is uncomfortable.” Faye leaned over the railing, making sure she didn’t touch Molly. They still hadn’t really talked about what had happened at the bridge, and she wasn’t sure she was ready for that conversation, but that was definitely where this was headed.

  “You’ve not had an easy life. I think anyone can attest to that.”

  Faye’s eyebrows rose and fell, but she still refused to look at Molly. Molly’s hand landed on her arm, and Faye turned to stare up into those dark eyes that so easily consumed her.

  “You didn’t answer my question.”

  “I am planning on coming back here, yes.”

  Molly released a breath, all her muscles relaxing as she stood next to Faye. “Good.”

  “Did you really think I’d leave?”

  “I don’t know what you’re thinking.”

  “Didn’t you just say I thought loudly?”

  “About sex, yes. Anything else and you are a mystery sometimes. I can anticipate some of your responses, your moods, but when it comes to us…you are a mystery.”

  Faye’s lips parted. She straightened her back and gripped the railing tightly, her knuckles turning white as she leaned into it. She could jump, and she’d survive. It’d hurt like fuck, but she could do it. It wouldn’t prove any point other than she was reckless, which they both already knew.

  “I’m not a mystery.” Faye spun around and leaned against the railing. “I’m not. I’m the last born vampire. I’m young and wild. I have no concept of what it’s like to go through life without being a murderer. I thrive on blood, other peoples life source is my life source. I can’t self-sustain, ever. You can. You have no concept of what it’s like to have to rely on someone else in order to survive.”

  “You’re right.” Molly touched Faye’s hand lightly. “You’re right, I have no idea. We might have a bond, but that only goes so far. We may thrive together, but I can survive without you.”

  “Exactly.” Faye moved to shift, but Molly stepped in front of her.

  “The difference, Faye, is I don’t want to survive without you.”

  That uncomfortable niggling feeling that had been struggling to burst in the pit of her stomach twisted hard and grew bigger. Faye once again leaned against the railing, taking on the persona of being unfazed, of being unmoved by Molly’s words.

  “Look at me.”

  Faye’s gaze locked on Molly’s.

  “I’m asking you not to leave me.”

  “I hear you.”

  “Will you stay?”

  She didn’t want to answer. Everything in her body told her not to, to run and hide, to jump over the railing and race in the other direction. Faye did the one and only thing she could think of, the only way to get out of confirming what Molly wanted, because yes, she may be the only one who could convince Molly to do something according to Malek, but it really was the opposite. Molly was the only one who could convince her to stay.

  Cupping Molly’s cheek, Faye dragged her closer, their mouths feverishly moving together. Molly moaned when Faye broke her skin, the iron tang of her blood filling both their senses as it reached their tastebuds. Molly initiated the bond immediately. Faye pushed, walking Molly back until she was held tightly between the wall of the house and Faye’s body.

  Remaining as quiet as she could, Faye pulled up Molly’s skirt with a free hand and slid her fingers inside her, hard, forceful, firm. Curling her fingers, she jerked her wrist exactly like she knew Molly liked it. Molly’s head hit the wall as her eyelids fluttered shut. Her hips rocked in time with Faye’s movements.

  Faye’s nose brushed against Molly’s neck, her pulse point. As her blood moved swiftly through her veins, she couldn’t help but catch the scent. Arousal. Sweet with a hint of spice. Faye leaned in even more to Molly’s form, using the wall to give her the perfect counter-balance. As Molly’s muscles clenched hard against her, her orgasm ripping waves through the both of them, Faye sunk her teeth into Molly’s jaw on the side of her cheek.

  The blood wasn’t plenty, but as the sweet notes hit the center of her tongue, she groaned and swallowed it down happily. Energy burst along with the tingles in her body already working in overdrive. She closed her eyes, pulling her mouth away after she swiped her tongue along the injury. Removing her hand from Molly, she brought her fingers to her lips and sucked them clean.

  “Are you coming home?”

  Faye swallowed, the moment suddenly connecting for her. Kissing Molly sweetly, she pulled away and nodded. “This time, yes.”

  “That’s all I can ask for.”

  Faye kissed her again before stepping away and through the parapet doors. She walked out of the office, ready to finalize her plans with Ben for their upcoming trip. Whatever had just happened, it had been good, and she’d managed to sidestep the real question Molly was asking just in time.

  ###

  Molly sat on the couch in her office with a whiskey in her fingers as she read over a book with the mythical ljiraq in it. She hadn’t studied up on it in decades, not since she and Pearl and gone on the hunt before Faye would have been born.

  She was surprised when her friend came into the room and shut the door behind him. He grunted at her before sitting next to her on the couch, taking up well over half of it with his giant body. Molly cocked her head at him, not moving an inch from the position he had found her in. The air in the room was tense, and she worried she knew exactly what conversation was coming.

  “How are our guests?”

  “Most have recovered.”

  “Without the need of magic, I see.”

  He nodded. “Time for the drug to leave their system. You gave them that.”

  “I wish I’d known sooner.”

  “Me as well.”

  Molly sipped at her whiskey, the alcohol burning as it slid down her throat. It was her third glass that night, and she should probably have stuck to wine, but the call of a good stiff drink after her conversation with Faye that afternoon had been too much.

  “Will you have your report in soon?”

  “Yes.”

  They lapsed into silence. Molly finished her drink and shifted to set it down. The book slipped, but she caught it, settling it next to her empty glass on the table. The night air came in on a breeze from the still open parapet doors. She hadn’t had the heart to close them after her tryst with Faye that afternoon.

  “Amachon, my friend, what’s weighing on your mind?”

  “I’m going home.”

  She sucked against the back of her teeth. “When will you return?”

  He shook his head, his golden eyes tearing up. “I won’t.”

  Tears immediately sprung to her own eyes, and she pressed a hand to the top of his large one. Her lips quivered as the tears stung, warmly flooding down her cheeks. Molly drew in a deep breath, and let it out on a shuddering sigh.

  “I knew someone was leaving. I didn’t suspect you, my oldest friend.”

  “I’m old.”

  She brushed away the tears as they fell. “Hardly an infant to me.”

  He chuckled but shook his head. “I’m nearing old age, and I can’t do something like this again.”

  Molly reached up to turn his face to hers. “I fear I will never see you alive again, my friend.”

  He didn’t answer her. Instead, he pressed their foreheads together and closed his eyes. Molly mimicked the move, drawing in a deep breath, her heart shattering into a thousand pieces. She hadn’t expected this. She’d known at some point he would want to leave, but after thirty years together—she’d hoped he’d stay.

  “Home?”

  “I miss it.”

  She swallowed. “I understand that call.”

  “I knew you would. I’m too old to keep up with you any longer.”

  “Hardly.” She sniffed, tears still slipping down her cheeks. “Whatever shall I do without you?”

  “You will learn to survive.”

  Molly let out a half-sob half-laugh. “I suppose you’re right.”

  Taking the risk, Molly leaned forward and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him in for a hug. She didn’t want to let go. Tears ran from her eyes and onto his shoulder, his shirt damp with the salty drops. He held her tightly, running a hand up and down her spine in a soothing motion. She stayed there as long as she could stand it before pulling away.

  “How dare you leave me?”

  “Not leaving.” He grunted at her, his chin rising each time he did it. His large hand reached up and pressed to the center of her chest. “Always here.”

  “You’re the only one here who knew her.”

  “I only knew her because you wanted me to.”

  “You are irreplaceable.”

  “The decision is made.”

  Nodding her understanding, Molly touched the back of his hand again. “When do you leave?”

  “Tomorrow.”

  “Amachon.” Molly stared at him, surprised. “You couldn’t wait any longer?”

  “I’m old. I’m tired. I have watched too many patience die from this drug. I can’t do it anymore.”

  “Running from your problems?”

  He shook his head once slowly. “Running toward the solution.”

  “Who will replace you at the clinic?”

  “I have set up a temporary hire for now. You will have to fire a new medic as you find time.”

  “Oh Amachon. You’re breaking my heart.”

  “I know.” He lifted her hand, kissed her palm gently, and stood up. He walked out of her office without a glance back.

  Molly pushed the tears off her cheeks before standing herself and refilling her glass. She knocked it back in one fell swoop before settling the glass down. Shutting the doors to the parapet, Molly stared at her empty office.

  It was so representative of her life. Full one moment and empty the next. Lust. Knowledge. Pain. Loneliness. What she would give to be able to age with the rest of them. Instead her blood haunted her, the same blood Faye lusted after and survived on was her own undoing.

  When her door opened again, she was surprised. Malek stepped through it, his eyes instantly taking in her form and his face changing from curiosity to understanding. He shut the door behind him. Malek held his arms open, and Molly gladly walked straight into the embrace. She wrapped herself into him, holding tight as sobs tore through her.

  He shushed her. He kissed her head. He held on tight as she let the emotions run through her one after the other. Amachon had been her closest friend for thirty years, since Pearl had died, how was she to survive without him, how was she to go on without knowing he was right there to back her up.

  Malek asked no questions as he comforted her. He would know exactly what she was feeling, exactly what ran through her, this intense loneliness they were both cursed to live with. When he kissed her temple, she turned her chin up to capture his lips. When he cupped her cheek, she stepped impossibly closer to him. When he tried to pull away, she dragged him back in. She wasn’t going to let go of the one person who had been her lifelong constant.