Page 49 of Haunted Hearts

He doesn’t look surprised or concerned. The corners of his lips curve faintly.

“Maybe I want her to know.” He says it like a confession. “She already feels it,” he continues, his voice softer now, quieter in a way that makes something deep in my chest tighten. “She just doesn’t understand what she’s feeling yet.”

His hand moves before I can stop him, gripping my dick through my pants. My breath catches despite myself as he leans closer, his mouth brushing my ear.

“I could feel it,” he whispers. “The moment you saw me watching.”

My jaw tightens, my body betraying me in ways I despise. Alok removes his hand, stepping back as he smiles up at me.

“I could feel what it did to you. Try to hate me all you want—but you both are lying to yourselves.”

I shove him back hard, forcing distance between us, refusing to allow him to have the hold on me he always has.

“You took over Jack’s body,” I snap, my voice sharper now, harsher. “She won’t forgive that.”

“She forgave you.” His words cut me deeper than he realizes. Or maybe he realizes it perfectly. I can see something unfamiliar in his eyes—hope. A foreign thing I’ve never seen from him.

“Your nature has always been cruel, Alok.”

He doesn’t deny it, he can’t. He doesn’t bother defending himself. Instead, he steps forward again, slower this time. Doesn’t defend himself.

“You and I both know she is different.” There’s no mockery or manipulation in his voice now. He’s serious. It unsettles me more than anything else he’s said.

“Are you fucking delusional?” I laugh, but there’s no humor in it. “What do you think happens next? That she will fall for you?”

He doesn’t answer. And that silence tells me everything I need to know. This isn’t him being impulsive, he’s being… vulnerable. Which might just be worse. It softens my expression before I can stop it.

“I love her, Alok,” I admit quietly, the words heavier than anything I’ve ever spoken before. “A mortal,” I continue, forcing myself to finish the thought. “A girl who is not long for this world.”

“You don’t know that.” The words leave him fast and sharp. He looks away. I can tell he wasn’t supposed to say that.

I step closer, reaching up and gripping his chin, forcing him to meet my eyes, forcing him to face me. Our faces only inches apart. Close enough to feel his breath, our past fresh in my mind.

“What do you know?” I whisper.

Alok’s eyes darken, something ancient moving beneath the surface. For a moment, neither of us moves. For a moment, we are exactly what we used to be.

Then he exhales.

“We have a problem.”

I cock my head, knowing he’s changing the subject. “What are you talking about?”

“Yesterday I overheard Cade talking to the witch about someone asking questions over at your little cult.”

“What does that have to do with me?”

“It’s the council, Kai. They’re coming for your girl and I wouldn’t be surprised if it was all to get to you.”

“And how may I ask did you come to that conclusion?”

“Cade mentioned a description. A man with glowing eyes.”

“I know.”

I figured the celestial council was involved; it means this is a far bigger issue than I had anticipated. I need to get Calli out of here. If the Covenant is working with them, it won’t be long before they’re able to locate this place. I cannot allow her to be exposed to the celestial council.

An ancient order formed after Solan and Thera created my infernal race. Self-righteous. Ancient. Powerful.