Blinding Light (The Bloodmarked Trilogy Book 2) by Alicia Deters Page A

bed. We’ve both been through a lot. And don’t argue with me about it like I know you’re dying to.”
    So it was Lucille again. He tended to use my full name when he was all business, and it was Ms. Masters when he was bossing me around. He eased down onto his back and settled in under the blankets, folding his arms behind his head. He met my gaze.
    “Now who’s the bitchy one?” It wasn’t my fault I liked to argue. It was that damned tone of his that made me want to. If he weren’t so domineering, we’d get along splendidly. For the most part.
    He smiled at my response but let it drop and closed his eyes. Wow. I think hell just froze over. He didn’t even try to sneak in the last word. He really was more drained than he let on. I flipped off the light and decided that maybe we were both taking baby steps toward a more mature relationship. Or partnership. Or whatever it was.
    I kicked off my boots and quickly stripped out of my pants before sliding into the bed. I briefly glimpsed the streetlights reflecting off his eyes and saw something raw there. And I knew from past experience that this vertigo sensation was a product of the connection between us, allowing me to feel what he was feeling. I could have passed it off as my own desire if not for that telltale sign.
    Well, I guess that answered the recurring question of whether or not he wanted me. The jury was still out on the deeper stuff, though. But I was not thinking about this anymore. Nope, done with the headaches tonight. Nothing but me and this oh so wonderful bed.
    I was half asleep when his tired voice drifted up to me. “Goodnight, Lucy.” And we were back to Lucy again, huh? Even through the exhaustion, I could tell he was smiling, clearly amused by something.
    “What’s so funny?” I asked warily, not prepared to delve into another argument.
    “Just you… surrounded by all that bubblegum pink. I never see you wear pink, and now you’re cocooned in it. It’s so girly and…”
    “You can shut up now.”
    “Cute,” he finished. “It’s adorable, really.”
    “I like you a lot better when you’re unconscious,” I said dryly.
    “That’s not true, and I like you better in pink,” he teased.
    “No, you don’t,” I said.
    He grew quiet, and I thought he fell asleep. Then, he added, “You’re right. I like you in dark grey much better.”
    Dark grey? When had I worn dark grey? When I thought he would say more, I waited. I waited until I heard his breathing level out. Then, I fell asleep.
     
    †
     
    I shot straight up, clutching the blanket. My breathing was heavy, but not because I suffered from oxygen deprivation. Not an issue anymore. Apparently, even vampires had nightmares. And this particular one was especially brutal, because it was a memory. It really happened.
    I killed a man. I killed a human being.
    Gavin was at my side instantly. “Lucy, what is it? What’s wrong?” His arms encircled me, and his hand lifted to my face. Gently, he tilted it back until I met his concerned stare.
    I tried squeezing my eyes shut against the tears, but it was useless. They were wrenched free, along with the rest of my nightmare.
    “I killed him,” I confessed. “He was only trying to help me and I killed him.” My eyes went from a steady leak to faucets turned up to full blast. “Guess the monster finally came out to play,” I spat, my self-loathing returning with a vengeance.
    “No, Lucy, you’re not a monst-,”
    “Look at me!” I whisper shouted. “How did I become this way? He’s dead because of me,” I said, dipping my head in shame.
    “Who, Lucy? Who did you kill?” His forehead creased in worry and his brows pinched together.
    “The man in the street.”
    Gavin’s fingers ghosted over my frown lines, intent on comforting me, but I was trapped in the memory. My mouth switched to autopilot and continued to reminisce. “The assassin… He stabbed me in the back. Literally. I was in so much pain, and I couldn’t