Free Shades of Blood by Samantha Young Page A

the dark about the fact that I can save soul eaters from themselves without killing them.”
    The Princeps stood up abruptly, taking offense at the edge in her words. His dark eyes glittered down at her dangerously. “As far as you are concerned you still are in the dark about your gift. Do not attempt to use it. And as for Romany… I am sorry that she is back in your life. If it had been up to me you would never have had to see her again. But this is Darius ’ will, Eden. So play along.” His eyes softened. “For me? Play along.”
    She felt like crying again. God, she was such a headcase. She stood up, shaking. “I feel like I ’ m going out of my mind. I have a gift I can ’ t use, The Tribunal has kidnapped the Douglas ’ , Cameron has had his soul stolen, Tobe won ’ t talk to me, Arcos is still out there somewhere and…” she ran out of breath, gulping for air.
    She felt a warm hand on her shoulder and looked up to find Cyrus comforting her. “We will get through this,” he promised. “Please, Eden. Be as strong as I know you are. Play along.”
    Not sure if she were agreeing for real or not, Eden nodded and allowed him to usher her from the room. Her bedroom surrounded her, the familiar scent of her Kenzo perfume alerting her to the fact that she had gotten back to her room somehow and was now sitting in a daze on her bed.
    Play along, Eden. Please.
    Even Cyrus was wary of Darius. So she should be terrified right?
    Still… Eden wasn ’ t sure the threat of the terrifying god-like Ankh was enough to curb her thirst for a certain Neith ’ s blood.

    Still reeling hours later from her conversation with Cyrus, Eden barely heard the knock on her door. She had secluded herself away in her room all day, afraid to be around anyone. The knock was a gentle tap, coaxing and unsure. She glanced up from her computer screen where she ’ d been downloading some mood music, to find Noah lounging in the doorway. Just the sight of his tall, strong figure, the smile in his eyes – that special look he reserved just for her – made her stomach twist with longing. She wished that for at least one night they could forget about all the things that were determined to drive a wedge between them, all the things that were determined to destroy her life with him, with them all.
    “You feel like putting on some shoes?” Noah asked softly, his voice low and husky.
    An insistent tug pulled at her lower belly and she arched a quizzical eyebrow. “Dude, what ’ s with the sexy?”
    He grinned at her playful use of the word ‘ dude ’ and stepped into the room. “Cyrus gave me permission to take you for a drive.”
    Both eyebrows arched this time, surprised after their recent discussion that her guardian would allow her that freedom. “Seriously?”
    “Yeah. I think he realizes we need some timeout. Just for a few hours. You in?”
    Was she in? Her heart was already racing with the anticipation of being out of the mansion.  Eden was so sick and tired of fighting herself over the Romany issue. So sick of having to push her dark feelings down and pretend that she didn ’ t have them. It was made even harder being around the Ankh and the Neith; being around the constant talk of war, of strategy. Tonight, could she really drive off into the dark with Noah and leave it all behind?
    She hoped so.
    Shoving her feet into her Converse, Eden snatched up a light jacket and grabbed a hold of Noah ’ s hand. He smiled gently at her and leaned into kiss her, as if trying to distract her from the anxiety peeking out at her from the furthest reaches of his violet eyes.
    Eden let him distract her.
    They took the Audi, purring down the driveway, stopping at each security checkpoint. Noah drove with one hand, his other entwined in hers. She didn ’ t know where Noah was taking her and to be honest she didn ’ t care.
    They drove in silence, following the Boston Post Road east. Noah took a lot of twists and turns, never using his blinkers