Free The Black God (#2, Damian Eternal Series) by Lizzy Ford Page A

and body when biting. That she and Jonny had such an
intimate exchange when she wanted him dead sent her emotions
tumbling again.
    “Why aren’t you on meds?” he prodded.
    “None of your damn business.”
    “You’re right. It’s not. But if you’re
serious about taking me on, you better be able to stay on your feet
next time.”
    “You have no idea what I’m capable of.”
    “Ditto, Ash.”
    Had she ever hated him more than she did
now? “Good luck with your mutiny.” This time when she walked away,
she didn’t stop. She strode to the edge of where the parking lot
started before sneaking a look over her shoulder.
    Jonny was gone.
    She paused and released the breath she was
holding. Ashley leaned against the railing separating the sidewalk
from the parking area, barely able to stay on her feet despite her
anger. She was shaking. She still didn’t understand how he’d
stopped her attack before the worst part came, and she feared he’d
only ensured her next one was that much worse.
    But why had he bothered either way? Why not
just leave her writhing and seizing on the beach? Was his fear of
Xander that great?
    She drew a breath. No part of her trusted
Jonny’s claim that he’d call Brandon. It was a long way to San
Diego, chilly, and she was alone. She gazed around. What she wanted
was a nap, sweatshirt and some decent food.
    The sirens of multiple police cars and an
ambulance approaching the wharf drew her attention back to the vamp
issue she’d just escaped. How on earth did anyone explain to normal
humans what those red-eyed creatures were? She wasn’t about to
stick around to find out.
    Ashley stood, mesmerized by the lights of
the police cars, uncertain what exactly to do next. Her grip on the
railing felt like all that was keeping her on her feet, and the
ocean chill was beginning to sink into her skin.
    “You sure you don’t want a ride?” Jonny’s
voice came from behind her.
    She tensed and pushed away from the metal
railing, not about to appear weak in front of him. No part of her
wanted another favor from him. Yet no part of her looked forward to
trying to find her way home without her family flipping out about
her absence either.
    “Fine,” she replied. “In exchange for me not
telling Xander your people kidnapped me in the first place.”
    “I told you. They aren’t mine.”
    “They’re vamps. Of course they’re yours,”
she said and turned, meeting his dark gaze again. “You’re the Black
God. They answer to you.”
    “Things are never that easy, are they?” he
challenged.
    “No,” she replied, considering all that had
come between them four years before. “They aren’t. Especially when
it involves the supernatural.”
    “Or people meddling where they
shouldn’t.”
    “Or betraying someone who trusts you.”
    He studied her. “Four years is along time to
hold a grudge.”
    “Betrayal’s a bitch. There’s no time limit
on grudges, Jonny. In a million years, I’ll still hate you for what
you did.”
    He seemed to want to say something but
changed his mind. “We’ll see. At least hate me from your own
apartment instead of out here on a beach.”
    This time when he held out his hand, she
grudgingly accepted it.
    A tiny thrill jolted her, racing through
her, as their skin met. She didn’t want to be reminded of how
they’d once held hands years ago, when they were different people,
or how Jonny had changed from an unsure boy into a self-assured
man. His large hand was like his body: warm and strong.
    He seemed lost in the moment as well, his
face an inscrutable mask and his emotions shuttered behind dark
eyes.
    “Well,” she said, a little breathlessly
under his intent look. “Take us back.”
    He shifted feet and lifted his gaze, as if
catching himself staring at her.
    The world around them melted into a
kaleidoscopic swirl of colors and shapes before reforming into
different shapes and colors. Ashley’s stomach dropped and for a
moment, she feared she’d seize