Wicked Destiny by Tiffany Stevens Page B

like ice running through my veins. “What was it?” I asked again, because I knew it was something bad.
    “You were supposed to be eliminated.”
    “Eliminated? How was I supposed to be eliminated, and why?”
    “I w asn’t supposed to leave unless…” He looked away, but I refused to let him go without an explanation.
    “ What, Declan? I wasn’t supposed to what? Just say it!” 
    “I wasn’t supposed to leave you alive, OK? ” Shock and horror crossed his face. “I wasn’t supposed to allow you to live because you throw the balance off. The balance of good and evil.”  Silence filled the air and I couldn’t say anything. “Say something, please, Sloane.”
    “I’m sorry. Did you just say you were there to assassinate me?” I had to sit before I passed out. “How do I tip the balance? I’m not a bad person.” I didn’t understand.
    “It’s in your blood. The darkness is in your blood. It doesn’t matter what I think, more less what Shay or even Viktor thinks. The truth is in your blood.”
    “So you were sent to kill me , then? What about now? Are you here to finish the job?”
    “You know I would never! ”
    “Do I? One thing I can count on is you leaving and someone else picking up where you left off.”
    “That’s why I am back. I can’t let that happen.”
    “So , you are my knight in shining armor? I don’t need your help nor do I want it. I’ve done just fine without you.”  I turned to walk away, but he caught me but my arm.
    “They found you , Sloane. They know who you are and they have no idea what you are capable of. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if anything happened to you.”
    “ They who , Declan?” I threw my hands up. “You aren’t making any sense. Who, the almighty council? I’m sure they know I was born considering who their boss is.”
    “Not just them. Please, Sloane, let’s leave. You and I, and we can run.”  For years I would’ve given anything to hear that come from him. Tonight wasn’t the night.
    “You know , I wished for those words for so long and now that I’ve heard them, I don’t understand what was so important about them. Walk away, Declan. Go home.” He let me go. 
    “You can’t mean that.”
    “Really? Well, here, let me give you a little demonstration of walking away.” I turned and walked away, feeling pretty confident that I pulled off the I don’t care act. But I knew if he asked again I would cave.
    “He knows , Sloane. He’s always known what you are and if you give in to him, it will be a mistake.” I stopped walking, but I didn’t turn around. I felt him right against me. He kissed the back of my head and squeezed my shoulders. “I missed your smell and your blonde hair.” I closed my eyes and a single tear escaped my eye. “You were always the plan on both our parts.  Viktor may never tell you that, but it’s the truth.”
    Opening my eyes , I saw another pair staring back at me. Not the beautiful blue ones, but the beautiful grey ones. Viktor stood in the alleyway and he looked as if he was about to charge. I quickly wiped the tear away. He knew he was coming; he could hear the footsteps without a doubt.
    “You have no right to be here. You left me, remember? So leave me alone. That person you missed died a long time ago.” I ran to Viktor’s arms and he welcomed me without hesitation. He hugged me tightly and over his shoulder I caught Declan watching. It shouldn’t have bothered me, but it did. Declan had no right to come back into my life.
    “Are you OK? Mindy said you were out here,” Viktor whispered.
    “Yea h.” And just like that, I walked away from Declan and our past.

 
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 9
     
     
     
     
     
    It was the end of the nig ht and I was really feeling it. I wanted to just go home and climb into my tub with no distractions of boyfriends, past or present. Just the feel of the water’s warm embrace was all I wanted.   
    “So, do you want to talk about it?”