18. Adam
Adam
For the first time since the Slayer took over my body he’s quiet.
Iris asked him to let me take control, and he did, but I’m not sure he meant this much control. Either way, I’m not losing this opportunity.
“I’m glad your friend is safe,” I tell her, and she gives me a forced smile.
“Can he hear us?” she asks, and I shake my head.
“I’m not sure how long it will last. So whatever we need to say, we need to be quick.”
Iris gives me a firm, no nonsense nod.
“We need to make sure that you don’t leave the shop.
It’s warded against anyone with ill intentions.
Not only because I can’t have him killing that vampire, but apparently a whole council of vampires is here, and that puts you both in danger.
I can’t express how important it is that you stay inside the wards. ”
My breath hitches as I take in her words.
I don’t want to die; I want my life back.
No, it’s more than that. I want to take my life back and actually truly live it.
Maybe it’s the fact that my family is dead to me now and I can fully put them in the past, or feeling what it’s like to not be in control, but I just want to live my life to the fullest.
“Okay. I can only do so much, but whatever I can do, I’ll keep us here.”
“I’m going to do my best to keep him busy and happy so that no one else gets hurt.”
I look down at the ground, staring at her worn hardwood floors for a long moment, when she gently grips my wrist.
“We’re going to get your life back, Adam,” she says in a soft voice. “We’ll figure out how your family did this to you, why they did this to you, and try to send the Slayer back into the void.”
My gulp is audible. There’s, of course, a fear that he can hear this conversation, though he seems completely shut out at the moment.
“You’d do that for me?”
“It’s for both of us. I never asked for a mate, let alone one who kills for fun, and you didn’t ask for your body to be possessed. We’ll work together figuring out how to reverse this, but we need to be smart. I need to make sure that in doing this, I’m not bringing more harm to my coven.”
“Of course. Whatever you need me to do. I’ll do it.”
“Do you think you could reach out to your family?”
I rub the back of my neck, my chest tightening with the thought. Iris clocks me immediately and shakes her head, like even asking me was a stretch.
“Hey. Don’t worry about it, but we’re going to need to get that spell book.”
“I can give you the address. It shouldn’t be hard to find,” I tell her, and she gives me her phone to input the address in her GPS.
“So we’re in agreement then. You need to stay on the Slayer’s good side. We both keep him happy while we find the spell book and I figure out a way to send him back to the void.”
“Yes. Shit,” I complain, using my hand to lean against the wall.
With a painful exchange of power, the Slayer crashes his way through our consciousness and takes center stage.
I can feel his irritation as if it’s my own as he stands straight and looks down at the petite witch. With our hands on our hips, he just stares at her. I can sense his confusion and that he feels deceived.
“What did you talk to him about? Why was I sent completely away?”
He isn’t sharp with her, genuinely if there’s anyone in the universe that won’t be harmed by him, I think it’s her, not that I’ll admit it out loud. He’s obsessed, possessive, and still dangerous.
“I didn’t do any magic to send you away, if that’s what you’re asking. I just made sure that he was okay, which he is. He’s agreed to stay in the shop as well so that we can stay safe.”
That word prickles him, our shoulders going tighter. “And why is it you want us to stay in your shop, sweet Iris?”
Shit, what answer is she going to give him?
“It’s not safe right now,” she says simply and the Slayer bristles.
“Why is it not safe?”
“You already made a vow, Slayer.”
“You’ve tricked me?” he asks. There’s a mix of pride along with frustration.
“I haven’t tricked you. Things are just complicated, and it’s best for everyone if you stay within the wards.”
He narrows our eyes at her but gives up. He doesn’t want to piss off Iris anymore than he already has, so for now he isn’t asking questions.
I need to do my best to get along with him as well. We need to keep him happy and indoors where he can’t hurt anyone and where no one can kill us.
Part of me is afraid to trust Iris, or if any of this can even work, but what other choice do I have?