Nik had never really been one for bringing people home with him. Once or twice, yeah, but to say the things that Enzo said he was saying? It didnāt sound like him ā or well, it didnāt sound like something he would admit to a near perfect stranger. He was lonely, horribly so, but telling anyone that? It wasnāt something heād ever done, and yetā¦
The look on Enzoās face. It didnāt look like the face of someone playing a game, or someone looking to hurt him.
God, Nik was so confused.
āI donāt understand. Who couldā¦ā He closed his eyes as Enzoās fingers made a path over his throat and down the front of his shirt, biting back a small sound at the jolt of electricity when his nipples were touched. The mental image of wrapping his legs around Enzoās slim hips was almost enough to make him weak in the knees, but Nik held his ground ā and met those beautiful dark eyes. āWho could do something like that?ā he asked again, voice strained.
He might not remember, but his body certainly felt like those touches were familiar. Wanted. And there was a very large part of Nik that wanted everything Enzo was saying to be trueā¦because it meant someone cared.
Nik sat down heavily in the chair, his legs suddenly too shaky to hold him up any longer. There was immediate relief, finally off his feet for the first time in hours. Now if only his head could be appeased so easily.
āHow do we fix it?ā We. How do we fix it? Because if there was even the remotest chance that what Enzo was saying was true, then Nik wanted it. He wanted someone that cared enough about him to do the things Enzo was doing. He wanted an end to the loneliness. If Enzo cared, then Nik wanted to know him. āIāll help. Just tell me the truth. Tell me who could have done this, and tell me what I need to do to help you fix it.ā
The expression on Nikās face recalled so beautifully the expression that had been on his face when heād come that Enzo was rendered quite weak. His heart was no less broken, but he could see in Nikās eyes a willingness to see the truth, to embrace it, to fix what had been broken between them. He helped Nik sit down, and he pulled the other chair around so he could sit facing him.
āThere are terrible things in this world,ā Enzo said, searching Nikās eyes for any reluctance to hear what he was saying. āI wish you didnāt have to know. This could only have been done byā¦ā
He took a deep breath, and reached for Nikās hands, holding them, resting on his knees.
āThereās things like me,ā he said. He needed to show Nik his face, or Nik was never going to believe him. āIā¦ you have to believe I wouldnāt hurt you,ā he said. āYou must.ā If Nik freaked out, Enzo would compel him to forget; and then he would leave, and stay far away. No, he couldnāt let that happen. āYou must stay calm, he said, with just a touch of compulsion.
He let the veins beneath his eyes swell and darken, and he let his fangs descend.
āIām a vampire,ā he said. āBut I promise you, Iām not a bad man. I can make people do things. We all can. Youāll find your landlord has no interest in you continuing to pay rent ā I did that, when I was here the other night.ā
He retracted his fangs, and set his features back to human.
āA vampire could have made you forget me. Or a witch, but I canāt imagine what witch might hold such a grudge against me. Iāve beenā¦ gone a long time,ā he said. āI canāt possibly have angered anyone enough to do this to us.ā
He met Nikās eyes again.
āDo you remember speaking to anyone unfamiliar?ā he asked. āAnyone at all. Even in passing. In the last two days. I can kill the vampire who did this, or persuade the witch to reverse the spellā¦ but only if I can find out who they are.ā
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jimmyeatworldofficial
2087
stormborns
