Chapter One

Hades stood in the shadows, letting the night swallow him whole. He'd appeared on Earth ten minutes ago, in the middle of a disgusting alley, the cold chilling him to the bone. He'd figured his brothers had dropped him somewhere at random and he would have to spend the first couple of days tracking Adrianna down...but then, he'd seen her, sitting by the window of an apartment across the street...and the world around him had come to a screeching halt. As he stood there, watching her, he forgot why he was there. He forgot it was the middle of the night and not the proper time to approach a woman. He forgot that, at least to her, he was a complete stranger and likely to frighten her. He even forgot who he was, what he was and that he could never stay.

He simply wanted her.

Her eyes, those gorgeous eyes, were raised to the heavens, their bright blue color visible even in the dark. She was deep in thought, he could tell. Her teeth were biting down on that lip of hers, a little wrinkle between her brows. All tell-tale signs that her mind was working overtime. The lights were off inside, but the moon was bathing her in silver...and he couldn't look away. In their dreams, she had always been beautiful, but here, she was magnificent. Her delicate oval face, her small straight nose, her enticing pink mouth, all framed with a riot of black curls that made his fingers itch to dig in. And she was so much more than a classic beauty, he knew. She was brave, witty and kind; generous, clever and adorable. She was the only one who could make him smile, make him laugh. Somehow, even though he was cursed, she made him feel...blessed. She'd opened a world for him beyond his own dark one, a world that wasn't real and yet, felt more real than anything he'd ever felt-

"What are you waiting for?"

Hades tensed, his hands balling in fists as the reality of the situation came crashing back down. He wasn't just a man, wanting to be with the woman he loved. He was a bastard, send to Earth to ruin the woman he loved...

"Leave me the fuck alone, Aphrodite!" He snarled at the goddess who'd snapped him out of his beautiful illusion.

"Geez, ungrateful much?!

Hades spun around, his eyes shooting fire. "Ungrateful?! Are you fucking kidding me?!"

"Hey, I know this plan isn't an ideal solution, but it's the only one there is!" the goddess snapped back. "Zeus wants her dead, Hades! Poseidon wants her dead! The only reason they went along with this, is because they know killing her will have some serious consequences! Her family wouldn't just let it go-"

"Neither would I!"

She nodded, smiling sadly. "Yeah, they know that, too."

Her eyes flickered over his shoulder then, to Adrianna, and this strange new instinct welled up in Hades' chest...and instinct that urged him to put himself between the goddess and his woman; an instinct to shield her from anything even potentially dangerous...including himself.

"She just woke up from that last dream with you," Aphrodite said, ignoring his defensive stance. "The one where she told you she loves you-"

"How do you know-"

"-and she misses you," she cut him off. "She doesn't remember the dream, but her heart is aching none the less." When she noticed Hades' narrowed eyes, she explained, "I'm the goddess of love, Hades. This is my department."

He swallowed hard, glancing at Adrianna over his shoulder. "She's sad?"

Aphrodite nodded. "She doesn't understand why, off course. How could she? But she'll understand soon enough. Once she meets you, she'll experience what she's been craving-"

"We're not going to meet." He hadn't even consciously made that decision...but the second it had passed his lips, he'd known it was the truth.

Aphrodite's mouth hung open for a moment, her eyes confused. "What do you mean you're not going to meet? The plan-"

"Yes, I remember your fucked up plan all too well, thank you! And I thought I could do it-" Hades barked, his eyes finding the vision by the window again. "-but then I saw her. I can't hurt her like that, Aphrodite. I can't seduce her and then abandon her. I can't. I won't."

"Hades," she whispered, kindly. "If you don't do it, you're signing her death warrant. "

"No, I'm not. They gave me seven and a half months. Her birthday is in eight. All I have to do is find some way in those seven and a half months to keep her safe during that last half month without me, before it's her birthday and she chooses to become a vampire. After that, they won't be able to touch her."

"And you think you can keep this change of plans from them?" she shrieked, pointing at the sky. "They'll find out what you're doing, Hades!"

"You and I both know they're not all-seeing! That's why you're here, isn't it?! They send you to make sure I got here in one piece?!"

Her cheeks flushed, guiltily.

"That's the only way they can keep taps on me now that I'm a mortal; by sending a spy. All you have to do is make sure you're that spy."

Her eyes widened. "I'm sorry, when did I become a part of this?"

"You just said yourself that love is your department!" he snarled. "How can you support a plan that is designed to abuse love?!"

"I can support it because it's the only scenario that keeps you both safe!"

"No, I refuse to accept that! This world is filled with magic! There has to be another way to protect her from Zeus and Poseidon! I just need time to find it and I have time! Seven and a half months!"

"And if you don't find another solution? Then what?" Aphrodite reasoned. "You can't exactly change your mind at the very end! You'll need all the time you can get to make her fall in love with you! And I know, I know, technically, she already loves you, but she doesn't know that! The Adrianna in your dreams has been with you for years, Hades! This Adrianna has no idea who you are! She'll be suspicious, she'll put up walls once she starts to realize how deeply she feels for you; walls that will be difficult and time consuming to break through! She won't just drop to her knees the moment she meets you and start sucking your-"

"Hey!" Hades cut Aphrodite off, glaring. "Don't talk about her like that!"

The goddess' lips twitched.

"Besides," he added, less harsh. "I will find a way to protect her that doesn't involve destroying her life and I'll do it without her ever knowing me, so I won't need to break through any walls!"

"And if you don't find a way?"

"I will!"

"But if you don't?!"

"I WILL!"

Aphrodite shook her head, her eyes filled with fear. "Hades, even if this plan works, even if I agree to act as their spy and cover for you, they will know what you've done at the end of the road. After your time's up, they'll know you didn't convince her to remain human but instead screwed them over. They'll punish you."

"But she'll be safe!" he growled. "And happy, because she won't have been betrayed by the man she loves! She won't be left behind, alone, heartbroken, human, barren! She'll spend her life like she's been planning to spend it; as a vampire, surrounded by her family-"

"And you?" Aphrodite asked, her eyes soft.

"What about me?"

"Exactly. What about you? Don't you deserve to be happy? Even just for a little while?" Aphrodite shook her head, gesturing at Adrianna. "I mean, she's right there, Hades! Everything you've been dreaming about is right there! You can go to her, you can hold her, kiss her, love her! Why not look for a way to protect her and be with her while you're looking?"

"Don't you think I want to go to her?!" He snarled. "I do, Aphrodite! Every fiber of my being, every dark corner of my soul is craving it...but I can't! I can't be selfish! Not when it comes to her! Orchestrating this thing from the shadows is the only way to save her from heartbreak; the only way to keep her from finding out how much it hurts to be this close to everything you want and not be able to have it! And that is how this story will end, Aphrodite! Whether she meets me or not; whether she becomes a vampire or stays human; I don't belong in this world! When everything is said and done, I'm still The God of The Underworld and I will be send back to the dark hole I came from! There is no happy ending here!"

"Haven't you ever heard that it's better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all?"

"Oh please," he hissed. "I'm the leading expert on loss, you're the leading expert on love, so we both know that's bullshit."

Aphrodite stayed silent for a long time, her eyes glued to his as Hades waited in fear. If Aphrodite decided she wanted no part of this, it was all over. If she went up to his brothers and told them what he was planning...

"Okay," Aphrodite finally whispered, relief washing over him. "I'm in. I will help you. But when they find out what you've been doing-"

"-I'll take the blame."

She huffed, offended. "I was going to say, when they find out what you've been doing, tell them it was my idea. They'll be more lenient on me."

"I'm not going to do that."

"But-"

"Not happening, Aphrodite," Hades growled.

"Okay then," she said, rubbing her forehead. "But tell me this, where are you going to stay if you're not staying with Adrianna?"

"I own a string of clubs, remember?"

"Right, on hotbeds of paranormal activity, so you can materialize there when you have business on Earth. Have I ever told you how weird it is that you chose to built nightclubs there? You spend your life in the dark and then, when you get the chance to resurface, you choose a place that's just as dark as The Underworld...and just as depressing. Why not a nice, quite, light space? Like a conservatory?"

Because it makes it harder to return.

"One of my clubs is nearby," he said, leaving her question unanswered. "My men are still loyal to me, human or not. I can put up shop there."

Aphrodite sighed...but then her eyes focused back on Adrianna and a little smile pulled at her lips. "You know, there is one thing you haven't taken into consideration."

"And what's that?"

"Her."

Hades followed her gaze to Adrianna...who was now standing up, her red nightgown hugging her body in all the right places, her blue eyes focused on the alley. He knew she couldn't see them, but still, his heart skipped a beat.

"That girl is as drawn to you as you are to her, Hades. Even right now, she can sense you. There is no way you two won't meet."

"I won't let that happen."

"You might not have a choice. That annoying little thing called destiny might get involved. You know that's the one force no one can control, human or god. If it wants the both of you to cross paths, you will."

"Then I'll push her right back off my path."

"How?"

"I can be quite an asshole if I want to be," he snarled. "But like I said, she won't come near me. I'll make sure of that."

Her lips twitched. "Okay, well, I see you have it all figured out. I'm sure it will go as planned without any unexpected hiccups."

His eyes narrowed at her sarcastic tone of voice. "It will."

"Sure."

"It will!"

"I said sure."

Hades' hands balled into fists again, but he bit his tongue. She was on his side...and he really had to keep it that way.

"I should go now," she said, her lips dropping. "I'll tell them you got here safe and that you're preparing to approach her tomorrow."

"Thank you."

She sighed, softly shaking her head. "Be careful, Hades. I'll do everything I can to cover for you, but...be careful."

He gave her a tight nod...and then she vanished into thin air.

Swallowing hard, Hades' eyes went back to the window. He wanted to drink his girl in for a moment longer, bathe in her beauty...but Adrianna was no longer there. She'd probably gone back to bed and was dreaming by now...but she wouldn't find him there. Not anymore. As a human, he couldn't slip into her dreams, he couldn't spend the little time they used to spend together with her. But he could save her. And in order to do that, he had to walk away...so that's what he did. Even though his heart clenched in his chest, even though it went against his every instinct, Hades disappeared in the night, determined to leave her behind.


"Something is terribly wrong."

Adrianna tried to push back her mocking smile as she sat across from her friend, watching her manicured fingers slide over the tarot cards she'd just laid for her. She didn't want her to think she was laughing at her...even though she was.

Margaret Grace had been her best friend for as long as she could remember. Not only had they gone to preschool together, her mother was also a witch in the town she'd grown up in, a witch her parents often consulted. When Adrianna had decided to move out of her family home three years ago and spread her wings for a few years before she went from human to vampire, Maggie had followed her...and she couldn't have been more grateful. It was an enormous relief to have someone with her who knew her, who knew who she truly was, what she truly was. And her parents had been relieved as well. They'd hated watching their only daughter go out into the world-especially her dad-but having a powerful witch like Maggie with her had softened the blow somewhat. Not that there was anything to worry about, really. There had never been threats towards her or her brothers. They were feared by those who were on the wrong side of the darkness and worshipped by everyone else. Neither party would ever make a move on her.

And yet, today, because of some ridiculous cards, Maggie was looking at her as if her number was up.

"Maggie, come on," Adrianna snickered. "They're just cards with pictures that you sell to tourist for way too much money!"

Her blonde friend huffed, holding up two of the cards she'd picked; one with a man and a woman on it that read The Lovers and one that depicted a skeleton on a horse, holding a scythe that read Death.

"So?" Adrianna smiled.

"So?!" Maggie frowned, putting the tarot cards back on the sparkling, purple tablecloth. "This is no laughing matter, missy! These cards mean that love will get you killed!"

Adrianna cocked an eyebrow, sitting up straight in the uncomfortable iron chair. "Okay, first of all...no laughing matter? We're sitting in the candle-lid backroom of your magic shop, there's a glass ball right in front of me and you have feathers in your hair."

Maggie's lips twitched.

"And secondly," Adrianna continued. "Off course love will kill me."

Her lips dropped again. "What?"

"Come on, Maggie, think," she said, lowering her voice even though the shop was completely empty. "In eight months, I'm becoming a vampire so I can spend eternity with my family, with the people I love. Love will get me killed."

"Huh."

She clearly wasn't convinced...but Adrianna got up anyway, slipping her leather satchel back over her shoulder. "So, can I get what I came for now? Or do I have to submit to a palm reading first, too?"

The blonde smiled, but she could tell her heart wasn't really behind it. The silly girl was genuinely concerned.

Sighing, Adrianna sank back down, leaning forward to grab Maggie's hands. "Mag, come on. They're just cards. You and I both know the forces that are at work in the shadows. Do you really think some simple cards could ever truly predict the endgame of those complex powers?"

She relaxed somewhat.

"Besides," Adrianna added, smiling. "This is me we're talking about. Do you really think I'm about to fall in love anytime soon? The last time a guy tried to pick me up, I ended up arresting him."

Maggie laughed, her brown eyes finally sparkling. "I remember that. That was a fun night."

Grinning, Adrianna stood again . "So, can I get the things I asked for now?"

She nodded, still snickering. "The Dragon's blood is on the bottom shelve of the last bookcase, behind the empty hourglass."

"An empty hourglass? What's the point of an empty hourglass?"

"Does everything need to have a point?"

Adrianna rolled her blue eyes at her friend's witchy tone. "Okay, Madam Grace."

She winked, flipping her hair back dramatically. "I'll be in the back doing inventory. Shout if you need any help finding the herb. And remember to mix the Dragon's Blood in a hot beverage-anything but coffee; three scoops at a time should give you the energy you need, no more than twice a day. And while you're at it-" she said, her eyes worried again. "-grab some Valerian root-capsules, too. They're on the same shelve. They should help you sleep."

Adrianna ran her fingers over the bags under her eyes, her teeth finding her lip. "Is it that obvious?"

"Kind of."

She sighed, tying her black, curly mess together in a high ponytail. "I don't know what's wrong with me. Two nights ago, I woke up in the middle of the night and I haven't slept more than four hours since. It's strange. My mind just won't relax."

"Do you remember what woke you?"

She shook her head, trying once again to think back...but there was nothing to think back to. "I never remember my dreams. You know that. All I remember is waking up and feeling-"

"Feeling what?" Maggie asked when she trailed off.

"I don't know. Strange. Bad."

"Bad how?"

She shrugged, rubbing her forehead. "I was crying."

"You were crying?" Maggie whispered, her eyes softening. "You must've had a nightmare. Do you want to try the Memento-potion again?"

"We've tried that before. That and hypnosis. Neither were very helpful."

"I still say that's not normal, by the way. Dreams leave traces, especially in your subconscious, but with you, nothing."

"We've had this discussion before, Maggie. It's not impossible that my mind doesn't work the same way a regular human's does. I am currently The Crescător and have the potential to become a full-blood vampire, so a few physiological curiosities are to be expected."

"True," she said, letting out a deep sigh. "It's probably just nerves, you know. The insomnia. After all, your life is on the verge of changing dramatically."

She frowned. "How so?"

"How so?! You're almost twenty-five, almost Immortal. You might have some anxiety about that and-"

"There's no anxiety," Adrianna cut her friend of, smiling again. "I've been looking forward to this day since I was old enough to understand it. In fact, if I could've changed earlier, I would've, but because of something to do with the stars and some hocus-pocus I never quite understood, I'm forced to remain mortal until my birthday. But I can guarantee you, I'm counting down the days."

"So, there's really not a doubt in your mind that you'll choose to become a vampire?" Maggie asked, watching her closely. "I mean, you are The Crescător-"

"Don't remind me."

"Oh come on. It's an amazing thing, Adrianna. It's what got you here. You can have children with an Immortal...or a human if you choose-"

"I don't want kids."

"Isn't that what your mother said, too?" the witch sang knowingly. "Besides, you just feel that way because you've never met a man-or vampire-you could see yourself have children with."

Adrianna softly shook her head. "Even if that's the reason, I think we can agree on the fact that it's pretty unlikely that I'll meet someone in the next eight months who will suddenly change my mind about it and I'm not throwing away Immortality for the off chance I might fall in love and want kids later down the line. That choice would be irreversible, remember. My mother had the fortune of being able to do the ritual, have children and change into a vampire afterwards to be with them, forever. I won't have that choice. If I do the ritual, if I remain human, remain The Crescător and have kids with a vampire or mortal, then that's it. I can't be turned into a vampire ever again. I will grown old and die."

"It's not as horrible as you make it out to be, you know. Growing old can be amazing if you do it with someone you love by your side."

"I know that, but everyone I love is Immortal, present company not included," she said, casting her a sweet smile. "I want to be with my family, Maggie. With my parents who drive me insane most of the time, with my brothers whose asses I will finally be able to kick once I'm a vampire... I won't miss out on that."

Maggie sighed. "Okay, fine, I give up. Vampire it is. Just don't forget us mere mortals once you're this powerful kick-ass wonder woman."

"How could I possibly forget you?" she said, the sound of bells suddenly drifting up from her pocket.

"Who's calling you at five-thirty in the morning?"

"No one," Adrianna mumbled, reaching for her phone. "That's my alarm. I have to get going. I have a meeting at the station in half an hour with my sergeant."

"About the Carver-case?" Maggie asked, adding on sigh when Adrianna shot her a meaningful look, "You're going to ask him to extend the surveillance on Rodchenko? Again?"

"I know it's him, Maggie," she gnarled. "I can feel it in my bones. I just need to prove it."

"And how is that going so far?"

"He covers his tracks well."

"Maybe there are no tracks, Anna."

Adrianna pinched the bridge of her nose, irritated. "Why does no one believe me? What is it about Dimitri Rodchenko that screams innocent to everyone but me?"

"The lack of evidence? His alibis?"

"He is a sadistic-"

"Hey," Maggie huffed, holding up her palms as a sign of surrender. "I'm only preparing you for what you know your sergeant is going to say."

"I know," Adrianna sighed. "So, bottom shelve, last bookcase, right?"

"Yup. I'll put it on your tab."

"Take it out of my share of that profit I never see a dime off," she sang, teasingly. "The profit you're making in this shop I bought you."

She could still hear Maggie laugh as she left the dim, secluded back-room and made her way into the actual shop.

"Okay," she whispered when she reached the shelve against the back wall, crouching down. "Dragon's Blood, Dragon's Blood...Where art thou, Dragon's Blo-"

Her cellphone went off again, only this time, it was her ringtone. Frwoning, she checked caller-ID...and at once, a smile spread across her face.

"Hello dad," she sang, picking up.

"Hello, baby girl."

Her smile widened even more as she rolled her eyes. "Dad, I'm in my mid-twenties. Don't you think the time for baby girl has come and gone?"

She could hear him laugh and at once, she was back home. Their house had always been filled with laughter and love; her entire childhood and today still. She couldn't even remember a time when she hadn't felt completely loved and wanted by her wonderful parents and teasing brothers. Even with so much distance between them, they still called her every day and even though she tried to be annoyed about it, she had to admit she looked forward to hearing her parents' voices. Even her brothers' unannounced visits didn't bother her anymore. Whenever they were around, she felt like she was back in Italy, in her old room, in their cosy house.

"You'll always be my baby girl, Adrianna. No matter how old you get," her dad said, adding in a sing-song voice, "Speaking off-"

"You're not throwing me a party."

She could practically hear her father smile as he said to someone that was in the room with him, "Told you."

Adrianna didn't have to think long to know who he was speaking to. Wherever her father was, her mother wasn't far away. Those two were basically joined to the hip. There had been a time during her teenage years that she'd pretended to find her parents constantly making googly eyes at each other, touching and kissing, disgusting...but the truth was, she'd always marveled in their love...and had never seen its equal. Maybe that's why she had such a hard time with building romantic relationships. Men had too much to live up to. The way her father looked at her mother was...indescribable.

"Put mom on the phone, will you dad?"

"Will do," he said. "I love you, baby girl."

"I love you too, daddy."

"Be safe."

"Always."

She could hear him huff, but at least he didn't lecture her anymore. He hated the fact that she'd chosen law-enforcement as a career. He thought it was way too dangerous for her...but as she'd pointed out to him; with Elena and Damon Salvatore as parents, what had he really expected her to become? She was just as wild-spirited as them, as adventurous and brave, as intolerable when it came to monsters hurting others. However, since she didn't have the supernatural abilities they had, she had to stick to fighting human monsters and what better way to do that then by strapping on a gun and a badge?

"Hello, sweetheart." Adrianna didn't know why, but whenever she heard her mother's voice, she thought about fresh-baked cookies. It made no sense, since her father was the cook at home, but she figured it had something to do with the warmth her words held. Even when her mom just greeted her, it felt like a warm blanket wrapping around her.

"Hello, mom," Adrianna sang. "Did you really think getting dad to ask me would make me agree?"

She laughed. "I figured it was worth a shot. You've always been a daddy's girl."

"True," she admitted. "But I don't want a party. You know I don't like all that attention."

"I wonder who she got that from," she heard her father chime in the background, his vampire senses hearing her loud and clear.

"I understand that, honey," her mom said, ignoring him. "-but your godparents-"

"Don't blame Uncle Elijah and Aunt Rebekah. You just want a party so you have an excuse to get us all together again."

"Is that so bad?"

"No, but I just want to be turned in peace and then spend some time with you guys and Killian and Asher. You know, to adjust." She could practically hear her mother's heart breaking...and it broke hers, too. "I'll tell you what though, mom; how about I stop by before my birthday?"

"When?" she cheered enthusiastically.

"I don't know yet," she snickered. "It depends on when Rodchenko-"

The second his name had crossed her lips, she kicked herself over the head, cursing inwardly.

"Rodchenko?!" she heard her dad yell in the background. "Did she just say Rodchenko?!"

"Okay, dad-" she said in a calm voice. "-don't start."

"He's a dangerous man, Adrianna," Her mom jumped in, putting her on speaker so they could both chime in.

"Yes, well, I don't go after the gentle-hearted ones, mom."

"We've done some research," her dad growled. "Did you know he's suspected to be the number one dealer in the city? And that he's linked to several prostitution-cases?"

"Yes, dad, I know. I work at the place that suspects him."

"And you think he added murder to his resume?"

"I know it. I just need to proof it."

"We could compel him to tell the truth-"

"-and his lawyers would say he was coerced into confessing and he would go free. No, if I want to catch this guy, I have to do it the old-fashioned way; by gathering evidence."

"Actually, the old-fashioned way is by torturing him within an inch of his sanity," her dad rumbled. "Can't we do that instead?"

"Let's call that Plan B," her mother said in a soft voice, no doubt rubbing her father's back to calm him down. "Until then, if our daughter says she can handle it, she can handle it."

"Our daughter is human."

"So was I."

"Yes," he rumbled, his voice raw when he added on a whisper,"-and I lost you."

Adrianna knew her parents' history, off course. They never went into great detail, but she knew her mother had died in her father's arms when she'd been pregnant with Killian and that her brother had brought her back to him. Nevertheless, even though the story had a happy ending, her father still had nightmares about that moment, about watching her die, about losing it all...

"Look, guys, I love you both, but I really can handle it and if the day comes that I can't anymore, I swear I'll let you know. Okay?"

She could hear her father mumble his agreement and that was as good as it was going to get.

"I have to go now," she said, spotting the Dragon's Blood and Valerian root. "Give my love to everyone and please, try not to worry. Just remember, in a few months, I'll be indestructible."

"A lot can happen in a few-"

"Alright, sweetheart," her mother cut her dad off. "Be safe and say hi to Margareth for us."

"Will do. Bye. I love you."

She hung up, letting out a deep breath.

Mentioning Rodchenko? a voice scolded in her head as she picked up the jar of Dragon Blood. Seriously? Amateur-move, Salvatore! Why didn't you just go ahead and tell them about that time you were shot-

The sound of a bell ringing cut off her interal berating. It wasn't her cellphone this time. No, this particular sound came from the bell that hung above the front door, the bell that rang whenever someone entered. Maggie must've left the door unlocked when she'd let her in, because officially, the shop wasn't open for another three hours...and she was determined to tell the customer that...until she caught a glimpse of him.

Holding her breath, Adrianna ducked deeper between the two bookcases, letting the shadows envelop her as her eyes shamelessly drank him in...and her heart took notice. Frowning, she pressed her palm down on her chest, feeling that frantic thump thump thump underneath her hand. Adrianna's heart had never reacted to anyone or anything like that..but then again, she'd never seen anyone or anything quite like him. Even with just the weak morning light trickling in through the store front, she could see enough of him to tell that he was gorgeous.

When he stopped at a tiny table in the middle of the shop where a few old books were stacked, Adrianna quietly moved a little closer, peering through the sparkling jars and vials to get an even better look.

God...how can anyone be that handsome?

He was tall and broad, a very present presence in the tiny shop, which could explain why Adrianna suddenly had trouble breathing. Surely, it had to be her claustrophobia kicking in. After all, it couldn't possibly be a reaction to his dark slicked back hair or his strong jaw that was covered in a sexy hint of dark whiskers...And the tailored suit he was wearing did nothing for her either... No, that was most definitely not why the air had suddenly grown denser or why her skin sizzled. It was claustrophobia...It had to be, right?

"Hi there, welcome to Pandora's," Maggie sang, emerging from the curtain of beads, placing the tarot cards on the counter.

The man faced her friend, turning his broad back on her.

"Can I help you find anything?" Maggie asked, still cool and composed... How was she not affected by him? Didn't she have eyes?!

"I heard you carry The Gomorrah Codex."

That voice...

Why did it feel like she'd heard it before? She was sure she'd never met him. She wouldn't forget a man like him or a voice like that; deep and low, warm and yet, rough...

"Who told you that?" Maggie asked.

The man didn't answer.

"You're not the average tourist, are you?"

"And I don't have time for chit-chat either," he rumbled, his back straightening. "The Gomorrah Codex?"

"That's a powerful piece of magic you're asking for."

"Just name your price."

"It's not for sale."

"Everything in this world is for sale."

"Not this," she said determined, crossing her arms over her chest. "In the wrong hands, that book can be dangerous."

"That goes for everything in this store," he gnarled, a touch of impatience in his words. "Including you, witch."

Maggie huffed, but before she could say anything, the man rumbled, "Look, I need that Codex solely for the protection spells in it. You can just rip those out and sell them to me. I'll pay full-price for the Codex."

"I'm not going to destroy an ancient Codex."

Adrianna could see the man's fingers flex and then ball in tight fists...and yet, her every instinct was screaming at her that there was nothing to worry about, that he wasn't a threat. She could practically feel the darkness ooze out of his pores, sense the danger come off him in waves...but there wasn't a single alarm bell going off.

"Then copy the damned protection spells," he growled, running his fingers through his raven hair. "Write it down on a fucking napkin if you have to. I'm not interested in any dark magic. I only want to keep someone safe."

Maggie visibly relaxed a bit, her arms uncrossing. She could hear the sincerity in his words...and so could Adrianna. Whoever he was trying to protect, he cared for them...and for some reason, that fact made something inside Adrianna clench.

"I'll tell you what," Maggie said, kinder. "I'll go get the Codex and you can go through it in here. That book doesn't leave this shop, understood?"

He gave her a tight nod, but Adrianna could see he was still tense. He clearly didn't like being told what to do.

As Maggie disappeared into the back again, Adrianna raked her eyes slowly down his body, her teeth biting down on her lip, a heat spreading to places that had never been heated before.

He is truly an exceptional specimen.

Her entire body was vibrating.

Too late did she realize it wasn't her body, but her phone and before she could get a hold of the damned thing, two loud beeps echoed through the darkness, alerting her that she had a text message...

...and alerting the man of that fact that he wasn't alone.

He turned on his heels instantly, her cheeks flushing as he spotted her in the dark. The second his charcoal eyes touched hers, a wave of desire flooded through her. It caught her by surprise, nearly buckled her knees, the little oxygen she'd still been able to draw into her lunges, gushing out. For the first time in her life, Adrianna Salvatore was actually speechless. Her blood rushed faster underneath her skin, electricity coursed through her veins. She knew she should say something...or he should say something...but neither of them did. He just stared at her with eyes that had widened at first but were now narrow and angry...and she stared right back, drowning in those grey depths, her mouth hanging open, wanting to speak words that would never pass her lips...

"So-"

Startled by Maggie's voice, the jar of Dragon's Blood slipped from her fingers, crashing into the ground, a cloud of red dust wafting up. Feeling blood rush to her cheeks, Adrianna ducked down embarrassed, reaching for the broken shards...as she watched his expensive looking shoes speed across the floor, to the door and finally, disappearing from sight.

"What the hell was that about?" Maggie asked, shooting her a confused look. "Did you know him or something."

Adrianna shook her head, her heart still racing as she tried to ignore the disturbing urge to run after a complete stranger. "No."

Her friend huffed, slamming the thick Codex down so hard that a gush of air blew the Tarot cards right off the counter. Cleaning up her mess, Adrianna's mind kept replaying what had just happened, kept showing her his enchanting eyes, his silky hair, his raw stubble, his muscled body-

"Didn't you have to go?" her friend asked from the other side of the store where she was picking up Tarot cards. "The meeting?"

"Meeting?"

Maggie's eyes turned curious, her lips twitching. "With your sergeant?"

Oh, crap!

Snapping out of it, she jumped up, hissing, "Shit, I'm going to be so late! I-" She looked down at the mess that was still there.

Apparantly, fantasizing about him had made any other activity impossible.

"Leave it," maggie sang. "But call me later to tell me how it went...and to talk about what the hell I just walked in on."

Adrianna just smiled confused as she headed for the door.

"Oh, you missed these." Reaching down, she picked up two Tarot cards that had flown all the way across the shop and had gotten stuck underneath the Welcome Mat."See you later."

If she hadn't been in such a hurry, if her mind hadn't been a jumble, she might've taken the time to turn those cards over. If she had, she would've seen what was depicted on them and she might've thought twice about going into work that day. She might've gone home, she might've called her parents to make sure it really was just a silly coincidence and nothing other than superstition, things might not have gone so horribly wrong...But she was in a hurry and her mind was a jumble, so she never turned the cards over and left The Lovers and Death face down on a shelve as she vowed to herself to forget all about that strange morning and that strange man.

Little did she know that, from the second she'd seen him, irreversible things had been set in motion, things that would bring him back into her life before the day was over.