Chapter 18

 

Harper

I needed to calm down, because I felt like I could kill someone. I knew that some of what I was feeling was his emotions and not mine, but it didn’t change that I was incredibly hurt. I shouldn’t have been surprised, because I knew getting involved with him was a bad idea. The guy said he cared about me; but then, why would he screw me, bind us, and then turn around and act like it was nothing? I wished I hadn’t been so insistent on the blood exchange; I could have just had sex like a normal person. At least that way I would be able to feel cheap and humiliated without him feeling my every emotion.

I looked up, seeing that I had arrived at the director’s office. I took a few deep breaths, trying to calm myself, but I knew it was no use. I was a mess, and no amount of breathing was going to help me. I smoothed out my blouse and adjusted my blue blazer before knocking on his door.

He invited me in so I entered. “Hello, Director,” I greeted, and he motioned for me to sit down. I was feeling so uneasy. Now that I had finally stopped I couldn’t help feeling Reid’s emotions course through me. He was angry and concerned, which was sort of an overload of emotions given my own were all over the map. I had a hard enough time keeping my own thoughts and emotions straight while trying to block out everyone else’s; maybe I should let him break the bond, because at that moment it all seemed to be way too intense.

“Are you all right, Agent Andrews?” the director asked, eyeing me curiously. “You don’t look well.”

“Yes, sorry. I just have a lot going on. I’m a little distracted.”

“Well, that’s understandable given everything that’s going on,” he answered, which was sort of the understatement of the century given he didn’t know the half of what was actually going on with me. “I have spoken to Agent Lunden and he wants to meet with you in an hour in his lab. He’s doing some research in the meantime to see what he can find out.” He paused thoughtfully. “You’re keeping us busy with all of these new abilities.” He laughed, but I couldn’t join him. I didn’t find anything about this funny.

“Trust me, Director, I wish I could stop developing them too. They’re starting to make it hard for me to do anything without intense focus.” I saw the smile disappear from his face. “I’m worried because I was already feeling overwhelmed trying to keep everything at bay, but now I’m constantly shielding, and my body is having trouble staying energized.”

“Is it unmanageable?” He asked, concerned.

“No, not yet. I can handle it most days, but it’s getting harder. Some days I feel like my body might just give out completely. To be honest, since receiving Reid’s blood yesterday I’ve had the most energy since I don’t even know when. Maybe I need a vamp body to keep this up or something,” I joked, trying to lighten the mood a little. But he wasn’t laughing…in fact, he looked downright grim.

“I don’t think that’s an option. No supernatural can be a hybrid of two different supernatural types at once. You would likely lose your mage abilities if the change was even successful. But if your body is having trouble we will need to think of something else to try and keep your strength up since the formula regimen isn’t working.”

“I’m not trying to complain. I’m okay for the time being, but I’m getting a little worried about the long-term effects this will have on my body. I wasn’t as concerned when I just had to shield people’s thoughts, but now that my own thoughts seem to be transferring...” I sighed. “That’s a whole new ballgame. I can live with not shielding other people’s thoughts, but I don’t know if I can allow for my own to be out there.” I didn’t say it out loud out of fear, but I was also worried that if my body couldn’t keep up these abilities they would likely kill me.

“I understand, and we are taking this seriously as well as looking into all possibilities. For the time being I don’t want you to be removed from this case unless you really feel you’re unable to do it. If that is the case at any time just let me know. After this case is over we will continue the testing and see what can be done to help better manage these abilities.”

“I’m okay to continue. We will take things one step at a time.”

He nodded. “Very well. Agent Lunden is expecting you, then report back to Agent Doyle and we can go out and solve this thing before they kill any more innocent humans.”

“Yes sir,” I answered, standing up to leave.

“But Agent Andrews, please be careful. You’re very valuable.”

I smiled and nodded, quickly heading out the door, hoping Agent Lunden would have something for me.

I grabbed a coffee and headed towards the lab. I was too lost in my own thoughts to notice the tall, dark haired man ahead of me whom I slammed right into.

“I’m so sorry!” I flushed, steadying myself while half my coffee spilt onto his shoes.

“It’s okay. Are you all right?” He asked, laughing, making me wish I could sink into a hole and die of embarrassment.

“Yes I am, but brutally clumsy apparently,” I sighed, now noticing his rather intense chocolate brown eyes.

“Well, I’m Agent Darwin Sanders, and you can be clumsy into me anytime you want. I’m a werewolf so I can handle some clumsiness.” He winked, extending his hand out for a handshake.

I smiled; he was definitely cute. “Agent Harper Andrews, nice to meet you,” I added, shaking his hand.

“So you’re the super-mage I’ve heard so much about. The rumor didn’t mention you also happen to be gorgeous.” He shot me a sexy smile that only enhanced his already very good looking features. He was very cute, and if it wasn’t for a certain vampire I would have loved to see a little more of Agent Sanders great dimples.

Suddenly it dawned on me. Reid. Shit! He can probably feel my emotions right now. Hmm…this could work to my advantage. It was incredibly evil to try and make him jealous, but since the opportunity had presented itself I decided to turn up the flirt monitor a little just to send Reid a little message. I noticed Agent Sanders was wearing a watch, so I grabbed his wrist to check the time for a little bit of innocent flirty contact.

“Oh good, I still have a few minutes to kill before I need to be in the lab,” I mumbled to myself, but let my hand linger a little longer before releasing his arm.

“Lab, huh? You doing testing or something?” he asked curiously.

I tapped into his thoughts. Testing huh. Interesting information. I wonder what it’s for. I can smell vamp on her though, although given what happened I’m not surprised.

“Yeah, I’m always doing tests. I’m incredibly unique you know,” I offered sarcastically, wondering what he had heard about last night and why he seemed so interested in my testing. It wasn’t uncommon for people to be interested in my abilities, but still, something about him made me curious.

Before I could listen to his thoughts again I felt Reid coming. My pulse raced as I turned to find him watching us. He didn’t appear angry on the surface, but I knew better. I could feel his anger. The sickening part was that it only made me blissfully happy that he was jealous. So unhealthy to be happy about that, but in the back of my mind it meant he cared. I knew that was messed up, but I was still angry that he wanted to break our bond. At least I knew he wasn’t totally over me now that he’d had me. Besides, if he was free to think he could be with other women, then I was glad to piss him off, letting him know I could find another guy.

“Agent Andrews, I believe Agent Lunden is expecting you,” Reid said sharply.

“No, not yet. I still have some time.” I smiled sweetly. “Have you met Agent Sanders?” I asked, pointing to Agent Sanders. “Agent Sanders, this is my partner, Agent Doyle.”

“Yes, we’ve met.” Reid tensed, making me wonder what he wasn’t telling me. “Agent Andrews, we’d better get going.”

“Okay, you’re right. It was a pleasure meeting you, Agent Sanders. I’m sorry again for walking into you.”

I went to walk away but Agent Sanders grabbed my wrist, halting me. His grip wasn’t forceful, but it was a little harder then it needed to be. Reid’s anger peaked and I felt him about to lunge, so I locked into his mind, holding him in place. There was no need for Reid to make a scene over this. His rage was increasing, but I didn’t care; he needed to get it through his head that I didn’t need him to protect me all the time.

“Please call me Darwin,” Agent Sanders offered. “I was hoping to get a coffee sometime if you want.”

I pulled my wrist from his grip. It was an innocent request, but something about this guy was now giving me a bad vibe.

Reid’s pupils starting changing to a crimson red; it was time to wrap this up. “Um…yeah perhaps. Just look me up in the staff directory; we can chat about it later. See you around, Darwin.” I headed down the hall towards the lab, willing Reid to follow me until Darwin was out of sight. Once I gave Reid control over his body again he pulled me into an empty room, slamming the door behind us. Oh boy! This was bad. I could feel the rage pouring off him. I may have crossed a little line there, but I did it for his own good. He couldn’t just go beating up every guy who talked to me.

He flipped the switch, turning off the video camera in the room. “How dare you fucking do that?” He sneered, turning towards me, his eyes still a blazing red, which I usually would have found terrifying, but oddly now I didn’t. Maybe it was because I knew he wouldn’t actually hurt me, but more than that I’d finally realized what he had been saying to me…I was so much more powerful than he was.

“I’m sorry, but I couldn’t have you ripping him apart for asking me out for coffee.”

“You think I’m mad that you used your powers on me?” He laughed, sounding like it was the most absurd thing in the world. “I couldn’t care less that you did that. You were right to do that…I would have fucking killed him! What I meant was, how could you even give him the chance to ask you out? He has no right.”

He couldn’t possibly think that someone “had no right”; how dare he even think he could say that? “Listen here, Reid! You have no business telling me with who I can or cannot talk to, or even go out with if I so choose. I don’t belong to you.”

“That’s where you’re wrong, Harper,” he said seriously. “You’re mine whether you understand that or not. We are bound!”

“Bound? Really Reid, that’s your argument? Not even an hour ago you wanted to unbind us and bind with someone else, so go fuck yourself,” I sneered, heading to the door.

Within seconds he was standing between me and the door, blocking me from exiting. He was so fast. “Did you do that to make me jealous, Harper?” he asked, whispering harshly in my ear.

I wanted to say no and not give him the satisfaction, but he would know that I was lying. “Yes,” I said, moving past him towards the door. I could feel his body approaching; he stood behind me now, barricading me between his arms, pinning me to the door. I could feel his hot breath on the back of my neck, and it sent shivers down my spine. “Are you jealous?” I asked, already knowing the answer.

“No,” he said forcefully into my ear. I tried to move but he held me still. “I am beyond jealous,” he breathed, lightly brushing his lips against the side of my neck, making my legs feel weak. My head started to swim…I could barely think. My entire body was on high alert. I couldn’t fall to pieces like this every time he was next to me. I needed to clear things up…these games had to end.

“Why are you jealous? You’ve made it clear you don’t want this. You had me, now you’re done with me,” I reminded him, my eyes starting to sting from the tears I was holding back.

“That’s not true! I have never wanted anything as much as I want you in my life. Don’t lie and pretend that you don’t know that; don’t pretend that you can’t feel it. You know that I’m telling you the truth. I know you do.” He was right; I could feel it, but his words never matched his feelings. “Honestly Harper, I’m just terrified that something will happen to you. I was trying to push you away to keep you safe. I have enemies, and it looks like my enemies are involved in whatever is going on right now. I thought it would protect you, because I couldn’t bear them using you to get to me. But I can’t do it anymore; I can’t be without you. It’s the most selfish thing I’ve done, but I can’t be without you.” He moved his body closer, causing my pulse to quicken and my body to clench with excitement. “The thought of not being with you, the thought of someone else taking you out and kissing you…it would cause me to do horrible things, Harper.”

A sick sense of relief overtook me. I could feel he was into me, but hearing it so clearly made it feel so real. I couldn’t deny that I wanted him too; I wanted him so badly it almost felt like it could break me in half. I was pretty sure I loved him, as stupid as that might be given how our story was started, but knowing he wanted me too was amazing. But I was still afraid. “You can’t keep saying one thing and doing another, Reid. This isn’t going to work if you do that. Can you promise to not push me away again?”

“Yes.” He assured me, kissing my neck. “I promise I won’t do that ever again. I don’t even think I could if I tried. I’ve been trying to push you away since the moment I met you, and I haven’t been able to yet.”

I spun around to face him. “You might want me Reid, but I’m not weak and I don’t need to you constantly try to protect me.”

“I know, but I can’t help it. I couldn’t handle anything happening to you, Harper.”

“I understand that, but I’m not a weak imposition on you. I’m your equal and your partner, and if we are partners now in more ways than one I need you to respect me.”

“I do understand,” he said, gently kissing me on the forehead.

“We might be together, but I don’t belong to you. I won’t tolerate this whole male dominance thing.”

Reid hovered his lips an inch from mine. “See, that’s where you’re wrong, Harper. It’s not some dominant male thing that makes you mine. In fact, we belong to each other, as corny or ridiculous as it sounds. This is not some beautiful romantic notion, but a biological one. I know you can feel it,” he said, stepping towards me again and running his index finger down my collar bone onto my breast, slowly sliding down, making its way down to my pant line. “We belong to each other now; that’s why blood bonds are so powerful. But more importantly, I’m yours, Harper. I’m yours in every single way. Can’t you feel what you do to me?” He pressed his hard erection on my thigh. “I don’t just mean physically, even though that part is quite obvious. What I mean is, can you feel it? Can you feel how you make me feel?”

I could feel it. It was like electricity between us, a light current pulling us together. Reid reached past me and locked the deadbolt on the door. His lips brushed gently against mine, causing a moan to slip from my lips. He smiled before crashing his lips onto mine, sending my coffee cup crashing to the floor. I broke the kiss, glancing at the clock on the wall. It was obvious where he was going with this, and we only had fifteen minutes before I was due to meet Agent Lunden in the lab.

“We have time,” he said with a smile before pulling me into a passionate embrace.