Darkness Fades (Darkness Falls Series, Book 3) Read Free

for hours and, although I don’t grow tired, I start to get
impatient.
    Aiden is the complete opposite; he seems
content as he easily runs while taking even strides. He’s also more
confident and less afraid of the world. It makes me question if
he’s glad he chose not to stay human, even after all his negativity
directed towards the choice. Maybe now that he’s tasted what it’s
like, he’s glad he did it and regrets that he didn’t do it sooner.
Or maybe it merely changed him enough that he lost who he was
before he became a Day Taker.
    After running for what seems like an
eternity, we finally slow down when it feels like we’re a safe
distance away from the hideout and cells., just outside of the city
limits where abandoned buildings stretch toward the smoky sky. As I
turn and look at the building, which looks like a little dot now in
the distance, my eyes scan the terrain and I relax when I don’t see
any movement. We’re not being followed. Good. But why?
    I look away back to Aiden. He still hasn’t
answered my question either, like what the hell happened that he
deiced to become one of us.
    “What?” he asks, his eyes locked on the
terrain where fires crackle and smoke rises to the sky. “Why are
you staring at me?”
    “Because you never answered my question,” I
say, crossing my arms. “Why did you change?”
    He’s silent for forever, either avoiding my
question or considering it; it’s hard to tell because his new
demeanor is hard to read. Finally, he sighs. “Do you really not
know the answer to that already?” He slants his head to the side
and our gazes meet. His expression is intense. His eyes are burning
with passion. It kind of throws me off a little, enough that I step
back. “It was for you, Juniper.”
    “That doesn’t make any sense. You hated that
I chose to become a Day Taker myself. You said that I wasn’t me
anymore—wasn’t even human,” I remind him. “Why would you want to
throw all your beliefs away because of me?”
    “Because of Maci.” Maci is the little girl
who was throw out of The Colony with me during The Gathering and
she just happens to be able to see the future, although she never
gives specific details just hints, which can get frustrating.
    He hesitates then moves to the side, getting
close to me, and then he reaches for my hand, lacing our fingers
together. Despite my initial reaction to jerk back, I just stand
there, confused.
    “When Tristan told us that you were
captured, Maci said you were going to die, and so would the world.
I told you earlier that I’d always be there for you. And I meant
it. Whatever it takes, I’ll be there for you; even if it means
turning into my own worst enemy.”
    I can tell that he wants to kiss me, and
before I can do anything about it, he pulls me into him. As he
leans in, I battle with my confliction. Part of me wants to kiss
him, for reasons I can’t even process at the moment; however, the
other part of me knows it’s wrong. I’m about to lean away,
listening to my final thought, when the other side of me pushes
through.
    I want to kiss him. I want him more than
anything else in the world. I want him more than Sylas. We belong
together.
    I blink, wondering where the thought came
from.
    Aiden reaches down and fixes a finger under
my chin. He gently tilts my head up towards his with his
fingertips, his eyes shutting as his lips inch towards mine. He's
breathing raggedly, his chest colliding with mine. If I had a
heartbeat, I’d bet it’d be racing.
    My eyes remain open as I cup the back of
Aiden’s neck, about to kiss him, but then I picture Sylas. His
eyes, his cocky attitude that makes him annoying, yet at the same
time, I can’t seem to stay away from him. Deep down, I know I want
to be kissing him. What am I doing? What am I thinking? Why am I
ready to kiss Aiden?
    No, I want to kiss Aiden.
    No Sylas.
    Aiden.
    Shit. I’m so confused.
    It clicks what’s going on. Shaking my head,
I remove my hand from