Page 46 of Poison Sun

I move pieces of meat around my plate with my fork, memories from earlier flashing through my mind.

The pain when his fangs pierced my skin.

The fear as he drained my blood.

The panic as I grew weaker and weaker, unable to defend myself…

“I’m okay,” I finally say. “Shaken, but okay.”

Maybe if I keep saying it, I’ll start to believe it.

“Okay,” he says, and I don’t think he believes it, either. Then, he adds, “When you think of Lucas, do you feel any… sympathy toward him?”

“No.” My stomach twists in horror. “I hate him. Why would I…?”

The answer comes to me before I can finish the sentence.

“You think he already started a blood bond between us.”

“The thought did cross my mind,” he replies.

I stop playing with my food, focusing solely on him. “I thought it took more than one time for a blood bond to form.”

“Yes, it typically takes multiple exchanges for a bond to form. But every case is unique,” he says. “Given how much he drank, I wanted to check.”

“I’m okay,” I repeat. “Really. And… thank you. For finding me back there.”

“The duskberry bond has its uses,” he says, and his expression hardens, his eyes far off. “I’m going to find Lucas,” he continues before I can ask what’s wrong. “And, once I do, I’m going to kill him for what he did to you.”

“No. We’re going to kill him,” I say. “Together.”

He says nothing, returning to his meal as silence envelops us again.

“You’re going to let me help track him down. Right?” I ask, although I have a feeling the answer is going to be a firm no.

He pauses, his fork halfway to his mouth, and sets it down gently. “Cassandra told me,” he says simply. “After we got back today.”

My heart jumps into my throat. “She told you what?”

“She told me your magic is weakening.”

I freeze, unsure what to say.

Because I didn’t realize Cassandra had noticed. And betrayal twists in my chest at the fact that she didn’t talk to me first, even though I know she reports to Damien—not to me.

“It’s true,” I say, and then I admit, “It was the potion.”

He’s completely still as he takes it in.

I can barely think, can barely breathe. I’m half prepared for… well, I don’t know what. I just know he’s pissed.

“How long have you known?” he finally asks.

“Pretty soon after I drank it.” I shrug and study the food on my plate, unable to meet his eyes.

“Look at me,” he commands, and when I do, the disappointment in his eyes makes my lungs tighten with guilt. “How are we supposed to be a team when you won’t trust me with such important information? You could have been killed, Amber. If I hadn’t gotten there in time…” He shakes his head, as if it hurts him too much to think about. “You should have trusted me.”

“I know.” It slips out of my lips immediately, since he’s right.

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