Page 31 of Bones

Her chest rose and fell rapidly. Tears filled her eyes as they darted around like she was thinking about running anyhow.

Panic shot through me in a way I hadn’t felt in centuries. Not with all the death I’d seen. The destruction.

The betrayal.

Not since I’d woken up alone with no sign of my siblings.

I’d thought I would be okay with her leaving—temporarily—but I’d been wrong. There was no damn way I could be away from her without losing my mind.

Like she shared my panic, her sharp breaths grew even faster until she nearly hyperventilated. She let out a frustrated groan and reached for her hair like earlier, but I caught her wrists.

“It’s freezing out here,” I said as she shivered. “Let’s go inside by the fire, okay?”

Assuming she’d decline, I scrambled to think of what I could offer that wouldn’t sound like I was one windowless van and afree candysign away from being a total fucking creep.

It wasn’t needed—which was good since I had jack-shit—and she shocked the hell out of me by nodding.

I released her wrists but hovered close in case she bolted as we walked the rest of the way to the cabin. When we reached the door, I paused and rubbed my beard. “I have to, uh, warn you about Victoria. She’s possessive and loud about it. I’ll do what I can to keep her off you, but I’m sorry in advance.”

I wanted to say more, but the woman surprised me by throwing open the door herself.

No shit. She’s fucking freezing, and you’re keeping her in the cold for a little chat.

“Just watch where you leave your shoes, or she’ll steal them,” I rushed out.

The woman stiffened, her questioning gaze shooting to me, but it was too late.

Victoria knew we were there.

Her ridiculous bow bobbed on her head as she ran into the entryway, yelling her grievances that not only had I left her alone all day, but I’d been gone longer than normal. Her long body tumbled as she slid to a stop when she noticed our guest.

Here we go.

Victoria hated everyone but me—and even those feelings seemed tepid rather than warm. As expected, she launched into an attack, and I shifted to block the woman.

She got to her anyway because the woman dropped to her knees.

Sacrificing herself to Demon Dog.

The nickname was insulting…

To the demons. They were better behaved.

Rather than the loud mess of barking, growling, and chomping teeth that occurred every time Victoria was forced to be around people—like dog, like dog’s snack bitch—she let out little yips as she jumped around on her short legs.

She almost sounded… happy.

As did the genuine laughter from the woman as she ruffled Victoria’s freshly groomed white and beige fur.

If I didn’t already feel the connection to this woman, this would show she’s someone special.

I could’ve watched her play with Demon Dog for hours, but the need to feed her became too much to ignore.

And I wanted that laughter and grin aimed my way.

I’m jealous of my damn dog.

“Are you hungry?” I asked, though I knew the answer.

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