Page 25 of Chaos Carnival

He lifted his head, uncanny eyes meeting mine with frightful intensity. “You really want to go there?”

“Where else is there to go? You've dragged us halfway across France, you're barely conscious, and Addie's still—” My voice cracked. “We're wasting time.”

“Trust me.” His voice dropped to a growl that sent goosebumps prickling along my arms. Fear or desire, I couldn't tell anymore. Maybe both.

“Trust you?” I laughed, the sound sharp as broken glass. “That worked out so well last time.”

“You're alive, aren't you?”

“Alive and cursed. What a bargain.”

His fingers tightened in my hair—when had his hand moved there?—pulling my head back to meet his gaze. “If you want to talk curses, sweetheart, take it up with your past self. I'm not the one who bound us together for an eternity of misery.”

The words slapped me like a wet palm and I flinched. His grip loosened, but the damage was done. We both knew he'd struck a nerve.

The train’s whistle pierced the tension like a knife, and we both flinched. Maverick's grip loosened, but the wickedness in his eyes promised this conversation wasn't over.

“Our ride's here.” He stood, swaying slightly. “Ready to see Paris?”

“Ready to get this over with.” I grabbed my bag, ignoring the way my hands shook. “Let's go fix your mess. Again.”

His smile was all predator. “Our mess now, babycakes. Get used to it.”

The train pulled into the station with a screech of metal on metal, and I wondered which was more dangerous, the hunters on our trail or the growing discord between us.

The train car reeked of stale cigarettes and broken dreams as most of them do. I leaned my back against the cold metal wall, scanning our fellow passengers: an elderly woman clutching her shopping bag like a shield, two teenagers sharing earbuds in their bubble of oblivion, a businessman typing with aggressive determination.

Any of them could be hunters waiting to strike.

Maverick's shoulder slammed into mine as the train lurched, drawing a sharp hiss through his teeth. His hand shot out to grip the overhead rail, knuckles white.

“Can't handle a little turbulence, mighty seraph?” I kept my voice low, acid-sweet. Like I hadn't noticed the tremors wracking his body or the way the veins were climbing his neck like hungry vines.

“Just making sure you don't fall.” He flashed that arrogant grin that made me want to slap him. And then kiss him. “Since you're so delicate and all.”

“Right. Because I'm the one who got taken down by a single hunter.” I shifted my weight, letting him lean on me while making it look casual. I knew I was being unfair, but I couldn’t stop my mouth from spewing toxic sludge. “Tell me again how that happened? Too busy showing off to dodge?”

His laugh turned into a barely suppressed groan as another tremor hit. He slumped closer, his forehead pressing to my temple. “You're never going to let that go, are you?”

“Not until you admit you fucked up.” His heartbeat stuttered against my skin. Too slow. Too cold. “This is what happens when you try to play hero.”

“Someone had to stop you from charging in like a unicorn with a death wish.” His breath brushed my ear like a gentle breeze, stirring unease in my chest. “Or did you forget the part where you were about to walk straight into their trap?”

“No, I just remember the part where your 'rescue' landed us on a train to Paris while my best friend is still Ivan's living puppet.” My fingers found his wrist, checking his pulse. “At least my stupid plans don't involve getting poisoned by ancient celestial weapons.”

“No, yours just involve sacrificing yourself to psychopaths.” His free hand slid to my waist, grip bruising. Possessive. “Face it, Tess. Without me, you'd be dead or worse by now.”

“Without you, I'd be safe in my shop, designing tattoos and living a normal life.”

“Boring.”

“Alive. Safe.”

His fingers dug into my hip. “You are alive. And you're going to stay that way.”

“For now.” I scanned the car again, my stomach twisting as we lurched to a stop. “If we survive this, I'm done. No more supernatural bullshit. No more curses. No more you.”

“Liar.” He nuzzled closer, his voice dropping to that frightful purr that always preceded trouble. “You'd miss me.”

---