Page 43 of Savoring Her Snake

“Quinn couldn’t stand looking into the eyes of the shifters we had to kill.” I meet Juliana's wet eyes. “It was easy for me. I felt nothing because nothing compares to looking into your mom's.”

“Heath,” she sobs, and I wipe her tears.

“That is also the reason I killed Quinn’s mom when she became like mine. He couldn’t do it. I would have done anything to keep the stain from his soul. The risk of him hating me forever was worth it. She had to be killed. We couldn’t let her continue killing humans and shifters.” Her face crumbles, and I pull her into my arms. “Darling, don’t cry for me.”

“I should be comforting you,” she sniffles. “What did you do? You were only fourteen.”

“We had no friends or close neighbors. It was a different time. The few who asked paid no attention when I simply said they passed away. I was tall and strong. I found work and stayed in the house until I made enough money to live. When I left, I burned it down. I watched the flames while sitting by their graves. I said my goodbyes and never looked back. You are the first person I’ve told.”

She lifts her head. “Quinn and Micah don’t know?”

“No. Their family has accepted my presence but is still cautious. If I told them, they wouldn’t be so welcoming.” I don’t want to admit how much it would hurt if they turned their backs.

“I don’t know them well, but they wouldn’t feel anything but sympathy. Heath, I can’t imagine how hard it was. It shows your character.”

“It shows how easy I can kill.” I clench my jaw, and she straddles me, cupping my face.

“No,” she snaps. “It was an impossible decision. It was either you or her. She would have continued her destruction if you let her live. You would have died.”

“I should have stayed in the house,” I growl.

“You didn’t know she was a threat to their lives,” she says.

“I didn’t. Her behavior was odd, but I didn’t think she would kill.” I spent years trying to come to terms with what happened.

“I’m so sorry, baby,” she whispers, and I try to look away. Her grip tightens. “Heath, you had no choice.” I shake my head. “Baby, it’s true. You were so brave.” For the first time since that day, tears fill my eyes. “She wanted you to do it. She knew in the end that she was out of control. I’m sure deep down, she hated herself and the position she put you in.”

“Fuck, I didn’t want to do it,” I hiss.

“Of course not,” she says and kisses my cheek. “You were a kid. Your family was ripped away, and the threat to your life was real.” She presses her cheek to mine, wrapping her arms around my neck. “You had no choice,” she repeats in my ear.

“Shit, Juliana,” I breathe roughly, banding my arms around her.

“Let me share your pain,” she says.

“You won’t run,” I state firmly.

“I won’t. I swear. Hearing about your past helps me understand you more. This is why you let shifters fight here.”

“They come to me when the signs show. They don’t want to kill the ones they love. I give them a safe environment to end their suffering. I let them choose. Some have already killed. Others have disturbing urges to do it. One woman had already killed her daughter. She got in the ring with her new son-in-law. He lost his mate and will forever be empty without her.” I remember the agony on his face.

“Fuck,” she whispers, tucking her face against my neck. “I had no idea.”

“How could you? Everyone thinks I do this for pleasure and to make money. No one knows I give the money away.”

She jerks away, sitting straight. “You give away the money.”

“Everything I make here, I give to a charity that helps shifters and human women escape bad situations.” I shift, uncomfortable with her adoring stare. “Don’t tell anyone. The woman who distributes the money is under strict orders to keep my identity a secret. I have a reputation. I don’t care if everyone fears me. As long as you don’t, the rest don’t matter.” I slide my hands over her thighs. “Juliana.”

“I promise I won’t tell anyone what a great guy you are,” she says with a slight smile but sobers quickly. “Why did she do it? What makes shifters kill those they love?”

“Not every human is a good person. It’s the same with shifters and vampires. They could get a rush from their power over someone weaker. My mom switched suddenly. I don’t know what caused her personality change. A human can be perfectly happy, yet one day, something sets them off, or the emotions are always there; they just haven’t acted on it.” Cupping her knees, I squeeze. “Are you worried about becoming a shifter? Becoming like my mom?”

“No. I’m sad for you and her. I can’t understand how she could kill her kids and her husband. I have never had violent thoughts to that extent. I’ve dreamed of telling my mom off and never speaking to her. Are you scared it could happen to me?”

“I wouldn’t allow it,” I growl and slide my hands to her hips.

“Heath, honestly.”

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