Page 5 of Unmasked Prophecy

I shake my head. “It’s not that easy.”

“Nothing’s easy. But you made it out. If you can be free, then why can’t the rest of them? You tellin’ me there ain’t other fighters in there, ones willing to go against it all?”

“I’m not a fighter. I got out by chance. If it wasn’t for the fact that I was kidnapped, I’d still be in there.”

He steps closer, close enough that I feel the heat rolling off him. “Bullshit. I can see in your eyes that you would have found a way. There is a rage in you that wants justice, and I got a strong feelin’ you’ll get it.”

I blink back the burn in my eyes, swallowing the thick lump in my throat.

“You ain’t goin’ back,” he says again, firm. “I’ll make sure any one of those fuckers that even tries never sees the light of another day.”

He means it. Every word. There’s no fluff in his voice. No false promises. Just cold, hard truth. My heart skips a beat. I don’t know why they’re helping me. They don’t know me. I’m just a stranger to them, and yet they’re willing to put it all on the line to help me.

“Why do you even care?” I ask, voice hoarse.

He looks me dead in the eye. “Because I know what it’s like to have monsters in your past. I don’t appreciate those fuckers getting the chance to win.”

I stare at him, unsure of what to say. I’m not used to someone giving a damn. Not like this. I can’t honestly say there has been a single person in my life that has cared. That’s the sad, horrible truth. I’ve been alone since the very first moment I took my first breath. My biggest fear is that I’ll still be alone when I take my last.

“What happened to you that makes you understand?” I ask, softer now.

His eyes darken, but he doesn’t answer right away. He looks out at the dark, jaw locked, breathing steady. “Some things should stay buried,” he says finally. “I got ghosts, same as you. I choose to keep them locked away.”

I nod slowly. We stand in silence, side by side. I don’t know what it is about Talon, but he tugs pieces of my heart I didn’t even know existed. I’ve never felt anything like it. An instantconnection, a bond that almost makes me think we were meant to cross paths. I’m scared that it will only cause me more pain.

“You get much sleep at night?”

I snort. “Not unless I pass out from exhaustion. I can’t remember what it feels like to sleep properly. To be honest, I’m not even sure I have slept well in my entire life.”

“Come with me.”

I glance at him. “Why?”

His eyes flash, but I could swear his lip twitches. “I got somethin’ to take the edge off. Don’t worry, it ain’t drugs. Somethin’ else good.”

“I’m not sleeping with you.”

A low, throaty chuckle. “Noted.”

My cheeks flush, but I follow him anyway. We walk around the side of the clubhouse to a separate building tucked out back. It’s quieter here. More private. I haven’t had much of a chance to look around. Ever since I’ve been here, I’ve been so wrapped up in surviving. Do I dare let myself relax, just a little?

We step inside a small room with a fireplace, a battered couch, and a couple of mismatched chairs. Talon throws a blanket over the couch and gestures for me to sit. I hesitate, wondering what that blanket might have seen, but I try not to think about it too long. I sit.

Talon disappears for a minute and comes back with a mug of steaming coffee, the aroma strong and delicious. “Keep this stash separate. Real coffee, not that piss-water inside.”

I can’t help the small smile that stretches across my face as I take the mug.

“Thanks.”

He drops into the chair across from me, legs spread, arms resting on his thighs. Watching me again. God, he’s beautiful. There is just something about him. My heart skips a beat, andI look down at the mug, afraid he’ll see in my eyes exactly what I’m feeling.

“You ever tell anyone else about what happened in that place?”

I shake my head. “Nobody wants to hear it. Nobody cares. As far as the world is concerned, they’re just people living off-grid, choosing a better life.”

“Tell me.”

I blink, shocked. “Why?”

---