Page 27 of Voices in the Stars
“Who else did you leave behind?” Atlas tried for conversation again.
“A sister,” I answered.
“Younger?”
“Older.”
He nodded at my response, “I do, too.”
“What’s her name?” I asked, my gaze drawn to him again.
He grimaced before spitting out, “Ivy.” It sounded like it burned him to say it.
“Not close?” I questioned.
“Long story” was his short reply.
“Seems like we have plenty of time,” I pointed out. I had no idea where we were going, but something told me there wasn’t some magic place in the middle of the woods we were headed toward. Then again, this dream was filled with monsters, so maybe I’d be surprised.
It didn’t seem to matter, anyway, because my question was met with a long pause.
“Close with yours?” he redirected.
Apparently, his family was a sensitive topic. Well, I could make mine one, too.
“What’s a Fera?” I asked instead, willing to give up nothing he wouldn’t return.
“What?” he asked instead, looking at me with furrowed brows, confusion clear in his features.
“At the inn, you said something about a Fera.”
He drummed his fingers against his thighs as he thought through my question.
“Stupid isn’t a good look for you,” he answered instead.
“Excuse me?” My voice rose in pitch as I took in his words. Anger bubbled inside me as I slowed.
“You heard me. Stop acting like you know nothing,” he said, now refusing to look at me, while all I could do was stare in astonishment.
“The only one acting here is you!” I yelled at the back of his head. “Who are you really? Some murderer who everyone is scared of, or someone that actually gives a shit about others? Don’t think you can have it both ways.”
I almost walked into him as he came to a stop.
“That’s how I know you’re lying.” His voice was a growl as the words were forced out.
I threw my hands up, fighting the urge to strangle this man, even though I knew I wouldn’t stand a chance against him.
“Lying about what?” I asked.
There was just a stretch of silence that followed.
“This is insanity,” I muttered, stomping forward, shoving his shoulder as I walked past him.
I didn’t make it far, though. Our arms had barely stopped touching before one of his hands grabbed my wrist, while the other wrapped around my throat. I was shoved back against a tree.Again.My hands shot up, pressing against his chest. His grip wasn’t tight enough to cut off my breathing. It was different from the way he had grabbed me earlier. Anger twisted his face, but I could feel his heart hammering beneath my palm.
My breath catching in my throat had nothing to do with his nails grazing against the sides of my neck. His eyes were light brown infernos as they stared down at me. His gaze slowly traced along each of my features. The tip of his tongue wet his lips. My hands tightened the grip on his shirt, tangling with the fabric.
There was something wrong with me. Something fundamentally broken. I shouldn’t have been standing here, debating if I wanted to push him away or pull him closer. Those hands had brutally beaten someone just hours ago. Now all I could see were his long lashes as he stared down at me. I was fucked. Having a death wish was one thing. Being attracted to your kidnapper was a beast I didn’t even want to think about. It didn’t matter for long, as Atlas dropped the hold he had on me, ripping my hands off of him.
