Page 63 of When Monsters Rise
Iwanted to argue, butI’dlearned to read him, and although his tone was cold and commanding, his eyes held panic.
Istepped close and tipped my chin up to meet his gaze. “I’dlove to.”
Findingout what had happened toGabrielwould have to wait a little longer.
Chapter29
SHEM
Withthe reapers andGabrielto assist, we make it to the farmhouse without any further incident.I’mreluctant to letRueout of my sight, but the people need her direction.Miraneeds the support.SoIrelease her with a kiss and the promise to find her once the area has been secured.
I’vealmost lost her twice in one day, and there’s a ball of dread forming in my stomach.Ican’t afford to hone my focus in on her.Ihave a duty to protect humanity, to fix whatI’vebroken, and yet…when it comes down to a choice,I’mafraid it will beRueIchoose, and damn the world.
NowGabrielis here, another contender for her attention.Anothermale who wants what’s mine.Idon’t like it, butImay not have a choice in the matter.
Theway he looked at her…the way she ran to him…
Boundariesmust be set.
Ifind him on the roof of the main building, sitting with his back to the chimney, head tipped to the night sky.Washe watching me withRue?Doeshe know how much his presence bothers me?
Idon’t know him well enough to read him.Wealways ran in different circles, but whatIdo know pegs him as a master strategist and manipulator, and before we fell, ifI’dbeen asked to pick eitherMichaelorGabrielto put my trust in,Iwould have pickedMichael.
There’ssomething dark and distant aboutGabriel.Somethingthat’s closed off and hidden.
“Comejoin me,” he says. “It’sa beautiful night.”
“Weneed to talk.”
“Spoilsport.”Hesighs and looks at me. “IassumeRuehas told you what transpired during her stay in theGoldenCity?”
“Yes.Shetold me you bonded with her.”Idon’t bother to keep the bitterness from my tone.
“Justthe bonding part?Shedidn’t tell you about ourintimatechats in the bedchamber with a roaring fire for company and—”
Mychest rumbles loudly in warning, cutting off his words.
Hearches a brow. “Useyour words,Shem.”
Hewants words?I’llgive him words. “Rueismine,and your bond means nothing out here.”
“Itmeans nothing becauseIallow it to mean nothing.”Histone is light, but his emerald gaze is cold. “Butmake no mistake,Iwill press the bond if it means saving her life.Iwill press the bond if it means protecting her from herself.”
“Andwhat the fuck does that mean?”
Hestands slowly. “ItmeansIwon’t allow her to be used as a pawn.”
HethinksI’musing her?Myconfusion must show on my face because his stance relaxes a little.
Hetips his head to the side, studying me for several beats. “Areyou in love with her?”
Theblunt question throws me for a moment, but the truth springs easily to my lips. “Yes.Yes,Iam.”
Hebalks in surprise as if he didn’t expect me to admit it, and this gives me a little buzz of satisfaction. “I’min love with her.She’smine.Andthat’s all you need to know.”Mywords come out as a warning growl.
Hedrops his gaze for a moment, shoulders rising and falling on a sigh. “Iallowed the bond because it was my only way to protect her.Itallowed me to find her tonight and save you.”
“Wewere doing fine.”
