Page 27 of Bones
I swallowed hard and stared at the table, but that must have been our dismissal because Trey grabbed my arm and pulled me up and out of the chair. Mac followed and the three of us left the room. Even in the hot sun, I still shivered. I let Trey tow me along by the arm, focused on trying to keep all the dark, awful things I kept pushed deep down in my memories from clawing their way out. Before I knew it, we arrived at the clinic. Trey released my arm and moved to whisper to Mac. I stood where he left me at the metal exam table, staring down at it without seeing it.
It couldn’t have been him.
It couldn’t.
I hadn’t heard a whisper of him in a long time now. I was sure I’d shaken him off.
“Bones.”
A sharp voice startled me, and I looked up to see Mac glaring at me. “Is there someone else looking for you?”
All the blood rushed out of my face. “I don’t know.”
Mac stalked around the table toward me, and I tried to hold my ground, but as he approached, I couldn't help taking a step back.
“I meant what I said before,” he said in a dangerous voice. “I’m not risking any more of my people for you. So if I find out you’re lying…”
His threat trailed off, but an icy numbness filled me.
“You’ll what?” I asked, but my voice had none of its earlier bite. “Burn another letter into my skin?”
Horror flashed through his eyes. “No,” he said harshly. “I’m notJuck.”
I glanced away, staring at one of the windows in the loft. My throat ached trying to hold back the tears that begged for release. I couldn’t figure out why they all kept acting so shocked at Juck’s cruelty. As far as I’d seen, Juck acted the same as most people with any little bit of power. Madame sure as hell wasn’t any different.
“Bones,” Trey said, “it’s not gonna be like that?—”
“Get out,” I interrupted, making my voice as harsh as possible. I didnotwant to cry in front of them, and I wasn’t sure how much longer I could hold myself together.
Trey took a step toward me, but Mac grabbed his arm, halting him.
“Griz is outside if you need anything,” Mac said, and then they left.
I climbed up to the loft and folded myself into the darkest corner. I wrapped my arms around my legs and let go of everything fighting to escape, crying as silently as possible until my head pounded.
Survive,Wolf growled.
Why?I wanted to scream at him.What is the godsdammed point?
5
The bell rang, signaling dinner rations, but I didn’t leave the clinic. I’d pulled the mattress back up to the loft. It hadn’t been easy by myself, but I’d refused to ask for help. Jax had dropped off some worn but clean blankets, so I made up the bed. Under the mattress I slid an old rusty pair of scissors I found in the cabinet and felt better having a way to defend myself. I placed a candle next to the mattress and heard the door open.
“Bones?” Griz called. “You hear the bell? It’s dinner time.”
“I’m not hungry,” I snapped at him from the loft.
He peered up at me, his brow furrowing. Then he just stepped back outside and shut the door. Relieved, I laid down on my mattress. I’d placed it against the wall but angled it so I could see the ladder. I figured I could probably pull the ladder up with me at night too, adding another layer of protection. I stared at the darkening sky out the window, lost in my thoughts. Then the door opened again.
“Bones?”
I scowled, recognizing Trey’s voice. I sat up on the mattress, but I didn’t answer. I heard him come in, shutting the door behind him.
“Bones? I brought dinner.”
I let out a heavy sigh. “I’m not hungry,” I repeated, my voice dull.
The single light bulb turned on, blinding me. I swore under my breath, squinting past the white spots in my vision and listening as Trey’s footsteps crossed the room, and then the ladder shifted as he began to climb. I crossed my arms across my chest and waited. His head popped up a second later, all smiling brown eyes.
