Page 252 of Fangs
Gnawing doubt settled in my stomach. I had no idea how to teach anyone about magic. I knew almost nothing, and each conversation with Menace proved that more. I was useless.
“You’re not useless,” Mac interjected.
“I don’t even know howmymagic works,” I mumbled.
“We’ll take it one day at a time, okay? I bet you know a lot more than you even realize.”
I blew out a shaky breath and nodded.
“You should get some more rest.”
“Will you stay?” The words slipped out before I thought them through, and his eyes darted to mine. “You don’t have to if you’re busy,” I quickly added, my face heating. “I’m sure you’re busy.”
He tilted his head slightly, eyes focusing sharply on me, and I knew he heard the things I wasn’t saying.
“I’ll be fine,” I tried to sound more confident.
“You can tell me when you don’t want to be alone,” he said, his voice gentle. “I’m never gonna judge you for that, and if you ever want me to stay, all you have to do is ask.”
It took a few seconds, but finally, I whispered, “I don’t want to be alone.”
“Then you won’t be,” he said simply. “Do you?—”
A knock at the door startled both of us.
“Can I come in?” Sable called.
I sighed but called him in. He gave me an apologetic smile.
“Sorry, I still need to bandage you back up, and Lee would like to come in.”
We were all quiet as Sable bandaged my chest. When he finished, he glanced at Mac.
“Give me a couple minutes, and I’ll switch with Lee,” Mac said.
Sable nodded and left after cleaning up his supplies. I glanced at Mac to see him frowning.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“Nothin’swrong,” he said in a low voice. “Just weird that I can hear the thoughts of every single person in this hold… except for Lee.”
I stared at him, my brow furrowing. I couldn’t deny that itwasweird.
“Your brother trusts him with his life, though, and maybe more importantly, he trusts Lee withyou.”
Panic raced through me, and I slammed down my mental shield before thoughts of Lee surfaced. Mac looked sharply at me, and my face grew hot, but I couldn’t think of anything to explain why I’d just locked him out of my head.
“What’s goin’ on?” he asked finally.
“I’m just… tryin’ to have alittleprivacy.” I didn’t mean for it to come out short, but it did.
His nostrils flared and hurt and guilt flashed through his eyes. “Right. Well, I’ll send Lee in.”
“Mac, wait, I?—”
“It’s okay,” he interrupted, already moving toward the door. “You’re right. You do deserve privacy.” He paused in the doorway and smiled, but it looked stiff. “I’ll see you later.”
“Mac—”
