Page 42 of Fangs
My entire body trembled. I felt like I was unraveling. Why was this so hard? “Because I’m…sometimes, I get—” I faltered.
“Is it somethin’ that happens when you’re upset?” he pushed when I didn’t continue.
That sounded close to the truth, so I nodded. The muscles in his face tightened, but his expression stayed calm as he studied me.
“You never used to do that. In fact, I don’t remember ever seein’ you sick before.”
I was not about to get into all the little ways Juck had broken me. “I’m fine,” I said, my voice ragged.
“You’re clearly not.” His eyes narrowed, a little bit of frustration and impatience flashing across his face.
“It doesn’t matter,” I tried again, more desperate this time.
“It matters to me!” he snapped.
“Why?”
He blinked, his brow furrowing. “What do you meanwhy?Because you’re my sister.”
An escaped tear rolled down my face. “You think ImurderedDune.”
The pain that opened in his eyes was a deep well of emotion. “You’re still my sister, no matter what you’ve done.”
No matter what you’ve done.But how could I convince him Ididn’tdo it?
“I practically raised you,” he added.
There was no “practically” about it. He did raise me. I couldn’t remember Pa ever doing anything.
“That girl you raised is dead.” My voice was as empty as my chest.
His nostrils flared, and anger bled into his voice. “Ember.”
“No, Wolf, I’m not… I’m not sayin’ that to make you mad. I’m just tryin’ to be honest. She’s gone.”
His face creased with a mixture of desperation, fury, guilt, and concern, and his voice shook when he spoke. “Where have you been? How did you know Mad Dog’s mark?”
“Wolf—”
“Who fuckin’ branded you?”
I dropped my eyes to the ground.
“Who, Em?” His voice was so dark.
“You brandin’ me a murderer hurt worse.” The numb words spilled from my lips as I met his gaze again.
He recoiled, horror flashing through his eyes. “I didn’t?—”
“I knew you’d never believe me,” I barreled on. “I knew it when I saw your face on that rooftop. You saw Dune and me, and you decided I killed him, and I knew you’d never even consider anythin’ else.”
“Ember—” he tried, his voice sharp.
“Wolf, are you actuallylisteningor just waiting for me to confess?” I interrupted. “I have no proof other than my word, and I know that doesn’t mean shit to you, so what’s the fucking point? I’m so… I’m sotired.”
That muscle in his jaw flexed.
“Just kill me here. Please? I swear, I’m not tryin’ to trick you. I just—” my throat constricted, and I struggled to regain my composure. “I can’t do this anymore.”
