Page 46 of Fangs
I stared at him. No, he had to be wrong.
“You remember how Mrs. Ammon left to go take care of her sister?”
I nodded, fear and horror churning in my stomach.
“That was a lie. Wolf told me the truth. They burned her.”
“Wolf wouldn’t—” My voice trembled.
“He doesn’t like it, but he said he can’t do anythin’ to stop it. Not without puttin’ himself and us at risk.”
“Why’d he tell you, then?” I demanded, hurt.
“When I turned ten, he said I was old enough to know.”
I stared at him for a moment longer, trying to believe he was kidding, but he looked scared, which terrified me more than anything.
My eyes welled up. “I don’t want to be burned.”
Dune pulled me into a tight hug. “You won’t,” he promised. “Cause it’s gonna be our secret—you and me. Nobody else is ever gonna know. Promise?”
“I promise.”
I jolted back to the present when someone shook me slightly, focusing on Mac’s face hovering close to mine. Concern drew his eyebrows together as I tried to remember how to fucking breathe normally. He was sitting on the bed next to me, his warm hands gripping my shoulders.
“You back with me?” he asked softly.
My hands came up on their own accord and gripped his wrists like I was drowning.
“I’m here. Can you breathe with me?” he murmured, his eyes fixed on mine.
He took deep, exaggerated breaths, and I did my best to copy him, and after what felt like forever, I managed to calm myself a little.
“Better?” he asked, and I managed to nod. He took a breath like he was about to say more, but the terrified words burst out of me.
“What’s gonna happen?”
He frowned. “Whaddya mean?”
“Is Wolf gonna take me away?”
His jaw tightened, and his voice came out like quiet steel. “No.”
“Are you sure?” I pushed, my stomach roiling. I reluctantly released his wrists, he let go of my shoulders, and both of us dropped our hands into our own laps.
“Nemo is workin’ on some sort of deal, but I made it real clear I’m not lettin’ anybody take you away against your will.”
I wasn’t sure if that made me feel relieved or more anxious. “I don’t want you to fight with my brother.”
“And I won’t, so long as he doesn’t give me any reason to.” He lowered his head, his eyes sharpening into blades that cut through me.
“Will you promise me somethin’?” I pleaded.
“Anything,” he said immediately, startling me, then paused. “So long as it doesn’t jeopardize your safety.”
I grimaced, and the sparks in his eyes started flashing.
“What is it?” he demanded.
