Page 19 of Make Me
“I was already talking to Spencer about coming here to do this earlier.” My words are defensive, and I quickly realize they’re not meant for me. I say them for Talon. I don’t want him to think I’m only doing this because I don’t believe what I’ve been told.
Natalia doesn’t react. She simply steps forward, grabs my hand, and turns it palm up with a firm but not unkind grip. “Doesn’t much matter to me,” she mutters as she places both of her hands over mine.
A spark flares to life where our skin connects.
Energy hums between us like a wire pulled taut,buzzing through my veins, a storm awakening beneath my skin. My knees nearly buckle from the pressure before Natalia jerks back with a sharp hiss, her eyes narrowing.
“You left a fewveryimportant details out, Kamishola,” she snaps. “There’s only the barest sliver of your wolf’s spirit in there. Where’s the rest of her?”
The knot in my chest tightens as guilt coils through me. I swallow hard, forcing the words out. “A witch back in the fae world took her. I didn’t know it at the time. I only asked her to bind my wolf, but she…she took more. I was just a kid. I didn’t know?—”
Natalia snaps her fingers and glares. “I don’t need to know your excuses.”
Talon steps forward then, voice low and dangerous. “And she doesn’t need your judgment.” His shoulders square like he’s ready for a fight. “You offered help in exchange for a price. You don’t get to shame her as part of the deal.”
Natalia arches one brow and leans forward, elbows on the counter, unimpressed. “I was right about the bodyguard type. Either way, I don’t care if she’s your mate, I’ve known Kasha for a while now. I might even consider her a friend on the occasional Tuesday. So, I’ll say as I damn well please. Thanks, though.”
I place a hand over his forearm before he can fire back again. “It’s okay, Talon. She has every right to judge. What I did was wrong.”
He turns to me, and gods, the look in his eyes could bring down mountains. “Like you said, you were a child. It doesn’t matter why you did it. Anyone with half abrain,andwho claims to know you, should also know that you must have had a good reason.”
I glance away. He’s not wrong, but he’s not right either. The truth is, the young me thought I did, but now I know I was just running from the hurt I allowed other people to cause me. That’s no reason at all. That’s cowardice, which is why I’m willing to take the risks now.
My wolf deserves that.
Natalia crosses her arms, eyeing Talon with obvious suspicion. “I’m not sure I like your friend.”
“Mate,” Talon corrects coolly, and I can’t help the small grin that pulls at my lips. That one word settles something in my chest, even if it’s still fragile and uncertain.
“I’m sorry,” I say to her instead. “It’s been a long night for both of us. Will you still help me?”
She studies me then flicks a glance at Talon. “I want the fairies. And blood from both of you.”
“Done,” I reply.
“Absolutely not,” Talon says at the same time.
I look up at him, still holding his arm and enjoying the warmth beneath my palm. “I know you have no reason to trust her yet, but will you trustme? Natalia might not seem like it to you, but she’s one of the good ones.”
His shoulders relax, and he turns toward me, his face softening. “If you believe her, so will I.”
“Thank you.” I look back over at Natalia. “So, we have a deal? You’ll help me get my wolf back?”
Her long black nails drum over her arms. “I’ll try. I make no promises this will work.”
“That’s all I can ask.”
She turns toward her back room, hidden behind the black curtain, as she says, “But I’ll need time to gather a few ingredients. Come back in an hour.”
“Thank you, Natalia,” I call out, but all I get in reply is a gruffharrumph.
Chapter 7
TALON
If it weren’t for Kasha, I might’ve let my wolf tear that smug witch limb from limb. The only thing that kept me from unleashing hell was the way Kasha squeezed my arm before we left. It was as if she was anchoring me to her, to the possibilities of what we could have if everything goes right.
So, for now, Natalia gets to live.
