Page 23 of Make Me
A loud, theatrical groan echoes from behind us. “Why do I always walk in on moments like this?”
We both turn to find Natalia striding across the grass like she owns the damn park, her long braid bouncing behind her and her scowl firmly in place. But I catch the glint in her eyes. The warmth she pretends not to have.
“Did you get everything you needed?” I ask as she sets a bag on the bench.
“Yeah, yeah.” She starts pulling items out—glass potion bottles, a silver dagger that hums with energy, and a slender chain that sparkles in the moonlight. “This won’t take long.”
I eye the blade warily. “Is that all for me?”
“Nope.” She tosses the chain at Talon. “That one’s forhim. I’ll need it wrapped around both his wrists.”
He catches it midair, holding it like it might burn him. “Why?”
“Because I’ve dealt with mates before,” she says, glancing around briefly. “Right here in this park in fact. You either let me restrain you or I go home. Your choice. But I won’t have you getting in my way. And when Kasha inevitably screams in pain, you’ll want to do just that.”
Talon snarls. “No.”
“Yes.” Natalia goes toe-to-toe, uncaring that he’s well over a foot taller than her. “I won’t have you interrupting me and getting her killed. Kasha is strong. She can handle this, and you’re going to let her.”
Talon’s low growl shakes through his chest, the sound more animal than man. He looks at me, his jaw tight and his eyes—gods, those eyes—are full of war.
I reach for his arm, squeezing gently. “Please. I’ll be safe with her. I promise.”
His breath shudders out, and after a long, tense beat, he nods.
“Fine,” he says, reluctantly handing the chain back to the witch.
Natalia steps closer, ignoring the way he looms over her.
“If anything goes wrong—” he starts.
“You’ll kill me,” she finishes breezily. “You’ll make me suffer, feed me to your wolf, grind my bones into potion powder for trade. I’ve heard it all before.”
“This won’t hold me,” Talon growls, eyes locked on Natalia as she winds the silver tighter around his wrists.Sparks flicker where magic touches skin, but he barely flinches. His muscles strain, tension rippling down his arms like he’s already preparing to break free.
She doesn’t so much as blink. With a flick of her fingers and a shove that looks almost lazy, Talon stumbles backward and lands on the bench with a heavy thud.
“Witch!” he bellows, but any further sounds are muted as his body slumps and his eyes close.
“What did you do to him?” I ask calmly, knowing there’s no point wasting time getting upset. She’ll wake him when we’re done and no sooner.
“I made sure he won’t get in my way or break my concentration as I bring you back to life.” She reaches for the dagger and grins. “Would you like to lie on the table or the ground? I need you flat while I drive this into your heart.”
My eyes widen, and I take a step back. “You’re not stabbing me with that.”
“Oh, but I am.” She twirls the blade between her fingers with unsettling grace. “Unless you don’t actually want your wolf back. In that case, we can skip the theatrics. I’ll take my fairy termites and be on my merry way. I get paid for my time either way.”
I stare at the wicked gleam of the dagger. “There isn’t another way?”
“If there was, don’t you think I’d use it?” Her tone is exasperated. “You think Ienjoyknifing people in the chest? Okay, maybe a little, but still. This is your undoing, Kasha. The spell that bound your wolf’s spirit istethered to your heart and to your fear. I need to pierce through it. Physically, magically, and spiritually.”
I swallow hard, my throat dry. My brain screams at me to run, but something deeper, something older, holds me still.
No, I don’t want to keep living like this. Half-shadow. Half-breath. I’ve clung to these jagged pieces for so long that I’ve forgotten what it feels like to be whole.
Still, I hesitate. My eyes flick to Talon, slumped and silent, and for one wild second I consider calling Spencer. She’d know what to do.
Except so do I.
