Page 263 of Shifting Hearts 1
Leigh liked her too, though I wasn’t sure if it was because she was his brother’s choice or something else. Sometimes, when she stared at Morgan, I wondered if Leigh really knew what she looked like. Mel and Leigh’s sight had always worked as a team, Mel seeing the events, Leigh piecing together the when and how. Since Mel’s death, her visions had only grown sharper. Maybe she’d seen this too, and that was why she hadn’t told any of us.
The door opened, and he stepped into the shed. He looked the same, but a hatred I had only seen once, after his sister died, twisted his features.
It was silent outside. He wanted to deal with her alone.
I looked at Morgan. She was drained from the UV shackles, too weak to lift her head.
“The famous Blaze,” he sneered, his voice low, venomous. “Useless. It’s almost sad. I always imagined our paths crossing in battle, a fight worth savoring. But this? You can’t even defend yourself. And your fire doesn’t scare me.”
“It’s Morgan, Collin,” I said quietly, but he didn’t hear me. His gaze stayed locked on her, full of disgust.
“Think of all the horror you wrought on werewolves, witches, djinns. Your reckoning is here. And it won’t be quick, Blaze.”
He closed the door and moved closer, stopping just in front of her.
“You have no idea how long I’ve waited for this day, to find the one who slaughtered our packs to raise a wolf army. And for what? Your so-called Great War?” He growled, pacing the shed. “Heiko is Alpha of all packs. Kidnapping those pups was for nothing. One command from him, and all of you would be dead.”
He was right to be furious.
“Nothing to say for yourself?” He grabbed her hair, lifting her head.
Silence stretched between them, heavy and suffocating.
Then his voice changed. From rage to disbelief. “How is this possible?”
He turned toward me, and I squinted. Could he see me? A single tear streaked down his cheek. His lower lip trembled. He released her hair and stepped back, trying to regain composure. Cupping his mouth, more tears fell, and he couldn’t look at her. He turned, leaning against the shed wall, shoulders shaking.
“You and me both,” I whispered, tears pooling in my eyes. Their bond was different this time. It wasn’t like before. He wanted to protect her, and he had failed, just like me.
“Why? Why did you do this?” he shouted, anguish cracking his voice.
I wanted to leave, escape the weight of it all, but I couldn’t.
“I made a mistake. I realize that now.”
“You made a mistake?” He sniffed hard and approached again. This time, gentler. He lifted her head to meet his gaze. “Becoming a vampire to accomplish what?”
“I’m sorry. I guess I thought, it doesn’t matter anymore.”
Silence fell between them, heavy and final.
She told him she had no idea who he was, yet the way she answered the questions suggested she knew exactly.
“How am I supposed to kill you?” he demanded.
“If it matters, I still don’t remember who you are. Just do it. Please. It’s time.”
Utter confusion washed over his face. “What do you mean?”
“I have no recollection of my past life. No memory of why I wanted to be a vampire. But I think I understand now.”
“Youthinkyou understand?” His disgust radiated like heat. “How did you turn into this? Why? Explain it to me!”
“I wasn’t wolf material.”
I squinted, disbelief sharpening my gaze.
“That’s why you did this?” he spat. “She died of a broken heart, and I guess that means nothing to you, does it?”
