Page 8 of Shifters' Fated Summer
“Why?” I found myself asking, my brain circling back around and getting stuck again.
Luca turned back, his brows furrowed. “Why what?”
“Why take me? How am I any of your business? Even if you don’t agree with the blood donor arrangement, I don’t see why you had any right.”
Tension rippled through his muscled frame, and his jaw ticked. For the first time, true fear bloomed in my chest. This man could hurt me if he wanted to, and seeing that flicker of anger chilled me. His throat worked as he picked his words.
“I guess we are having this discussion now,” he ground out.
My own irritation rose. He should own up what they did, stealing donors away from their home.
He crossed his arms, tattooed muscles bulging.
“They abduct children and use them as blood slaves.”
I opened my mouth to argue. That wasn’t how things were. But his hardened expression froze the words in my throat.
“I know you didn’t feel like a prisoner or a slave, but answer me this: were you free to leave? Did you ever leave those tunnels?”
It took a moment for my voice to work.
“It wasn’t safe. Evrin was protecting me.”
His disbelieving stare said everything.
So what if I couldn’t leave? Evrin was keeping me secure. Things were dangerous out there and he had my best interest at heart. I trusted him…right?
Quieter, he asked, “Do you remember when you first arrived there?”
Recoiling, I shook my head, trying to escape the memories he was dredging up. Months of fear, not knowing how I would survive. I’d done my best to block out that dark time.
“What was it like?” he pushed.
My heart rate sped up and my breathing grew shallow. I refused to fall apart in front of him. My hands clenched, nails digging into my palms.
White scars from dual sets of fangs brightened on my wrists. My stomach churned at the sight. Everything was backwards and not even the sight of my own body seemed the same.
Swallowing, I counted my exhale in my head, slowing my breath down and forcing my body to calm.
Luca waited patiently as I pulled myself together.
Finally, I managed to answer. “Sure, it was hard at first. But then Evrin took care of me once he picked me.”
“He was the reason you were there to begin with. You wouldn’t have gone through any of that if it wasn’t for him and his family.”
My mouth slackened, my eyes dropping to my hands. Between my burning eyes and my churning stomach, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to puke or sob.
“I’m sorry,” he said gruffly. “Look, you’ll feel better after a shower and once you get some food in you. I’ll be waiting in the hall.”
Peeking up through my lashes, I watched him rub the back of his neck, his triceps bulging, showing off more tattoos.
Why did he care if I was feeling better? It wasn’t his problem, unless he was worried I would do something reckless and destructive, which sounded pretty good right about now. After stealing me away from my home, it would serve him right.
My nails dug into the covers as I disentangled myself and slid my bare feet to the floor. My threadbare dress and boy shorts still hung off my bony frame. The wood floor was cool underfoot.
Holding my breath, I crossed the room with shaky steps, and he let me pass without trying to touch me, to my relief. The hallway looked much the same as the room, with simple wood floors and plain cream walls. The opposite door stood open, showing a darker room with a wooden mirror and double sinks.
Cautiously, I stepped into the bathroom.
