Page 43 of Cry of the Damned
She frowned as her gaze roved over us. Clearly, she imagined exactly what had happened here last night. The heat of a blush crept up my neck. Kall smiled, gave me a quick kiss on the forehead, and walked back toward the warehouse.
When he was gone, Ila approached me. “Did you two…?”
A broad grin appeared on my face of its own accord. “It’s none of your business, Ila.” I walked past her, and she followed.
“That’s not fair. You have to tell me. Everything!”
“Everything?”
“Yes, I have to live indirectly through you.”
I stopped. “You mean you’ve never…?”
She shook her head.
“I thought…”
Ila blushed. “Like an idiot, I’ve always loved Maki, and then we were too young, and now… I just don’t trust him enough to go that far.”
I rubbed her arm. “He’s trying.”
She shrugged. “He is, but he’s going to have to try harder.”
We were quiet for a moment, then I said, “Kall said he loves me.”
“And?” She stretched out the word, appearing unsurprised.
“Is that because he’s my fated mate?” I wanted to know if he had a choice.
“From what little I know, I believe love isn’t always a given between fated mates.”
That was good to know, and also… terrifying.
“Thereisa choice, Sheela. If you doubt it, just look at yourself. Kall is aching inside, waiting for you, and you… well, you don’t seem to give a damn.”
I blinked in surprise at what she was saying. Kall aching inside? Me not giving a damn? Were we living in the same world?
“Kall isn’t… aching, and Idocare. I’m just… confused.”
“Were you confused last night?”
“What has gotten into you?”
She shook her head. “Nothing, I’m sorry.”
I could tell it wasn’t nothing, but I didn’t want to push. Maybe she wished that Maki was as devoted to her as Kall seemed to be to me. Maybe it was Ila who should’ve shared a mate bond with Maki. It certainly would have made things easier for both of us.
In silence, we walked back into the warehouse. We didn’t wait long before George appeared with six platters loaded with breakfast.
“Owen will be here in about an hour,” he said as he passed the food around. “You’d better eat and be ready for him.”
The guys tucked in right away. They didn’t need to be told twice. Bethel and I exchanged a heavy glance. She and I had a dangerous day ahead.
Owen pulled his delivery van inside the warehouse, using the large retractable door in the front. After greeting us, he threw the van’s back doors open to reveal today’s deliveries to the magistrates. The items were arranged neatly on shelves on either side, while a few boxes rested on the metal floor.
I took a step closer to read the labels, Bethel standing right beside me while the others hung back. Crown maple syrup. The Balvenie single malt Scotch whiskey. Imperia caviar. Wyke Farms cheddar cheese, and more.
“Shocking, ain’t it?” Owen asked.
