Page 88 of Sage Haven
“I’ve seen it before,” I said.
The truth settled heavy on my tongue.
His gaze darkened, “Have you now?”
I nodded.
But I didn’t say where.
Because I still didn’t know.
Because the memory of it was buried deep, clawing at the edges of my mind but refusing to take shape.
Castor stood abruptly, running a hand through his hair as he exhaled. “Well,” he said. “That’s unfortunate.”
Ice slithered down my spine, as I forced myself to ask, “Why?”
The word was a whisper.
He turned back toward me slowly, smiling, but his eyes were flat. Empty, as he answered, “Because it means you’re asking the wrong questions.”
I swallowed hard, the weight of his meaning settling cold and brutal in my chest.
He stepped closer, leaned in until his breath was hot against my ear, “Be careful what you look for, sweetheart. You might not like what you find.”
The door creaked open.
I flinched, instinct ripping through me.
And then I saw him.
Reich.
His presence filled the room instantly.
Cold. Heavy. Icy steel wrapped in the shape of a man.
He moved without hurry, every step calculated and predatory.
For a split second, I wanted to believe I was safe.
That he was here to fix whatever this was.
But when the light caught the back of his neck, my stomach dropped through the floor.
The same mark.
Identical.
Branding him as something I didn’t understand, but I knew enough to be terrified.
His eyes raked over me slowly, as if taking inventory of what was his.
“How’s my wildflower?” He finally said, his voice was low, smooth. Dripping with something dark and indulgent.
Something almost cruel.
I couldn’t stop the scoff that broke from my throat, “You’re insane.”
