Page 39 of Blood that Burns

I let out a harsh breath, not wanting to admit that in part, it is. “Yes and no,” I say.

His head bobs, but he doesn’t pry for more.

“I just wasn’t prepared for it to affect me like it did,” I answer truthfully. “I’ll be okay. I just need a moment to process it all.”

“What is really going on?” It’s barely a whisper from Law’s lips, as though he knows the answer but is afraid to hear it nonetheless.

“Julian appears to have Marina completely bewitched.”

His back straightens and his features harden. “I didn’t think you of all people would judge her so harshly. She can’t help who she loves, and Julian is noble despite what he is.”

My mouth drops open. Is that really what he thinks is happening? That I’m holding some grudge against my sister for falling for a vampire?

“You’re an idiot,” I say, stomping away.

“Stop,” he barks, but I don’t listen. I take three more steps as he shouts out orders before I spin on him.

“Don’t tell me what to do. I’m not some weak human who’ll cower under your commands.” I take a threatening step toward him, and he stands his ground. “Have I ever judged you for what you are? Have I ever made you feel like a monster?”

The hard features slacken and his shoulders drop. “No.”

“No,” I parrot. “I don’t give a shit who Marina loves as long as it’s reciprocated and she’s protected. What has me upset is the fact that Molly might be alive, and Marina is more concerned about fucking your brother than finding her.”

His head juts back in surprise as I stay in place, heaving breaths in and out, trying to calm myself.

“Sunshine, I—”

“No.” My head shakes. “Give me the time I asked for.”

He searches my face for several tense seconds before finally nodding.

“I’ll go pack for the trip west.” He starts to walk away and I quickly backtrack, not truly wanting to be alone out here in the dark.

“I didn’t say you had to leave,” I huff. “I asked for a few moments of peace.”

He sighs. “You said you needed space. I’m trying to honor that.”

We stand here in silence, the air thick with tension, for several minutes, but he doesn’t move to leave. There’s something different about Law, something about the way he’s looking at me, that has me on edge. I’m just not sure what has me feeling off.

I can’t take it any longer, so I ask the first thing that pops into my head. “What did you mean when you said it’s not safe to be out here in the dark? Is the Council nearby?”

“No. This place is guarded by a protective border. You’re safe within the confines of that. But you aren’t familiar with this place, and you don’t know where those barriers of protection end. Until we’ve had a chance to acclimate you, I don’t want you wandering far.”

I sigh. “I won’t wander. I need to pack too.”

He takes a seat on a bench near me. “Listen... based on how you reacted to Marina, I need to warn you that seeing Shannon will be... extremely difficult. If you think Marina has changed”—he takes in a deep breath and blows it out—“well... seeing Shannon is going to knock the wind out of you.”

“I figured as much, but thank you for the warning.”

He squeezes my exposed thigh, and an ache low in my belly sends shivers up my arms. “If you need anything for the trip, please let me know. I can have Katina get whatever you need.”

“Thank you.”

He nods, stands, and leaves me to myself. I watch his back until he’s out of sight and I damn near collapse from the need coursing through me. A simple touch from him can unravel me. It can turn me to a simpering idiot in seconds.

And I hate that he has so much power over me.

I slept the entire way to the new bite camp. The excitement of flying for my first time couldn’t even stave off the exhaustion that swept through me. My legs had practically given out when I got to my seat and my entire body went limp as Jell-O. My eyes closed long before liftoff, and all that flitted through my mind as I drifted off to sleep was that Law was seated beside me.

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