AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Instead, I’m here, in my study, drinking whiskey at five in the morning, and daydreaming about killing things just to cheer myself up. But maybe it doesn’t have to remain a daydream. The Crimson Roses are still out there, which means they are still a threat to my mate.
Klyn’s tracker has yet to return with useful intel, but I’m done waiting. My shadow beast needs an outlet. Maybe when Tori is safe, the madness will be bearable. Or maybe it’s the madness that drives me to decide.
I down the last of the whiskey I’d poured and set the glass aside, heading for the launch pad. My thoughts drift to Klyn. He’ll want to know I’ve left, but now that I’m on the move, I can’t bring myself to delay long enough to tell him.
My shadow beast drives me onward, and I let him.
Outside, the morning air bites my cheeks, but the chill is refreshing to my senses. It’ll feel even better against my scales.
I’m nearly through the gardens when I see the familiar silhouette. Still, even though I recognize Tori immediately, I falter in confusion at seeing her out here so early. She’s wrapped in a thick cloak that clings to her curves despite its bulk. My heart lurches at the sight of her, my feelings even stronger than my physical desire. I shove them all aside as I approach.
“I didn’t realize you were awake.”
She crosses her arms, looking defiant. “You thought you could sneak out before I woke up?”
“I’m not sneaking anywhere,” I say. “This is my house.”
“In that case, you don’t mind me tagging along.”
I frown. “You don’t even know where I’m going.”
“Then why don’t you tell me?” she asks.
Her expression makes it clear she’s already guessed. It takes me a moment to figure out how she knows.
The mate bond.
Fuck.
“You’re staying here,” I tell her firmly.
Her eyes flash with fury though it doesn’t surprise me. “You promised me you’d let me come.”
“I also promised to keep you safe. That promise is more important.”
“No. You don’t get to justify this. And you don’t get to break your vow to me.”
Any other day, her temper would turn me on. Today, it only feeds my determination. “It’s too dangerous.”
“But not for you?” I start to reply, but she cuts me off. “Kendall had a vision about you.” She pauses and then adds, “She saw you go alone, and it ends in you losing.”
“Those visions are subjective of a thousand different choices along the way.”
“Fuck, Legion.” She throws up her hands. “If you aren’t going to care about living through this, at least care what your death would do to me. We might not be claimed mates yet, but if you died, I probably would too.”
If she’d yelled it, the words would have cut less than they do as she delivers them quietly.
I hate the pain in her eyes that goes with them.
Seeing it weakens my resolve. She’s right. I wouldn’t survive losing her either. I’m barely surviving resisting her, and I’m only doing that because touching her would kill me. Otherwise, I would have claimed her as mine long before this moment.
“I don’t plan to die for you,” I tell her. “Not unless there’s no other choice left for me. Believe me, little assassin, I want very much to live for you instead. To find a way to touch you. And claim you. And make you mine like I’m already yours. That is why I’m going to end this today.”
She exhales, her expression softening at my words. “I want a mate who lets me fight beside him.” Her mouth curves in a devious smile. “I also want to fight you but only because I love when we make up.”
I flash a small smile at that but shake my head. “Using your gift causes you pain, remember?”
“Then I won’t use it.”
