I cross my arms over my chest, tightening my jaw. “Besides, it’s not like you can force me to go home.”
He suddenly stands in front of me. The pitying expression is erased, his dark glower bearing down on me.
My mouth parts as his comforting smoky scent snakes over my senses in ghostly whisps, blocking out everything but him.
“This is a bad idea. You could get hurt.”
I shrug, schooling my expression into icy indifference. “No, I won’t. You’re here to protect me,” I say, ignoring the fact that he isn’t supposed to be here.
“Aura. . .”
“I made a vow to myself. I’m not going to feed anymore.” My words come out in a hushed tone as I drop my arms.
Not that anyone overhearing would understand. Not even in my own Realm do the people understand. My curse is a secret that has kept me isolated since I was a teenager.
The first awakening of my power still haunts my dreams.
Talon's expression snaps taut with disbelief.
“Maybe everyone is wrong. Maybe I can control it. But no one will give me a chance.” My voice cracks. Desperation is plain on my face, and I don’t even try to hide it. I need him to see it, to understand. “I want a chance to build a life of my own. I want to be more than what this curse has made me.”
Those deep, molten brown eyes search mine, and I melt a little.
Come on, Talon. You’ve always given me what I wanted. Don’t stop now.
Pushing my lip out in a slight pout, my pathetic big eyes are an absolute ploy.
Talon’s gaze drops to my mouth. And there it is. His hunger. The open desire. A fire kicks up in my belly.
Then it’s gone. He stiffens, emotion sucked back the way the tide abandons the sand.
“No.” Talon’s eyes are hard and commanding with his final decision.
“W-what?” The abrupt turn leaves me reeling, my chest lurching at the speed of it.
“We are going home.”
Irritation spikes in me, as I push my tongue against the inside of my cheek. “You can’t make me.”
He startles, flinching just enough for me to notice. “What?”
“You. Can’t. Make. Me.” I enunciate each word with all the petulance of a child. I’ve never stood against him like this, and despite my exasperation with his unyielding nature, a little thrill goes through me. “What are you going to do? Drag me back?” Ihold open my arms, as if waiting for him to grab me and pull me away from this place.
He won’t. He can’t.
Not without burning me.
Talon’s brows drop as his expression darkens. His hands flex uselessly at his sides.
Part of me recognizes my taunt is cruel, but the reality of our situation is never far from my mind. How could it be?
This is the first time I’ve been able to use the thing that keeps us apart to my advantage.
“The way I see it,” I say, adjusting the pack over my shoulder, “you can go back without me and explain to my parents why you can’t make me go home, or. . .” I draw the word out. “You can stay here and make sure nothing bad happens to me.”
Conflicting emotions churn inside me, tangling like restless serpents.
You’re desperately trying to keep him by your side. It’s foolish, knowing you can’t be together. You should break away and forge a new path on your own. Stop torturing yourself.
