“I thought you might be planning on killing her.”In the end, she pushed the explanation out in one long breath, as if she hoped he wouldn’t hear the words.
“Killingher?”His voice was blistering, roaring around her like thunder.
Recoiling as though the words had whipped her, she released the crystal goblet she’d clung to and pressed her shoulders against the wooden seat.“I’m sorry, Master.”
What else could she say?In a way, she was sorry.She’d chosen to be brave, but in the end, she wished she’d opted to stay safe.
“You think I would kill Shelley?”His gaze bored into her, but she couldn’t bring herself to meet it.
“I thought that was what you meant,” she whispered, shoving her hands on her lap.“I’m sorry.”
“Kristina.”He paused, and in those seconds, she imagined all the horrendous things he would do next.
Was he disappointed in her for thinking so little of him, and if so, how would he convey that negativity?Or worse, was he furious that she’d cottoned on to his plan?Her heart sped up at the terrifying prospect.If he’d been intending to finish Shelley, maybe her inquiry would only accelerate both of their ends.
In the midst of her growing panic, she heard his chair scrape against the floor, and all at once, he was on his feet.Discarding his blanket to the seat, he closed the distance between them in a heartbeat.
“Look at me.”Falling to his haunches, he was still taller than she was sitting in the chair.Turning her head to obey, she was struck by the deep purple hue of his irises.
“I’m only going to say this once.”His voice was eerily calm, and despite her racing heart, Kris sensed that old surge of tranquility falling over her.It was as if just being closer to him was settling her nerves, even though he was the one who’d exacerbated them.“And I want you to hear me.”
She nodded, unsure what to say.
“I amnotgoing to kill Shelley.”He leaned nearer, and somehow, she couldn’t look away from his mesmerizing amethyst eyes.“I discipline her when she needs it, the way I have disciplined you, but I have never and will never harm her.”
“Okay.”Had she said that aloud?In the intensity of the moment, she wasn’t certain.
“When she is ready for The Advancement, I will ensure she returns to her life as good as new.”He smiled, the first sign that he wasn’t enraged by her accusation.
As good as new.
His words rattled in her head, although she couldn’t make head nor tail of them.How could she be as good as new when he’d taken her from everything she’d known and compelled her to do God only knew what?
“I know you don’t understand yet.”His hand rose to her shoulder.“So, I need you to trust me.”
Trust him?
“Okay, Master.”
She was pretty sure she had spoken that time, but that was all she was clear about.Her world had once been full of certainties; the surety of her science and its endless supposition.Staring at Kronos, though, there were only questions with no answers.
He sounded sincere about not harboring malicious intent, but she couldn’t understand how or why he would release Shelley after what she assumed was a lengthy captivity.If he let her walk out of there, she’d go right to the authorities, and there would be repercussions for him.
Why would he allow that?
“I didn’t mean to offend you, Master.”
He didn’t seem upset, but Kris covered the base just in case.The last thing her stupefied thoughts required was another impromptu punishment of his design.
“You never fail to amaze me, little one.”He shook his head with a smile.“But it’s okay.”He squeezed her weary muscles gently.“You’re not in trouble.Let’s eat.”
Chapter Six
Kronos
Resuming his place at the head of the table, Kronos eyed the human who’d spun his previously gratifying, yet stable existence into its current dizzying state.One moment, he thought he was taking care of her mortal needs by hydrating and feeding her, and the next, she came out with her shocking belief that he was going to kill Shelley.
Folding the black cover over his thighs, he blew out a breath.How in the name of the old gods had she come to that conclusion?He’d never once intimated a desire to slay either of them.On the contrary, he’d told her explicitly on more than one occasion that hewouldn’tharm her.Yet, still, she deduced the worst for her predecessor.
