“She was safer hating me than loving me,” I said. “Gideon would have used that against her. He uses everything. But at least he still wanted her alive. I knew that at least.”
Dev’s eyes flashed. “Alive? Do you know the kind of life she has had?”
I ran my hands over my hair. “I can guess. But what would you have me do? I didn’t want to risk her safety. I cared about her too much.”
Dev’s expression hardened.
“Seph doesn’t know any of that,” he said. “All she knows is you disappeared. You left her in hell and never looked back.”
My chest squeezed so hard I couldn’t breathe.
“I know,” I whispered. “Every day, I know.”
We stood in silence.
Breathing too loud.
Existing too painfully.
Finally Dev exhaled, rubbing a hand over his face.
“You need to tell her something,” he said. “Not everything. But something. Give her something real, K. Before she gives up on you completely.”
“I can’t,” I said instantly.
Dev stiffened. “Won’t or can’t?”
“Both,” I whispered.
Because the truth wasn’t mine to tell.
Chapter 35
Seph
It was getting easier to sneak into the woods, especially on the weekends.
As if knowing I was looking for him, Sy appeared by our lake in the waning sunlight.
I sat beside him on the ground, taking comfort in his presence. He was a massive shadow beside me, keeping the sun from my eyes. But his aura still sparkled like diamonds.
I liked being with him.
And maybe I was imagining it, but I felt like he liked me too.
“How are you today, tiny one?” Sy asked finally.
“Better thanks to you.”
He smiled and it was like magic. “I am pleased.”
“Do you live in the woods?” I asked the question I had been wondering since we met. “I live where I need to.” He said simply.
“And right now?”
“And right now, I will stay near you.”
I felt a flush of warmth at that. “Why?” I asked.
