Page 65 of The Quiet Witness

He gazed over the world of ice around them. “Once you get into the thick of it, you can’t unsee it. The cracks in humanity.”

She finished it for him. “They run deep.”

Lucien stared at her, silence filling the space between them. Kate shifted, tearing her gaze from his. It felt… good. To bring her thoughts to life. Whatever he’d done in training, it had cracked something wide open. Kate could only guess what would come peeking out from that hole within her.

There was one other thing she wanted to air out, for it swirled relentlessly through her mind, attacking her during the late hours of silence.

“I haven’t cried once.” It was vague, but he caught the meaning right away.

Lucien showed no sign of surprise. “I haven’t seen a single tear slide down your face on their behalf. Unsurprising.”

“No.” She pulled in her knees, resting her elbows on them. “Something is wrong with me. Clearly.”

“Incorrect. They aren’t worth your grief.” He stretched out like a cat, before leaning back, laying himself flat on the blanket. “We as a society should stop showing compassion to those who carry none of it. You understand that, subconsciously.”

A heavy snort escaped her.

“What?”

She resisted the urge to bump his shoulder. “You’re one to say.”

“Society can learn from someone like me.”

“Pssss, sure it can.” She shook her head.

“Don’t believe it?”

“Can’t say I do. I do however find your confidence and beliefs, astounding really.”

He scoffed. Pushing up to mirror her position. Knees up, leaning on them with his elbows while frowning at her.

“What?” Kate tilted her head in question.

“I don’t bite, you know…”

“Huh?”

He motioned with a hand between them. “You’re about as far away as possible, one inch more to the outside and you’ll find yourself having a cold pants. Add to that the strain on your neck from looking up.” He waved an accusatory finger, scolding her. “It’s an injury waiting to happen, don’t think it’ll get you out from under training.”

Okay, if he wants to play. I’ll bite. Kate laid a hand on her heart in mockery. “Excuse me, sir? Says the one who is sighing and grumbling like a horse in his fifties!”

“Are you calling me old, dear? Because I don’t need a training room to show you wrong.” He shot her a teasing look. “Wanna go for round two?”

“Do I want to roll around in the snow to feed your ego? Which might I say is already the size of the moon? No thanks.” She crossed her arms over each other, defending her chest from the icy wind tugging on her clothes. Fighting a shiver from rattling her teeth together.

“Lean on me.”

She gaped at him. “Wait… what?”

He tugged on the blanket, bringing her closer to him under loud complaints. “I said, lean on me.”

“And why would I do that?”

“Purely selfish reasons, for example so you don’t turn into an ice princess. The cold interior thing you’ve got going on is working for you.” He laughed at her incredulous face. “The exterior shouldn’t freeze along with it.”

“And what’s in it for you?” She squinted at him. “Purely selfless reasons?”

Lucien grinned. Setting flame to her sparking nerves. “Purely selfless.” He winked again, his signature move. “I promise.” He rubbed his gloved hands together. “Besides, it’s cold as hell. So maybe, just maybe… not entirely selfless after all.” He stuck out his tongue, making her laugh at the playful, even childish move. She sucked in a breath, taking a second to weigh the pros and cons of his offer.