Page 56 of For the Ghastly and Beautiful

“No.”

Rin cuts him off again. She’s pushing him; I know she is. He’s not unpredictable, though he tries to be. He’s tense, nearly shaking as anger courses through him.

“No?”

“No,” she repeats. “You know what that word means, right?”

“Do you speak for her now?” He spits the question like an insult, but I’m okay with her leading this conversation.

He creeps me the fuck out. Being polite is growing increasingly difficult when all I want is for him to leave.

“I’m not going anywhere without Rinya,” I inform him. “It’s our off day, and we’d like to enjoy it.”

Poko’s gaze flicks behind me as the muscle along his jaw flexes in time with his fingers. I observe his facial features smooth out, hostility turning into guarded anger.

A possessive hand lands on my shoulder. And I finally understand the claiming comments, though I still wonder if this is more about making sure I’m safe and less about the relationship aspect.

It doesn’t matter.

Imryll places a basket of fresh pastries between Rin and me before he takes the chair on my left. A grin tugs at my lips. I try to not let it get out of hand. I really do. But then he winks. And for the moment, I’m on board with whatever is brewing between us.

Then I see a change I’ve only witnessed once from the gentle doctor. Imryll’s green eyes hold a savage glint when he turns his focus to Poko, causing the man to take an unconscious step backward as the color slowly drains from his face.

“Problem?” he purrs to me, his voice teetering on the edge of violence.

I grab his hand, noticing his skin is cold. Or maybe my hands are hot? I lace my fingers through his as I rub my thumb across his palm. It’s soothing and helps me think. The touch also seems to settle his ire slightly.

Then an epiphany strikes me.

I know Imy is a healer, but something ruthless and ghastly lurks inside him. I can feel the power pulsing under the surface of his skin.

Is this what Rin was hinting at?

Am I imagining things because I’m uncomfortable and the rational side of my mind has checked out?

“There was.” Rin shrugs as she picks up a pastry. “You’ve just handled it and proven my point.”

“Have the day you deserve, Poko,” I state, hoping he’ll leave when he hears my unfriendly parting.

It’s the nicest thing I can muster, but he doesn’t understand the saying. I’m torn between shooing him so he’ll get out of sight or seeing what Imryll’s tension means.

“Right,” he grinds out, cruel eyes on me as he backs away. “I’ll leave you and Rinya to your day off… with the doctor.”