Page 45

“Medical supplies.” Kole picks up a small dark green case and opens it. He takes out some cream and hands it to me. “Human,” he tuts. “And nothing to clean the wounds with.”

I shrug off the blanket, and look down at myself.

In the darkness, Kole’s eyes flash.

“You lost control,” he says. A statement not a fact. But while I nod at him I reply silently.

No, Kole, I didn’t.

His expression doesn’t change, he simply squeezes some of the ointment onto his fingers and starts to apply it to my burns.

While he gently attempts to heal me, Kole hands the tube to Kim. He shuffles into a corner and tries to rub some on his own injuries, wincing and breathing heavily as he smooths it onto his skin.

The cuff… I don’t look at my wrist, just lean into his touch and try not to feel guilty that my own burns don’t hurt as much as Kim’s clearly do.

Or do they? Perhaps I’m just used to pain.

I think Miranda did it on purpose. It didn’t make me lose control. It gave me control.

Kole sweeps my hair from my throat and strokes the bite wound Evan left. He applies cream to my burns, and to the bite mark. It will do nothing to heal the skin, but it feels soothing at least.

The way she looked at me – I’m sure of it.

You burned yourself on purpose? Kole asks, moving his hands to my back. And the human?

I had to. It needed to look real. If we stand a chance of getting out of here.

Kole kisses the spot where my neck meets my shoulder, then rests one hand on my hip and pulls the blanket back around me with the other.

You are amazing.

Awe and appreciation drip through his voice and into my bones. They warm me in a way my flames never can or will.

Taking his belt off, Kole hands it to me and I use it to fasten the blanket like a tunic around myself.

“I caused this.” Kim speaks up, his voice shaky and fragile. Like it’s about to crack into a sob.

“No, Kim, this wasn’t you.” I walk over to him and rest my hand on his shoulder. A short while ago, his touch felt normal. Necessary. Needed. Now, his skin against mine feels foreign. “I’ve been out of control ever since The Shadow King…” I trail off.

Kim frowns at me, then shakes his head.

“The cuff did this, and the potion they made us drink. It wasn’t you.” I dip my head to meet his eyes. Moisture swims in them. He looks like he’s about to cry.

“Except it was.” He sniffs loudly, adjusts his glasses.

“You should lower your voice,” Kole warns. “There are no cameras, but there are guards outside.”

“I don’t give a shit if they hear me.” Kim’s tone has changed. Anger makes it quake at its edges. He spins around and paces up and down, bracing his hands behind his head and wincing at the motion.

“Kim?” I try to follow him, but he waves a hand at me as if he doesn’t want me anywhere near him.

“I did this.” He stops and meets my eyes. “I’m working for Zephyra.”

My heart feels like it has stopped. I inhale so sharply my lungs burn with the breath.

“That’s not…” I look at Kole. Did he know? Did he suspect?

Kole is frowning at Kim and I can’t tell whether or not he knew. But he doesn’t react, just lets Kim speak.