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“I can handle this, Tarnley.”
The hurt in her voice is so subtle I almost miss it.Almost.But I know her too damn well not to see past the hard, outer shell she lets the rest of the world see. “I never said you couldn’t.”
“Then let me do this my way. Every plan Delaney has come up with has failed. Aren’t you tired of fighting every single day? Of killing other supernaturals?”
I shrug. Truthfully, killing other supernaturals who deserve much worse, based on their crimes against humanity, doesn’t bother me. And we’ve already concluded how I feel about the fighting giving me the chance to be near the woman currently standing half-naked in my kitchen. “I’m tired of your life hanging in the balance. I meant what I said the other day, that we can leave this entire city behind us.” The moment is still so clear in my mind, standing in her kitchen with her and Delaney, her asking me if I want to just bail. It’s not even a choice for me.
I will choose her over this damned city any day of the week, month, or year.
“I won’t leave the city to die, Tarnley. Not when there’s something I can do to help it.”
“Your heart is too pure for this fight, Bronywyn.”
“Not anymore. Healing Elijah changed that for me.”
I know she’s right. I can sense the dark magic in her blood. Hell, I can still taste it on my tongue, and the image of her staring up at me, blood dripping from her mouth, eyes black as night—it’s not something I will ever forget.
“Fine.” I cross both arms. “But we do this together. No more running off on a solo mission. You chewed Delaney’s ass for doing just that after Cole died, and now you’re doing the same thing.”
“Delaney had her heart broken by the loss of her mate, and she went on a killing spree. I accidentally absorbed dark magic and want to remain hidden so I can use it against our enemy. I’d say those two situations are quite different.”
It may help her to consider the differences, but all I can see are the similarities. Still, telling her that will only piss her off, and I don’t see how that would be especially helpful at the moment. “My deal still stands, Bronywyn. You allow me to help you, or I’ll bring Delaney right to the doorstep.”
Her eyes flash black. The change is so quick, so temporary, that I wonder if perhaps I’ve imagined it. “You won’t do that.”
“Why won’t I?” I ask. “It seems like something I’d do if I felt I couldn’t be personally responsible for your safety.”
“You won’t do it because it will put her at risk. It will put everyone at risk. If they manage to get this magic from me, no one will be able to stop Lucy. Don’t you see that?”
“I don’t,” I admit. “But I recognize that you do. And if you truly think you can beat her, I won’t stand in your way.” I move closer until we’re standing only a breath apart. “But you have to promise me, Bronywyn. When this is over, and Lucy is gone, you will do everything possible to get rid of that magic before it changes you permanently.”
I don’t miss the subtle increase of her heart rate or the way her fingers toy with the hem of my shirt.
But I file both of those reactions away, something to deal with after Lucy is gone. Reaching forward, I trail a finger down the side of Bronywyn’s face, and she closes her eyes, her lips parting ever so slightly.
“I can’t live without you,” I whisper.
“Our bond will make sure of that.”
Her response is her attempt at making a joke, but I find it just about as funny as the life-or-death situation we’re facing now. “It’s more than that,” I whisper.
“It’s just our connection,” Bronywyn replies. “As soon as this is all over and we can put some distance between us, things will go back to normal.”
Dropping my hand, I take a step back. For her, it may be the bond driving this connection. But for me, it’s been steady ever since the moment I first saw her in that alleyway. Then, she’d been in love with my best friend—untouchable. But that’s all changed now that he has Rainey.
Even when I mated to Allison, there was always a special place in my heart for Bronywyn.
And someday, I’ll get the chance to show her just how much she means to me.
As long as her new magic doesn’t kill us both first.
