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“The vampires don’t care.”
“They do, they just have no qualms with making army members. But we need to keep our numbers up….” Ash paused, frowning.
She waited for her to continue, but when she didn’t, Tamaska looked at her. “What? Did you think of something just then?”
“No, it’s nothing.” Ash looked away, deep in thought.
Tamaska rubbed the vampires’ mark, the thing an irritation because of what it was.
“Can you remove this?” asked Tamaska. “The mark.”
Ash shook her head. “It will only lose its power once the vampire who created the mark’s ink is dead. Do you feel it?”
“Not really. It aches more than anything. But this morning it feels a bit weaker, like it’s fading.”
“Interesting.” Ash peered at Tamaska’s arm. “Maybe the one who marked you is dead, but the mark’s creator still lives. That could explain why you still feel it. He’s using it to track you.”
“I led them to you.” She closed her eyes.
“They came here before that.”
Ash’s words were meant as comfort, but it was scratchy-thin and not warming. Because she knew the truth.
She looked at Ash. “So, I just need to kill Amdis, and then I’ll be free?”
“Let’s get one thing straight.” Ash frowned. “You don’t do the killing around here, we do. That’s our job. But yes, once Amdis is dead, it might eventually fade enough to pass as a birthmark.”
“What’s that about killing?” asked Kodiak as he approached them, once again fully clothed.
Joy surged through Tamaska as she stood and went to him. Finally, he had a moment for her. She didn’t mind waiting, but her longing to have him all to herself was branding a permanent pain onto her heart. And right now, with her fate here in the balance, she’d take what she could get.
He wrapped strong arms around her, and she rested her head on his chest, breathing in his masculine scent. How she wished they could take the time to simply hold each other. She didn’t need to ask, or be told, that he would be busy all day preparing for the fight. Too busy to see her.
Too busy, or perhaps using it as the perfect excuse to put the distance needed for him to lead between them.
Leading just might mean the end of them.
A tiny shudder passed through her.
“Ash? Tamaska?” he asked.
“Nothing,” said Ash. “Just girl talk.”
“I’ll stay out of that, then.”
“Good idea,” said Tamaska as she looked at him, continuing the white lie. Even if the pack had rejected her, at least she had a friend in Ash. Maybe things could change, and the pack could eventually accept her, but that would take time they didn’t have.
Tamaska’s eyes met Kodiak’s. She was drawn into him, mesmerized by the depth of his gaze. He leaned down and kissed her, a slow, soft kiss, like he didn’t care who saw. Like he was coming home.
The kiss deepened, strengthening the connection between them as their tongues entwined. Her knees weakened, but all too soon his lips pulled away from hers, and she was left wanting more.
“You should go rest,” said Kodiak, his hands on her shoulders.
Rest? She didn’t think she ever could do that again. She lifted her chin. “So should you.”
He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Yeah. Unfortunately, I’ve got too much to do. Tamaska—”
“I don’t want you to fight.” The words left her mouth before she could stop them. They were easier to say than telling him she didn’t want to leave if asked. She would. But the pain of the thought lanced through her.
