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Why, oh why, had she opened her mouth? She didn’t like the anger brewing in his brown-eyed gaze.
Although poking the bear might show her what she believed deep down—this place wouldn’t be any better than the other two places she’d lived in her life.
And once she knew the truth, she could plan better and adapt, because no matter what, she would find a way to escape and be reunited with her inner dragon. “If I was, would I admit it?”
They stared at one another, but it was Violet who spoke up. “I don’t think you’re a spy.”
She blinked. “What?”
“I think you’re uncomfortable and angry and confused at everything that’s happened. I know I would be. And you’re not used to being around nice people, and so you see us like everyone else—the enemy. Getting us angry is what you know, right? So you want us angry with you. And, well, I’m not. I already know I want to be your friend, if you let me. You seem like you could use a friend.”
Who the hell is this teenager?She was too bloody observant, which, indeed, made Percy uncomfortable. She could handle someone’s anger—it was any other emotion she had trouble with. “I don’t need any fucking friends. People only ever care about themselves.”
Bronx spoke up. “I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m starving. Let’s make some sandwiches, and maybe by the time we’re done, Bram will stop by to chat with you, Percy.”
It was clearly a change in topic, but Percy was fine with it. Her stomach rumbled, and being hungry always triggered anxiety because food hadn’t always been reliable for her.
And yet, she didn’t think she could willingly walk over to the group of people. If it was a trap or experiment, they might grab her. One of them would pin her down, and they’d do whatever the fuck they wanted to her—probably rape her for more fucking fertility experiments.
So she stayed put.
She didn’t think anyone noticed she hadn’t moved until Violet called out, “What do you want—ham or turkey? And cheese? There’s only cheddar. And salad?”
She paused, but at Violet’s gaze, she murmured, “Ham, cheese, and tomato.”
Violet gestured everyone to step back from the table and then looked at Percy. “Just so you can watch me take it from the same place as everyone else.”
And as Violet dramatically took out the ingredients and piled them on the plate, for a brief moment, Percy started to like this young female.
But then she pushed it aside. She still didn’t know enough about any of them.
As she put together her sandwich and ate it, she watched the other four interact. None of them asked her any more questions. They merely joked, laughed, and bickered as if it were any other day.
She wondered yet again if this was how normal people acted. Maybe one day, she’d find out, but she doubted it. After all, no one had given a shit about her since the day she was born. There was no reason to ever think that would change.
ChapterFour
Bronx did his best to watch Percy from the corners of his eyes while he kept his main attention on the other three people in the room. She wore a permanently guarded look, with occasional flashes of longing, and the sight made his heart ache for her.
Not pity, as she’d been resourceful and a survivor, for sure, to have lasted so long. However, if she’d been told her heritage was shameful, disgusting, or any other such rubbish, she’d spent far too many years believing a lie.
His inner dragon spoke up.She seems to do well with Violet.
I know. But I’m still keeping a close eye on Percy, though. I wouldn’t trust her alone with Violet.
Yet, is what you’re thinking.
I want to believe she’s not a spy or an enemy or a threat to our clan. But there’s still far too much we don’t know about her.
What we know is bad enough.
Even him just giving Percy a few choices had baffled the female. She clearly had never been in charge of anything, and he would make an extra effort to ask her opinion on things as much as possible.
She probably yearned for some kind of control over her life, but he couldn’t give that until they knew she wasn’t a threat.
Not wanting to overwhelm Percy, he focused on Violet, Melanie, and Tristan as they all ate. Ignoring her didn’t sit right with him, though. He wanted to help her, even if he knew it would take time.
Still, part of him wished they could make her inner dragon return right away, show her how to shift, and maybe see happiness or joy in her eyes for the first time as she did it.
