ctant

el's

pes sn

ree second

ve. A flick of his wrist. A shift of his weigh

d what had happened, he

nd, her eyes wi

lun

cise. His hand closed around her wrist, ya

d her back, locking her against him. Her pulse hammered aga

" His voice wa

didn't struggle

nst her trapped wrist. Not en

per this time. "You were dying, remember? I

. Lies. Or at least,

a single table, an old wooden door. No obvious exits beyond

gers tw

because she said, "Don

was hoping you'

er away and reac

as fa

ntamed. Kael barely had time to react before a force sl

ere, stunned. Not from the pai

to hers, something dark f

," he sai

er breath uneven. "So wa

er. Then-unexpec

sound, comple

ing a slow step for

r arms. "And you

brow. "You exp

u to be smart enough to realize you wouldn't ha

sement

s hold had faded slightly, but the remnants of it still pulsed beneath his skin.

y, dragging a han

his silence

rdered. "You're s

"You think I tak

nk you're too damn stubbo

n h

eadable. He should leave. Should wal

, he sa

se she to

he neede

rous Ag

ra's

uldn't b

iste

ot yet. Maybe not ever. But the fact that Kael hadn'

of steaming brot

n't to

ld eat,"

lat look. "You sh

her eyes. "Yo

espo

n injured, Kael was a predator. Every movement was d

poke. "Why di

made her st

se she hated watching people di

e had felt

l wouldn't accep

said, "Because I

is gaze flickered with in

what, exactly, does a hea

hesi

words that would

said carefully. "That moment, back in th

against the table. The o

resse

admitted. "But that wasn't mag

n darkened. Warn

igno

se," she said softly. "I think

breathe. D

y-he leane

nothing,"

, unwavering. "I k

ce stretched

through his nose. A

e you pr

swal

said. "I help y

her. "Help yo

hen, in a quiet

mething I n

eyes na

t like v

something-she was h

That was i

d back, tilting h

he said. "After that, w

. "Three day