Page 96

“No, I’m not.” I push past him, heading back into my room. “I stopped being your anything the moment you decided I wasn’t good enough to be your mate.”

He follows me inside. “That’s not what happened.”

“I don’t care what happened!” I whirl to face him. “I don’t care what you have to say. I just want you to leave me alone.”

“I can’t do that.”

“Why not?” I demand, my voice rising. “What do you want from me, Griffin? I’m here, aren’t I? I’m going to make your antidote. What more do you want?”

“I want you to stop punishing yourself for something that wasn’t your fault.” His voice is gentle now, his eyes soft with concern. “I want you to grow up and realize that there are peoplewho care about you, people who love you, people who have been going out of their minds with worry for the past six months.”

His words cut deeper than I want to admit. “Get out,” I whisper.

“Maya—”

“GET OUT!” I shout, pushing against his chest with all my strength. He barely moves. “There is nobody I care about anymore. Nobody. So, just leave me alone.”

“Not even me?”

The new voice startles us both. I turn to find Leanna standing in the doorway, her eyes wide and hurt.

My breath catches in my throat. “Leanna.”

Griffin looks between us, then nods. “I’ll leave you two alone.” He passes Leanna on his way out, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder before disappearing down the hall.

For a long moment, Leanna and I just stare at each other. She looks the same—beautiful, elegant, her long, dark hair cascading down her back—yet different. Or maybe it’s me. Maybe I’m the one who’s different now, more than just a little bit broken.

“Hi, Maya,” she says softly.

I try to hold on to my anger, my coldness, but this is Leanna—my best friend, the sister of my heart. “Hi.”

She crosses the room slowly, as if afraid I might bolt. “You look terrible.”

A startled laugh escapes me. “Thanks.”

“I mean it.” She stops in front of me, her eyes searching my face. “You’re too thin. There are shadows under your eyes. And you reek of alcohol.”

I look away. “It has been a rough six months.”

“It has,” she agrees. Then, without warning, she throws her arms around me, pulling me close. “God, I’ve missed you.”

I stand stiffly in her embrace, trying to maintain the distance I’ve cultivated for so long. But my resistance crumbles, andmy arms wrap around her, holding on tight as if she might evaporate.

“Why did you leave without saying goodbye?” she whispers, her voice thick with tears. “Why didn’t you come to me? I would have taken care of you, Maya. I would have helped you.”

“I didn’t need help.” I try to keep my voice from quivering. “I’m fine.”

“You’re a liar, that’s what you are. You’re a mess, Maya. You’re a complete mess, and even if no one else can see it, I can. How could you let yourself get to this point?!”

The dam breaks. All the grief, all the pain, all the loneliness of the past six months come rushing out in a torrent of tears. I cling to my friend, my face dampening her shoulder.

“I’m sorry.” My voice cracks. “I’m so sorry. I couldn’t—I couldn’t stay. Not after Mom. Not after Griffin. I just couldn’t.”

“Shh, it’s okay.” Leanna strokes my hair, her own tears falling on my shoulder. “It’s okay. I’m here now.”

We sink to the floor together, still locked in our embrace. Leanna rocks me gently, murmuring soothing words as I cry until I have no tears left.

“I miss her so much,” I whisper, my voice raw. “Every day. Every single day.”