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"I —"

He straightened abruptly, muttering something under his breath, then turned on his heel and strode out of the room.

What in the …

I pressed my hand to my chest as I stared after him, skin hot, heart racing beneath my palm.

Who knew a little skin was all that was needed to send the big man running.

"Close the door, at least!" I shouted, a hot flush burning my cheeks and neck as I pulled the blanket higher.

That damn bond needed to fuck off.

The worst part was that some irritating part of me waspleasedwith his reaction! The same part that insisted he wasmine.A part I would deny to my dying breath.

I crossed my arms across my chest and glared at the empty doorway.

Good riddance.

"Here." Tye appeared in the doorway and I winced. This time, he was carrying a small wash basin and a towel.

I stared at him in confusion as his nostrils flared, and he dropped the basin with a thunk, then held out a mirror.

"You missed some." He pointed to my brow, then jaw, then lips, and neck.

Alarm bells rang in my head, and I looked at myself — and all the bits of dried blood that I'd missed the night before as I washed off in the dark.

A wave of hot embarrassment slid over me.

I'd thought the bond was affecting him like he was me — and that's why he'd been staring. But no — he'd just been disgusted by the blood left on me from the previous day!

Gods!

I debated sliding back under my covers and waiting until he left, but I forced myself to nod. "Y-yes," I bit out, staring at his shoes. "Sorry."

"We leave in ten," he barked, pausing briefly to retrieve the blood-stained prison clothes I'd discarded the night before, before walking out and closing the door behind him.

I fell back, pulling the covers over my head.

What had I been thinking?!?My damn vagina seemed to have a mind of its own these days!!

Gritting my teeth, I forced myself to get out of bed and gather the fallen uniform — one almost identical to the set I'd vowed never to touch again.

Bile burned the back of my throat.

Don't think. Don't feel. Just obey.

Closing my eyes, I forced the thoughts away with a slow breath, then pulled on the pants.

Today was going to be a long fucking day.

I stepped out of my room a few minutes later, poking the final pin into my bun and straightening my uniform.The simple white blouse, blue pants, and leather satchel were perfectly serviceable, if a bit impractical for missions on the Isle.

How long would the white blouse really stay white out there? And how was one supposed to fight in those pants, let alone bend over?

My leathers would have been much better. If only —

Tye interrupted my thoughts, pushing a wrapped, fist sized object into my hands. "We're late."