Page 83 of A Token of Blood and Betrayal

I was mostly leaning against the counter.Best not to mention that.

“Here, Ms.Rain.Sit.”

I looked behind me, saw Sullens and the chair he’d placed there.When had he arrived?

My gaze swept the large kitchen.Thad and Joash were still here.So was Astrid, who looked shocked, and Melissa, who looked absolutely livid.

“Why are you all here?I’m fine.”Iwasfine.I’d prove it.

Swiping the bloody towel off the counter, I hobbled toward the kitchen’s back door.When I glared at my staff and friends, they moved out of my path.Not far, probably because they thought they’d need to catch me, but I reached the hallway without help.As long as the elevator decided to work, I’d make it to the residence.Then I could lock the door and sleep.

Sweat dripped down my brow.The wall kept me upright even though I tried to pretend I didn’t need it.One step at a time.That’s how I’d make it, though I might throw up again any second.

I couldn’t stop shaking.My bitten arm felt like someone was actively carving deep gouges into my flesh, and a vision of ruthless gold eyes flashed through my mind.The wolf had bitten my arm and hung on, digging his teeth in, yanking me around like a rag doll, and the treaty hadn’t kicked in.

The wolf hadn’t intended to kill me.He’d wanted toturnme.

My knees buckled.They hit the concrete floor hard, but I didn’t feel the pain.I pulled my legs into my chest and wrapped my good arm around them.Then I hyperventilated.

Chapter Twenty-Three

“Whereisshe!”Blakebellowed.

I stared at the floor, noticing the faint marbling in the gray cement, the hairline cracks, and the occasional tiny chip that pockmarked its surface.I’d never noticed the imperfections before.Was that because I hadn’t paid attention?Or was it a sign that I was changing, my vision enhancing every detail?

“Kennedy!”Footsteps pounded toward me.

No, I was being stupid.I was still in the Null, still human for now.

Blake dropped to the floor beside me.

“Kennedy.”This time my name was soft and careful, like I was something fragile that needed to be wrapped in clouds.

Gently he pulled me into his arms.As soon as he cradled me against his chest, I melted into him.

“You’re freezing,” he said.

He wasn’t.He was warm and safe.He’d know what to do.I could stop thinking.I could hand over my worries to him and soak in his protection.

As soon as I released my stranglehold on fate, a tear ran down my face.Then a second tear.A third.I hated and loved every one of them.Hated because they betrayed my weaknesses.Loved because they allowed me to stay in Blake’s arms, to breathe in his wild scent, to be so close to him I might never pull away.

The tears didn’t last long, but they left me with a raw throat and a body so useless I couldn’t make it move.So I stayed in Blake’s arms.I relived our past, every incremental moment I fell for him, every smile he aimed my way, even the ones I’d wanted to punch.

Especially the ones I’d wanted to punch.They were the smiles that hit me the hardest.They revealed a connection between us that crossed so many lines.But those lines sketched something dark and beautiful, something I’d futilely tried to erase, not realizing they were permanent.

“Let me see your arm,” Blake said, breaking the silence.He nuzzled the curve of my neck, which made me want to stay where I was even more, but he put space between our bodies.Instead of his arms and chest keeping me upright, the cold, lifeless wall became my support.

Blake found the edge of my blood-soaked dish towel.I knocked his hand away.

“I need to look at it,” he said, his voice soft.

“It hurts.”

“I know.”He swept my hair away from my face, tucked it behind my ear.“It’s not going to stop hurting until we treat it.”

I shook my head.The reality of my situation rushed back in, renewing my panic and escalating the sharp pain running through my arm.

He nudged my chin upward and hooked my gaze.His eyes were a dark and human brown, layered with emotion and strength.“Let me take care of you, Kennedy.”