Page 68 of Blood of the Fallen

“You’re not imagining things,” Kall said next to me. We were bringing up the rear, Maki and Novuk several yards ahead.

“You can see that, too?”

“Mmm-hmm.”

“What is it?”

He lowered his voice. “It’s an obscuring spell from the witches.”

“Obscuring?”

“Yes, they’re concealing our passage through the forest.”

I pondered for a minute. “So… are we, like, invisible?”

Kall chuckled. “Not exactly. That would be a nice superpower.”

Superpower... the word sounded strange on his lips, and I had to remind myself that none of the pack members were ignorant as I was led to believe. He had been educated enough to know about the outside world. The thought of him knowing about superheroes almost made me laugh. This was not a world for make-believe. Life here was too real, too cruel.

“So how does the spell work?” I asked.

“I don’t know exactly. All I know is that we still have to be quiet. I think that, from the outside, we’re sort of... camouflaged.”

We walked for a few minutes in silence. I knew I should say something about the fact that he was my mate, but I didn’t know what. It felt awkward and…

“I need more time,” I blurted out.

He glanced over at me and opened his mouth to speak, but I cut him off.

“I like you, Kall. A lot.”

“I can tell.”

“Shut up!” I swatted his arm.

He repressed a smile by pressing his lips together, green eyes flashing with a little light of amusement.

“This is funny to you?” I started to leave, but he grabbed my hand.

“I’m sorry. It isn’t funny at all. Not when seeing you walk away feels like…” He pressed a hand on his chest. “It feels like someone is trying to rip my heart out.”

I pulled my hand from his grip. “Don’t exaggerate.”

“I wish I was.”

Something about the tone of his voice let me know he was telling the truth. I couldn’t help but feel guilty, even though I knew none of this was my fault.

“It’s too much, Kall,” I said.

“I know.”

I frowned at him. How could he possibly understand when I’d said so little to explain myself? Could he sense it through the triad bond? Did that mean that if I paid attention I would also be able to understand whathewas feeling about our relationship? Or maybe it was the mate bond?

Shaking my head, I said, “I don’t understand how any of this works.”

“I know.”

“Stop saying that and let me talk!”