Page 153 of Broken Souls

“Talon was a coward who hurt our girls. You’ve never put this Family in danger. You’ve fought to protect us since you were a kid. You are not a hybrid to me, Varius. You’re my brother, and that’s all you’ll ever be.”

Fuck. He might as well have hit me in the solar plexus with those words. “Who knew you were so sappy?” I say, my voice rough.

“Kira,” he says without hesitation or shame, and I shake my head. Of course his girl knows.

“So why are you here?” Micha asks, and I stiffen. I don’t want his attention on her at all.

He keeps his eyes on me, knowing me too well. “Because you’ve bonded, and Varius’ curse will break if he falls in love.”

My whole world freezes. I haven’t told Micha that, and my heart is pounding as I wait for her response.

“But he is in love,” she says confidently. “So that can’t be right.”

Neither of us say anything.

She looks at me. “Varius…?”

I don’t want to take my eyes off someone who can kill her, but I can’t avoid the pain in her voice either. My throat tightens as I turn my head towards her.

“It’s a specific type of love,” I say.

The lurking pain in her eyes is killing me. “What does that mean?” she asks softly, but I can hear the crack in her voice, the wavering confidence in what we have.

I push all my love down our bond. “I know you can feel that, Micha,” I murmur as I cup her cheek. My other hand keeps the gun pointed at the reaper. “I love you. More than I ever thought it was possible to love someone.”

“So then he’s lying,” she says.

“Maybe, but the love Mother described is not one I’ll ever feel.”

“Why not?”

“Because it means I’ll have to be willing to let you go,” I growl. “And that is never going to fucking happen.”

“What?”

“I’m never letting you go.”

“No.” Her eyes flash with irritation. “What does that have to do with love?”

“Mother says it’s proof that you love someone more than yourself. I have to be willing to give you up so you can find happiness without me.” My hand moves to the back of her neck. “But I will kill everyone on this damn planet just so I’m the last one left for you.”

She smiles. “That sounds like love to me. Your mom’s just dumb.”

“I love you, Micha. Never doubt that.” Leaning forward, I kiss her lips, but I keep my eyes open and my brother in my peripheral.

He stands abruptly as he sucks his chair back into his shadow. “If you think it might break, V, tell me. I don’t care if you turn, but you could lose control when you change, and I don’t want you attacking the people in this house if you do.”

With that, he leaves.

Micha flops back onto the bed with a strong exhale. “I think I’m finally starting to like your brother. He still scares me, but he’s alright, huh?”

I stretch out beside her, laying the gun on the bedside table. “Yeah,” I say, still surprised over his words to me. “He’s alright.”

“You are not a hybrid to me, Varius. You’re my brother, and that’s all you’ll ever be.”

Fuck, I think as I close my eyes. That’s hitting me right in the feels.

Fifty-Three