Page 11 of Carved Obsession

“Get out of my way, Severin,” I seethe.

“Not until you tell me your plan. Because whatever you’re about to do concerns us all. Not just you.”

The next inhale lands heavy in my chest. He’s right, but that doesn’t mean he’s entirely correct. Yes, my actions bear consequences on all of us, but this only concerns me.Shewas my fuckup.

“Don’t talk like I’ve done anything to put our Sanctum in danger. Ever. Between us, I think I’m the only one who hasn’t. So, again, Maddox, get out of my way.”

The impact of my words reflects in his eyes. An emotion I can’t quite place shines through the amber, but I don’t have time to dissect it and figure out what it is.

He sighs, shaking his head, but steps aside. I walk away with determined steps, but a giggling woman and her child cross my path without looking, cutting me off and stopping me.

This singular pause triggers something within my brain.

On a loud exhale, I clench my fists, then take a deep, centering breath inward.

What the fuck am I doing?

This is illogical.

First of all, the woman is already gone. I can’t possibly predict where to find her.

Second of all, there are much better ways of finding her now. I can use Queenscove’s CCTV system. Her license plate. Even criminal records or images of her for reverse searches. I have something to go by, finally.

One more breath in, and calm settles.

It’s okay. It was just a momentary lapse in judgment.

Understandable, since I’ve been trying to find her for so long.

My memories of that night are vivid, and even though I stared at the same person today, she looked...different. She exhibited a feral confidence, when the night we met she was just feral. A need I couldn’t quite place had overshadowed her. And she’d seemed awfully excited about the murder I was committing. But today, with all that brimming confidence, she looked...radiant.

Radiant?

“So? Are you coming?”

I clench my fists tighter to keep from jumping as Maddox pulls me out of my irrational daze.

Radiant?

Turning, I walk past him and straight into the restaurant.

I have no intention of recounting the events to Vincent and Finnigan. Especially not with Cillian there. I already feel a certain way because Maddox witnessed what I can only describe as a brief moment of madness.

Normally, I would be quite interested in listening to the type of situation Cillian has been describing to us. He’s taken over his father’s business and some people have been breathing down his neck. This is the type of information I take interest in. Usually. But I cannot bring myself to care now.

Somewhere in the back of my mind, I’ve been assimilating the information he’s throwing at us, yet the importance of it hasn’t registered. Dark eyes are all I see. Thick, wispy lashes, and wavy hair falling in neat, dark waves. The image of her isn’t soundless, because words from the night we met echo along with it in a soft, delicate voice—you should have made him suffer.There was no remorse, no fear, no tremble in those syllables. Utterly fascinating.

My hunger is gone before my order arrives. I manage a glass of spiced rum and three bites of food, then excuse myself before the others are even midway through their lunch. I tell Vincent and Finnigan that I’ll fill them in later, say my goodbyes, and head straight for Midnight.

I know what he’ll think, so I text Maddox to let him know I’m leaving to do my research on her, not go after her. It will ease his mind, and for some reason, I care about that.

Caring. What an unusual concept. Somewhere in our timeline, I’ve attached myself so tightly to these people that I would do unspeakable things to protect them. I actually have. I know how they look at me sometimes. Like my lack of empathy and emotions pertains to them too. They wonder how easy it would be for me to drop them. To simply turn my back and choose a completely different path.

It wouldn’t be easy. And it’s never going to happen.

But they never asked me personally, so I never told them.

The five-minute walk back to Midnight takes me barely two. I rush in, passing quickly through the barroom and startling the staff and security. I don’t offer an explanation as I head straight to the office, grab my laptop, and hurry to my car. I’ll be better off at home with my entire tech setup.