Page 56 of Donovan

His eyes flicked to Declan, his lip curling.

"Any self-respecting hunter of the Guild would’ve ended themselves the moment they were turned." Kit’s voice was razor-sharp, his disgust palpable.

His grip on his weapon tightened, knuckles white. His next words came out in a low, venomous hiss. "And now, he’s got his claws in you, doesn’t he?"

I shook my head, forcing my voice to stay steady. “Kit, calm down and listen to me.”

But Kit wasn’t listening. His jaw clenched, his chest rising and falling with sharp, uneven breaths. I could see the war raging in his eyes. Anger, betrayal, fear.

"I get it," I continued, keeping my hands up in a gesture of peace. "I do. I get why you’re pissed, why you think I’ve lost it. But I left because I had to. The Guild doesn’t care about right or wrong. It’s just kill, kill, kill.”

I swallowed hard. “Declan’s important to me, and when he called me for help, I couldn’t just end him.”

His breath hitched. He stared at me like he didn’t recognize me anymore. Kit’s expression darkened. "Donovan.”

"Kit," I said, softer now. “I chose this. I chose him.” I took another step toward him. "He’s not a monster, Kit."

Kit snapped.

"Are you insane?" His voice cracked with the force of it. "You think he’s different? You think he cares about you?"

Kit turned his glare on Declan. "How long until you get bored of playing house, leech? How long until you drain him dry?"

Declan finally moved.

It wasn’t much, just a slow, measured shift, but it was enough to send Kit’s instincts into overdrive.

The gun was back up in an instant, the barrel aimed directly at Declan’s heart.

"Don’t," I said sharply.

Declan stayed silent, his eyes unreadable, but I could feel the tension thrumming through him like a wire stretched too tight.

Kit’s breathing was ragged. "I should put him down right now."

I stepped in front of Declan.

Kit’s eyes widened in disbelief. "Move."

I didn’t.

"You really think I’d let you do that?" My voice was low, steady. "You think I’d just stand here and watch you kill him?"

Kit shook his head, anger and something close to heartbreak warring on his face.

"Then tell me what is going on with you. Because this? This isn’t the Donovan I know,” Kit demanded.

I swallowed hard. "This is who I’ve always been. I’ve always been in love with Delcan.”

Kit’s hands trembled. "The Guild will never let you walk away from this."

"I know."

His jaw tightened. "Then you know I can’t either."

A cold weight settled in my stomach.

He wasn’t backing down.