Page 16 of Jace's Mate

Eldin returned to the kitchen, eyes wide as he took in her disheveled state.His voice dropped an octave.“Control it.”

There was something off about him now—his voice lower, rougher.Or was that just more of whatever was freaking her out?

He stepped closer, face tight with frustration.“Get control,” he snapped again, glancing anxiously over his shoulder, clearly hoping no one else saw her like this.

Anikka’s fists clenched.

She forced air into her lungs, great gulps of it, and wrestled herself back into stillness.

It took time.Long, brutal moments of grinding down the chaos in her mind and soul.But eventually, the tingling began to fade.

She opened her eyes.Her hands were still tangled in the neckline of her dress.Her heart still pounded.

“I’m fine,” she hissed, even though she wasn’t.

Eldin didn’t move.He stood close, still watching her like she was dangerous.Like she might explode.

His control, his tone—it all reminded her too much of her uncle.

But Wilton at least had a shred of authority, deserved or not.Eldin?Eldin was just a nervous guard with a bad mustache and khakis that bunched awkwardly at the knees.

Everything about him annoyed her.

“Back off!”she growled.

When he didn’t move, she shoved him—hard.

He stumbled back.

“IsaidI’m fine.”

“If you say so,” Eldin muttered, his eyes still wary.“Doesn’tseemlike it.”

He was still staring at her like she was something he might have to kill.

Anikka licked her lips, pulse still racing.She wasn’t sure if she wanted to hit him, scream, or shift into something wild and terrifying and run straight through the window.

Shift?

Where hadthatthought come from?

She scowled at him, kicking off what was left of her composure.

The ticking clock above the oven caught her attention.Dinner.

She was cutting it close.

“I’m fine,” she said again, more evenly this time.

She pushed herself away from the door and picked up the grocery bags.

The tiles beneath her bare feet were cold, grounding.

She gripped the edge of the counter and held on, breathing through the strange wave that washed over her again.

Mate.Run.Find.

No.