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Renee ignored Zane as she breezed by him and checked the shed for some place to set up her sleeping arrangements and avoid him. There was ol’ trusty in the corner; who had been keeping track of her sleeping bag? Whatever. She went to it, plopped down, and picked out one of the books she took from the cabin. She was not speaking to him and certainly not going to look at him.

She opened the book but had difficulty concentrating. Even though she’d already read her romantasy book twice, it would hold her focus more. The next city they went to, she’d need to see if she could find the rest of the series. Perhaps see if there was a library like Zane had mentioned before. If there was, she had a good chance of finding plenty to read.

The moment in the hallway pointed out how weak she truly was. She’d always been weak, especially when it came to him. She had to push herself to keep overreacting and saying horrible things so he would be angry enough he’d want to back off. Because if he didn’t, she knew she wouldn’t push him away. She had been drawn to him even before they had sex and entwined their souls forever. She wanted to be entangled with him.

But it couldn’t be real. It was all because he’d ordered one of his zombies to tear out a chunk of her throat. Compared to Brie’s shoulder and a lot of other’s wounds, Renee’s was barely noticeable. It’d been a targeted, neat wound. Of course, since she had passed out from her head injury it wasn’t like she could fight back. Which seemed somehow worse.

Staring at the pages in front of her, she wished it was another fantasy novel, the kind she could hide from the world in. Before the zombies’ uprising, she thought she had problems and wanted to escape but they paled compared to what she was dealing with now. Before, she was lonely and dreamed of masquerade balls and finding her prince.

Of course, she knew her story would be dark and full of twists and turns. Her prince would be broody with dark hair and tragic backstory because most of the male characters in her books were like that. But with her, he would see that none of his past tribulations mattered anymore. Their love would heal them both. Remake them into something stronger, better.

Stupid. She’d been na?ve and stupid.

She peered at Zane. Why had he chosen her? Because she’d been unconscious? He sat on the opposite side of the shed as he had before, one leg stretched out and the other propped up with his hand resting on it. She couldn’t place his expression, but the anguish in his eyes made her stomach hurt. He was gazing at her, but it was like he saw through her, his thoughts a million miles away.

“Before you, this was all there was,” he said in the darkness. “Violence, pride, pain.”

Renee didn’t respond though she did stop pretending to read.

“When I saw you suffering the violence you didn’t deserve, the pain you never asked for, how hard you fought… something made me act. Maybe it was my guilt. Your refusal to give up. My pride? I don’t know.” He averted his eyes and balled his hand into a fist before flexing it.

“After that, I decided things would be different. I’d be different.” He paused, rubbing his jaw. “There’s nothing to this existence. Just more violence, pride, pain, and the need to consume.”

“It must consume,” she whispered.

“What I want doesn’t matter. It never has. I wanted to believe...” He turned his glowing gold irises to her. “It doesn’t matter. I’m only here to serve its needs.”

Renee leaned forward. Again, he spoke in sad, cryptic statements that made her realize he was so lost. So alone. Surrounded by hundreds, thousands of creatures, he created and controlled yet wholly alone.

“Zane.”

“I won’t-” He swallowed. “I won’t force you to be around me except at night, so I know you’re safe. Brie will watch over you during the day and when we hunt. I can’t free you from this new life, but I’ll try to make this existence tolerable for you.” Turning his head from her, he balled his hand into a fist again.

Shit. It’s exactly what she said she wanted. He was backing off, giving her space. But it sounded more like they were ending whatever it was between them, breaking up. She flattened her lips. Breaking up though, meant they had actually been together. Excuses or not. She’d have to admit the lies she told herself were just that.

If they could be broken, then they’d been together.

It had been real.

“Zane, I-”

“Don’t. I’m giving you the only thing I can. You’re right, I did take everything. I was selfish because I wanted you.”

“Okay, but-” She stared at him. “You’re not only here to serve its needs.”

“I wish that were true.” His voice was haunting, barely above a whisper.