Page 37 of Night Sector

“You’re not going to offer to see me through it?”

“Would you like me to offer to see you through it?” I countered, fairly certain of the answer.

“No.”

“Then no, I’m not going to offer my assistance. Besides, it would require me to leave Blood Sector for an extended period, which is not something I wish to do.”

She slowly sat up, her blue-black hair ruffled and falling out of her ponytail. But she didn’t seem to notice or care. Her focus was entirely on me. “You actually mean that.”

“Yes.” I didn’t feel the need to elaborate. I’d been saying this to her from the beginning, but it just now seemed to be resonating with her.

“Oh.” Her nose scrunched. “I…” She frowned. “But we’re linked.”

I lifted a shoulder. “It might be useful in some respects. You’ll be able to alert me quickly if anything were to go wrong in the Sanctuary.” I gave her a cursory glance as I added, “Or on one of your inventory hunts.”

Because yes, I’d searched her mind for information on how she’d managed to sneak into Blood Sector without detection.

I’d since informed Cillian of her penchant for stealing resources from our quarterly blood tax collection. He was already in the process of reallocating our supply to allow for a monthly shipment to the Sanctuary.

“I fully intend to offer you my support,” I told her softly. “Cillian does as well.”

“For what price?” she asked warily.

“There is no price, Kyra. The Sanctuary falls under our jurisdiction, and we protect our own.”

She shook her head. “We’re not joining Blood Sector.”

“It’s not about Blood Sector. It’s about Kieran. His healing magic is all over the Sanctuary right now, his power marrying Quinnlynn’s to reinforce the barrier. That means this place is under his protection, which therefore makes it under mine.”

“Because your loyalty is to Kieran.”

“Always.”

She nodded slowly. “I’m beginning to understand that.”

“Good.” I took a step back from her bed. “Then we have an agreement. We will stay out of each other’s way, and you’ll cease all this murderous plotting.”

She didn’t immediately reply, but I heard her thinking it all through. She was finally hearing me, which was a fucking relief.

“All right,” she murmured. “I won’t promise not to fantasize about your death. But I’ll… I’ll back off for now.”

Her thoughts told me that was the best answer I was going to get from her tonight. So it would just have to do. “Brilliant. Have a good evening, Kyra.”

I disappeared before she could reply, mostly because her scent was starting to drug my senses. And I really didn’t want to alarm her with my hungry wolf.

He’d calm down eventually.

Maybe.

Alas, it didn’t matter. Nothing would happen with Kyra. And in a few short weeks, I’d be gone anyway.

CHAPTERNINE

KYRA

Hmm…

The hum in my head sent a chill down my spine. It was one I knew well. One I feared. One a morbid part of me still craved.