Page 25 of Tethered Souls

“That’s his entire character, is it?”

I glance up at him, surprise widening my eyes. He said that so deadpanned, I can’t tell if it was a joke, but… What else could it have been? And dammit, I like dry humor.

“Well, no. He likes burgers…” I add.

He glances down at me, and I can practically hear him calling me an idiot. But he doesn’t say anything, and I look away, wondering where the hel my brain has gone because it’s clearly no longer in my skull.

“I like burgers,” he says flatly.

I glance at him, but he’s already glanced away, his lips thin, and I am uncomfortably aware that we’re doing a lot of glancing.

So I glance away.

But then I think I see him glance at me, so I glance back, only to find him most definitely not looking at me.

Feeling awkward, I shift in his arms, then hiss in a breath as my side explodes in agony.

Thank gods for that reminder. I almost lost my feminism there. Clenching my teeth, I shudder beneath the onslaught of pain.

He doesn’t say anything, but his pace smooths out. He takes more care with his steps. Walks a bit further rather than ducking under a low branch.

And I hate that show of chivalry.

Because there’s a part of me that understands what he did. That knows I would have demanded the same in his shoes. There are no easy choices in what we do. No good versus evil. No right versus wrong. Just blatant survival, and Varius has been stabbed in the back too many times by those he trusts.

He doesn’t even know Dayne.

Doesn’t know me.

But instead of outright killing the man who snuck up on us, he gave him a chance to explain.

Not many Bosses would have offered that same courtesy.

My father sure as hel wouldn’t have.

But I don’t want to understand Varius and his actions.

Not when I’m in this much pain.

And not when I don’t know what’s going to happen to Dayne.

The sound of the highway traffic grows louder, filling the silence between us, and then we’re back on the side of the road. My gaze instantly searches for my friend, and a breath of relief escapes me at the sight of him, leaning back against the hood of his car, his eyes on me, his lips tight.

Varius walks towards him, still holding me, and I wonder if he’s going to put me down at all. But then I’m on my feet, and his hands are on my waist, keeping me up. As soon as I’m steady, he releases me.

“You survived,” Dayne says, his eyes dipping to my hip.

“Just.”

Khalid’s attention snaps to me, and I instantly still, my fingers itching for a knife. My magic isn’t going to affect him. He’s a reaper, and it’s the worst kept secret that they have a way to mute others’ powers.

I want to sarcastically ask him, “Worried about me?” but I’m not stupid enough to taunt Khalid. Only a fool dances with death when it knows all the steps and you don’t even know the playlist.

“Show him,” Varius says as he steps beside me.

It’s so fucking demanding, I instinctively refuse to listen. But then Khalid nods at me, and Dayne warns, “Micha,” and I begrudgingly lift up my dress with one hand while holding Varius’ boxers up with the other. I am suddenly grateful I am wearing them. Dammit.

“It looks worse than it is.” Before I can release my dress though, Khalid lifts his eyes to mine, and my hand freezes.