Page 207 of The Curse Trilogy

“My son would follow you anywhere you go, but I’m sure you already know that. I’m just confused why you left such an established place such as the Seminole to come to the hell side of the world. Are you trying to keep him as far away from me as possible?”

It is definitely an added bonus.

“The Hershian needed a good interrogator, and that’s what I do,” I force out without waver despite my trembling insides.

This woman is made out of the same material the devil weaves nightmares with.

“Why is my son’s ring on your right hand?” she asks as the conversation veers wide left, and my eyes almost pop out of my head as I throw my hand into my pocket.

She almost looks hopeful right now. Her dreams of Brazen and I breaking up came true, and he apparently never told her about it. I’m sure as hell not going to tell her about all of our drama.

“It’s a long story, Mrs. Mordel. One I’m afraid I can’t share right now because of the impending meeting. I need to go check on the examiner’s findings. I’m sure I’ll see you later,” I mumble with an air of forced cordialness.

“You can take me to the auditorium since I have no escort, and obviously I don’t know my way around. You can drop me off there to find my son and tell me this long story along the way.”

I fidget awkwardly as I try to find a way out of this, and then Hale walks back out to stand very close to my back.

“Actually, Madam, I need Araya to accompany me to the examiner’s office right away in order to have the information ready for our commander. I’m sure this officer here would be glad to escort you,” he murmurs softly while motioning for a full blood to join us.

He rushes over to do as Hale asks, and she narrows her eyes at me very suspiciously before returning her gaze to Hale. Her eyes catch his badge that is clipped to his belt and peeking out from under his shirttail.

“Thank you, Captain,” she mumbles, and then she cuts her eyes back to me. “We’ll speak later, Araya. I can assure you I intend on hearing this very long story.”

Fuck my life.

She walks away, taking the devil’s breath with her, and I breathe out a sigh of relief as my whole body visibly relaxes. I look to see Hale almost combusting from his repressed laughter, and I roll my eyes while scowling at him.

“That’s not funny at all,” I admonish, and his laughter escapes lightly as he ushers me in the direction of the examiner’s office.

“Actually, it’s pretty damn hilarious. You have the ability to move matter with your mind, go invincible, and occasionally blow shit all to hell, but you’re shivering in fear at the mere sight of Brazen’s parents. I’ve seen you face down monsters without waver, but you hide from two old full bloods. What gives?” he mocks, and I sigh out as we turn the corner together.

“I believe we use the word invincible far too loosely. I’m only shielded from physical harm, and hell not even all the physical,” I grouse.

He tilts his head, his concentration somewhere other than my explanation, and then I feel his touch as my shirt lifts up.

“What the hell are you doing?” I growl, but he completely ignores me as he squats down to examine my bruised side.

“How did this happen?” he urges.

I pull him back up when I notice all the curious eyes on us. I sure as fuck don’t need Brazen hearing about this.

“It’s from the other night. The hybrid freak hit me a little harder than I realized. I must have let my shield down for a minute when he caught me off guard and used my body to smash the wall.”

“And you didn’t get any blood?” he gripes.

“It’s healing, Hale. I don’t always have to use blood. I actually prefer not to unless there’s uranium involved.”

“You should have said something earlier,” he grumbles.

“Why would I? I already told you I’m not your responsibility, and I never was. I’m perfectly capable of caring for myself.”

“Did he break through your invincibility?” he worries, his eyes carrying such a genuine concern.

I want to scream at him right now. Why does he keep doing this to me? Why do those eyes act like they want me when I’m dismissing him, but yet if I want him, those eyes go cold? Stop confusing me, you asshole!

“I don’t think so because he beat the hell out of my face, but there’s no mark to show where he was. I think I just got jarred out of my concentration. I wasn’t expecting his speed.”

He exhales loudly, and then his hand grazes my back while leading me into the main hallway that holds the lab. His touch feels so natural, so desired, and so needed. I really need him to stop touching me at all.