Page 9 of The Secrets of Jane: Reborn

S O R E N

This moment is like the eerie howl as a hurricane nears—there’s no telling how much time we have before the devastation strikes, only knowing that it’s coming.

The scent of wet soil and stone fills my lungs as the rain continues to trickle. Bruised clouds promise that the entire day will be like this, which meansmorechilling droplets seepingthrough the seams of the wool cloaks that are given to us—well, more like Bones grabbed a few when he saw them.

I still don’t know where we’re being taken or what the hells is happening. All I do know is that everything feels entirely smooth in my chest, a confirmation that this is safe, despite my mind screaming at me that it isn’t.

Then again, maybe I’m like a fucking broken clock, and I’m only right because that’s what logic dictates. I didn’t senseanythingfrom Shade. The room felt as plain as the rest of the apothecary, the only threat or danger coming from the heavy energy that constantly surroundsJane.

Many move quickly on the streets when the rain picks up, their feet landing in wet smacks. Despite the sheer number of moving souls that create an overpowering exchange of auras, I have no trouble locking onto Jane, even if her pretty hair is covered as she blends into the rest. It’s as if her presence is so much louder than everyone else's, like the others are black and white while hers is a bright auburn.

Ishouldthrow her over my shoulder and leave this place while we still can, but my magic pulls me fiercely to face the Scorpion.

Unpacking the events at the apothecary, one detail blatantly stands out to me. “Did you heal yourself? Your skin is completely unmarred.”

“No, I didn’t. I… I didn’t haveanyburns.”

What? That makes no sense. “You should be burned, Jane. I don’t know what’s happening right now, but I want to leave this cityimmediatelywhen we’re done.”

Fuck this place and whatever is going on. I need people I trust surrounding me, not the shady shit of Skull’s Row. That was a sickening feeling to not only witnessboiling waterthrown on Jane, but to be gutted by the sensation that I failed so miserably.

I like order and efficiency, but failing to protect those I care for… Serena’s face, wide-eyed and full of trust… guilt coils around my heart like iron chains. Seeing Jane being carried off by Shade was a cruel joke from the fates, as if I’ve been written into the same script twice.

It’s the unbearable acceptance that despite all my strength and all my training, it’s not enough. To make the guilt worse, she stepped in front of me with no hesitation.

“I honestly have no idea what’s happening. I wassoaked, and yet the only thing that actually hurt was him pulling on my hair,” she murmurs in response, vexation, and confusion intertwining in her heart, her teeth slightly chattering.

For a moment, I thought perhaps Shade was working with the Scorpion, and that’s why I didn’t give a signal. Not with Bones out there. Perhaps the Scorpion wanted to steal Jane from me, and that’s why he also disappeared; out of everything, the only thing Icouldfeel was that dumbass meant to soakmewith the water, not Jane. “What exactly happened?”

“Shade wanted me for something. It seemed spur of the moment. That’s when Bones came in and lopped a head off. Shade then looked at me and it was like he saw a ghost before running for it. He’s such a littlebitch.” She cranes her head to look up at me over her shoulder, a few wet strands of her hair stuck to her face. Her rosy cheeks and nose tell me we don’t have much more time out here in this condition; we’re all dressed in leathers, not wool. “And I’m angry because westilldon’t have anything for you. You need regenerative medicine, especially with all this walking. You’re so pale.”

Despite the agonizing pain gripping my body, I still can’t control the addicting affection that Jane’s concern creates within me.She’d never judge me for what I do—she’d only offer to heal, then stab any more offenders for me.

“I’ll live.” My breathing is labored, but that’s not the point. I don’t like the way Jane’s safety is volatile. The existing undertone of her security being in question has never deteriorated so rapidly; it’s as if I expect to see someone around the corner, waiting.Like with Serena when she was taken…

Like what happened just now.

My mind blanks.

I can’t have that happen again.

“Should we try to leave rather than meet him?” she quietly asks, even if a part of her heart breaks at the idea. “We can only do so much before the cost is too great.”

My little desert rose trusts me, even if she can’t utter those words herself. My hand that rests on the back of her shoulders slides slightly up in a silent reassurance that her trust isn’t unnoticed.

“No, you need this,” I insist, even if it drives me mad to utter that.

There’s also my own particularselfishinclinations—Jane’s emotional wounds prevent her from fully giving herself to me. As I once told her, I’m a man before anything else, and I have my own damaged heart that relentlessly chases the things it craves. And I want the violent Zenith’s daughter who is weak to me, and I want her vulnerability toonlybe for me. I want to feel her walls completely removed while the rest of the world willneverbe welcomed in.

Jane belongs tomenow.

So, we will deal with the Scorpion and bury that for good.ThenI can take her out of here and leave it all behind.

“What if he’s…” her voice trails off, and the corner of my lip slightly curls at feeling she’s embarrassed.

“Continue.”

Her shoulders tense. “What if he’s an asshole? What if he has no good reason for what happened?”