Page 75 of Blood Oath
His smile is cajoling. “In my defense, boundaries suck. I want as few of those between us as possible, Boo.”
I open my mouth to find some withering retort, but when I feel a twinge of pain in my chest, I quickly snap my mouth shut. It’s slower this time, but definitely there—that familiar pain creeping out from my center, making my throat muscles seize.
Fuck. No.
My condition rearing its ugly head right now is literally the worst possible scenario.
This is bad. Genuinely fucking bad because there will be no escape from their questions if they see me like this, and they might figure it all out. Then I’d be stuck in this inn with four powerful legacies trying to kill me.
Typically, that would sound fun, but I really don’t have time for this. I have to deliver an alpha wolf shifter’s heart to a demon by midnight tomorrow.
Stay calm. Breathe through the pain.
“All of you, get out,” I tell them. “Now.”
Silas’s gaze sharpens, and he edges closer, too. But when he speaks, his voice is unbearably gentle. “What’s wrong, ima sangfluir?”
My blood blossom.
The damn man is giving me a nickname in his native tongue, one that holds too much meaning for a blood fae. Surely, they can’t all have nicknames for me. That’s just obnoxious.
The pain starts to mount. I need them out of here now. Putting on my bitchiest tone of voice, I roll my eyes. “What’s wrong is that I’m allergic to pushy assholes who can’t take a fucking hint. All I want is for you guys to leave me alone.”
Suddenly, Silas is directly in front of me, leaning down so I can’t turn away from his penetrating gaze. It’s a wonder I’m not breaking out in a sweat, trying to keep the pain off my face. He’s inches away, and I catch a light hint of bourbon and spice standing this close to him.
“What part of I reject your lies didn’t you get? No more lying to me. Tell me what the real problem is so I can fix it,” he commands, searching my face.
It doesn’t help that Baelfire is on my other side, frowning deeply as he glances between the blood fae and myself. I think he’s debating shoving Silas away, but he also wants to hear my answer.
But Silas can’t fix what’s wrong with me. No one can. I accepted that years ago.
Inhaling and exhaling evenly, I keep my poker face even though my chest really fucking hurts. “I’m over this, Silas. I don’t know what you want from me.”
“Nothing less than everything. But to start, I want a chance to get to know you, the real you. Give all of us, including yourself, a sample of what our quintet could be. Give us one day before we…consider our options.”
Wait. Is he admitting that they’re finally considering appealing for another keeper? Something unpleasant constricts my throat unexpectedly, but I ignore it just as much as I ignore the pain flaring in my chest. His words sink in deeper than I should let them go.
Letting them get to know the real me…
He has no idea what he’s even asking.
The real me was broken years ago from the torture, isolation, and darkness. The real me is fucked in the head. Twisted. A monster who enjoys things I shouldn’t.
But one day of not actively trying to make them hate me? Just letting go and being myself? It’s too tempting. I’m so damn tired of rejecting them when deep down, no matter how wrong it is…
I want them.
You’ve always wanted them, you weakling.
The agony doubles in my chest, and I lace my fingers behind my back so they can’t see me dig my nails into my flesh, desperate for anything to focus on but the torture in my torso. I just need them out of here. They can’t see me like this. I’ll agree to anything that gives me some privacy for a moment to let this episode pass.
“Fine,” I say quickly. “You have one day with me.”
Crypt suddenly appears to Baelfire’s right, purple eyes glittering. “Pinky swear?”
“We’re not leaving until you promise,” Silas tacks on, eyes searing.
Gods, why are they making this so impossible? “I promise.”
