Page 16 of The Souls Harvest
“Why…What do you mean?”
“You shouldn’t remember that.” He stands up, crossing the small space between my bed and the window behind my desk. Resting his back against the wall, he crosses his arms, giving me a deadpan look.
My eyes widen. That’s all on me. “I—you were gone when I realised, and I knew they would have taken that memory because…It pulsed bright red. It wasn’t like the others. I can’t explain it, but I felt as if it was stillsentient.”
He pushes away from the wall. “How did you remember?”
“I wrote it down before they picked me up,” I shrug.
“You what?” He pounces, his arms stretched out as if shielding me from sudden, unexpected danger.
In just a few steps, he’s once again close to me, crouching at my feet, covering my hands with his. “Please tell me that piece of paper is gone. Burnt. Destroyed.”
My heart shrinks at his reaction. “I’m still here making you worry, so…” I try a smile, but his gaze only darkens. His chest rises as he tries to calm whatever turmoil of thoughts is going on in his head.
I give him time, searching his face for any clue I’m safe to speak again.
Until he stands up, pulling me up with him and in his arms.
“You are so fucking reckless; I swear you’ll be the death of me.” My hair muffles his last words as he kisses my head, tightening his hold around me.
I rest my ear against his chest and listen to his heart beating fast, stealing one more second to enjoy his warmth and the smell of fresh cotton from his white shirt before wiggling out to look him in the eyes.
“There is nothing I’d like more than to take you with me to find this Rogue. But risking the protocol and Roden’s fury will be a greater risk than me having to cross so close to Brenath. Besides, Popplewish says there’s a new team stationed just over the border, should I need cover and help.”
I cock my head to one side, performing the most innocent smile ever.
“Did she tell you exactly where and how to reach them? Do you have names?” Galen gently pushes me away but keeps his hands around my waist.
“Is the Deleteri leader asking, or…?”
“This is not an interrogation.” He steps away, his hands falling, breaking that contact, I know I will miss in the next few days.
I’m still holding my next assignment. My eyes travel from the paper to his face—expressionless to anyone else—but I can see beyond those curtains of dark lashes.
“Tonight. Dinner’s on me. Here’s not safe…” I say, nodding at my bedroom door securely shut.
His eyes widen in surprise, “Are you sure?”
I puff my cheeks, “You’ve been acting all dramatic until a minute ago, and now you’re concerned about safety? Just promise me you won’t find a way to follow me. This is just another Rogue…”
A smile on those serious lips, at last. He consumes the tiny space between us, taking the papers out of my hands and letting them fall on the carpeted floor.
His eyes shine with the reflection of the young boy I met during my first week on the island—eyes I struggled to read for a long time. And there they are now, questioning, curious, caring, and mischievous as he runs a hand through his dark curls.
“I’ll miss you,” he whispers, closing his eyes in time to miss a sudden rush of blood beneath my skin.
What the…
I find a way out between him and the bed and use it to move us both around as if dancing to no music, averting my gaze from his.
“I need to stay focused,” I blurt out.
“I know you can do that just fine…” he takes my right hand, turns it palm up and kisses it with such attention I’m jealous of my skin.
“Galen…we’ve been there…” I rasp.
He slowly runs his lips from my palm to the thin spot of skin on my wrist, and as if he could feel my pulse quickening under his touch, he smirks, switching from the friend I’ve known nearly my entire life to someone able to fire up every inch of my body.
