Page 56 of Bound By Blood
But after whatshe’d learned about him, it might not have been so painful. She’dlearned firsthand that nothing could be worse than losing a family.Having needles repeatedly pierce her flesh could never drown outthat agony.
Caro’s fingersitched to run over the blade, to trace those flames, and feel hisskin beneath her fingers as she kissed him. His muscles flexed ashe hunted for a puzzle piece. The sweat still glistening on hisskin emphasized the ridges of those thick muscles.
Caro looked awaybefore he sensed her rising desire. If she wasn’t careful, therewas no way he wouldn’t scent it in the air, and she couldn’t letthat happen. It would be mortifying.
When the microwavebeeped, she removed her mug and blew on the blood as she walkedaway from him and the jigsaw that would never be finished. Thosepuzzles were her parents’ obsession, and it was rare when onewasn’t out.
She’d never reallyliked the things, but it amused her to watch the two of themstanding over the table, trying to outdo each other. They wouldbicker over who found the most pieces. Tears burned her eyes as sherealized she would never get to hear or see them do that again.
Caro entered thedining room with its smooth, wooden table. Her father had craftedit from a large piece of hickory. The knots and rough edges gavethe creation a more vibrant personality.
It was one of herfavorite pieces of furniture in the home; she would miss itterribly when she left, but she’d never be able to haul it all overthe place with her. While she would get a storage unit for mostthings here, so they didn’t sit and rot, she didn’t see herselfsettling down somewhere else anytime soon.
It would be awhile before she planted new roots, if she ever planted them again.She couldn’t see anywhere else ever being home to her, not afterall the love she experienced here.
A lump formed inher throat at the possibility she might never be surrounded by suchlove again. Sure, there was a chance she could encounter her mateand build her own family, but it wasn’t a guarantee, and shecertainly wasn’t ready for that to happen any time soon.
She was still toolost for such a life-changing event.
Caro ran her handover the smooth, lacquered surface before tracing the rougheredges. She settled into one of the chairs her mother bought at arepurposed furniture store.
The chairs wereall different colors and designs, but instead of looking odd orchaotic, her mom somehow made it work. The chairs made the placemore cheerful instead of appearing haphazardly slappedtogether.
Her mother wasalways good at determining what colors and designs would work. Shehad an eye for interior design Caro didn’t inherit.
When Saber emergedfrom the kitchen and settled across from her, she didn’t know ifshe was more unnerved or pleased to see him. It was best if theykept their distance, but though she couldn’t figure him out, and hehad a way of pissing her off, the knot of anxiety inside her easedwhen he sat down.
CHAPTER 42
“Did you get thetattoo on your back after you learned about the Swords ofDamnation?” she asked.
“No, I got it toremind myself that one day the fires of Hell will hunt me down andtry to destroy me. I’m prepared for them.”
She frowned overthis strange revelation. “You really think they’ll come foryou?”
“I havenodoubt the demons have hunted me every day since I walked away. Notonly was I their best killer, I know some of their secrets and wantthem dead as badly as they do me.”
“Theirbestkiller?” she squeaked.
“Yep.”
Caro gulped, andher attention shifted to her mug as she tried to think of some wayto break the sudden tension in the room. She knew what he was; hewasn’t shy about it, but theirbestkiller in a world fullof them. Yikes.
“Areyousupposed to be the sword?” she finally asked.
“I am.”
“And those are thefires of Hell around you?”
“They are, and oneday, I will burn in them, but I plan to take a shit ton of demonsand Savages with me before that day comes.”
“Do you reallybelieve you’ll burn in Hell?” she croaked.
“Don’t you?”
“I… uh….” She hadno idea how to answer this and never could have seen the turn thisconversation would take. “No.”
When neitherspoke, the hush now encompassing her house felt heavier. She tookanother sip of blood as he stared at the wall over her shoulder. Hewas probably looking at the mirror with all the branches entwinedaround it. Her mom made it when Caro was a child.
