Page 47 of To The Final End
“No.”
Thane’s hand finds mine, fingers interlacing. “Incubus,” he says, like that explains everything.
Maybe it does.
We lie there in the grass, tangled together, all three of us. The sky is starting to lighten.
“Full circle,” I murmur.
Thane’s thumb traces circles on the back of my hand. “Hmm?”
“When we first got here, I was scared and convinced I was too damaged for anyone to want.” I stare up at the fading stars. “And now I feel…”
“What?” Stellan asks softly, shifting to lie beside me.
“Ready.” The word surprises me with how true it is. “I feel ready.”
Tomorrow I go home. Tomorrow I face the attic and the door and every ghost I left behind.
But tonight, I’m exactly where I want to be.
“Thank you,” I whisper. “Both of you.”
“For what?” Thane props himself up on one elbow, looking down at me.
“For the really excellent distraction.” I laugh. “For figuring out how to share without killing each other.”
“It’s a delicate balance,” Stellan says. “But you’re worth the effort.”
“That’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.”
“Don’t get used to it. I have a reputation to uphold.”
Thane snorts. “What reputation? You’ve been disgustingly soft since you met her.”
“I have not—”
“You climbed into her bed to help her sleep.Feeding.Without asking for anything.”
Stellan is quiet. “That was different.”
“Was it?”
“Yes.” His voice drops lower. “That was before I realized I’d do anything she asked.”
Something warm blooms in my chest.
When dawn finally breaks, they help me to my feet. My legs are shaky. My neck throbs where Thane bit. I’m definitely going to walk funny for the rest of the day.
I’m okay with that.
Chapter 12
Gray
Bree moves through the sanctuary like she’s memorizing it.
Slowly. Deliberately. Her fingers trail along the stone walls as she walks, her eyes lingering on doorways and windows and the small details that have accumulated in our time here. The reading nook Theo claimed. The scorch marks Rhett left on the kitchen ceiling. The spot by the fountain where Jace nearly drowned himself trying to impress her.
