Page 65 of Kat Bethel

That wasn’t nearly as bad as the smothering silence. As if the entire world had stopped spinning to watch the fallout.

We turned together to see what had become of the building, and the first thing I noticed was a leg rolling from the top of the rubble. The lack of blood confirming what I already suspected.

Everyone was dead long before the building was.

Nausea clenched my stomach tight.

Last night I insisted on knowing more about Margaret, even though I knew it would trigger him.

Tears made my eyes cloudy.

Something inside my chest cracked painfully, and it hurt deep enough I suspected it was essential to who I was.

I sacrificed them for a night of comfort and answers, even though I knew what the price was.

“I’m sorry.” The cop swallowed loudly and let out a shaky breath. “I didn’t want you to panic.”

“I get it.” My voice broke.

My shadow morphed into Abiel, and I could see his toe tapping. His rage hung heavily in the air. Or maybe it was the soot.

Fear clogged my throat as I realized the man who’d saved my life would probably pay the ultimate price for it. “Please let me go.”

The officer released me without hesitation and pointed to the yellow tape that was already being put up a few feet away.Caution.

“Leave him be,” I mumbled under my breath as I ducked under the tape.

“You were fine. I’d never let anything harm you,” Abiel hissed in my ear.

I gritted my teeth. “Well he doesn’t know there’s a shadow monster following me. He risked his life to help.”

“Indeed,” he grumbled. A deep growl vibrated my back. “He should focus on his woman, not mine.”

“It’s his job to serve the people.” I didn’t bother refuting that I was his woman. Something told me that it would end in another round of him turning me into his personal cock-sleeve again.

“Then he knew the risk he was taking then.” There was no sign of him standing down.

Frustration of knowing I couldn’t stop him made my brain throb at my temple. I couldn’t handle anymore blood on my hands today.

“Kill him. I dare you.” Or what? I didn’t know, but I’d find some way to make him miserable.

I guess he figured the same and scoffed, taking a step forward. When I narrowed and locked my gaze on his form, heat seared between us as we stared each other down.

I wasn’t standing down.

Not this time.

He sighed, crossing his arms in my shadow with annoyed defeat. His chest heaving as if he was taking big calming breaths. The edges of my shadow crawling as if it was barely holding its shape.

“I’ll give mercy this one time.” His deep voice radiated a warning. “Don’t expect it again.”

A small victory, but it made the power imbalance between us shift a tiny bit in my direction. Even if it was only because the cop was really only helping me.

I focused on the obliterated building in front of me. The cheap modern plaster didn’t stand a chance.

“What about the other people inside?” I asked the cop, needing to confirm my suspicions.

His mouth went into a tight line that didn’t have a single good thing to say on the matter. I pressed my lips together to keep them from trembling.