Page 29 of Bloodhunter

But when he stepped into the room, he wasn’t alone. He heldSilverlight in his fist, and he didn’t look like he was in any sort of hurry tolet her go.

Chapter Ten

“Amias Sato was here,” he said, before I could open mymouth. “He was here, and he brought you Silverlight.”

“I told you he did.”

“I…” He shook his head, frowned, and looked at the sword, asthough he still didn’t quite believe me, though he held the evidence in hishand. It sparked once when he squeezed it, and he shivered. “I didn’t believeit until I felt her. I didn’t think it was possible. And you tossed her intothe bathroom. Do you have any idea what he’s given you?”

“Yeah, I do.” I pressed my hand to my wound and felt thesticky wetness beneath the thick robe. The wound was once again bleeding. I’dcaused that when I’d passed out in the living room floor. “That blade tore intome like it was alive.”

“It is alive,” he murmured. “In ways you and I can’t reallyunderstand.”

“It attached to me,” I said. “It drank my blood like avampire and now…” I shrugged.

“And now it belongs to you. It will fight with you. For you.He couldn’t have given you a better guardian.”

I nodded. “I was going to take it hunting tonight but afterbeing stabbed in the chest I’ve had to rethink my plans.”

“Silverlight,” he said, slowly, as though trying to convincehimself. “Did he say where he got it?”

“He said he stole it.”

He sighed. “I imagine he did.”

I held out my hand, something greedy and urgent inside me.“Give her to me.”

There was only a slight hesitation before he gave me theblade. “The scabbard,” he said. “Where is it? You need to sheath the weaponbefore you hurt yourself. I’ll tend your wound and then make something to eat.”

“I’m not your responsibility.” I stood, and wobbled only alittle. “Stop fussing over me like a little old lady. If you’re staying hereuntil Miriam tells you to go, then we’re going to need some ground rules.”

He stared over my head, carefully blank. He said nothing,just waited.

I gave up waiting for him to speak and continued. “Rulenumber one. Don’t bother me.”

He completely ignored my words. “Where’s the sheath?”

I growled, feeling slightly less weak and a lot less dizzy.“On my bed, damn you.”

He turned immediately and left the room, returning a coupleof minutes later with the scabbard in his hand. He handed it to me. “Sheath thesword,” he said, quietly.

“Obviously you’re not good at following the rules,” Isnapped. “Itbothersme when you try to tell me what to do.”

“Of course,” he said.

I rolled my eyes. “What’s your story?”

He didn’t answer my question, and I wasn’t surprised.

“You’re a stubborn golem,” I said.

I’d almost forgotten that his blank eyes could sometimeshold a world of hate, but they were overflowing with it when he met my contritestare.

I couldn’t look at it. I dropped my gaze to my hands. “I’msorry, Clayton.”

Fear lay like metal on the back of my tongue, but not onlyfear. Shame, as well. I was not an asshole. I wasn’t. And I’d seen Clayton’spain. I’d seen his humiliation at the hands of Miriam. I knew she held himagainst his will. I didn’t know how she did, but she did.

“Clayton.” I put my hand to my chest. “God, I’m sorry. Ididn’t mean to say that. I’m just…” I waved my hand, then flinched at the flareof pain. “I’m sorry.”