He stood facing her. Tension built in the air, in the raging storm, and in the strong, stone walls. It was physical, heavy, and primal.
“I’ll make you eat those words—”
A deep, throaty chuckle issued between her kiss-swollen lips.
“You’re really something else, aren’t you?” She raked her eyes over his body then up to his face, lingering a moment on the scar. “You don’t fool me, Fin. You’re nothing special, either. Just a sad, lonely man too scared to crawl out of his tower because he’s afraid people will look at him.” Disdain flashed across her face. “You probably couldn’t find a date if you tried.”
Monstrous rage twisted inside his heart at the truth of her statement.
As if agreeing with every word she said, Cyan’s body slithered up his back and clamped razor-sharp teeth on the soft flesh of his shoulder blade. The pain added to his ire because he had to remain immobile, unable to do anything lest he reveal the mythical pet.
Fury rose through his limbs like steam from a kettle, tight and hot. Her poisoned words sucked the air from his lungs, and the power built within, an explosion two seconds from eruption. Unable to control himself, he twisted to the side and raised an arm in the direction of the fireplace.
White hot fire blazed a line from his palm to the hearth.
Embers blasted into the air and ash floated to the stone floor. The smell of blackened wood rushed through the room and choked the pleasant scent of citrus, flowers, and roasted vegetables.
Sacha gasped, then covered her mouth. Her eyes rounded and darted from him to the fireplace.
Well, shite, I hadn’t meant for that to happen.
Chapter 13
Sacha
Awispofblacksmoke curled toward the ceiling.
Sacha’s attention bounced from the fire to Fin’s fingers, still splayed apart.
“How did . . .” Her brain kept trying to explain his actions, to make them fit into her rational, scientific world.
No one shoots fire from their fingers. Surely,he has some sort of weapon tucked in his hand. But why?
This thought should’ve made her fly to the door and out into the rainy night, but she stood rooted to the spot.
He won’t hurt me.These words she knew with certainty.After all, he had other opportunities to injure or take advantage of me before dinner, but he didn’t. One question streamed on loop—what the hell just happened?
When she stood from a half-crouch, she cleared her throat.
He lowered the hand to his side, and it was clear it was empty.
“Um, what was that?” She rubbed her arms and tried to quell a sudden chill.
Fin scratched his jaw. “Something you shouldn’t have seen.” A small laugh rattled from his chest. “Sorry, little rat. Your words were harsh, but”—a slow grin formed and transformed his face from an angry god to a beautiful angel—“they were also true.”
Not satisfied with the explanation empty of an answer, she stepped closer and seized his arm. She needed to confirm he held nothing and wasn’t trying to trick her.
His body jerked against her touch, but she held on with an iron grip.
She turned his hand over and moved her fingers inside the robe’s sleeve and trailed his forearm.
Nothing. Absolutely nothing.
Lifting her face to meet his, a fiery glint shone from the depths of his gaze. “Whatwasthat, Fin?”
“You wouldn’t understand. You’ve only ever known”—his blond head gestured toward the window—“thatworld.”
The deliberate choice of words fed a growing need to know more.
