Gustavo’s face darkened. “I could feel your fear. It was sharp and painful. I couldn’t help you, and I wasn’t sure if you were safe. Truthfully, I didn’t know if reaching for your mind in sleep would even work. We haven’t met in person, and I have not marked you. Perhaps my need to see you made the bondstronger.”
His words reminded her of Amy. She saw the girl’s dead body lying alone in a cold warehouse. Anna looked away, unable to meet his eyes. She was afraid he would see what she’d done. She pictured a wall in her mind, pushing the memory behind it, hoping he would never discover thetruth.
“What happened,Anastasia?”
She shook her head and closed her eyes. She didn’t hear him move, didn’t realize how close he was until she felt his breath on her face. Anna jumped when she felt his hand touch her face. She was crying and hadn’t known it until Gustavo started wiping away hertears.
“Carina, please tell me whathappened.”
She shook her head. “Ican’t.”
“Por que?Why?” heasked.
Because it’s horrible. Because you would see the darkness inside of me.She didn’t say either of those things. Instead, she lowered her head more so he couldn’t see her shame. It was pointless. Gustavo simply placed a finger under her chin and raised her head until she had to lookathim.
“Let me help you bear whatever it is that weighs upon you. That is the purpose of a true mate. You aren’t alone. You don’t have to endure hardship onyourown.”
“It isn’t your burden to bear, Gustavo,” she said, hoping he could see the pleading inhereyes.
“You are mine,” he said, his voice a guttural growl and laced with possession. “Everything and anything that is yours to bear is also mine. That will neverchange.”
He spoke with such conviction she almost believed him. But there was no way he could accept her. Once he found out what she’d become, he wouldn’t want anything to dowithher.
“If you won’t talk to me about whatever it is that is hurting you, will you talk to me about something else?” heasked.
“Likewhat?”
Gustavo took her hand and tugged her gently away from the tree. He sat down on the plush grass, which almost made her laugh, considering he was dressed so impeccably. He pulled her around until she was across from him and motioned for her to sit. Even sitting, he was taller than her, and she had to tilt her head up just a bit to look intohiseyes.
“Tell me about yourself,” he said as he picked a blade of grass and twirled it between his fingers. He didn’t attempt to touch her again. Part of her was relieved, while another part of her was terribly disappointed. It must have been the stress of previous evening causing her to desire the touch of a stranger—mate or not.Sure, that mustbeit.
“I’m from New Orleans, an only child, and my mom is a gypsy—anAmericangypsy,” she clarified. “Not the kind of gypsyIam.”
He nodded and continued to stare at her, all the while winding the blade of grass around his finger and then unwinding it. When she didn’t say anything else, he smiled that crooked smile and said, “I’m sure there is more than just those threethings.”
She shrugged. “I work, well, worked, in the store my mother owns. It’s called Little Shop of Horrors. My mom began to travel a lot once I was old enough to take care of the store and myself. I love to read. I like plants. Before I was told about the supernatural world, I was about to start at a community college. I’m eighteen. I’ve never had any real friends until I met the otherhealers.”
“Must have been lonely, with your mother gone,” Gustavo saidgently.
“Sometimes,” sheagreed.
“Anyboyfriends?”
For some reason the question made her smile. “Would it matter if therehadbeen?”
Anna didn’t miss the way his jaw clenched, though he tried to remain unaffected. “If you’re asking if I’d still want you, the answer, of course, is yes. There is nothing that could keep me from you. I’m not going to pretend I wouldn’t be jealous. It is in my nature to be possessive ofmymate.”
“Even though you didn’t know me?” sheasked.
“It doesn’t matter if I knew you. You were created to be mine. So it is hard to think you might have cared for another male, or touched another male, or allowed him to touch you inreturn.”
Anna held up a hand. “Okay, you can stop right there.” She felt the flush in her face and knew she was probably an unattractive shade of red. “There has never been aboyfriend.Ever.”
“You’ve never kissedanyone?”
He sounded skeptical, which sort of made her want to kick him. “Why does thatsurpriseyou?”
“Because it is not typical of someone your age. Relationships are much more nonchalant than they were a longtimeago.”
