“I did fall for him. I fell hard, but he isn’t the guy I thought he was, and no, he doesn’t feel the same, which is fine with me since I don’t want him, anyway.”
She frowns. “What do you mean? Why isn’t he the guy you thought he was?”
I take a breath, trying to organize my thoughts. Then I tell her everything…well, almost everything. From how he stalked me so he could get “an in,” to knowing about the vaccinations and the Mainland’s lies and not telling me.
“He told me he didn’t have permission to tell me anything, but we were sleeping together. We were a team. Running and hiding together, and he couldn’t trust me. He couldn’t fill me in on the basics. He told me he had no idea. He lied…and lied…and lied.”
“I’m sure he—” Sally starts to say.
I shake my head. “He told me himself. He told me he couldn’t trust me.”
“Oh no, Wren.”
“That’s not the worst of it.”
Her face falls. “There’s more?”
I nod.
I tell her about the shifting and the headaches I got when I was around his dragon. Then, how I mind-bonded to his dragon.
“He told me that I was allergic to dragons.”
“He did not!” Sally looks upset.
“Once again, he lied. He didn’t have to.” I feel that familiar ache in my chest, the one that’s been my constant companion this past week. “I was falling for him, and it was just sex for him. That’s what he told me. Just sex and nothing more. I know we agreed up front, but things changed… At least they did for me.”
“Now you’re in love with him,” Sally says softly. “I’m so sorry, Wren.”
“I’m in love with someone who doesn’t exist,” I correct her. “The Grim I thought I knew…he’s not real. The real Grim is someone who lies and uses people. I’ll be fine.”
“But you’re bonded to him,” Sally points out. “The mind-bond—”
“Not to him. To his dragon,” I explain. “I don’t feel any mental connection when I’m around the man. I only feel it when he’s in his dragon form, and I don’t plan on being anywhere near him again…at least, not by choice, so it’s all good.”
Sally’s quiet for a moment. “I thought he was such a nice guy,” she finally says.
“I did too.” I shrug. “I don’t think he’s bad. I don’t know. I think he has trust issues, but it’s no excuse. I don’t deserve to be treated like that.”
“Absolutely not.” Sally nods emphatically, then winces again. “Trust issues don’t give you a free pass to lie and manipulate people.”
We sit in silence for a moment, the monitors beeping steadily.
“So what are you going to do with the money?” Sally asks, clearly trying to change the subject. “I can’t believe it, Wren. They gave us a million dollars each. We’re rich.”
I snort. “More like they’re buying us off. I’m not even sure I’m going to accept it.”
“Grim is saying the same,” Sally says, looking at me like I grew a second head. “Not that you care what he thinks, but you should take it. The Council insisted the Mainland pay us out for damages. A million dollars is a lot of money to just turn your nose up at. I’m taking it and investing it. I’m retiring as of right now so I can be home for my kids and be there more for Stephan. Almost dying has changed me.” She sighs, and there’s a weightto it that wasn’t there before. “Life’s too short to spend it all at work.”
“I’m so glad you survived,” I tell her, meaning every word. “You’re one tough cookie, Sally.”
“You are too,” she says firmly. “You’re going to get through this, Wren. I’m here for you.”
“I know that.” I manage a small smile. “I’ll be fine.”
Sally studies my face. “It’s just that you look sad.” She gets a thoughtful look. “Now that I think about it, I’m sure Grim had the same look. Are you sure he—?”
“I’m very sure,” I tell her before she can say anything more. “He made it quite clear how he feels and where we stand.”
