I put the feelings aside and go for a shower, enjoying the endless stream of hot water. Talon’s house has the best amenities in town, and Father’s shack always ran out of hot water by the time it was my turn.
As I let the warm stream soothe me, my mind returns to Shawn’s questions. I know he needs to find out about the town so he can run it, and for a short while, it felt like he was genuinelygetting to know me. But at the end of the day, he’s still our enemy.
He seemed pretty interested in the fire that came from Eccles. Does he know what it is? Do they control it?
The thought is utterly terrifying to me. They could obliterate us anytime they like if they have access to such a weapon.
He keeps saying they want to help. Why would they suddenly decide to destroy us?
The old legends say, Eccles don’t need a reason; they simply exercise their power as they see fit. It makes me wish I knew more about the people who built this town.
Wasn’t there something about sacrifices in the old tales? That to summon the great power, they need innocent blood?
As I get out of the shower, my mind turns to the questions Shawn asked about my father, and they disturb me a great deal.
Shawn didn’t say one way or the other that it was safe to go out into the human world, but it feels like he knows something about it.
I always believed Father when he said it was dangerous, and now I’m wondering why I simply accepted this as truth. I read so many books and magazines that described the wonders of it, and I never thought it sounded that bad.
But Father said the way there was treacherous, and that he barely made it back alive.
Suspicion rises in me as I think about how often he’s gone, and that he has always made it back completely unscathed.
I’ve been so stupid, just believing him blindly about this. Maybe I could have left anytime I wanted.
Tears trickle down my cheeks, and I wipe at them angrily, tired of crying. When I put on some soft sweats and climb into bed, I’m dead tired, but after I curl up under the covers, my mind won’t stop racing.
What if we could have been part of the real world all this time? We know Eccles and other packs have links to the human cities—it was one of the reasons we shunned them—but was any of it even true?
My mind keeps circling, dredging up uncomfortable thoughts of how Talon would have to be involved in this if it were a conspiracy to control the town and all the people in it. The idea that my best friend kept us isolated and poor is too much for me to bear.
I can’t even contemplate it, and as I turn away from those thoughts, Shawn fills my head.
The way he watched me at the reception…it seemed so genuine.
Now that I’m alone and safe, I can explore the idea that I’m attracted to him. It’s almost shameful how my body heats up, lines of fire running across my skin, hardening my nipples, and making a hot point between my legs throb.
In any other circumstance, I’d be happy to be courted by him—and it is wonderful to be out of Father’s house!
The current bonds I have to suffer are only bearable because of the limited freedom I now have. I wrap the blankets around myself even more tightly, pushing all the uncomfortable thoughts out of my brain until I fall into a light sleep.
***
Noises in the kitchen wake me, and for a moment, I stretch out in bed, enjoying a glorious few moments of lying in before getting up.
I don’t think I’ve ever slept in a single day in all my life.
Even though I’m reluctant to start the day, I’m grateful that I’m not being shoved out of bed at Father’s house and being forced to make breakfast for all of them while Melanie shouts at me. I actually giggle a little as I think about how it’s probably her responsibility to care for all of them now.
I change into one of Jess’s long, casual dresses, a pale blue one in light fabric. Down the hall, I can hear Shawn still clattering around in the kitchen. I don’t rush to get ready, half-hoping he’ll be done by the time I get there.
Hopefully, he’s just making a coffee or something, and when he goes to get dressed, I can make something for myself in peace.
Probably my worst fear is walking in and him demanding I make his breakfast, and telling me this is how the marriage is going to be, so I better get used to it.
That is what Father promised.
When I’m done washing up and brushing my hair, the noises in the kitchen have faded but not stopped. I take a deep breath for courage and go down to greet my husband.
