So Connor is the name of the psychopathic giant. Good to know.
“I didn’t agree, I just didn’tdisagree,” I correct.
Dorian nods. “Right. Why?”
I shrug, then grimace at the soreness in my right arm. Since it was only a partial dislocation, I hope it’ll dissipate by morning. I can already feel the swelling drastically reducing. “He’d made up his mind that I was lying or exaggerating, and I’ve learned that trying to change someone’s mind is a time-wasting endeavor. I didn’t see the point. He wanted to kill me, anyways, so what would a dislocated shoulder matter?”
He contemplates this for several moments while we walk in silence. “You’ve also said it’s not your first life or death situation. What did you mean?”
“Exactly that,” I say. I don’t feel like digging through the graveyard of my childhood, certainly not with a predator like Dorian watching me. For all I know, he’ll use anything he learns to manipulate me.
He squints at me. “You gonna expand?”
“I’m clumsy,” I respond, which is true. I’m especially clumsy when I zone out—the world sort of falls away. One time I found myself on the edge of a cliff during a hike, simply because I’d stopped paying attention to where I was going.
“You’re not the only one who’s good at vetting out lies, Mira.”
I nod. “Yeah, I believe that. I guess it would be useful with the life you lead.”
“And what life do you think I lead?”
I need to step carefully.“One that causes you to chase down someone who happens to be around when you’re doing something in the middle of the night. One that has you wearing no less than three knives strapped to your body, and possibly a handgun in your boot—I could be wrong about that one, I can’t tell for sure.”
His thumb strokes over my arm, and I weirdly enjoy the sensation. I’ll need to be careful around this guy for sure, otherwise I’ll find myself in even hotter water than I’ve already landed in.
“I think I like you,” Dorian says, sounding perplexed by the prospect.
“Please don’t. I’d rather youdisliked me and wanted to get rid of me as soon as possible. Not in the permanent way, but in theJesus fuck this girl is so annoying I’m gonna let her go back to her dorm roomway.”
“You’re adorable,” he says, looking at me like I’m a cute little woodland animal he wants to scoop up and keep.
“Not really.”
“You are to me.”
Something warm pulses in my chest at his response. I’m usually too zoned out from people to have emotional reactions to them, which is how I prefer it, but this guy hasallmy attention.
“Christ,” the Brit says from behind us. “You need to ease the fuck up, Acheron. Otherwise you’ll get yourself into a bloody mess.”
Dorian doesn’t say anything, but he does let go of my arm and returns to walking in front of me. I frown at the realization that I miss his warmth. Earlier tonight, he was contemplating killing me before he recognized me. He dislocated my shoulder and threatened me more than once. I need to remember that, and remember that I am still firmly in danger, so I shouldnotbe feeling anything fuzzy.
A few minutes later, we veer right and emerge into a dirt parking lot. There, an imposing black SUV with tinted windows sits, engine purring.
“I’ll take shotgun,” the Brit says. “You two can have the back.”
Dorian doesn’t respond, but he leads me to the rear and opens the back door for me. “In you go,” he prompts when I hesitate.
“Is Connor going to kill me?”
“No. He has orders not to, and he doesn’t disobey our boss’s orders. You’re good, Mira, I won’t let anything happen to you.”
I inhale a deep, steadying breath, but I can’t stop my eyes from darting around. When I’m scared, I can be a pretty fast runner. Earlier was an exception—the darkness and uneven forest terrain worked against me. Now, I might be able to outrun Dorian, if I dart into the forest and disappear among the shadows.
But then what? He goes to Greywood. Given his illicit midnight activities and mention of his boss, he’s clearly tied to a criminal organization, which means he’ll probably have an easy time tracking me.
“Don’t even think about it,” Dorian advises. “You run, I’ll chase, I’llcatch you, and Iwillpunish you. Get in the car, Mira.”
Knowing better than to ignore his threat, I step into the car. Connor glances at me through the rearview mirror. His eyes are startlingly vacant, his energy unerringly blank. It’s like he’s empty of life.
