“Just to make this very clear, Sai.” His markings flare a brilliant blue at the sound of his name, his smile faltering a little. “When I sayfriends, I mean you’re going to treat me just like these guys, your friends. Do you understand?”
He scowls, looking offended, then scoffs. “Fuckno.”
He leans down, elbow propped on the table in front of me just a few inches away. “I’ll treat you so much better than I treat these guys, baby.” His irises gleam like he’s imagining just that. “I’ll be the best friend you’ve ever had.”
His dangerous smirk returns, and this close I’m finally reacquainted with his dimples. He knows exactly what he’s doing with those playful looks, and teasing words...
I need an escape.
I was doing so well with Julien and Ezekial, and then Sai just… Well, he’s Sai.
Only one man hasn’t responded to my offer of friendship. Actually, he hasn’t said anything at all during their interrogation.
When I turn to Kane, he’s already looking.
“It’s a problem for me.” Everyone stills at Kane’s voice.
My breath catches at the sudden tightness in my chest.
It’s a problem? He doesn’t want to be friends with me?
“It’s not enough.” Sparks of grey spot the otherwise endless night of his gaze. “I need more.”
Oh.
More?
He needs more. Not want.Needs.
My stomach twists into a fluttering knot.
Well. Damn.
When Kane spoke, he made sure his words counted.
“Fuck’s sake, why didn’t I just say that?”Sai sighs, thankfully breaking my trance.
I look down at my clasped fingers, scrambling for words—any words. My play is finished. There are no more steps. This isn’t part of the plan.
I was meant to leave after proposing friendship, make them squirm a little. But I didn’t. Because I was desperate to hear their responses, and now I’m the one squirming.
“We also have a proposal, if you don’t mind hearing us out?” My eyes happily dart back to Ezekial, anything to help ignore the cold, comforting sensation to my left. I nod.
“Kacey told us that your nightmares have returned. We know having one of us near seems to stop them—”
I shake my head, cutting his sentence short. “I’ve been taking something that stops them.”
“You have?” Ezekial seems surprised. I guess Kacey didn’t tell them everything. “What?”
This isn’t their time to ask questions, it’s mine,and Ezekial seems to see that’s exactly what I’m thinking when he pulls back literally—and figuratively.
But then the emotional tug begins. The flurry of worry and concern surging into the air and filling me with a dread they’re all feeling.
The urge to ease them...
“It’s a herb that Kacey uses to calm distressed animals.” I close my eyes and wave my fingers in thought. “I think it’s Hen—”
“Henbane,” Julien breathes, his voice suddenly sharp and brimming with fury. “You’ve been ingesting Henbane. A toxic plant. You’ve beenpoisoningyourself?”
