My hands curled.
Whatever she was and whatever feelings she dragged awake, I couldn’t let her distract me.
She was nothing more than a means to an end, that was all.
With her help, all the pieces I needed would soon be in place.
And after twenty godforsaken years...I’d be free.
Either dead or outside these walls, I didn’t really care anymore.
Because finally, after two agonising decades, it would all be over.
Chapter Thirty-Four
I COULDN’T GET WARM.
No matter how tightly I wrapped myself in the blankets or how many jumpers I threw on, shivers lived in my bones.
I couldn’t stop thinking about him.
How he’d taught me to kill.
How he’d accidentally landed on me, kissed me, shot me down and—
God, stop.
I couldn’t do it.
He made my system turn crazy and the pain was too much.
I’d been so wrapped up in him, I hadn’t been aware how close I’d been to burning out.
Having him force me to hold a knife against his throat. Having him so close and angry and intense.
The moment I’d stumbled into my pavilion...I’d paid for every word, every look, every second of anxiety and scalding-hot connection.
All night, I’d suffered.
Dawn had arrived and I’d begged the migraine to stop.
I clung to my raindrop pendant, wishing it could take away my misery, just like my mother claimed it could.
My mouth watered for something bitter and metallic as red, red, red filled my mind. Bone-aching regret crippled me that Evelyn had stolen Lucien’s blood.
I would’ve happily swallowed the entire vial.
I would’ve gotten over my aversion ofwhatit was because it was the only thing that could help me.
“God...please.” I pressed my palms against my eyes, trying to shut out the light as the dawn turned to brighter day.
I couldn’t exist like this much longer.
My teeth rattled as I curled up into a ball beneath the blankets.
A soft growl echoed from outside my little nest. Something firm nuzzled against me, trying to find me beneath the covers. Vertigo made my vision dance as I pulled them back and met Whisper’s glowing gaze.
His massive silhouette filled everything. His whiskers flared as if scenting my pain.
