If it turns out that the only way to kill a Destroyer is by eating them, I am going to make Hannibal Lectersoproud.
“I’m sorry, I’ll try to do better.” I keep my fisted hands tightly balled in my skirts.
“See that you do.” His tone becomes milder, seemingly pleased with my easy agreement. “Now, I have some good news. I’ve been able to secure some time away from meetings, so that we can spend more time together.”
My eyes widen. “Oh.” I swallow. “Are you sure you want to miss them? I know how important you are. I don’t mind.” I try to stroke his ego to cover up my lack of enthusiasm.
Leon’s eye twitches, but his smile doesn’t falter. “I am certain. These meetings are for the Council and other members of the inner circle. And I told you, Vivian, that I would make sure we could spend every moment together, so that I can show you how much you mean to me.”
I almost smile when I work out what’s actually happening. Leon probably isn’t allowed to attend the next round of meetings. He likely doesn’t have the clearance, and now he’s saving face.
Cute. (Sarcasm).
“But–” I start, still hoping I can convince him that he has better things to do, when he presses a finger to my lips.
“Shhh – no more speaking. It’s far past your bedtime, and I have so much planned for us over the next few days.” He takes my hand as he says it and starts pulling me away.
The comment comes through the mental leash, and once again, I’m mute.
My blood boils.
I glance back, hoping Nymara will walk with us, but the hallway is empty.
A gray haze settles over me at the realization that once again, I’m on my own.
Chapter 15
Vivian’s Point of View
Rule fifteen:Absolutely no unsupervised emotions after midnight.
Leon’s footsteps stopped hours ago, and I’m sure he’s fast asleep. Still, I wait a bit longer, unmoving in the silent darkness. The only sound is the thumping of my heart, already picking up, because it knows what’s coming next.
Just as I do every night before bed, I take a breath and reach for the connection between Sin and me.
As soon as I start to pull back the curtains to open our connection, a trickle of electricity hums along my skin. It’s accompanied by an urgent sense of relief, frustration, and then longing.
Sin’s emotions.
I’m sure that at this point, he’s realized I know how to shut him out, and he isn’t thrilled. Guilt mountsinside my gut over the fact that I’m hurting him again, but I shove it down. Instead, I focus on sending him all the love I have for him. He deserves better than my negative emotions.
More warmth radiates through the bond, and I lie back against my pillows, closing my eyes for just a second.
I jolt awake the moment I feel myself starting to fall asleep.
Stupid, stupid, stupid!
Every minute I let him in, he’s at risk of feeling something terrible from me. Falling asleep with the bond open is reckless – especially after Leon tried to sneak into my room the other night.
The memory makes me shudder.
Deciding I’ve selfishly put him at risk enough tonight, I send him a final wave of love. It’s answered by frustration and panic when Sin realizes I’m about to close off our connection again.
I try to send back how sorry I am, and then, I shut him out.
A hollow ache settles over me when he’s gone, and I curl in on myself. No matter how guilty I feel over hurting him, I will not give him a reason to get captured by the Council.
The thought of Sin in chains sends rage igniting within me. The intensity of it is almost dizzying.
