As they turned up the street toward her apartment, he asked the question that had been on his mind since the demonii attack. “The night after we left the gallery, you told your friends you felt nothing for me?”
Her embarrassment enclosed him like a thick cloud. “You heard me?”
“Eve, I'm immortal. Heightened senses are a given. What did you mean by that,not feeling anything?”
She cut him a wary look. “Just that when I touched you that first time, I wasn't drawn into your mind and thoughts. I sensed nothing. No emotions, no pain, for the first time ever.”
“So you’ve never touched anyone since you received that power?”
“It’s a curse,” she said, her expression dimming. “I can't touch the people I love. Dating is a disaster, so I rarely did, until Da—” She broke off. Delicate color rushed across her face. He could see her blush clearly, even with just the moonlight.
“Until the artist,” he finished.
“Yes, until David,” she agreed.
Reynner reined in the urge to go after the male and shake him ‘til his teeth rattled. He’d told Eve in Exilum not to look at him for more, so he had no right to interfere. No cause to be angry. But that didn’t mean he had to like it.
The pain on his pec intensified, and he welcomed it this time. It was damn good incentive to get his mind off Eve.
Once back in the apartment, Eve dropped her things on the dining table and headed for the kitchen. She hadn't said much to him, except to ask him if he was hungry. He wasn't, but sheer perverseness made him say yes. And forced her to remain with him.
“Fanta or Pepsi,” she asked, opening the fridge.
She gave him the Pepsi he asked for and started on whatever she was preparing for him. Setting the soda on the countertop, he braced his palms on the granite surface. The sizzling aroma of mushrooms and onions soon teased his nostrils.
To get his mind off the agony inside him, he asked, “What is the “dreaded V” your friends spoke about?”
If he hadn't been watching her, he’d have missed the slight stiffening of her spine. She picked up the egg mixture and poured it into the skillet. A snappy hiss saturated the air. “Nothing important.”
The fact that she wouldn’t look at him… Oh, yes, it was. He’d bet his dominion on it.
Reynner struggled to keep his breathing even as the pain multiplied, like red-hot pokers piercing his chest. As always, it became a test of wills. He resisted her summons, and Inanna just upped his torment.
Right now, he far preferred looking at Eve. At least it took his mind off what had to be done soon.
She set down the spatula and dipped a hand into a clear jar half-filled with multicolored beans. She took a few, popped them in her mouth and turned back to the stove. Scooping up the grated cheese, she sprinkled it on the eggs. “Since you insist on staying, you can use the bedroom on the left.”
At the reluctant offer, he didn't say anything. Besides, he rarely slept, not when nightmares plagued him. If he had a choice, her bed would be the only one he wanted to rest in.
The strains of the accursed binding tugged hard, winding him tighter as the burn peaked. His head lowered, his hands clenched the counter.
“What is it?”
He looked up and found her concerned gaze skimming over his face.
It floored him that she would put her own troubles aside, and worry about him.
Reynner wished he were clean and untainted, able to walk over and take her into his arms, like he’d wanted to do from the first moment he crashed into her. Because she truly was all things good. But his life was not his own, not when he was tied to a malicious goddess.
He shook his head, the damn star on his chest hurting like hell. If he didn’t leave now, Inanna could very well come looking for him, and if she saw Eve—no, he would never put her in harm’s way.
“I have to go. I’ll be back.”
Eve opened her mouth then clamped it shut. He’d seen the questions she wanted to ask, reflected in her eyes. Not like he could give her any answers.
She stared at the pan for an excruciatingly long second before nodding. Then she switched off the stove and covered the skillet with a lid. “Your meal is in here. Goodnight.”
Reynner watched her go. The bedroom door closed with a soft click. Eyes squeezed tight, he blew out a rough breath and walked out of the apartment, anger raging through him.
