“Or, you’ll what?” She glared. “Lock me up like a child?”
“By the dark damn stars.” His mouth came down on hers, his teeth sinking into her lower lip hard enough to sting. Ash gasped, slammed her palms against his chest to push him away, but froze as he licked away the pain. “You think I don’t worry about you?”
She ran her tongue over her lip, tasting him, wishing she hadn’t. “Then stop. I’ve navigated twenty-seven years well enough without you.”
With a low, animalistic growl, his mouth found hers again. For one breath, the street vanished, and there was only the heat of him against her, and the frantic drum of her heart answering. Her own longing surged, wild and reckless. She grasped his nape and melted into him, kissing him back?—
Thunder cracked overhead.
Race pulled back, his eyes blazing crimson in the dark. “You’re driving me out of my mind!”
“No—” She pushed away as pain surged through her again. A flicker of lightning flashed faintly through the mist above, bleaching the street. “You don’t get to do that when your heart’s elsewhere.”
She spun away and stormed off, her prickling fingers clenched, pain engulfing her.
Why can’t you see ME? Not a ghost from your past?
Not that she wanted forever—only to know she mattered, for whatever time they might have had.
Blinking her burning eyes, she walked straight into a wall of muscle.
“Careful,” the male rumbled as another streak lit the mist-heavy sky. A black sailcloth cloak covered his bulk, and tangled brown hair hung down his back. Fangs flashed as he smiled.
“Sorry.” She sidestepped him.
He grasped her biceps and sniffed. “Well now, what have we here?”
Ash gritted her teeth, the tingles in her hands prickling harder.
“Get lost,” Race snapped before she punched the shifter in his bloody face. He wrapped his arm around her, fierce and possessive.
“Pity,” the male drawled, casting her one last covetous look.
Race’s snarl had him lifting both hands before he hurried off.
With the rumble still vibrating in his chest, Race pulled her aside. “You take off in anger and crash right into danger. Had he been one of the high-bloods, it could’ve ended badly. Stay with me—and lock down your powers, before the soldiers decide to hunt for the source.”
Mouth tight, she shut her eyes and tried to tamp down her raging emotions. It took several breaths, and she finally managed to shut off the roiling energy within her.
But meeting his brooding stare, she breathed, “I’m like prized cattle to everyone here, aren’t I?”
A muscle jumped in his jaw. He didn’t respond as he ushered her along, then he slowed his steps, his head canted.
She too looked but couldn’t see anything. “What is it?”
“The guard shift just changed. We’ll wait at the tavern for the others. Hopefully, we might hear something useful there.”
His arm settled around her shoulders again as they continued up the street, his scent and warmth enveloping her. God. She wanted to lean into him—wanted it so badly—but she pushed the thought aside. No matter the pull between them, Race wasn’t hers.
Keeping her head down, hands shoved into her pockets, she watched the street from under her lashes. The blue lights blinked, steady and ominous, as the last few locals hurried off.
Hell, she couldn’t blame them. She wanted off these streets too, but they didn’t have that option. They were stuck here.
The Resistance was their only hope—and the Resistance believed the dragon at her side was their savior. Right.
Ash cast him a furtive glance. Despite his lowered head, his heated crimson gaze met hers. His arm stayed around her shoulders, as if she mattered. She knew better.
Chapter
