Sagitta missed a beat. Then another.
“I don’t know,” he mumbled, not meeting my gaze. “Do whatever you want.”
Not this avoidant crap again. Determined to get a straight answer, I swept in front of him so fast he nearly bumped into the bag.
“What doyouwant?” I asked.
His expression flitted from one unreadable emotion to another before finally settling on neutral determination. “I wanted to save you from the demon’s influence. That’s all.”
“Bullshit,” I said before I could stop myself.
“Excuse me?”
“C’mon, dude. You’re more than just your job. What doyouwant, Sagitta? Do you want me to wear the collar?”
My heart lurched in terror as the words spewed from my mouth. What was I doing? My stupid confrontation was going to make Sagitta retreat back into his shell... but I wanted answers. Answers to my own selfish desires.
Sagitta’s brows furrowed slowly. In a subtle twist of his head, he scanned the busy sidewalk.
“Fine. But not here,” he said under his breath. “Let’s go somewhere private.”
I was shocked he’d actually agreed to talk. I nodded silently, and fell into step behind him, following him wherever he led.
Shit, maybe I was more like a dog than I realized.
12
Sagitta
A cautious,fragile hope was cradled in my ribs. I was almost afraid to breathe too hard. I didn’t want to dispel that delicate feeling.
Was the demon truly gone?
Had I accomplished my task?
And if so, could I enjoy this time with Chase free of any burdens?
I was still wary of being seen in public with him. Cygnet knew I was on duty this week, but I was technically supposed to be watching Chase for signs of further possession, not gallivanting around the city in broad daylight together. I could conjure some excuse about ensuring Chase was fit to return to normal life, but I’d rather not deal with the hassle if I could avoid it.
But there was one feeling I couldn’t avoid, no matter how hard I tried. The butterflies in my chest when I was with Chase.
It was unprofessional. It was alien, and exciting, and awful, and wonderful, and I had to cut it off before it got any worse.
Slipping between two shops, I led him down an alley, then to a secluded back street occupied only by rows of city garages. It was quiet and empty. Nobody was around.
I whirled upon Chase, backing him up into a garage door. He blinked at me with wide blue eyes, then blurted, “Look, I’m sorry, okay?”
I paused. What was he talking about?
He dropped his head, his sandy hair flopping down his forehead. “I was an idiot. I shouldn’t have rattled on like that. I know you’re just doing your job, and we’re not...” He trailed off with a sigh. “We’re not anything,” he finished in a defeated mumble.
For a few beats, I could do nothing but stare at him.
He thought I was upset with him.
And I was. Sort of. I was mad that I’d fallen for him, but that paled in comparison to the sparkling, airy feeling that consumed me when we were together.
What doyouwant, Sagitta?
