A strange sense of euphoria blasts through me, only to be squashed by the realization of what it means. “You what?” I shout, then I glance over at Briar, who thankfully hasn’t stirred.
“She knew someone was watching her. I had to tell her something,” he answers belatedly after emerging from another room with pants on, shrugging into a shirt. It’s easier to look at him with clothes on, but it doesn’t dampen her scent all over him. Not even a bath would ease that.
“So she doesn’t know about me, she knowsofme,” I deduce. That should make me happy, but it doesn’t.
Ziv stretches out on the cushions right next to my creature. My eyes are glued to his hands, which are already tangling in her long, dark hair. “She knows exactly who you are.”
“You told her?—”
“You’re her mate, yes,” he interrupts again. This time, it’s at least useful so we don’t have to continue this guessing game.
“Why the hell did you think that was a good idea?”
“She needs someone to protect her when I can’t, someone she can learn to trust.” He makes it all sound so simple.
“Yes, but now she will also have to deal with knowing what we could be,” I grit through my teeth.
The fallen shrugs one giant shoulder. I could strangle him with my bare hands, preferably so I could be certain to kill him. “There are things you should know about Briar. I’m a little surprised you don’t already know, considering your curiosity.”
“What things?” I hate feeling like he knows more than I do, especially when he clearly does.
“Tell me what you’ve heard about her.” The arrogant bastard tips his chin up at me.
“That she’s a killer,” I snap back hastily with no finesse.
“She didn’t kill anyone.” He strokes her hair gently, but he doesn’t hide the hint of disappointment in his tone.
“I know that, but they don’t need to. Maybe it will keep the vultures away from her.” I lower myself to sit on the end of the cushions, far enough away that I can’t touch her, but close enough that it almost feels like I could.
“Did you hearhowthey think she killed the other novice?” There’s too much interest in his voice for me to ignore the question.
“No, I didn’t bother to learn. Usually when someone dies, they blame it on me, and they are always wrong. I assumed she got the blame because she’s the unknown factor.”
“She was set up.” His heavy brows rise, showing the indignation he feels.
“Set up how?”
“Whoever killed the novice made it look like Briar did it.”
“How? Why?”
“They killed them in a way her kind is known to kill.”
“Her kind?” I repeat with a sneer.
Ziv licks his lips. It’s a big tell. He’s buying time because he’s unsure of something. I just don’t know what. “Briar is a void,” he states, his words flat, but only because he forced them to be. The swirling in his eyes gives away more than his tone, but then his words sink in.
“A void?” I question. It’s not a term I’m familiar with.
He looks down at her, then back up at me. “She’s not affected by magic.”
“Huh?” I know I heard him correctly, but I don’t think I understand what he means.
“Briar has never been affected by magic.” His hand bursts into flames, and he strokes it over her cheek tenderly before I even think to stop him. I hop up, ready to kill him for hurtingher, but her skin is unblistered. There isn’t even a red mark left behind.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” I growl but stand there helplessly. If I get close enough to kill him, he could hurt her, but if I don’t risk it, he could do it anyway.
“I needed to be the one to tell you, so you didn’t learn it from someone else and try to touch her. I don’t know what will happen if you place your hands on her, demon, and I’m not willing to risk it.” He’s leaning over her now, his teeth bared as if he would kill me where I stand. I understand the feeling.
