A whisper passes my lips. “It ruins them.”
The gentle inquisitiveness of Callum’s interrogation changes instantly. What was once a sensual smirk turns rigid, and hescans my face with interest, first pausing at my lips, then my throat.
Though Revyn’s latest bite mark has disappeared thanks to an inappropriate healing session with Alistair, my skin feels hot beneath Callum’s scrutiny.
He wouldn’t bite me to prove a point, would he?
“Something happened between you and Alistair Dire.” It’s not a question or an accusation, but the truth of it hits like a dagger all the same. How am I so easily read by not only Revyn and Alistair, but Callum as well? With barely a glance, the vampire can unravel all my secrets.
It’s dangerous for me to get close to him.
I want to look away, but I would never admit weakness. Standing my ground, I lift my chin.
“That’s why you’re irritated today.” Callum’s eyes narrow, his gaze now lingering on my mouth. “Not because of how ridiculous the rest of the student body is behaving, but because of howyou’vebehaved.” Trailing his fingers up the delicate veins in my arm, he slowly winds a path to the pulse fluttering in my neck. With expert precision, he presses down with a razor-sharp tip and stops just before drawing blood. “Tell me what happened. I want every detail.”
Kill me now.
Reliving last night in my memories is bad enough; bringing my shortcomings to the surface for another to witness is excruciating.
I haven’t told a soul that Alistair believes I’m his true mate, nor do I intend to. I’m keeping that secret under lock and key for as long as I can. It’s a fantastical theory that has no business becoming reality.
Callum goes eerily still as he waits for my description of last night’s events, but I’m not willing to divulge anything just yet.“It’s none of your business what I do with other men.” I swallow at the scratch of his fingertip on my skin.
Vampires are known for being cold, calculated creatures. My experience with Callum has been the opposite; he’s quick to act on his whims and shows more desire for life than any vampire I’ve met. For this one, precise moment, however. . . I understand the reputation.
Within seconds, he’s become unrecognizable.
“You asked me for honesty, Sienna. It’s time to return the favor.”
Fuck.
Fuck fuck fuck.
Squeezing my eyes shut, I clench my fists tight enough for my claws to pierce my skin. The sounds of nature grow louder, making me dizzy. “Turn off the illusion.”
“Tell me what happened.”
I grit my teeth. “No.”
Callum clicks his tongue. “So stubborn. Is that how you’ve survived so long in the wilds? By sheer willpower?” Suddenly, he cups my face and swipes a sharpened nail across my cheek. The sting of a fresh cut is nothing compared to the icy chill of his lips against the wound, his kiss a cold reminder of what he is.
An expert at survival.
“How haveyousurvived for so long?” I ask, the need to know suddenly burning through my brain. I open my eyes and meet his unflinching gaze. “How old are you, Callum?”
The corner of his mouth twitches. He caresses the cut on my cheek with a gentleness that contrasts how tightly his magic binds me to the spot. “I don’t know,” he whispers, a hint of melancholy weighing his words. “Sometimes, I think that I’m still here because I’m waiting for something.”
“Waiting for what?”
He smiles, but it’s a sad, lonely twist of his lips. “You kissed him, didn’t you?”
I’m speechless at the way he exhales, the gust of air a mere breath against my cheek until it catches in the trees. They sway with the weight of it, sighing alongside their master.
“Sleeping with Revyn is a byproduct of your previous engagement,” he says mechanically. “Kissing Alistair Dire, however, means that he’s getting under your skin.” Pity flickers through his eyes. “He’s not going to bond with you, Sienna.”
I should be elated that finally,finallysomeone acknowledges such an obvious truth, but something inside my chest cracks all the same. My next breath rattles. “I don’t want him to.” The words fall past my lips in slow motion, flimsy on my tongue.
“Of course not.” Callum fills his lungs despite not needing to breathe. “He’s awful.”
