It’s like the two of them are playing good cop/bad cop. How did I not see that? I thought I was smarter than this, but while I’ve been playing checkers, they’ve been playing chess. Manipulating me. Twisting my thoughts and feelings so subtly that I wasn’t even aware it was happening.
Well, not anymore.
It’s time they meet the real Fallon. The one who is shut off from the world. The one who thrives in isolation. The onewho trusts no one and sees people for who they really are. It’s time they meet the girl who was forged from living with monsters well before the two of them came into mylife.
Kole
God, why does she have to be so reckless all the damn time? Was her waking up in a hospital bed not enough? She had to go and cut herself too?
And Thane. What the hell is wrong with him? It’s been centuries since he’s lost control like that. Even when he gives in to his rage, he’s still in control of it. But it’s different with her. It’s like she triggers the most animalistic parts of him. I keep trying to convince myself it’s because of the mark, but I saw the book on his desk about the Fated. Just the thought of it is so goddamn impossible, and yet I can’t seem to shake the little voice inside my head telling me to consider it.
Chapter 23
After spending all night reminding myself who I really am, I feel rejuvenated this morning. It’s like the fog in my mind has finally lifted, and I can see things clearly again. The heartless version of me is still very much alive and well, and there’s nothing Thane or Kole can do now to change that. And as for the mark, my lust for Thane is nothing more than innate desire. My body can betray me as long as my mind doesn’t.
“Breakfast is ready!” Kole announces from the other side of the bedroom door. When I swing it open, I find that he’s back to his smiley self. Well, that act may have worked for him yesterday, but not anymore.
I brush past him and head for the kitchen, not dumb enough to pass up one of his meals. There’s already a fat breakfast burrito sitting out for me, and I waste no time stuffing it into my mouth.
“Sooo,” Kole starts, watching me with pinched brows. “How’d you sleep?”
“Fine,” I mumble, before taking another bite.
“Well, that’s good, I guess.” He leans back against the counter, and I can see that he’s trying to work out my new attitude.
Good.
Awkward silence settles around us as he continues to watch me eat. Every time I think he’s going to say something, he just shifts uncomfortably instead.
“So, I have orders to drive you back to Headquarters today,” he finally spits out when I get up to put my plate in the sink.
“Cool.”
“Cool?” he repeats, appearing in front of me.
“Yeah?” I shrug, giving him absolutely nothing.
He takes a step back, crossing his arms.
“What’s up with you today?”
“What do you mean?” I say as nonchalantly as possible.
“You’re being short with me.”
“What do you want me to say?” I ask, taking a step around him.
“I don’t know. Anything?” He cuts me off again, his frustration with me apparent. “Something is obviously bothering you, so what is it?”
“You mean aside from being held against my will?”
“I thought you were coming to terms with that,” he argues, swiping a hand down his face like he’s just realized all the hard work he’d put in has been undone.
“After the events of last night, I think it’s safe to say I have no intentions of coming to terms with it. The life you tried to convince me I could have here is nothing more than an illusion meant to keep me in line. It was a mistake for me to believe that if I just played along, I could have some semblance of a life. Thane will always seek vengeance, and I’ll always be the one left in the wake of his cruelty.” I step around Kole again, but hecatches my hand, whirling me back around. “You almost had me,” I add, yanking my hand from his grip. “For a moment, I thought you might actually be a decent person. But I was wrong, and I see that now.”
“You don’t mean that,” he says, feigning a look of hurt.
“Actually, I do. I see through this act of yours,” I say, waving my hand in front of his face. “You play the nice guy well, but you can’t hide who you really are.” I shake my head, letting out a huff of laughter. “I can’t believe I actually fell for it too. That I somehow let myself think a vampire could possibly care for a pitiful human girl. But your heart is as cold as ice, and I’m done falling for the games the two of you seem to love playing.”
