Page 35 of Rot In Knotty Pieces

I grunt.

“You’ve been working for the police. Helping get people out, find victims, name accomplices, and help narrow down his identity.”

I turn and look at Rose. “Really? Bloody tattle tale.”

He doesn’t even look at me. He just half-smiles and stares at the creek.

“Do the others know?”

I snort. “Of course not. The fewer people who know, the more we can be believable if we are caught.”

“You have risked a lot.”

I glower. “Don’t make me out to be a hero. This was all self-preservation.”

Rose laughs. “So, what about-”

“Rose, stop. I’m not a hero. I saved myself. That’s all. Everyone else was just a happy accident. I’m not this magical person you seem to think I am.”

“You don’t see yourself clearly, Raven,” he murmurs.

My heart hurts.

“I think you don’t see me clearly.”

He just smiles and shakes his head. “I see you clearer than anything I’ve ever seen. It’s why nothing mattered but finding you.”

I stare at his back, surprised as he gets up and walks away.

“What did that mean?” I ask Sage.

“He rejected Daega. For over a year. And me, for several years. He was determined to go it alone; we all thought he was obsessed with his work. Turns out he had a more compelling reason than work.”

My mind boggles. “I didn’t realise he…for me?”

“Looks like.”

I huff again, shoving all the emotion deep inside me. “Kestrel is coming back.”

“She is?”

I nod my head, trying to shove the dizziness away. “Now, by the feel of it. She’s being rather rough, but I did piss her off earlier, so I guess I deserve the pain.” I squeeze my eyes closed. “Don’t tell them anything. Please.”

“Okay, Raven, I’ll keep your secret for now.”

I inhale, and it catches in my throat. “Keep your eyes open during the heat. Get dangerous, Alpha. Don’t get complacent.”

His hand lands on my thigh, squeezing. “What does that mean?”

I shake my head, nauseous from the pain. “Damn, I hate it when she does this.”

I turn to the side and vomit up the coffee and water before I get up and stumble away from Sage.

My legs give out, and I drop, clutching my head. “Bitch!” I whisper painfully.

It’s all melting away, twisting into a rainbow hue of oily colours. I fall into the dark and the flames that are waiting.

I turn, searching, but I’m alone. The chamber is on fire.