Page 139 of Plug and Claim

Kira’s gaze flickered at him for the briefest of moments, and she looked as if she wanted to say something, but then she gave her head a small shake. “Let’s go back.”

They walked in silence, ignoring the shops as they made their way back towards the academy.

“Barb and I have been friends for a long time,” Nathaniel said, holding the coat under one arm as they walked. “I admire that you came to her defence, even if you thought I was going to kill her.”

“What else was I to think when you brought the fangs out?”

Nathaniel licked his lips. “What I’m trying to say, Kira, is that I admire you.”

“Oh.”

They passed through the school gates and made their way across the grounds. It was early afternoon, and there were a few students enjoying the sunlit grounds. He took Kira’s hand and guided her off the path and into a secluded courtyard.

“We should talk,” he said, sinking down on a low stone wall. He felt unusually tired, a result of more than just the blood loss. He was tired of this charade.

Kira remained standing, and before he could think of how to begin, she spoke.

“Tell me a truth, Nathaniel,” she implored, emotion creeping into her voice. “Tell me something about you.”

Just one truth? When there were so many weighing him down?

“I care about you, Kira,” he said hoarsely. “More than you know.”

Her lips parted in surprise, and tentative hope blossomed on her features.

“Then why pretend you’re a monster?”

“Because, this is so much bigger than the two of us.”

“The two of us?” she asked.

His heart skipped a beat, and he reached for her hand and pressed a kiss to it. “Yes, the two of us. You said you wanted something more, something real. Well, so do I.”

He held her gaze, trying to convey the sincerity of his words, even as he wondered what the hell he was doing. Nothing good could come of this, and yet, nothing bad had ever come from listening to his heart.

The hint of a shy smile played at the corners of her lips, and he offered a tender smile, drawing her closer. He yearned to kiss her, to feel the warmth of her lips against his own, and, if the stars aligned, she would kiss him back.

His breathing stilled as he cradled her face, savouring the moment and the delicate flutter of her eyelashes. Time stood still as their lips drew near, his heart thundering in his chest. Never had anything felt so right as this moment.

Suddenly, a scream pierced the air.

Chapter 53

His Blood

Kira

“Someone, anyone, please help!” shrieked a woman’s voice from the direction of the academy.

Kira hurried out of the courtyard towards the cries, Nathaniel a few steps behind her.

They found Chloe, a member of Susie’s pack, at the top of the front steps to the school entrance. She was a thin girl with red hair and round glasses, her face collapsed in relief when she saw Kira.

“Chloe, what happened?” Kira asked.

“It’s Susie,” Chloe cried, sobbing hysterically as she clutched at Kira’s hand. “Please, you have to come, quick. I don’t know how much longer she has…”

“What do you mean?” Kira asked in alarm, letting Chloe drag her inside and across the foyer.