Page 23 of Cage Me

“Well, things changed,” I reach for a notepad and pen on the counter. “I need all of these things, and you can take whatever you need from me as payment. Just remember, I know how much all this is worth.”

Natalia has never been greedy in our deals, but I can’t help throwing out the warning. Except when I’m done making my list, it isn’t me she’s staring at any longer, it’s Drake.

As I slide the paper toward her, she finally gives me her attention, but not completely as she skims my demands. “I don’t have all this on hand, and it’s a lot of magic that I’ll need to use to conjure today.”

She’s bargaining. I guess I thought too soon.

“What do you want, Natalia?” I growl, letting my sour mood bleed through my words. “Today isn’t the day to play games with me.”

The witch points at Drake, who has remained tense behind me. “He’s from Tartarus. I want his blood, too. Could be interesting.”

“He’s not?—”

“I’ll do it.”

My head whips back around to Drake. “This isn’t your problem.”

He leans in closer, making me freeze in place. “You are my mate. I will help you.”

His gruff tone leaves no room for argument, and to be honest, I don’t want to argue. My family needs this stuff to help us disappear, and if Drake wants to help, I’m done fighting him.

I have to be for my own sanity. Though, in what ways remains to be seen.

“Fine,” I say, then turn back to Natalia. “When can you have everything ready?”

“It’s already late, but I can get this ready by morning,” she replies, still eyeing Drake. “I want his part of the trade as upfront payment. You know, in case you skip town before the exchange has been made.”

My teeth grind together. I’m tempted to tell her no, but I’m not stupid. I realize that in this situation, I need Natalia more than she does me. There’s no convincing her otherwise after having admitted that this is our last deal.

And of course, Drake doesn’t seem to mind.

He steps beside me and holds his arm over the counter before glancing at me. “Can I trust you to tell me when she has enough?”

For a brief moment, as we stare into each other’s gazes, I want to reach up and press my hand to his heart, to promise him that he’s not in any danger. Except that’s not what I do.

I merely nod and force my gaze away from him, consumed with the emotions swirling inside me. The less I mentally resist Drake’s presence, the more relentless they become.

This man. I knew the moment I heard his roar coming through the portal that he was going to be trouble. I just didn’t realize how profoundly I would be affected by him.

For years, I’ve kept myself safe, had a plan, and stayed on a certain path as much as I’ve been able to while living as a Houseless supernatural.

Now, it’s been less than twelve hours since Drake Cage stumbled into my life, and I have no clue where I’m headed to next.

My mother’s earlier words continue to whisper through my mind. I believe the fates were waiting for him.

They hold a truth I can’t deny, even though I’ve tried to more than once since she spoke them.

While Drake gives his blood, he’s paying more attention to Natalia than me for once, and I allow myself to take in his tall form. His cheeks and chin are covered with a dark stubble. Faint scars in the shape of thin lines appear on his skin every so often while his pulse beats three times as fast as the rise and fall of his muscled chest.

My heart swells and tenses all at once. Tiny fragments beg me to care for this man, but the shattered pieces inside me no longer fit together. Not after being beaten by my own blood, for having to hide who I truly am, for being banished from my only home and forced to do things I never dreamed of in order to survive.

I shiver as past memories threaten to come back, and the action draws Drake’s attention. He catches me staring, but I don’t turn away. Instead, I allow myself a moment to pretend nothing is wrong. That he’s just a normal shifter and accepting him could be as easy as breathing.

He blinks first, a furrow forming between his dark brows, and that’s all it takes for me to return to reality.

Well, my reality. The one I’ve created to keep myself safe since being on my own.

“Are you okay?” he asks softly, but instead of answering him, I turn toward Natalia.

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