Page 54 of Creatures that Breathe

Lev’s face floods with color, his eyes bulging slightly as he swallows hard.

Instant, bitter regret coats the back of my teeth. Now, would be one of those moments wings shearing off a plane would be considered a silver lining.

I love Lev, but he’ll never be anything but a brother to me, regardless of his infatuation. It’s been over a century since either one of us has acknowledged it, except this time I’m not apologizing, I’m not telling him how flattered I am, how he deserves better than me. This time I’m angry.

Because Leni doesn’t deserve his vitriol.

Not after I unloaded mine.

I clench my jaw, frustration boiling inside me. He’s not wrong, despite his delivery. Leni’s managed to pull my attention away from my mission and it can’t go on any longer.

Blacking out in the street, losing control in the ring, fighting with Lev—inconveniences compared to what’s really at stake. Throwing my shadows to warm her drained me. My ribs haven’t healed since the Ballasts, and I’ll run out of thread before I staunch the bleeding. Worst of all, the curse roils under my skin, pinching and prodding, disgruntled, gnawing at me for attention.

I should’ve demanded answers from her. Does she know about us? Is that why she found me? Is that why she put me in the Ballasts? Is she trying to haunt my every thought?

Does she know it will kill me?

Instead, I let her take over my jet, sit in my seat, wear my clothes.

Certainly not a hero, not even enough of a gentleman left in me to allow her to wear something other than the blood that connects us.

Dooms me.

I’d have rather spent an hour in Drake’s thumbscrews than suffer her soft look of reverence. So, I put a stop to it. Inhaling honeysuckle and letting free the worst of my deeds like confession was listed as the in-flight entertainment.

“You told me you’d never lose focus,” Lev accuses, dry. Distant. Hating me.

I’m an asshole. “I did.”

I remain silent. Consider apologizing or explaining.

Explain fucking what? The Gods have ordained that Leni’s my missing piece. She will bring me calm and happiness and we’re destined to be effortlessly, unconditionally in love.

Except the same, capricious Gods cursed me to die if I veer from the path of vengeance.

Even now, my gift defies me. Shadows climb up the arms of Leni’s chair, pooling over her legs in a dark blanket in an attempt to erase any memory of me and send her running.

It’s like being gifted the sun and only ever burning under it.

She lied to me. Told me I was being hunted, but the truth is out now, isn't it? She's being hunted, and she chose me for her shield?

Ignore the ridiculous surge of pride and satisfaction.

“The fire,” I grunt. New topic. Safe topic.

Lev hums, as if disinterested, but he’s clenching his teeth like he doesn’t want them anymore. “Which?”

Good question.

Leni’s breathing is so slow, I wait for her next breath before I speak. “The fire at the palace.” If he wants me to focus, let’s fucking focus. “Was it to cover tracks or meant to kill?”

I trace a blurry tattoo on Leni’s elbow with my eyes, unable to shake the feeling she’s involved in all this.

An incredibly intelligent arsonist, who, whether or not she meant to, referenced the royal library. Who knows Drake and found me.

Too many coincidences.

Kadmos had a weakness for captivating creatures. He would’ve welcomed her with open arms.

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