Page 17 of Into the Night

“Evan is my cousin, not that it’s any of your business,” Kali says primly, a stubborn tilt to her chin. “I appreciate you sticking up for me, Griffin, but you don’t have to stay here now that he’s gone. I’ll drive you into town for your car.”

Kali holds her ground as I prowl closer. She folds her arms, creating a shield around herself.

“Who said I was going anywhere?”

Kali rolls her eyes and scoffs. “You were just about to run for the door when I mentioned our beasts having a connection. Jed’s gone. You can go. This was fun, but if you’re not staying, you don’t need to feel bad.”

She’s putting on a tough front, but I can hear the pain in her voice. I want to make it better, but I have no idea what she’s talking about. No idea about any of this, but I can see the truth in her eyes. Hurt. Embarrassment. Wounded pride.

All I know is that the thing living inside me wants Kali… no, he demands we have her. The part of me that usually wants death and destruction now wants to care for this tiny blonde, to protect her and claim her as ours, so nobody will dare bother her ever again.

“Do you want me to go?” I ask hesitantly, because I will, if that’s what she really wants.

Kali’s cheeks flush, and she refuses to meet my eye, staring past my shoulder toward the door. “I didn’t before, but now I’m undecided.”

Her cheeky response makes me smile. I’d much prefer to see this version of Kali than the timid one Jed’s presence brought out.

She’s obviously used to taking crap from him. Just that thought makes me want to hunt him down and make sure he never steps a foot in Sutton again. Imagining teaching him that lesson makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside… But I can do that another time, there’s something more urgent I need to focus on right now.

“I don’t want to go, Kali. I’d like to stay, if that’s okay with you?”

When she nods, I relax—but only a fraction.

“But I need you to explain something to me… What beast?”

11

KALI

What beast?

Now it’s my turn to look confused. Is this a trick question?

I tap him in the middle of his chest. “That beast.”

Tilting my head, I’m trying to understand why he’s being obtuse. Do they call it something different where he’s from? I’ve heard stories that we’re distant relations of something called a Lycan, but since we tend to be solitary and nomadic creatures, there’s very little historical evidence of where we actually come from. Anything written down is too dangerous to keep.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He says it, but it’s a lie. Griffin’s jaw ticks, and his lip twitches at the corner.

At least now I know his tell. But why he’s playing this stupid game is a mystery, and it’s making me uncomfortable. I was already feeling like crap when I thought he was going to bolt, and this isn’t making me feel any better.

“Your eyes are glowing, Griffin. Just like mine.” I’m used to pretending around humans, but we couldn’t be more alone. “You know exactly what I’m talking about, why are you acting so weird?”

There’s no need to deny what we both know is true.

When I reach for him, he pulls away, his hands lifting to his pale, drawn face, and then touching his temples. Then he turns his back to me, shutting me out, again, and my heart cracks as I feel the rejection like a slap in the face.

I can’t stand this push and pull, being toyed with. Am I an idiot? Did I exaggerate the strength of our connection?

I’m glad Griffin was here when Jed showed up, and hopefully, Griffin’s possessive display will keep him away for a while, but I don’t need this. I came to Sutton to get away from the rejection I felt every day in my hometown.

The prophecy, nothing more than a rumour passed down through generations, as far as I can tell, declares that the last blonde beast will give birth to a white devil, and that child will be the one who destroys us all.

Whatever that means.

Having that hanging over my head hasn't made me popular with the neighbours, which was hard growing up, but as it turns out, getting rejected by strangers doesn’t feel any better.

“Sure. Fine. Look, if you’re going to be a dick, that’s okay. I’ll go instead.” I spin, ready to leave and weather the storm at Evan’s rather than stay here and be mocked. Maybe Ben is off. He’s always good for a laugh and some light relief. If I spend the night there instead of here, and just say I didn’t want to be home alone, nobody will question it.

---