Page 26 of Sticks and Stones and Broken Bones

I took his hand in mine. “It’s okay, you don’t need to tell me.”

A small smile creeped into the corner of his mouth. “Thank you. It’s not that, I just don’t want you to think less of him.”

“Not possible,” I replied with a squeeze of his fingers. I couldn’t explain it, this connection that I now had with them was woven into the very fabric of my soul. “Whatever this connection between us is, I know I can trust you all.”

I just had to hope they felt the same way about me.

Korbin seemed to disappear into thought for a moment before he gave me a resolute nod. “Rook has an unhealthy relationship with his need for blood. He never really attuned to it so when he uses it as a source of nourishment, he tends to go wild. He hasn’t fed on anyone in that way in over a century.”

“Really?”

Korbin nodded solemnly. “The last time he did, it was a disaster. He disappeared for weeks, lost to the bloodlust and, when I finally found him, he was enslaved to madness.”

He looked away, but I didn’t miss the sadness that crossed his face. It must have been horrible, to see someone you loved struggle in such a painful way.

I didn’t even think about it. I launched myself towards Korbin, catching him by surprise and making him jump. I wrapped him in the biggest hug I could muster and just hoped it was enough to drag him from the grip his sad memories had over him.

He relaxed on a deep exhale as his arms circled my waist. “Thank you, Raevyn.”

He pulled away after a few moments and I saw that silent tears had left tracks over his cheekbones. I reached out and brushed them away with my thumbs. He flinched a little, I really should get better at telling him that I’m going to do something.

“Sorry,” I said softly.

He captured my wrist. “Don’t be sorry. It’ll just take time for me to get used to someone else wanting to touch me. If Rook is in the room, it’s instinctual. I just need to learn that with you.” He lowered his gaze to mine, and I almost felt he was looking deep into the very heart of me. “Be patient with me.”

Korbin pressed a kiss into the centre of my palm, his lips hot against my skin and setting goose bumps running up my arm. Need burst to life inside me, something intense and inescapable. A gasp flew out of my mouth as it crescendoed and a little bit of panic fluttered behind my solar plexus. What was this?

I burned. I needed something.

But what?

Raevyn…

I whimpered as the memories of my dream rushed to the front of my mind. My body flushed and my heart raced.

“Raevyn, what is it?” Korbin asked, his arms gripping my elbows to keep my steady.

“I don’t know.” Gods, was I dying again?

A sharp pain sliced through my gut. I doubled over, digging my nails into Korbin as the pain heightened.

“Dammit,” Korbin said under his breath. “You’re hungry.”

“What?” My knees gave out and I fell to the floor, dragging Korbin down with me.

“You need to feed.”

“I just ate.”

Hands gripped my face as another wave of pain crippled me.

“Not food, Raevyn. You don’t need that. You need something else.”

“But what?”

“Whatever your body is instinctively screaming for right now. Do it. Use me.”

But what did I need? I felt desperate, frustrated, needy.

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