Page 55 of Master of My Heart

“Really?” He frowned. “I heard you scream.”

She blinked and looked down at her cereal. “I’m okay.”

Jayson reached across the table and put his hand on hers. “I didn’t stay to comfort you because I didn’t want to be tempted, Sabrina. Not because I don’t care.”

“I know,” she whispered, blinking hard to keep the tears at bay. She did know that.

He sighed and walked around the table to sit next to her. He wrapped his arms around her. “I’m sorry,” he said, pressing his lips against her temple.

She shook her head. “It’s not that.” She pulled away and blinked again. “It’s better that you didn’t stay.” She stared at her cereal again.

“Why? What was your nightmare about?”

She bit her lip. How could she possibly explain the Immortality seeping back into her body? “Same stuff as usual.”

“I don’t believe you.”

She looked up at him. “Why?”

He raised his eyebrows, brown eyes full of concern. “Because you’re pale and shaking.” He nodded toward her hand. She looked down to see the spoon in her hand trembling, the milk in the bowl rippling.

She dropped it and pressed her hands together between her knees.

“What happened?”

Sabrina faltered on the verge of trying to explain. But how could she explain that she wasn’t totally human? That, if she wanted to, she could read everything he felt right now. She couldn’t read his mind, per se, but she could read his emotions. How would she explain that her ribs were completely healed, even though they ached terribly yesterday? That she could make him have sex with her and he wouldn’t be able to resist in the slightest? That she could make him do anything she wanted him to do? That she might get angry and kill him or anyone else who got in her way?

Then there was Khyan. He probably sensed her right now and would be here soon to take her back to... Where would he take her? Ramon was dead. But he had a brother. Castel. Maybe he’d taken over Ramon’s place. Was he looking for her, too? Had he sent the people to talk to Mr. Baker after she’d disappeared?

Maybe Khyan would just let her go? Let her be? In the months before Sabrina escaped, he hadn’t even been around much. Maybe he was bored with her and would leave her alone.

Probably not.

Then there was the man from her dreams. The one who haunted her sleep. Who was he? Why did he want her? Something inside told her she should know him, know what he wanted from her, but she couldn’t remember anything concrete. Why?

How could Jayson possibly understand even half of that? She knew he cared about her. She didn’t want to be disgusting in his eyes. But if it was the truth... ?

Why did her life have to be so complicated?

But she still had her dancing. It was really all she had. She should be content. Life was far better now than the last few years had been.

“Sabrina?” Jayson rubbed her arm. “You don’t have to tell me anything you don’t want to.” He gave her a sad smile. “I know you’ve been through some really bad stuff, though. I’m here if you ever want to talk.”

She didn’t respond. What could she say? Would he want to hear the horrible things that happened to her? He wouldn’t look at her the same way if he knew the things she did, the things she enjoyed. They weren’t normal. She was a sick, twisted, perverted whore and murderer.

“I’m okay,” she whispered, then stood and took her bowl to the sink. She let the mundane task of rinsing it out become her prayer. Let this be my life. Wash away the bad and make my life ready to be filled with normal, healthy things.

Jayson got up and walked over to her, taking her wet, soapy hand. “Sabrina, I’ll do anything I can to help you. You know that, right?”

She saw the sincerity in his eyes and heard it in his voice. She wanted to lean up and kiss him, but she knew he wouldn’t like it. And what would happen if she lost control. She’d never forgive herself if she hurt him, like she’d hurt others.

“I don’t think you can help me.”

Jayson shrugged. “Doesn’t mean I won’t try. Besides, I know people who could probably help.”

“I doubt it.” No one could help her. She’d likely hurt them if they tried. Who could possibly stand up to an Immortal if they came around to take her? No one could win against them.

“Do you want me to ask?”

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