Page 12 of The Syphon King

“Will we still talk about...my future? When we get back?”

The idea of being in a confined space with her spiked his adrenalin. How was he supposed to help her and protect her while in this condition? Was this happening from a single touch? What if she was right and hecouldtake without draining her? Those things that werehers.

He wasn’t sure how or why that would be possible other than it was a gift she possessed. Every other soul was left empty after a short time of him allowing himself to absorb. The rate at which he hungered to devour her joy would demolish her spirit in a single minute. It all made him angry with himself for choosing to go around the problem rather than train himself to control it the way he did the malevolence.But would the calibration method even be the same with her emotions? Too many questions without answers.

He had to find a way to test these things without risking her.

His brain erupted with micro-explosions and the obvious solution. He would discuss with her the measures required to protect her that he and Nidev talked about. This solution would also handle any accidental siphon draining when he was with her, should she accept the proposition.

“The storm is getting closer,” she whispered, sounding excited about it.

“It is,” he said. “Let’s hurry back so we can discuss your future.”

CHAPTER THREE

After a morning of stick-fishing with Little Troy Abner, Hurricane finally got away to read Claire’s letter. She was acting skittish, and he had a feeling it wasn’t just the orgasm he’d tricked her into.

He dropped onto a log next to the bayou and opened it.

Dear Jeramiah,

Here are the details of my life I told you I would give.

Life's been a winding road for me with more twists than these bayous. I’ve never told my story to a single soul, you’ll be the first and the last, and I’ve never been so scared in my life. Not of what I’m gonna tell you but of how you’ll think of me after you know it all.

Every battle I’ve been in left scars deeper than the last. The loss of a child that I had only dared to dream of broke me in ways I didn’t know were possible. Then, in the twistin’ vines of my family tree, my sisterwho was closer to me once than the cypress is to the swamp, betrayed me with my husband.

His arm lost strength at this news and he lowered the paper. Jesus. He glanced back at the house for a few seconds then returned to the letter, ready to get it over with.

But that birthed more than just sorrow, it brought a beautiful boy into this world who is now my Troy Abner.

Oh fuck. He wasn’t her child.

My sister, she didn't survive that night, she passed right there on our kitchen floor, leavin’ behind a newborn cryin’ for a mother's touch. I tell the story different so’s to protect him because he’s my ray of light in an unending night. I tell you, Jeramiah, his very first cry cut through the longest, darkest silence and woke me up. I suddenly knew, life with all its pain and beauty, it pushes against the odds. That’s what that sweet baby screamed out to me. And Ilistened.

The craving to love her clawed at his insidesand stole his breath.

Making the choice to be Troy Abner’s haven in a world that had shown me none wasn’t just about survival—it was my declaration. My defiance against the darkness, you could say. My living grave wouldn't be the end of my story, but a line drawn in the sand, a downpayment on Troy's life. Because that precious angel is everything to me.

There it was. Everything for anybody but herself. She was terrified to hope and dream and wouldn’t take the risk.

Now, our beginning, you and me, it definitely wasn't scripted. Learning I was chosen by chance rather than destiny was a pill that was hard to swallow. It echoes old wounds from a life that saw me given away to pay my father’s gambling debt, can you believe that?

Again, his arm dropped to his knee as sickness filled him. Mother fuck.

But here you are, showing me that maybe fate's dice can roll in favor of those who've only known misfortune.

Now, about you and me. I see what you’re asking me for, and it scares me todeath. I truly don’t know what it is or how to do or be any of that. My ex-husband only knew how to give out pain and suffering of every kind and color. It’s all I know. But I hope and pray you understand this one thing, Jeramiah. This life of mine, today, right now, it’s not about me, it’s about Troy Abner. What I want and need, I took that out of the equation the day he was born in order to protect him. Now, I want to be a good wife to you, this you can believe one hundred percent. I want to give you everything you need and want. But I’d be dead-lyin’ if I told you I’ll be all fixed up and the perfect wife you was hopin’ for come next week or next month or next year.

Regardless of all the evil and obstacles and fears, I am prepared to obeyallyou require and request regarding our marriage and marriage bed. I would die three times over before doing anything to lose you. Little Troy Abner loves you more than the sun moon and stars and I’m prepared to give everything that I am to protect his sweet heart.

I’ve never begged for many things in my life, Jeramiah, but I’m begging you right now. Please do not leave. Stay. Not for me, but for Troy.

Yours so very very truly,

Claire

Hurricane read that last line five more times.Not for me, but for Troy.

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