Page 77 of Stealing Embers

“Emberly,” Sable calls. I stop and glance over my shoulder. “You did well. I’m proud of you.”

I duck my head to hide the warmth that rushes to my face. I can’t help the glow her quiet praise creates in me. This is the first time anyone has ever said they were proud of something I did. Usually it’s quite the opposite. I’ve grown up thinking I can’t do anything right, and that staying hidden is the best way to stay out of trouble.

“Thanks,” I answer, my voice just above a whisper as I leave.

My mind is running over the evening’s events when my arm is grabbed and I’m swung around.

I’m shoved into the wall. Steel’s large frame boxes me in. A zing of awareness and annoyance races from my head down to my toes.

My body is such a traitor.

“What do you think you’re doing?” I shove at his chest. The big oaf doesn’t move. His hands are planted on the wall on either side of my head. I’m so surrounded by large Neph-body that the shine from the overhead lights doesn’t reach me.

“We already had a personal space convo, Steel. Get out of my bubble.”

“You need to stay away from my family. Every one of them. I don’t want to see you hanging out with Greyson or Sterling anymore. And I certainly don’t want to see you talking to Aurora or Blaze.”

Anger fizzes in my gut like acid. It foams up from my stomach and settles in my chest.

Steel is trying to tell me who I can be friends with. More than that, he’s trying to control who I even interact with.

I am livid. And I hate to admit it, but I’m extremely hurt as well.

“I don’t know where you get off thinking—”

Steel crowds me, his chest almost touching mine. The thin layer of air between us is charged with mutual resentment.

“They are my family, and I will do anything—anything—to protect them. And right now that means keeping them away from you, because you are dangerous.”

“Dangerous?” I want to rear back, but I don’t have anywhere to go.

“For whatever reason you have a bullseye painted on your back, and until it’s gone, I don’t want you around my brothers or sister.”

“News flash. I couldn’t care less what you want.” I’m so worked up I’m practically panting. I briefly consider kneeing him, but dismiss the idea. That is a literal low blow and I’m not interested in sinking to that level . . . again.

Steel glares lasers at me, his teal eyes taking on an unnatural glow. “I’m not joking around here. This isn’t a game.”

I push against his chest, but he still doesn’t move. Time to flip this intimidation tactic on its head.

Rising up on the balls of my feet, I bring my face close to his. Nudging off the wall, I step right into him. Rather than shoving him away, I place my hands on his shoulders. Leaning impossibly closer, I tip my head back so I’m looking directly into his eyes. I lick my lips and watch Steel’s eyes drop and his pupils dilate.

“Oh, I know this isn’t a game.” I hope I know what I’m doing. This is playing with fire, but if anyone deserves to be burned, it’s Steel. “Your brothers can make decisions for themselves. I’m not going to purposely ignore them just because you want me to.”

Steel jerks his head back at my words. Perfect.

“But I’ll tell you what Iwilldo.”

His eyes narrow. Smart boy.

His gaze drips downward as I slide a hand off his shoulder and down his chest. “I will tell you to go to Hell and do whatever I want.”

“If you think—”

I don’t let him finish as I thrust my forearm up and into his throat.

We are in such close proximity that he doesn’t have time to stop me, even though his eyes widen a split second before my arm connects with his Adam’s apple.

Coughing, he stumbles back, clutching his throat.

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