Page 7 of Hell Storm

It shouldn’t have surprised me thatthiswas the trait he absorbed from me. I suppose, if I was being honest, I knew it to be my most defining characteristic.

Poor guy had no idea what he was in for now.

My sense of responsibility, my thirst for justice, kept me up most nights. It felt like there was always more to be done. Most of my meals were had while plotting strategy. If I wasn’t studying a map, I was going over a list of Harvest Identification Numbers with Banks that could potentially be candidates for freedom. If it wasn’t a list of HINs, it was an inventory list that needed to be evaluated before our next run.

I was loyal to my cause, and depending on who you asked, maybe to a fault.

My lips parted to speak, but then pressed closed again. I felt … odd. When the room seemed to spin, I was grateful to already be seated on the bed. There was a strange ringing in my ears and all other sound seemed to fade into the background. However, just as soon as it came, it was gone.

Julian observed me. “I take it you’ve just felt the effects?”

Feeling overwhelmed as my senses settled, I gave a nod. “It’s either that or one heck of a seizure getting ready to strike.”

Only, I knew it wasn’t that. This was something else.

“Well, don’t keep me in suspense,” Julian chuckled. “At the risk of sounding like a masochist, I’m anxious to be reduced to that one word—my most defining trait.”

I blinked as the room slowly settled, and it didn’t take any time to think of that word.

“Altruistic,” I blurted. “You do everything for others, nothing for yourself.”

The smile he wore faded just a little. I could only guess that wasn’t what he expected to hear.

Or did he?

He let out a short laugh at himself, one that made me think this might have been the case.

“Well, there it is. Me in a nutshell, I guess.”

“There’s no shame in thinking of others’ needs before your own.” I meant the words to be kind, and could only hope he didn’t mistake my tone for being condescending.

Julian released a long sigh. “Try telling that to my father.” His reply had inadvertently given a glimpse of what life as the Eastern Emperor’s son was like.

I said nothing in return, only stared at the clock on the wall. We’d been locked inside my room for roughly twenty minutes. In that time, thanks to a bit of conversation, and the Claiming, we were now better acquainted.

The process had been invasive in more ways than one. We both felt that, I believed. It began with the exchange of blood, and then the exchange of traits. Now that I knew what drove him, I found it hard to question his motives when it came to me. I was now more certain than ever that he could be trusted.

Even if that revelation went against everything I’d been brought up to believe.

We turned toward one another at the same time, and there was a brief moment of awkward silence as so many thoughts and emotions seemed to swim in those silver eyes.

“I uh … suppose I should get back to the others,” he offered distractedly, tearing his gaze from mine.

When he stood, my eyes chased after him. My thoughts were pummeled with fleeting images of our kiss. And, despite myself, I couldn’t help but wish I remembered more of it.

“If you’d like to join us in the study again, you’re more than welcome.”

His offer caused my heart to leap. I hadn’t expected to be let in so quickly, but I suppose he came to the same conclusionIhad; there was no sense in delaying the inevitable.

“Think I’ll pass,” I replied, unable to fight the smile that came with it. “But thanks for the invite.”

“Then I’ll see you in the morning. At breakfast?” he added with a hopeful gaze.

My heart hammered at the sight of it. “Sure.”

The only response that made sense to me was agreeing to whatever he asked. Another boyish grin came my way, and then the door closed behind him when he left. And with the separation, my heart lurched a bit.

What in the world was that? Was I pining after him with nothing more than a few feet and a wall between us?

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