Page 26 of Cold Heir

“The night I spent with him, when he came close, he had a very distinct scent. Then, after you left to speak with Glenn, I thought I detected hints of it in our room,” I admitted.

For all I knew, it sounded crazy to him that I freaked out over what may have seemed trivial. However, few things were more dangerous than sensing your enemy had access to you; meanwhile, you had absolutely no idea where they were or what harm they were capable of causing.

“You’ll be transitioning in a month.” Levi spoke sweetly, reminding me of what I could never possibly forget. I practically saw the days winding down every time I closed my eyes, was aware of the physiological changes happening within me already, even if they were only subtle. “It’s likely you’re just beginning to feel slight changes, the heightening of your senses as your humanity fades.”

The way he worded that—'as your humanity fades’—was like a punch in the gut.

I swallowed hard, because the statement had stolen my breath away.

“Do you think it’s possible you detected something else? A different scent that maybe confused you a bit?” he suggested. “I mean, I was born this way, and have no idea what a transition entails, but I imagine it will be overwhelming.”

Overwhelming was one way of putting it.

“But something just felt … off,” I explained. “I would’ve sworn he’d been there.”

The grip Levi had on my hand tightened and his gaze lowered, meeting mine. “You’ve got powerful instincts, Corina. I saw that for myself when you hurled yourself over that cliff,” he recalled. “So, if you believe he was there, then it’s worth considering.”

A deep breath swept into my lungs as I stared.

“So, where does that leave us?” I asked. “Is it possible he could have slipped past Glenn? Past his security system?”

The man ran a tight ship around here. Almost losing a limb on the way in was confirmation.

Levi shrugged. “Wenearly got past it unnoticed,” he pointed out then. “But I’m not sure if someone who didn’t expect Glenn’s particular brand of jerry-rigging would know what to look out for like I did. Still, this all just means I need to be more vigilant about keeping you safe.”

I smiled a bit, which got his attention because I was positive it seemed out of place at first.

“Is that funny?” he asked. “The idea of me protecting you?”

My smile grew. “No, not at all. It’s just that, before … I’d gotten used to being the one who did theprotecting,” I confessed.

I was always careful not to make comments that hinted at my past, but I figured this slip-up was on account of the newfound closeness between us.

“You keep your prior life pretty closed off, but I know you’ve seen and done things you may never share with me,” he observed. “I just need you to know that youcouldshare it with me. Without fear of how I’ll react, without fear of any repercussions.”

The statement was a reminder of how he paused when touching the disfigured flesh of my thigh last night. I sensed the questions the scar brought to his mind, but then and now he respected that I didn’t want to discuss it.

“I’ve accepted that I simply want you.” My eyes were wild when they met his. “Allof you,” he added. “Whatever comes with that deal, I’d accept it if it means you’ll stay.”

There was this way my father used to stare at my mom. It was a look that said more than any words ever could, because therewereno words that could ever contain it. And as I sat beside Levi on that swing, that very look was present, set in stone.

My head went to his shoulder and I gazed around at the expanse of Glenn’s property. It was so peaceful out here, and the already breathtaking scenery was accentuated by his offbeat artwork. I imagined it got lonely out here, and boring at times, which probably accounted for why there were so many pieces. Yet, whatever his motivation, he’d created something uniquely beautiful.

If only that beauty had allowed me to suspend reality just a little while longer. Instead, I was hurled back into my previous concerns about Aaric, sensing doubt as it crept in uninvited.

“Maybe I’m wrong,” I hesitated to admit. “If Aaric had been here, he wouldn’t have left us unharmed.” From my experience, he wasn’t the type to be content observing from afar. If he managed to find us after our escape, there would have been hell to pay.

“Can’t argue with you there,” Levi agreed.

His stare persisted, maybe noticing how I zoned out again. My knee swayed when he nudged it with his own.

“You okay?” he asked. “Seems like something else might be bothering you.”

Ofcoursehe could tell.

“I’ve been dreaming about him,” I blurted, owning a truth I still hadn’t accepted myself. “They’re hazy, and weird, but … intense.”

Levi’s brow quirked at that word. “Are they nightmares?”

---