Page 22 of Lost Girl

It’s because of him I’ll die here.

Whatever sadness I feel is forme.

“I’m sorry that happened to you, that he put you through that, but why am I being punished for his transgressions?” I dare ask.

“Because you’re a liar, acting like you didn’t know anything when I know he—”

“I swear to you on my father’s grave, I knew nothing!” The desperation in my voice is clear. I need her to hear me, to reallyhearme and understand.

I’m innocent.

“This again? Really?” She says it like she can’t believe it. “Even caught in my clutches and you’re still lying?”

“I’m not lying, Tinksley, I swear to you on everything,on my life, Peter told me he was abdu—”

“Stop lying, goddammit!” Her eyes flare in time with an agitated roar. I’m shaken, too, head smashing into the wall a second time.

And then she’s yanked off me.

“Enough!” Hook’s voice booms.

My eyes snap open in time to find him thrusting Tinksley into the wall beside me. Both their chests heave as they stare each other down. “It’s bad enough I’ve had several of our guests ask me what all the ruckus is about. Now they can hear the two of you bickering, too, and this is certainly none of their business.”

“You can blameher.” Tinksley cuts her eyes at me in a deadly side glare. “She refuses to—”

“Cooperate? I can’t fault her for that, my love.” The Captain’s fingers seal around her jaw, forcing her attention back on him. “You need to unshackle her and move her to a room. Perhapsthenshe’d be more willing to give you the information you seek.”

“I’m not moving her anywhere. I’ve already told you, I’ve told Violet, she’s not a guest.”

“And yet keeping her locked up down here isn’t working out so well, is it? Need I remind you what happened with Cassius?”

“No, but should I? You did the very same to him.” Her tone is utterly condescending, and still Hook doesn’t deny it.

In fact, he nods. “Worse, actually, which is exactly what I’m trying to spare you of considering there’s a Fae you’re trying to keep within bounds.”

“He’s right. ” I catch his eye. “If you let me out of here, I’ll cooperate.”

I’m lying out of my arse, and it’s not until after I’ve said that I realize what a terrible mistake I’ve made.

Tinksley turns her head, very slowly dragging her gaze down to me. “So what you’re saying is, youhavebeen lying this whole time?”

“No, I just…I-I mean…”

“You mean what?!” She’s out of Hook’s hold, lifting me onto my feet.

“I never lied!” I whimper, more so as my back scrapes against the stone. “I just want to go home. Please, let me go! Please!”

“I should kill you, you little—”

“ENOUGH!” The deadly baritone of Hook’s growl seizes every sound, suffocating us in silence as he rips Tinksley away a second time, cornering her against one of the support pillars several feet away. Her chest heaves wildly, gaze fixated on her man.

“That’s enough, love. Breathe for me.” His voice his softer now, one Tinksley seems to respond to.

She inhales deeply, prompting Hook to do the same. Hell, even I do, too. My breaths echo all the more around the rabid tempo of my heartbeat as I watch them.

“You need to calm down or you’re never going to get this thing under control properly. Those answers you want...they aren’t worth it.” He cups her face, boring into her with a gentleness I never would’ve expected to see.

“You’re right,” she agrees, inhaling another deep breath. “You’re right, I’m sorry.”

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