Page 9 of Death Game: Supernatural Battle

I’d witnessed Tommy sounding pitiful once in my life. She was broken.

My voice firmed. “As soon as I can. I promise you.”

Hanging up, I slipped the phone into the back pocket of my high-waisted shorts, feeling my holey crop-sweater ride up. Staring at the bookshelf, I didn’t turn until my face was dry and I had rein on my emotions again.

Thank you, Agatha Le Spyre.

The quiet was leaden. Too heavy.

I needed pizza, ice cream, and Avril Lavigne’sLet Goalbum.

Dierdre punched me on the shoulder as I passed.

Love that bitch.Screw Lionel. Next time, I’d sit next to her.

Throwing open the pizza box, my stomach unknotted somewhat as the royals began to converse again. All but one.

Green eyes trained on me, and I ignored him, stuffing as much of the margherita slice into my mouth as possible.

Actually…

Grabbing the box, I rounded the bend, walking to the hall.

An arm looped around my bare waist, stopping me.

Resigned, I peered up at Kyros. “What?”

He didn’t say a word, so I listened to the war within him instead.Sorrow, fear, guilt, uncertainty, frustration, anger.

So much anger. And yet it was a tiny blip on what he’d feel toward me when Sundulus discovered the truth. If Fyrlia was starting their countermove, then I needed Kyros to hold the fort until I could figure out some way around what I’d done.

I sighed as Rory cleared his throat dramatically.

Jesus. I hadn’t forgotten the damn messages!

“Driving lessons,” I said, sighing.

Kyros’s eyes dimmed.

“You promised to show me how to drive. I want a lesson.” Striding back to the bench, I threw the pizza box down and faced off with him.

Kyros’s face hardened though he turned to watch me. “No.”

“You’re going back on your word?” I challenged. “Knew it was too good to be true.”

He began to vibrate.

“A simple lesson.” I pressed. “We don’t have to leave the property if that makes you feel better. Or are we so far gone that you can’t be in the same car as me?”

He agreed with my words. Not out loud. Butfuck, he couldn’t stand being that close to me? That’s how unworthy he felt?

Which was just so messed up, I wanted to throttle him.

Kyros reached behind, hooking a set of keys on his finger. “You want a driving lesson?”

“I do.” I folded my arms, wary of the ugliness filling him.

He tossed the keys to the ground between us. “Then pick up the fucking keys and let’s go.”

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