Page 69 of Crimson Born

Now Sam was more my type, lanky and tall like Reece, and he was famous among the girls for his headful of shiny auburn curls.

“He looks like a scarecrow. With a pumpkin head.”

“His head’s notthatbig,” I argued.

I pretended to give it some thought. “Maybe you’re right, and I’ve never been particularly fond of pumpkin. Oh I know... what about Kannon? He’s smart and handsome... andhe’sdefinitely not weak. Did you know he played college football?”

“He’s Bloodbound,” Reece said in a voice that sounded like tumbled gravel. Kannon had become one of his closest friends at the Bastion, and I knew Reece admired him greatly.

“True,” I admitted. “Which means he wouldn’t do as a permanent mate. But Imogendidsay I could choose anyone I want—as many as I want—to practice with.”

Reece’s fangs slid from beneath his top lip. He turned his head away abruptly, presumably to hide the tell-tale involuntary reaction from me.

Aha.So he did feel “that way” about me after all. Why did he keep fighting the attraction between us? And lying about it? Why couldn’t he just admit it?

“We should get back,” he said. “Didn’t you say you had some things to take care of tonight?”

“A few. But I’m not done exploring the maze yet.” I picked up my pace and walked ahead of him, turning a corner so I was no longer within his range of vision.

“Slow down. You don’t want to get lost.”

Thanks to the thick foliage, his voice sounded farther away than it probably was.

“Yes, I do,” I shouted back to him, darting farther ahead and ducking into one of the structure’s many choices of side paths. “That’s part of the fun.”

Laughing, I continued to run, choosing a random path through the twisting, turning hedges.

“Abbi. Abbi come back right now.”

Reece’s harsh yells sounded very far away now. They were underpinned by the pounding of his boots as he chased me.

It reallywasfun to run free under the starry sky, surrounded by the lush smells of green, growing things and crisp mountain air. I hadn’t been chased since I was about twelve years old, but that was fun too—the subtle sense of danger while at the same time knowing I was perfectly safe, that it was just a game.

I laughed again and again as I ran, stretching my legs and enjoying their new strength. Suddenly, I was in a clearing.

It was square and anchored by a shallow reflecting pool. I’d reached the center of the maze.

Taking a moment to rest, I listened to the sounds of Reece running, breathing, and calling after me. He was getting closer. I turned my head left and right then spun around, searching for a new path, planning to keep the game going.

Reece burst into the clearing. “I’ve got you now, you little sneak.”

“Not yet, you don’t,” I shrieked and dove into the opening of the nearest tunnel.

Before I could take another step, Reece was upon me.

“Oh yes, I do.” He hauled me back against his body and lifted me off my feet.

“Gotcha.”

No amount of squirming and kicking would free me from his iron hold. But I tried.

“Stop fighting, Abbi,” he ordered. “The game’s over.”

28

What You’ll Be Missing

Reece’s heart pounded hard against my back, and his hot breath in my ear awoke a new kind of excitement within me.

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