Page 6 of Crimson Bond

It wasn’t strictly true. Imogen hadn’t orderedmeto bring Abbi to her, but she’d definitely summon her at some point, and I wanted to be there when the two of them stood face-to-face again.

Hopefully Imogen would simply remind her she wasn’t welcome and tell her to get lost. I’d escort Abbi to the exit and once again, let her go for her own good. And for mine.

That was the best case scenario. What was I going to do if the worst case happened? I was still stewing over it when Abbi re-emerged from the clinic. We walked toward the throne room together in tense silence.

My mind crackled with all the things I wanted to say, wanted toask—about the human and her life since we’d last seen each other, and what had happened to her at the checkpoint. But if I asked, it might seem like I cared, and I couldn’tletmyself care.

Not when she’d only be leaving again.

She didn’t come back for you. Remember that.

She was the one who ended the silent standoff. “You haven’t said anything about the fact I broke the pendant and drank your blood.”

So my bloodhadsaved her. And I had indeed broken my vows to Imogen.

The fact I’d committed a deadly offense did nothing to quell the ridiculous joy surging inside me. Ridiculous because it wasn’t like Abbi and I had mated or something.

But we had shared blood. Maybethatwas how I’d known Abbi was still alive.

I kept my response as nonchalant as possible. “Your leg is covered in blood. Your blood. So I’m assuming the gunshot didn’t graze you but penetrated your leg. Which means you did what you had to do.” I shrugged. “It was an emergency. That’s why I gave it to you—in case of emergency.”

Total lie, but if I’d anticipated the possibility of her ever being shot, Iwouldhave given it to her for that reason.

“Is that the only reason?”

Damn, the girl was a mind reader. I shot her a panicked side glance. Wait—was she? No, she looked like she was genuinely wondering, not calling me on my bullshit.

“What other reason would there be?”

Abbi waited a beat before responding, and she didn’t answer my question.Thank God.

“Why are you angry I’ve come back?”

Ah. The million-dollar question. One with too many answers. They banged around in my brain like sneakers in a dryer.

Because I hate you for leaving.

Because I still love you.

Because you love someone else.

Because I’m afraid you’re going to die for it.

I ended up giving her none of them. Instead, I said, “I’m not angry. I have no particular feelings about it whatsoever.”

How many lies could I tell in a single conversation? Apparently, I was going for a record. The truth would get usbothexecuted, so I kept going.

“I’m merely curious... as to what could have made you think this place is safer for you than the outside world. Thananywhereelse in the world.”

The pain in her eyes surprised me. Did she want me to be happy she was back here, putting her life in danger?

“Believe me, I never intended to come back,” she said. “I’m well aware no one wants me here. What can I say? I was desperate.”

Right. She hadn’t come back for me. She was here for Imogen’s protection and help. Poor kid.

She shouldn’t get her hopes up for that.

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