Page 31 of Revenant

Because of my abilities, most people would consider me a monster, but Jaceson acts like I’m special, that my abilities area blessing, and he’s been waiting for me his whole life. When I peer up at him and gaze into his deep blue eyes, I can tell he actually believes it.

I slump against him, closing my eyes to keep the tears at bay. I should keep arguing with him, force him to see reason for his own good, but it would be nice not to be so alone.

“Even if I wanted to give the planchette back, I can’t.” He sounds smug, and I glance up at him with a frown. “If the doctor discovers that I’m no longer gifted, I very much doubt they’ll just allow me to walk away.”

The reality of the situation hits me like a charging polar bear.

Because he’s right.

Even if I want to keep protesting, we’re effectively trapped.

Fucking hell.

If the doctor even suspects Jaceson lied, the planchette would be confiscated. Jaceson would either be removed from the program in a very permanent way, drugged so heavily that his brains would be scrambled for the rest of his life, or turned into a morph.

None of those options are acceptable.

When I tense, Jaceson tightens his hold, rubbing his hand up and down my back as if to soothe me. He’s hesitant, almost clumsy in his attempt, and I love every second of it. “If it matters, I’m sorry about keeping secrets from you.”

His gruff voice sends a shiver down my spine, and gooseflesh pebbles my skin. His grip tightens, like he thinks I’ll fight him on the issue, but I’m mentally and physically tired of fighting them…and myself.

“I understand,” I murmur into his chest, his apology easing the tension holding my shoulders hostage. The ache is still there, but not as sharp.

I don’t like that they kept me in the dark, but I have no room to complain, since I virtually did the same thing.

They were protecting themselves.

In truth, none of us have known each other long. Something about them calls to my soul, like I’ve known them from a previous life. Honestly, if my secrets didn’t put them in danger, I doubt I would’ve ever told them anything.

“Why tell me now?” I reluctantly pull away, needing the distance to clear my head. I can’t afford to be distracted, not in a place like this. It could cost us our lives. “Why are you here? I risked everything to keep you safe. I didn’t do that only for you to turn around and throw it all away by following me.”

A fierce scowl darkens his face, and he straightens until he’s looming over me. “You risked everything to protect us. Why would you think we would do anything else?”

I flinch at the snarl in his voice. When he reaches for me, I clench my hands into fists to keep from retreating. I know in my soul that Jaceson would never hurt me. When his hand curls around the back of my neck, he pulls me close. My heart stutters in my chest, and I’m not sure if it’s in fear or excitement at his nearness.

He presses his forehead against mine, never once breaking my gaze. “You’re one of us. You’re family. And family comes with rules.”

“Rules?” I ask distractedly, blushing when my voice emerges husky with desire. Even from the first day, he has drawn that reaction from me.

They all have.

My mind flashes to my father’s rules, and my head clears a little. The asshole has hundreds of arbitrary rules, many of them impossible to guess, since he often makes them up on the spot just to punish me.

He has just one golden rule that has been beaten into me from the start—obey or else.

I inhale deeply, pushing away the memories, ignoring the way my stomach tightens in dread.

“First rule.” He pulls away, standing with his legs apart, his shoulders back, and holds up a single finger. “Never engage in mischief without backup.”

I can’t stop the snort that escapes me, a tiny smile curling my lips. “I know exactly why that’s rule number one.”

His twin almost has a preternatural talent to attract trouble.

Jaceson quirks an eyebrow, his tone wry. “You’d actually be surprised. While James might be able to sniff out trouble and embrace the chaos, the others are no slouches. You’ll see. I suspect you will give him and the rest of us a run for our money.”

“I’m not sure if I should be worried” —I tilt my head to the side with a smile— “or proud.”

He sighs, his eyes closing briefly, like he’s muttering a prayer under his breath. When he opens his eyes, his gaze is piercing. “Second rule—no heading into danger without backup.”

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