Page 45 of Watch Me Burn

It’s my turn to pick a new show. I’m leaning toward streamingSupernaturaljust so I can get a crash course in a different version of supe lore, but there’s also this funny cartoon about a family living in Alaska that might be fun. However,before I can decide, Elise does that weird head-snapping thing, her eyes flashing from pale green to blood-red for a moment as she hones in on the front door.

I’ve begun to recognize that as a sign that someone’s out there. I’m already out of my seat, walking toward the door so that I can answer it as soon as they knock.

Only they don’t, and isn’t that weird? I don’t doubt Elise’s instincts at all. Someone is out there, but maybe they got distracted. I don’t know. I just shrug and pull the door inward.

“Conall? What are you doing?’

He’s crouched down, but at my questioning tone, he hurriedly rises. “Oh. Hey, Red. I was just leaving this for you. Didn’t want to disturb you, though.”

“You didn’t. What do you have? I’ll take it.”

No, I won’t.

I was looking at the flush rising high on his cheeks when I said that. It caught my attention because I’ve never seen Conall look so frazzled before. Besides, he’s a wolf shifter. With his built-in fur coat, the cold doesn’t touch him. His cheeks are red because he’s cold.

Is he embarrassed?

Ornervous?

I don’t know, but he lifts his hand, offering me something, and as soon as I see what he’s holding in his grip, I gag.

He frowns. “Red? You okay?”

No.

It’s a bunny. A big bunny. Kind of like the ones you get from the pet store around easter but way larger, it’s not just a bunny.

It’s adeadbunny.

Conall has his own monster-sized hand wrapped around the bunny’s neck. I don’t see any blood on it, though the way it dangles makes it undeniable that he… what? Hunted it?

He’s a wolf, Bridge. That’s what they do.

But why is he bringing it tome?

My stomach tries to escape through my open mouth. Clamping my mouth shut, struggling to keep the bile down, I glance at the dead bunny hanging from his grip again and now I’ve gotta be turning green.

Now, I’m not a vegetarian. I eat meat, but as hypocritical as it may sound, I’d rather not look at freshly killed.

Is that why he brought me the dead bunny? Am I supposed to eat it?

My hand flies up. Conall makes to give it to me. Nope. I need my hand to cover my mouth before I hurl all over his boots.

Elise reaches around me. “I’ll take that.”

I goggle over at my best friend. Then, speaking through my fingers, I ask, “You eat bunny? I thought the only meat you’ll eat is chicken and shrimp.”

“I know, but someone has to get rid of it and you’re gagging. Conall, if you would.”

She extends her hand.

Conall frown deepens, but he passes the bunny over to Elise.

“Thanks. I’ll take care of it.”

I don’t even want to know what she means by that. Unlike me, Elise doesnotcook. Makes sense now that I know she’s a vampire, but if she’s not going to cook it, then?—

Nope. Still feeling queasy here.

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