Page 91 of Beg the Night

“Your entire family. I almost can’t believe it. Katherine was right about you.”

I slapped my palm on the table, making the plates rattle. “Katherine knows nothing about me.”

“She knew you were powerful. Director, too.”

“They guessed. They never actually knew.”

Sinner stared at me silently. To be honest, the silence was worse than the barrage of questions and rude comments. It unnerved me, to be caught in his silent scrutiny. I wanted to know what he was thinking. What he thought about me now that he’d seen so much.

Did he think of me as a monster, too? Would he ever look at me the way he did when we were locked inside those barriers tonight?

“You saved Margaret’s life back there. When you used your magic to strangle Director.” His tone was a touch softer now. “I didn’t think you could really do it.”

I said nothing. He could feel my magic now, just as I could feel his, but the fight back at the mansion had been so chaotic, so fast, I didn’t realize what I was doing until Director was being strangled.

“I can’t control it,” I said. “It just happens.”

Another silence fell over us.

“Is that why you’re so afraid of accepting it?”

Heat pricked at the backs of my eyes, unwanted emotions welling inside me. “I didn’t mean to hurt anyone.”

Another beat passed. “I know.”

I choked back a sob. “I never wanted to hurt my family.”

Another.

“I know.”

When I finally looked up, Sinner was watching me, though rather than the cold glare I’d become so familiar with, his expression was soft, his eyes swimming with pity.

We sat like that until the food had grown cold and the rest of the patrons had filtered out. I didn’t say another word. Neither did he.

But I could feel it; a change in the connection between us. A fundamental alteration to what tethered us.

Rather than bitter hatred, there was an understanding now.

And as much as I hated to admit it, it was comforting.

TWENTY-SEVEN

sinner

“How are we supposed to buy clothes?” Athena asked as we slipped out onto the street. “We don’t have any money and we look horrific.”

I chuckled. “Money isn’t always necessary. I thought you had more skills in society and whatnot?”

Though I kept my focus fixed ahead, I felt her eyes shooting daggers at me.

“What?” she asked, her tone full of defiance. “You plan on selling your body on the streets? Looking like that, you might earn enough to buy one shoe.”

As we navigated down a narrow path, I put a hand on her waist and lowered my head. “Why? Would that bother you?”

She rolled her eyes and stepped out of my reach. “Don’t flatter yourself.”

It was a relief, really, that Athena could joke and sass after everything she’d endured tonight. After everything she’d endured for some time, really. I didn’t want to push her for more information about the deaths of her family members or the power living in her veins. The power she hated so much.

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