Page 368 of Castings & Curses

“I need to talk to Avery and Cappelli.”

“They said to tell you they’d be in touch. And not to go anywhere.”

“No doubt.” She tried to sit up, but made another face. “Are you okay?”

“I’ve been better.”

Her face still stung from the beast’s claws, and she was sore from where she’d hit the ground, but otherwise fine.

The wind whispered inside of her and she reached for Devi, the need to touch her nearly overwhelming.

“I couldn’t stand by and let it hurt you.” Devi closed her eyes. “It didn’t matter what happened to me.”

Anger, sharp and hot, sizzled through her and with it, a tiny tempest of air swirled through the room, ruffling the clipboard on the end of the bed.

“Don’t you dare say that.” Tears prickled in Kate’s eyes. “It does matter.” She moved from the chair and perched on the edge of the bed.

“I left you.”

There it was.

“And I tricked you into marking me, so we’re even.”

Devi’s eyes snapped open. “What are you talking about?”

Shame crept hot up the back of her neck. “That night, I knew you were close to the moon, but I just wanted to be with you. It didn’t matter about anything else. But when you marked me, I knew you didn’t really mean it. That you wanted to leave. And I wasn’t going to stop you.”

“Kate.”

“I’m sorry. I know we’re technically mates, but I’m not going to hold you back. I never wanted that.”

“I left to protect you.”

“What?”

Devi fidgeted, tearing at one of the bandages on her face. “There. God. I couldn’t see a damned thing.”

“You’re terrible.”

“I know.”

“So…elaborate, please?”

“You know my family history.”

“Okay. Sure. Your mom was into demons.”

“And she was killed by one. But not before she apparently bargained with one to save my life in exchange for a blood bond.”

Ice shivered beneath Kate’s skin.

“A blood bond?”

“It’s a long story. James and I buried that damned box. I left to protect you, but now she’s back and I’m going to lose you anyway.”

“Wait. James? Who says I’m going anywhere?” Kate demanded. She took Devi’s hand in hers.

“I can’t lose you.”

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