Page 38 of Seeking Shadows

Something in my chest twists.

Without thinking, I move closer. Because that’s what I do. Because Zane moves away, and I can’t help but close the distance.

“I don’t think they care,” I murmur.

He turns his head slightly, brow furrowing. “Huh?”

“I don’t think they care what version of you they get.” I bite my lip, searching for the right words. “I get the feeling they just wantyou.”

He doesn’t answer, his eyes distant, his thoughts somewhere I can’t follow.

“Maybe you’re right,” he says at last. But it isn’t a statement. It’s just a thought, floating in the space between us—one he isn’t ready to hold onto yet.

I swallow the lump in my throat and shift onto my elbow, watching him through the dim glow of twilight.

“Then promise me something.”

His eyes sharpen, wary. “What?”

"If we make it out of this... you'll try."

"Try?"

"To pull the brakes," I clarify, and he gives me a faint smile.

He could deflect. He could joke, brush it off like he always does when things get too personal. But this time, he just looks at me. A long, searching look, like he sees something in me even I don’t understand.

Then, finally, he exhales.

“I promise.”

Warmth spreads through my chest, and before I can stop it, I grin. “See? Youcando it.” I nudge his arm.

He rolls his eyes, but there’s still a ghost of a smile—small, almost imperceptible.

On impulse, I climb on top of him. His eyes widen, his whole body tensing beneath me.

A shiver cuts through me—sharp, electric—but I shove it down. I’m not here for the way he looks at me. I’m here for control.

Then, without warning, I twist—grabbing his wrist, hooking my leg—and roll us hard.

The world flips.

His weight crashes over me, palms braced on either side of my head.

His breath hitches. So does mine.

“You’re a lame-ass fighter. You need to stay on alert,” I tease, my voice deliberately light.

“Yeah,” he murmurs, but the way his voice dips—low, rough, barely restrained—sends heat curling through my spine.

“It’s not too late to tell my father you mysteriously disappeared,” I say sweetly. “Then we can move you to the North Pole.”

Zane scoffs. “Are you coming with me?”

I hesitate. “We’ve had this conversation.”

I don’t belong where Zane belongs. And I don’t want to spend my life running.

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