Page 28 of Shadow

“What happened between you two?”

He scoffed. “Not as much as I’d like. Write the damn letter.”

I sat up and ground my teeth. “Did you touch her?”

“If you’re not answering my questions, then I’m not answering yours. Write the damn letter.”

“I’ll write the damn letter if you tell me,” I said.

He sighed. “There’s nothing to tell. I want her. Church told me to fuck off and die. That’s it.”

“And Asylum?” I pressed, knowing him too well to know he didn’t offer his words of wisdom.

“Told me to be patient,” he finished. “Which is something I’m not going to be if you don’t write the fucking letter. So please, Sin, she needs to hear from you. Don’t fuck with her heart, man.”

I studied him for a moment, hating the feeling in my gut. The realization that he had it bad for my siren made me feel a whirlwind of emotions that caused my heart to pound.

He was right, however. We had both been through hell, and the last thing I wanted was for her to endure more.

Taking the pen in my hand, I began to write.

Siren,

I’m sorry if I upset you this morning; that wasn’t my intention. Things are tough for me right now. I’ll be home soon, and then we can talk. Stay safe, and I’ll see you in your dreams tonight.

Yours,

Sinful

I folded the note and handed it to Bryce. He stuffed it into his pocket and grabbed his notebook.

“Do you love her?” I whispered as he put everything back into his bag.

“You know I do, Sinclair. It’s never been a secret.”

“You’re better for her than I am,” I said softly.

He reached out and squeezed my hand, surprising me. “None of us is good enough for her, but she decides who to love. Let her. Accept her choices, even if you disagree with them.” He released my hand and pulled up the chair the guys always sat in.

“What are you doing?” I frowned at him.

“Well, Church will murder me if I walk up to him at lunch, so I’ll give your note to her in a few minutes when lunch ends. I’ll hang out with you. You look lonely, and I know this place is dangerous.”

“You think you can save me if Everett or any of the monsters come calling?” I raised a brow at him.

“I’d like to think I’m not the worst choice,” he said calmly, settling back in his chair.

“You’re different. What happened?”

“Asylum made me move in with him. I watched Sirena stab a man to death and dismantle his body. Gave me a whole new perspective on love and life.”

I licked my lips, his words making me sick to my stomach. “You saw what she did?”

“Saw. Helped. Cheer her on. Yeah, man. I did.”

I was quiet for a moment. “Is she really OK?”

“We all go mad here, Sinclair. You know that,” he murmured. “Her monster is really beautiful, though. It’s not like our monsters. It’s far worse. It’s destruction. It’s fucking perfection and unpredictable. There’s a certain kind of beauty in terror.”

---