Page 18 of Barely Breathing

“You need to go away.” I walk faster, making both men keep up with me. Between gritted teeth, I grumble, “I’m still mad you mesmerized me for a week.”

“Not cool,” Anthony mutters in support.

Costin ignores him. “However, if you insist on this foolishness, you won’t go alone.”

I narrow my eyes. “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying,” he reaches out to trace my jaw with cold fingers, “that I know where the Alpha lives. I will take you there myself for an audience.”

I’m not sure I trust him, but I’m too focused on finding Paul to question why.

His touch lingers longer than necessary, and I hate how my body betrays me by leaning into it. I shiver at his proximity. His coolness calms the sunburn sensation from moments before. I get a flash of his hand holding my small one after Anthony burned me with the fireball. It feels impossible that I’ve known him for a lifetime, and he still looks exactly the same. Never would have I guessedas a child that I’d grow up to be his... whatever we are.

I feel him starting to pull me back in, and I jerk away from his touch. We’ve given up the pretense of walking.

“Like hell you will,” Anthony interjects. “After what you did to her?—”

“What I did was protect her.” Costin’s voice carries an edge of steel.

“She is a Devine. She’s not yours to control.” Anthony pushes past me, crossing his arms to face off the master vampire.

“Easy, boy.” Costin’s words are both condescending and dismissive.

“Who are you calling a boy, old man?” Anthony returns.

“The little man in front of?—”

“Oh my gods, stop it!” I yell, forcing their attention back on me. “You’re both acting like children.”

“Werewolves are dangerous—” Costin begins.

“Nighttime is dark, Captain Obvious,” Anthony interrupts.

“—and your sister insists on throwing herself into their path,” Costin finishes.

“Fine, you want to help?” I step between them and face Costin. “Then tell me what you know instead of treating me like a child who needs protection.”

A woman slows as she passes us, her rapt attention on our conversation.

“What are you looking at?” I yell at her.

“Keep moving,” Anthony adds. The woman rushes along.

Costin keeps his gaze on me and continues as if we weren’t interrupted. “You are a child compared to me, Tamara.” His eyes flash crimson. “I’ve watched empires rise and fall. I’ve seen what creatures like the Alpha are capable of. Werewolves are not like the rest of us. They’re…”

“Wild,” Anthony finishes for him.

“Dogs,” Costin says at the same time.

“I have to agree with Costin,” Anthony says begrudgingly. “This is dangerous.”

“I’m not scared of wild dogs. I’m not helpless,” I snap. To Costin, I say, “Now, remind me because I forget. Was it you who faced down a dragon and saved the world?” I glance at Anthony. “You?”

Anthony turns his attention down the sidewalk and studies a crowd of drag queens coming out of a bar.

Costin’s expression softens slightly. “No, you’re not helpless. You’re reckless. There’s a difference.”

Part of me wants to tell Costin to go to hell, that I don’t need him or his misogyny. But then I see my brother. Anthony won’t let me go alone, either. My brother is powerful. I trust him.

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