Page 45 of The Dire Legacy

“I can’t go back to people. I’ll find a place myself, off in the woods.” The heat of each syllable reflects back to my chest.

His gloved hand wraps around my foot. “That won’t be safe. No one can live alone.”

Slapping his touch away, my anger spits out. “You’re alone, you’re safe here. I can find that, too.”

“How do you think Lucky found this place? He came through months ago and emptied it. It’s been left alone long enough for the suspicion of the surrounding people to wane before we moved in.”

Wait. What?

“He—he killed everyone here?” Children’s toys are in the next room. A toddler bed in the adjoining. “Why?”

“It’s a strategic location. There’s a big cave system not far from here where the pack will be safe. And, this place is set up for sustainability. With enough wild game around to keep themfed for years.” He leans away, sitting on the floor with his back against the bed. “It wasn’t my call.”

He tilts his head against the mattress, exposing the pale skin of his throat beneath his dark beard. “This world is so messed up.”

I know what it’s like to kill to get what you want. A small sacrifice to make for a chance at happiness.

“It is. It always will be. What pisses me off is you’re forcing me back into it. Because of what? A vow of chastity? You have no idea what I came from.” The book I was reading falls from the armrest when I stand, but I don’t care. I let it lay, grab the candle, and go to the living room.

Tomorrow, once we’re far enough where the dogs can’t track me, I’m heading out on my own.

Chapter 15

Michael

A heavy mist turns into a drizzling rain as we walk.

It matches my mood.

Gray.

Soggy.

Miserable.

Every piece of me wishes I could pull her against me and keep her close forever. It isn’t fair for either of us.

Look, but can’t touch.

How long will it be before she tries something like Angie? It’s been so hard lying next to her those nights in the tent, feeling the heat of her body.

Last night I couldn’t sleep without her by my side. Many times I woke and stood at the door to watch her soft features in the moonlight.

Wishing I could trace her porcelain skin, I long to taste the fire in her. I saw the pain in her eyes when I rejected her and it hurt.

It rivals the stabbing agony of losing Angie.

“It’s been a wild few days, huh?” I’ve been trying to get her to talk to me all morning. The stubborn set of her jaw hasn’t wavered.

“I mean, falling out of the sky to being taken into a pack of wolves. Must be a regular August for you now.”

Her green eyes flick toward me under the wide brim of her hat, but she doesn’t reply.

“Ever going to tell me why they had you locked up? I’m probably never going to see you again.” The last sentence causes a knife to twist in my guts. This sucks.

“We all have our secrets, Mikey. You’re good at keeping yours, too.” A tear mingles with a raindrop trailing down her cheek.

She has a point. But, I’d rather her last look at me not be one of fear, knowing I can kill her with a touch. I’ve grown up with it. A lifetime of people avoiding stepping near me. Panic would send them running if I so much as raised my hand to them in passing.

---