Page 36 of Ecliptic

“How well do you remember what happened in the crevice?”

“You healed every part me, even my mind. I remember everything. Regrettably”

My lip curled. “I’m assuming you’re the only one who can touch me because you stole a piece of my Light.”

His dark brows furrowed. “Not being able to touch you must be driving Rowen mad. Especially with your bond.”

His words pierced through my heart like a jagged lightning bolt. “Don’t you dare bring up my bond with Rowen,” I seethed as dark clouds gathered overhead. “How do you even know about that?”

He paused before shrugging. “It’s pretty obvious you two have something going on.”

My bond with Rowen was sacred and not something I would ever want to discuss with the man who’d violated my mind. My blood boiled that he knew about my connection with my soul flame. “How did you end up in the crevice after your accident?”

Maddock worriedly glanced up at the storm brewing overhead before looking back at me. “As my bike shook and I lost control, I knew I was going to die. All I remember thinking is that I deserved to go to hell. So I guess that’s where I ended up.”

My gut lurched. He had created his own hell. A moment of empathy welled up inside me, but I pushed it down. I would never let him know that I understood the feeling. “What were you going to do with my body once you owned it?”

A painful sound left his lips. “I wasn’t thinking clearly. I was desperate and crazed, like a rabid animal foaming at the mouth for you. For your body. Any body.”

“Did you enjoy it?”

“Keira,” he warned, his angular face looking the most pained I’d ever seen it.

“Did you enjoy taking over my body memory by memory? Tearing apart my mind as you made room for yourself?”

He groaned.

“Did you?”

“Yes!” he shouted. “I did. Every second of it. You were one of the greatest things I’ve ever felt. But like I said, I was crazed and unwell. I am appalled by my actions?—”

“Why are you still here?” I cut him off as my hair and fingertips sizzled with electricity.

“Ask me anything else,” he said, nervously eyeing the sky. After being so open and honest, him clamming up like this was suspicious. “You’ll only hate me more.”

I needed to end this conversation; my emotions were spiraling out of control. “Tell me why you’re here or we’re done.”

Thunder cracked above us.

“I can’t. Please. I’ll answer anything else,” he pleaded.

“This whole act you’re putting on, I’m not falling for it.” Dry lightning whipped overhead, raising the hairs on my arms. “Goodbye, Maddock. I hope I never see you again.”

I turned on my heel and walked away, trying to maintain a calm facade despite the lightning brewing overhead and the growing panic in my chest. The parched ground was like tinder waiting to catch fire. If lightning struck, flames would catch, and take, and spread.

I needed to get away.

As soon as I rounded the corner, I broke into a sprint, desperate to reach the edge of the village where I could finish my panic attack in peace.

I entered the rotating door of the dome, looking like a stray cat covered in twigs, scratches, and dried tears.

“Keira,” Rowen said in a relieved exhale. “Are you all right?”

“I am now,” I said, taking in the sight of Rowen’s shirtless body. His muscles rippled down his stomach, each block of his abs looking like marble. Every inch of him resembled a statue chiseled to perfection. And though his massive body looked as hard as stone, there was a softness in his eyes that welcomed me home.

“You weren’t at the training grounds,” he said, his eyes worriedly scanning my body.

“I went to see the prisoner,” I answered, changing out of my clothes.

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