Page 54 of Blue Embers
“Yeah. He was...he was a coworker. I think he’s dead.”
I was in a slight daze at that point as I came to terms with the reality of that statement.
“I’m sorry,” Keera said gently.
“What about Killian?” I turned, eager for an answer.
“He’s here,” she nodded. “He and Malice brought you, but you weren’t very coherent when you arrived.”
Relief washed through me when I heard that. I let out a long breath of air I wasn’t aware that I was holding in and brushed my hair back.
“Good,” I said. “I really need a familiar face.”
“He’s downstairs with the others.”
“What others?”
“Draven, Everly’s mate. My husband, Lukan. Saxon and Malice and my son, Ronan.”
I stepped in, lowering my head closer to Keera’s. “Draven Tempest?” I said. “Valerio’s brother?”
“Yes,” Keera replied. “I know you have a lot of questions. If you’re ready, we should head down and let the others know you’re awake.”
Just then, a strange, static tingle crawled across a small area of my waist, making me jolt. I stood back, gasping shallowly as the sensation moved through my veins, tickling my senses. Suddenly, I felt more aware of the things around me, like every sense had amplified for a split second. I massaged the affected area a bit, confused, when I saw a figure step into the open doorway. Tall and masculine, he took up much more space than Everly or Keera had. Killian.
I didn’t even hear him walking up, but I sure as hell felt him. Our eyes met and something shot between us that I’d never experienced before. Warmth and life like a spark igniting a flame. My pulse fluttered a little when I caught his silvery gaze. He wore a knee-length, grey, wool coat with a fur collar and on the black fur were small dots of white snow. For a while, Killian didn’t take his eyes off of me, but when I started to feel a little uncomfortable, his gaze jumped toward Keera.
“Keera, love,” he smiled charmingly. “Could we have a moment?”
“Of course,” she nodded, walking toward the door.
Killian turned his body to give her space to leave before he stepped into the room and closed the door softly behind him. Inside, I was trembling now and I didn’t know why. I had never felt truly nervous around Killian. It was one reason I enjoyed his company so much, but something about that moment was strained and timid. When he turned to face me again, all I really wanted to do was jump into his arms. After the hellish past few days, he was a tempting source of comfort, but something was wrong. I felt it in his silence.
“What’s going on?” I asked, keeping my distance despite wanting to wrap my body around him.
Killian didn’t answer right away. His eyes drifted slowly up and down my body.
“How are you feeling?” he asked, his velvety tone of voice making it even harder not to throw myself against him just to feel his protective warmth.
“I’m ok,” I said. “Just confused.”
Killian nodded before his eyes dropped to the floor. It was a gesture that was so unlike him it was almost frightening.
“Killian, talk to me,” I said, stepping forward.
He looked up again with a deep breath, which he let out in a lengthy exhale before he took a step forward himself. He didn’t speak. Instead, he slowly raised his hand toward my waist, placing it gently atop the area where I’d felt the initial shock of his presence.
A sudden wave of intense heat coursed through me when his hand settled there. I almost pulled away, but something about that sensation was alluring. Comforting. I looked into his eyes, searching for answers, and he just stared back, a slight, gold ring outlining his iris where the flames of his forefathers burned inside him. I felt his pulse running through his veins. I heard his heart drumming in his chest. His breath filling his lungs. I sensed his emotions like little whispers in the back of my mind and suddenly things were starting to come together. The visions. The voices. The dream. I blinked with realization and watched Killian’s expression turn uncertain.
“I had to,” he whispered. “You were dying.”
I cocked my head with curiosity and turned around to a small mirror hanging by the window. Pulling the sweater up and off my waist again, I could see a faint, slightly reddened handprint stamped on the pale skin of my midsection. I touched it, not surprised at how sensitive it felt. It was a barely healed burn. Honestly, I wasn’t sure what to think. I dwelled on it for a moment before Pulling the sweater back on and turning to face Killian again. He looked almost ashamed and I couldn’t quite understand why. He seemed afraid, in a sense. Perhaps even more uncertain than I was.
“So…” I said in a soft voice. “What’s this mean?”
“Obviously it’s something we need to discuss,” he spoke.
“Obviously, but what does it mean to you? You don’t look happy.”
