Page 28 of The Shattered Kingdom
Why are they so convinced Callie is alive? She’s dead. I know she’s dead.
“And why shouldn’t I tell Lill everything you’ve told me?” I ask.
Mason darts forward, snatching my underwear out of my hand. My jaw drops as he shoves them into his back pocket, not the least bit embarrassed of himself.
“You’re not going to tell her,” Mason taunts. What makes himthink that? “Deep down inside, I know you believe me. It’s written all over your face. You’re guilty, probably because you already suspect she’s keeping secrets.”
Mason steps aside, moving out of the bathroom doorway. I ignore the hint to leave.
“If you gave us some time alone, I could speak to her,” I say. “She’ll tell me the truth.”
“No.”
“Ple—”
“No.”
I sigh. “Mason, I—”
“I saidno.”
“Fuck you.”
I push off the sink and storm toward the doorway, done with this conversation. Mason doesn’t try to stop me, and in a fit of anger, I throw my bare hand toward his face as I pass by. It’s a sad attempt to touch him, and Mason doesn’t even flinch as he grabs my forearm and pulls my fingers out of his space.
“I hope you’re my mate,” I spit. “I’ll never forgive you and Kie for what you two did to me, and I’d enjoy making your life miserable.”
Mason releases my arm, his expression a cool mask of indifference. “If you were my mate, you wouldn’t have a choice. The bond would drive us together, and you’d be helpless to stop it.”
Mason has no idea how petty I can be. My ability to hold a grudge is unparalleled.
Chapter Eleven
ABBY
I KEEP MY pace fast in an attempt to put space between Mason and me, but he easily matches my speed.
He probably suspects what I’m trying to do, but he doesn’t acknowledge it. Neither do I, and when we reach the front door of the house Lill and I have been staying in, I rush inside and try to slam the door in his face.
I’m hoping to lock him out. Mason’s huge, but I doubt he can break down a door.
It seems I’m not going to find out today.
Mason sticks his arm through the open doorway at the last second, preventing me from shutting it. I still try, because I’m not one to give up easily, but I quickly realize it’s useless. Mason doesn’t even seem to be struggling.
I release the door, and Mason steps inside with a shit-eating grin.
He’s amused, and I turn away before my anger gets the best of me. I can’t let it. I’m still reeling over his earlier accusations, and there are more important things to focus on than wiping that grin off his face.
What if his suspicions are true? He has no reason to lie aboutnot feeling a mate bond with Lill. It makes no sense. If she were lying, why wouldn’t she tell me? Does she think I would run to Kie and Mason with the truth? I’d never betray her, and I think she knows that.
Lill emerges from the hallway, her hands behind her head as she works on braiding her hair out of her face. She’s already looking healthier. It’s only been two days, but I can see the effects of finally having magic coursing through her system.
The dark bags under her eyes are vanishing, and her shoulders no longer slouch forward as if holding up the weight of the world. She’s still exceptionally thin, but that’s not something that’ll be improved overnight. She’s eating, and the weight will come with time.
Her violet eyes widen as they land on me.
“You’re still here,” she blurts out. “Are they not letting you leave?”
