Page 36 of This Blood That Breaks Us
“Thanks, Thane.”
I hated the circumstances, but it was nice to have him there. Someone who understood the want and need.
“I got you, dude.”
I replayed it over again. That look of awe in my brother’s eyes. Her attention on him. Her blood on his face. I couldn’t cave, or we’d never make it back to our real family.
I shoved the thought down. I was happy to have Thane by my side and thought for a moment on what we’d do when we were out of here. Thane came to sit beside me as I leaned against the door and wrapped my arms around my shoulders.
I’d probably light a fire. I really missed the heat.
Eight
Zach
The blood wouldn’t come off. I scrubbed and scrubbed and still felt it in my pores. That and the touch of Her fingers on my skin. Her eyes bore into mine. This place would ruin me. Shewould ruin me. As I splashed another bit of water onto my face, I wondered if I wanted Her to.
Fresh steam stretched up into the ceiling lights. The clawfoot tub I bathed in sat in front of a large window that overlooked the maze outside. I could barely make it out between the bits of the stained glass. I ran the hot water when it started to cool. Leaning my head back against the porcelain, I sighed.
She was still everywhere. Her smell lingered like the taste of Her diluted in the water around me.Darling.
Shewouldruin me. And maybe I would let Her.
I grabbed the bar of soap and scrubbed my face again.
Nine
Luke
“Good morning, Luke!” Connell was outside my door.
Zach had left with Sirius, but it was usually Thane waiting for me on the other side.
“Hey, Connell. Where is Thane?”
“Ezra has him and Will doing laundry in the foyer today. I can take you to them if you’d like.”
Connell always told the truth.
“I would, but I have to go see the queen first.”
“Oh, Ezra told me to tell you not to come today. I’m supposed to try to distract ya.”
“Why?”
“He didn’t say.”
I started down the hallway. Something about it made me uneasy.
“I wouldn’t go! Are you sure? He might be angry with you . . . and by that, I mean me.”
“I won’t let him hurt you, Connell. I promise.”
“Aren’t you the least bit worried he’ll be in a huff?”
“No.” It didn’t matter because I had to see Her.
As I neared Her door, I realized it had been less than a month and the thought of not seeing Her for a day was sending me into panic. I had to get in there, especially after the prayer night. I needed to be in the same room with Her, just for a minute. And after the prayer not going as planned, I wanted to make sure I hadn’t angered Her too much.
