Page 52 of Broken Fate
“What?” she reared back, caught completely off guard.
“Is he dying or something? Could that be why he’s suddenly decided to act? To ensure he leaves some sort of legacy, or something before he’s gone?”
“I …” Andi frowned.
“Is this just a rash plan? We need to know. Because if so, it’s going to get a lot of people killed. And I’ve hadenoughpeople die because of me,” I said bitterly, staring at Kiel as he ate. “I won’t be a party to more rash actions. I know all too well about them now.”
Andi had no answer for me. She just shook her head, and I could see questions finally beginning to dance in her eyes.
Well, that was good, but it didn’t help me, unfortunately. I had just as many unresolved issues then as when I’d come over. Perhaps more, even.
“There’s only one way to find out,” I said, getting to my feet.
Andi reached out a hand to stop me, but I brushed it off, heading across the clearing. It was time to speak to Kiel and demand some answers.
Enough with the secrets.
Halfway across the clearing, a shifter interposed themselves between Kiel and me.
“Jada,” Clive said a bit awkwardly, glancing at me and then away. “Listen, can we …”
“Not now,” I said brusquely, my attention focusedpastClive already.
Clive swayed in surprise, a frown marring his face. “Whoa, hey, easy, tiger,” he said, putting up both hands. “I didn’t mean to offend you.”
“You didn’t,” I said tightly, trying to force a smile on my face. “Sorry. Is it urgent, or can it wait?”
Twisting at the waist, Clive looked behind him. When his eyes landed on Kiel, I saw the recognition run through his body as he realized where my focus was.
“Oh,” he said. “No. It’s fine. It can wait.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah, it’s fine,” he said, walking off without another word.
I didn’t move for a moment, realizing the position I’d just put myself in.
Dammit. Now I’m going to have to put that fire out, too!
Part of me thought it would be better to go after Clive. To mend things. To tell him … shit, whatwouldI tell him?
Better to get this thing with Kiel over with. I can’t let us go any further. Not if he’s putting people at risk.
Squaring my shoulders, I marched over to the big shifter. He looked up as he heard me coming but didn’t rise.
“Why now?” I asked, crossing my arms over my stomach.
Kiel’s head tilted to the side.
“Why are you onlynowtrying to strike out and destroy the Fate Stone, Kiel?” I demanded, eyes boring into him. “What aren’t you telling us?”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Kiel finished eating his ration and stood.
“What changed?”
He turned and walked from the clearing without a word. Nostrils flaring at the dismissal, I went after him. For once, it was easy to glare at the back of his head instead of watching his taut tush as it bounced while he walked, like a—
