Page 42 of Martyr
It hits me—the tattoo. I choke on my laugh. The tattoo on his chest, in a very similar position to mine, was done by the one and only Saint Hart. That would be a clear indication to Saint about their relationship.
“He’s going to see it eventually.”
His dark eyes bore into mine. “How did he react when he saw yours?”
I suck my lower lip between my teeth. “Well, I was hypothermic from him shoving me into the ocean. So I don’t think we even talked about it.”
His eyebrows hike. “Excuse me?”
“Saint and I do not get along.” I pick at my nails. I feel a little more naked than usual right this very second, admitting that to him. “It was a long year before you and Reese came around.”
He doesn’t say anything for so long, I figure that’s the end of it. I shake my head and turn to go to bed. My thoughts are still fuzzy around the edges. Just enough to guarantee nightmares.
“You’ll get him back.”
My shoulders inch higher.
Behind me, Kade sighs. “You will, Tem. He’ll come back to you.”
I roll out the tension and glance back. “Didn’t know you were an optimist, Kade. In Sterling Falls—and Isle of Paradise—that’s foolish-adjacent.”
Almost as foolish as hoping Lyssa will wake up.
18ARTEMIS
Dr. Hawthorne meetsme in the trees. She hands me a mug from the cafeteria. Her long, beige coat is buttoned up to her throat, the collar upturned against the cold wind.
It’s early. Too early for me to be out of bed—andmuchtoo early for trekking around the island. We have a view of the water from here, and up ahead, around the corner, is their dock. It has a boat tied off there, manned by a guy with a gun.
“You snuck out?” The doc’s tone is mild.
“I did warn you.”
She sighs. “I was hoping you were joking.”
Nope.
She hid her annoyance yesterday well. The concern overrode it, and she brought Saint and I into her office to interrogate us. She was worried about Kade, of course, but Saint did his part and lied about him. I took the fall for a bad assumption, explaining that my trauma must’ve muddled my perception.
It was a load of shit, but it worked out okay.
Andthen, after she dismissed Saint, I explained that we had some friends on the island and needed to spend some time with them. For our health.
I mean, I guess I didn’t exactly tell her we were going to sneak out after bed check, but close enough. She could’ve locked me in my room, but she didn’t.
So… it’s on her.
Technically speaking.
“Did you have a good visit?”
I scan the water. “We’re trapped, in a way, right?”
“Trapped?”
“We can’t leave.” I take a sip of the coffee. It’s good—maybe a little too much creamer, but tasty nonetheless. “That’s the definition of trapped.”
“Trapped implies…”
