Page 44 of Touch Of Fate
“She tries to be,” I sigh, turning my head. “I don’t want to upset her friends. It’s best if I stay away.”
“Is that what you want?”
“Does it matter?”
“Yes.”
“She called me a few months ago and asked me to help them. I agreed out of guilt. I understand their pain, yet I won’t do it again. Shifters can stay with their kind, and I’ll stay here. They fear us, and will never fully get past the role I played in the Games.” Building a relationship with those in the Games is not an option. “Do you have shifters in your life?”
“I have been in their presence over the years, but I don’t call any of them friends,” he says.
“They fear us; it’s safer to stay separate.”
“What about Gavin?”
“There is an element of respect with him. Lace accepts their presence because of her job.” Lace doesn’t have as many demons in her past that revolve around the shifter community.
“The vampire witch is different,” he states.
“I thought so,” I say softly.
“Is she like the others? Did she want to keep in contact when you went there to help?” he asks.
“She’s different from them,” I mumble, turning to stare at the ceiling. Rome pinches my chin, tilting my face toward him.
“If you want to be her friend, do it. I won’t allow anyone to treat you badly. The Games were not your fault. You did what you could to protect Lace. They have to get over it. You went through hell. It may have been different than what they were forced to do, but it was traumatic for you. The man in charge was at fault. The humans who paid for his service are the ones who should be ridiculed for their choices. You put yourself and Lace at risk to help them by lowering the boundary. What if they weren’t able to overtake the participants? The shifters should appreciate your sacrifice,” he hisses, and the light flickers. “I don’t like many vampires, but that doesn’t matter. I would never stop you from talking to her if that is your choice. Do they come here often?”
“No. None of them has.” I shouldn’t enjoy his defense and concern. It’s been a long time since I’ve had someone on my side.
“Good. I would be tempted to use my power on them,” he grumbles, and the light blinks off.
“Rome,” I sigh, rolling to my side. “It’s not worth it. I can understand their emotions.”
“You are worth it,” he says softly, and my heart thuds. “It was a choice to protect your family. Who was the man? The one you dated? Is he dead?”
“Yes.” I stare into his swirling eyes. “They killed them all.”
“Shredding him with my spells would be satisfying,” he grits out.
“He’s in the past.” I cup his cheek, brushing my thumb over his scruff. “I haven’t talked about it with anyone.” I frown. “It helped. The pain and anger haunted my dreams for too long.”
“Lace doesn’t know?”
“She knows the basics. One of the shifters who lives there is still her friend. They talk often, but they don’t know we are sisters. I don’t want them to judge her for what I did. Lace tries to understand and agreed to keep it a secret.” I wonder if she knows more than she has said and keeps them at a distance because of it.
“Lace is protective of you. She doesn’t want you upset,” he says, and I drop my hand.
“I should call her. She’s probably worried.” I don’t know where I left my phone. I turn to the bedside table, looking for it.
“She is,” he says, and I glance at him. “Archer isn’t letting her come in.”
“What?” I look toward the door.
“I spelled the room,” he says, and I lift a brow. “You didn’t notice. She’s pissed.”
“Rome.” I can’t help but laugh. “Archer is going to be on her shit list.” I roll off the bed.
“We needed to talk. I wanted to give you privacy to do it.” He follows me out of the bedroom door.
