Page 44 of Deceived By a Warrior

“But he’s invincible.” Karina didn’t seem to understand.

Eva knew he wasn’t invincible. No one was. “You’d be surprised.”

Karina’s seemed to grow hopeful. “Do you really think it’s possible?”

Eva had a lot to figure out before she knew for certain how possible it was. Considering how powerless Eva was, she needed tothinkout a plan rather thanactout a plan. She needed to think tactically. “Yeah, I just need some time.” She believed she had time. Sure, she was going to die the day Artem met his brutal fate, but everyone died eventually.

Karina reached for Eva’s wrists again, holding them up between them. “Don’t do anything stupid. I like you.”

Eva managed half a grin, appreciating how much Karina was already growing on her too. However, Eva had no doubt she’d do something stupid. Eva already made the stupid decision to trust her brother. Nothing was stopping her from making more stupid decisions. “No promises,” she told Karina, giving her a playful wink.

The sound of the door opening caught their attention, both their heads whipping in the direction of the door.

Darius stood in the entrance way. He looked like an absolute wreck. His hair was wildly splayed about, blue bags still visible under his eyes, and his look seemed to promise death.

His eyes jumped between the two of them, confusion briefly flashing across his face before madness returned to it. His eyes landed on Eva. “He calls for you,” he told her, his voice strained.

Karina released Eva’s wrists as Eva told Darius, “Great, I was hoping for some entertainment today.” That was only a partial lie. Eva had been dying for some sort of entertainment over the last few days. Of course, Artem’s summons wasn’t the sort of entertainment she was thinking about.

At least she now had a mission. While in his presence she planned on trying to find every one of his weaknesses that she possibly could.

Turning to Karina, who was clearly wrought with worry, she said, “I’ll be fine. Getting close to him will only help.”

“Help with what?” She didn’t seem to understand.

“With what we just talked about.” When Eva said this, recognition immediately hit Karina’s expression. She knew exactly what Eva was talking about.

“What did you two talk about?” Darius asked.

Eva looked over to Darius, groaning as she said, “It’s a ‘you should have been there’type of plan. If you want to be involved, maybe youwon’t leave me trapped and completely alone inside a room for days.” After having a taste of what not being alone felt like, she hated having to go through it again. He left her alone when he didn’t have to, and it seriously ticked her off. Honestly, it hurt.

“I had things to take care of.” He didn’t sound confident when he spoke, as if he was lying.

“Sure,” she mumbled.

“You’re upset.” It wasn’t a question.

“Of course I am!” Eva flung her arms in the air. “How could I not be? My life has been one miserable day of being alone after another. It would’ve been nice to have some company the last few days. But you chose to do something else, whatever that was.” Eva realized she spoke without thinking, revealing her inner pains to both Darius and Karina.How embarrassing.She may be physically vulnerable, but she refused to become emotionally vulnerable as well. Shaking her head she said, “Forget it. It doesn’t matter,” and began walking toward the doorway.

“But it does. I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking.”

Eva didn’t want to talk about it any further. She said too much, which wasn’t her intention. He wasn’t supposed to know how much she wanted his company. She needed to put up a strong front to the world, including Darius. It was all she had. “Forget it,” she repeated, walking out of the room.

“Whatever you two were planning,” Darius said as he followed behind her, seeming to take the hint and switch the topic. “Will it get either of you into trouble?”

“What fun would it be if it didn’t?” Eva joked.

Karina chuckled somewhere behind them.

A second later, Darius reached for Eva’s shoulders and pressed her back against the wall. He stood over her, the intensity in his expression taking her off guard. “Don’t say that.”

“It was a joke.”

“Don’t joke about that.” The sense of urgency he projected made her realize how serious he was. “It’s not funny.” Clearly, only Karina thought it was.

The dark way he looked at her had her saying, “Sure, I won’t joke about that again.” She meant it. It obviously bothered him and, despite everything, she didn’t want to put him through worry.

He nodded, the intensity in his gaze settling. “How’d you do that just before?”

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