Page 38 of Captive Hybrid

‘Just wanted to make sure you were okay.’ His voice is low.

I turn to look at him and realise there’s a flash of hurt in his eyes. I push the guilt down, the images of my nightmare too fresh. I have no idea what a life with a vampire might be like. He could have really done something like my nightmare for all I know. ‘Leave me alone.’

Aidan sighs. ‘Come have breakfast when you’re ready.’

‘That’s so sweet.’ My voice drips with sarcasm. ‘Thanks so much.’ I grab a pile of clothes and storm past him, vines inching up, off my skin.

I catch the surprise on his face, but don’t even pause to let him voice a question as I storm into the bathroom. I spend my time in the shower scrubbing my body clean and fiercely trying to remember what fresh air feels like. Mordecai, are you there?

Hey, I’m here. What’s going on?

I… had a nightmare. It freaked me out, but I’m alright. What’s going on with you?

We’ve left the motel. Divina, Jana, Jaken and I are coming to get you. I know Drusilla wants us together now, but I’m bringing reinforcements. Have you been practicing using your vines?

I grab a towel, patting myself down. I don’t have a lot of privacy, but I’m working on it. I twist a towel around me, staring at myself in the mirror. I summon the vines from my forearms. Divina needs me to get to a quiet place so she can instruct me better, but I’m not sure how to do that. I don’t see anyone leaving me alone for longer than the time I need to wash up. I brush out my hair and get dressed.

Zenna, I’m coming for you this time. Tell me. Are you safe?

I stare at my reflection, remembering the hundreds of times I had searched for flaws that my fated mate had deemed unworthy. In truth, I knew my heritage was enough. But did he look at my ice-white hair and see Fae? Does he hate my ears, my vines? When he’d taken me, back to Wolf Grove on that dark path, there was a moment when he had stopped me from falling, catching me up in his arms. He had said, as though without meaning to, that my hair had always reminded him of the moon.

That certainly doesn’t sound like a bad thing. I’d told him the same of those silver eyes he has.

I don’t know that I’m safe. I can’t trust anyone here.

Well, obviously you can trust me. We’re not sure how long it will take for us to get there, but hang in there, okay?

I brace my hands on the bathroom vanity, jaw clenched. I can’t.

What do you mean?

I undo my hair from the wet messy bun and shake it out, start to braid it, then mess it up, fidgeting. After a long minute, teeth grinding, I respond. I don’t trust you either, Mordecai.

A slicing pain shoots through the bond. I can’t tell where my pain ends, and his begins.

I’m sorry is nowhere near good enough.His voice is quiet and aching in my mind. But I will earn your trust back, Zenna. I promise.

Without responding, I get dressed, then exit the bathroom. And nearly run face-first into Aidan. I blink. He’s shirtless, with several bite marks mauling his skin.

I flinch and try to step back, the doorhandle biting into my back.

‘Easy.’ Aidan reaches for me. ‘You said you didn’t want to know what we were doing, but I think you have a good idea. I want you to try to understand something, Zenna. As a fellow witch, I get it, you’re freaked, but hear me out.’ Slowly, giving me time to stop him, Aidan reaches out and gently takes my hand, guiding it to his stomach, to one of the bite marks.@ ‘I let her do this. I wanted her to. I’m okay. I know you think it’s gross, but it’s completely consensual, okay? And she let me sleep in to make sure I was rested. Until you woke up. Evelyn heard your heart racing and knew you wouldn’t want her, so she let me talk to you. You’re in no danger from us.’

The skin is jagged under my fingertips. I resist the urge to yank my hand back. I meet his gaze. ‘Why bother telling me this?’

‘Because I want you to know. You misunderstand our relationship.’ He releases my hand. ‘As for your request, I have to wait to hear back, but in the meantime, I can take you for a walk to get some space, at least. Would you like that?’

I lean against the wall, but I can’t help staring at the bite marks, wondering if there’s even more that I cannot see. I’m still trying to wrap my head around why someone would want that. I try to picture Mordecai claiming me, but it doesn’t feel the same. I’m not food or sustenance to him. He wouldn’t be drinking me. ‘Yep, okay. A walk.’

Aidan nods then pulls on a shirt. ‘After breakfast. I don’t know about you, but I need my coffee.’

That almost makes me smile. ‘That’s the most normal thing you’ve said to me.’

Aidan elbows me playfully. ‘I also like scrambled eggs.’

The amusement doesn’t last, but he gives a shrug, unruffled. I can see he’s trying to be nice. In silence, we sit at the dining table. Just the two of us.

‘Where’s Evelyn?’ I pour myself a cup of coffee from the pot.

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