Page 27 of His

“Okay,” I said. “Okay, and then—”

“And one more thing,” he said.

“What else?”

“I would like you to tell me about your parents.”

A sharp breath made my throat hurt even worse, but I couldn’t help it.My parents?I couldn’t—I didn’t want to—

“I—I don’t—what do you care about my parents?” I stammered.

“I would like to know the basic facts about them,” Gav said, pulling back and examining my face. “I want to know their names. I want to know where they live.”

“Why do you want to know that?” I asked.

“That’s not part of the agreement,” Gav said. “The trade is for water only. I need information.”

“But, I— are you going to hurt them?”

“No,” he said flatly. “Or yes. Does it matter what I say?”

My mom’s face flashed into focus in my mind, the last time I saw her. A bruise that ran yellow and blue from her left eye down her cheek. She’d begged me not to tell anyone. I hadn’t told. I was a coward. I’d left instead, left her. It was better, I had thought. I thought that maybe my dad would stop if I left. I couldn’t hurt her again. I couldn’t hurt her now.

“I don’t want you to hurt my mom,” I whispered. “I can’t… please…”

“Tell me their names.”

“I can’t.”

“You won’t,” he corrected.

“I can’t!” My throat burned for water. “Please, please. Just a sip. Not my mom. I can’t do that to her. Please don’t—”

He stood up, a frown creasing his face, and turned to leave.

“No!” I cried out. “Please don’t leave me. I’ll die without water!”

He went away, up the steps, leaving the door open.

“Please!” I screamed hoarsely, my words jagged in the chilly air. He did not respond, and on the steps his shadow grew smaller and then disappeared.

I waited, my eyes fixed on the stairs just outside of the basement. He had told me that he wouldn’t kill me, but I didn’t believe a word he said. Why would he want to know about my parents?

When he came back, I cringed against the wall. But in his hand was a bottle of water. My whole body ached for that clear liquid, but I was too scared to reach out for it. He paused, right in front of me, and then uncapped the bottle. He took a drink and I nearly cried to watch him gulp down the water.

“So you know, kitten, it’s not poison.” He held the bottle of water out in front of him. “Stand up. Drink.”

I clambered to my feet and grasped the bottle of water in my free hand. Clumsily I lifted the bottle to my mouth.

I’d thought I would be slow and careful not to waste a drop, but as soon as the cool liquid hit my tongue I gulped down the water without any regard, not taking a breath until it was all gone. My stomach nearly retched from the intake of so much water, and I bent over, leaning against the wall until the urge passed.

Oh sweet liquid! I hadn’t thought water could taste so good. Whenever I used to exercise, I’d relied on Gatorade and juice to keep me hydrated, although I knew that they were empty calories. Water had always seemed so boring. Not now, though. Now it was the most delicious nectar of the gods. I tipped the bottle up once more to get the last drops from the bottom.

“Done?” he said, smiling. I nodded. My body, now satisfied that it had drunk its share, began to growl with hunger.

“Food comes later,” he said. “Maybe once you’ve told me about your parents. Or maybe I’ll have to find that out myself. But now—”

He stepped forward and grasped my chin, tilting it up. One breath was all I could take, and then I was plunged into a kiss that smothered me.

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