Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 79587 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79587 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
“The smell was fucking horrible,” Grath agreed, giving her a squeeze. “That bastard was insane.”
“He was a serial killer,” Mattie whispered, shivering. “You know one of those heads was his own mom? He killed her for cheating on his dad. And apparently his dad knew the whole time!”
“Fucker needs to pay, if that’s the case,” Grath growled. “What in the Seven Hells would make a male act like that and kill all those females? You’d never see a Kindred doing something like that!”
Mattie shook her head.
“I don’t know—I always had a feeling he wasn’t quite right. But he had such a good disguise. All American football stars who work at their dad’s hardware store aren’t supposed to turn out to be monsters.”
She shivered again and Grath drew her closer.
“It’s okay, little girl—it’s over now. We’ll talk to someone in authority later, but for now, just relax. We’re stuck here in the snow and we’re not going anywhere.”
“Okay,” Mattie whispered. Snuggling against him, she thought of another question. “Grath, I thought you told me you couldn’t uh, ‘flame up’. But when you came into the cabin, your hands and arms were on fire!”
“I know.” He shook his head. “I don’t know how I did it either. I think it happened when I went into Rage—I was so afraid that fucker was going to kill you before I got into the cabin…” He trailed off and Mattie looked up to see his jaw was clenched and his eyes were narrowed. Clearly he was fighting with some pretty strong emotions.
“It’s all right, Grath,” she said softly. “You did it—you got to me in time. I’m safe—we’re safe here together, all because of you. And the Goddess,” she added. She was still trying to wrap her head about that.
“I’m just so fucking angry with myself—you never should have had to go through all that, little girl,” he growled. “And it’s all my fucking fault—I never should have left you!”
“Well, I did throw the engagement ring you gave me in your face and tell you I never wanted to see you again,” Mattie said dryly. “Nobody can blame you for taking a hint.”
“I blame myself,” Grath said roughly. “As your Protector, I never should have left your side—no matter what you said to me.”
Mattie looked up at him.
“Are you still just my Protector?” she asked uncertainly. “Are we really just going back to our old roles when we get back to the Mother Ship?”
Grath sighed deeply and ran a hand through his hair.
“Well…that’s up to you,” he said at last, looking down at her.
“Up to me? How?” Mattie asked, her heart pounding.
“When the Goddess warned me that you were in danger, she also told me one other thing—that the decision to try and bond or not should be yours and your alone,” Grath told her. “So I’m leaving it up to you if you want to try and take our relationship to the next level.”
“Yes!” Mattie exclaimed as excitement and hope rushed through her. “Oh yes, Grath—I want to bond with you!”
“Wait a minute—listen to me first.” He had a stern look on his face. “Before you decide, you need to know some things. First, I have a confession to make—I know I’ve been a bastard to you in the past, always pushing you away but I had a reason for that. The very first time I took your hand, I felt a tingle.”
“A what? A tingle?” Mattie frowned. “What do you mean?”
“The tribe of Enfuego or Flame Kindred I’m descended from are known for two things,” Grath told her. “One, our red skin. And two, when we touch a female who would be a good match for us, we feel a tingle when we first touch them. Kind of like…an electric shock that runs up your arm all the way to your fucking heart, you know?”
“Wow…” Mattie stared at him in surprise. “Seriously? And you felt that when you touched me? Felt that we’d be right for each other?”
“I did.” Grath nodded. “Even if I hadn’t felt it, I would have wanted you, baby. But feeling it made me realize I had to keep you at arm’s length.”
“But why?” Mattie asked, mystified. “If the tingle means we belong together, why would you push me away?”
“Because,” Grath said gravely. “It wasn’t the first time I had felt that tingle.”
“It wasn’t?” Mattie didn’t know what to think of this.
“No. Back about ten cycles ago, before I came to the Mother Ship, I met a female named Ar’leenah. The minute I touched her, I felt that tingle and I fell for her. She…” Grath paused, pinching the bridge of his nose as though trying to drive back a headache. “We tried to bond,” he said at last, roughly. “Tried and failed. It was…so fucking painful.”
“Oh, Grath—I’m so sorry.” Mattie wanted desperately to ease his pain. Getting to her knees, she turned to him and put her arms around his neck. Drawing him close, she pressed his face to the tops of her breasts.