Blood Heart by Lexi C. Foss

Author:Lexi C. Foss [Foss, Lexi C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-04-16T22:00:00+00:00

15

A Free Spirit

Sleep deprivation logged at seven days and subject showing no signs of degradation. Benefactor requests simulation continues to test endurance.

—Entry Log 105.07.4-7

Jayson rubbed a hand over his face as Jacque disappeared with Lizzie.

“That went well,” he muttered. Her pain had been a visceral thing, silencing anything he would have said.

You could have done all that without the added benefits. Her soft words had affected him in a way no others ever had. Because he should have protected her without touching her, but he had given in to the impulse instead.

Remorse mingled with frustration, because although he knew it was wrong, it had felt so right. How could he apologize for something he didn’t fully regret?

“I expected her to be angry, but this…” Stas trailed off, her face paler than usual. “She can’t stay there alone.”

“She won’t,” Jayson replied. “I’ll be there.” It wasn’t up for discussion. Lizzie didn’t want a babysitter. Fine. He would be a guard instead.

Tom nodded, agreeing with Jayson’s plan. He’d settled back onto the couch with Amelia at his side, but he didn’t appear at all relaxed. His fingers traced his jaw, though Jayson doubted it still hurt from Lizzie’s punch. The hit had been impressive, and startled most of the room, but also impactful on an emotional level, which showed in Tom’s expression now.

“I can’t leave it like this,” Tom said. “When Jacque gets back, I’ll ask him to teleport me to see if I can convince her to talk to me.”

“I really think it should be me,” Stas replied. “I know her best and—”

“You are not returning to New York City.” Issac’s tone brooked no argument. She opened her mouth to try, but he silenced her with an empathic, “No. This is not up for debate, Astasiya. Ezekiel knows you’re a fledgling. Why he has not seen fit to act on that knowledge, I do not know, but this changes everything.”

She was already shaking her head. “That’s not your call.”

“Indeed?” He arched a brow, daring her to disagree. “You seem to forget that your life is not the only one at risk in this situation. Should Ezekiel inform Osiris of your fledgling status, who will receive the harsher sentence?”

Her eyes widened, but the Ichorian wasn’t finished.

“I have broken every Blood Law in an effort to support your decisions, Astasiya. And while it may be admirable, it ends now. I will not debate this with you. Call Jonathan and tell him you require a vacation, or quit, I do not care. As of this moment, you are not to leave Hydria until we determine Ezekiel’s motives.”

“And you?” she countered, clearly furious. “Will you be staying as well?”

“That remains to be seen,” he replied coolly. “I have progeny to consider, as well as a company to run.”

Stas folded her arms. “And I have nothing.”

“You will have nothing if you are dead.” A simple reply that didn’t quite cool the fire brewing in Stas’s eyes.

If Issac was trying to divert her attention away from the pain of hurting Lizzie, he was doing an excellent job of it.

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