Running Scared by Shannon K. Butcher

Author:Shannon K. Butcher [Butcher, Shannon K.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Romance, Usernet, C429, Kat, Extratorrents
ISBN: 9781101404416
Publisher: Onyx
Published: 2010-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

154

Shannon K. Butcher

Chapter 15

Zach kept an eye on Lexi, holding back far enough that he didn’t think she’d see him. He wanted to give her some space, but not so much she was in danger.

The sun hadn’t yet set, so she was safe, but Zach wasn’t taking any chances. He wasn’t going to risk her leaving him again.

Now that she wore his luceria, his soul had stopped dying. He could sense that the decay of his lifemark had ceased, and although the pressure of the power housed inside him was still great, it was no longer painful. Lexi had saved him.

Zach wished like hell it was enough—that he didn’t have to ask her for more. But he did. He needed all of her, not just the part she wanted to give. Not just her body, but her trust.

Maybe it would take years, but Zach vowed he would find a way to

show her he was worthy of such a precious gift.

“What are you doing skulking around in the trees?” asked Drake from behind him.

Zach pretended he hadn’t been startled, and turned around to look at his friend. “I’m not skulking. I’m keeping an eye on Lexi.”

Drake’s eyes slid down to Zach’s throat, then grew wide. A grin split his face and his eyes closed for a moment in relief. “She did it.”

“Yeah,” said Zach simply.

“Congratulations, man. That’s fantastic news. Helen is going to be beside herself.”

“You might want to hold off on telling her. I’m not sure how long it’s going to last.”

Drake’s mouth tightened. “How long did she give you?”

Zach shrugged, feeling stiff and edgy. He looked back toward Lexi, watching her as she trailed her hand along the stone wall surrounding Dabyr.

“Until she gets sick of me. Until I drive her away.”

Drake’s voice had an edge of steel in it when he spoke. “We won’t let her leave. She’ll come around.”

“We’ll see.”

Zach moved through the trees, keeping pace with Lexi’s progress.

155

Shannon K. Butcher

Drake was a shadow at his side.

“She doesn’t want to forge any kind of mental connection with me,”

said Zach. He wasn’t sure why he shared that information, but it was too late now.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean she’s blocking me. Keeping me out.”

“You should talk to Gilda.”

“No, thanks. I’d really rather not go spreading our problems around.

Especially if it turns out some of the other men are compatible with her.”

“Right. Big secret. Got it.”

Lexi looked their way and both men went still, hiding their position.

After a few seconds, she went back to her walk, ignoring them.

Drake picked up a discarded soda can that had found its way into the woods. “You know,” he said, “her resistance might have something to do with what Helen told me.”

“What?”

“She said that Lexi came here planning to help Helen escape.”

Zach’s heart squeezed hard and the bitter taste of betrayal filled his mouth. “No wonder Lexi let me find her. She wanted me to bring her here.”

“Sorry, man.”

Zach watched her slow to a halt, then press her hand against her chest.

She leaned forward, and suddenly he realized she was feeling him right now

—feeling what he was suffering.

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