Saved by Wolves by Eva Chase

Author:Eva Chase
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Ink Spark Press

14

Kara

* * *

I walk into the common building the next morning with a hole where my stomach should be. The smell of fried sausage and fresh-cut fruit doesn’t lift my spirits, even though my mouth manages to water anyway.

Ronan is just setting the platter of sausages on the table next to a plate of flaky rolls and the fruit. Nyle pauses in the process of tipping the pitcher of water toward his glass, studying me briefly with that typically impenetrable expression, and then goes on to pour his drink.

Brice has his back to me at the table, but his head twitches around at his friend’s reaction. He offers me a faint smile that doesn’t meet his eyes.

Well, no one has pounced on me with their claws to my throat yet. I walk over to the table on feet that feel leaden, thoughts spinning in the distant regions at the back of my mind.

Maybe I should have taken off overnight after all? Ended this torture and accepted my fate? Was I kidding myself to think I could have even a shadow of the life I once imagined?

But despite the grimness of my one-time lovers’ expressions, I don’t want to lose them. Their chill in contrast with their usual warmth—well, when it comes to Ronan and Brice, anyway—sends a pang through my heart with an ache to heal the damage I’ve done.

The list of my transgressions keeps growing, but I’ve already tried running away and starting over once. I didn’t have anything to fight for before. For a little while here, I found something worth putting myself in danger for. If I give up on even that, I might as well lie down and let one of them slit my throat.

So I sit at the end of the table where I’m not all that close to any of the three. Brice passes me each dish without a word so I can add morsels to my plate. I keep my portions small, since the hollow of my stomach is now roiling.

When I’ve claimed a roll from the last platter offered, Nyle breaks the silence. “We’ve come up with a way to confirm your story from last night. I’m sure you can understand that if you’re going to remain with us without us reporting any of what we’ve discovered, we need to be sure of what side you’re really on.”

Ronan lets out a rough grunt of agreement.

I glance around the table, relief and dread trickling through my gut in tandem. “Of course I understand. How exactly are you going to confirm it?”

Nyle gives a dismissive wave of his hand. “Eat first, and then we’ll get to it. It won’t hurt you.”

I’m not sure I can trust his judgment on that, but even kind-hearted Brice doesn’t look concerned, so I do my best not to be either. I dig into the crackly pastry that melts sweet and doughy on my tongue and force down a sausage and a few pieces of a citrus fruit I’ve never had in the winter realm.

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