The entire ride to the train station was one of sheer uncomfortable silence, at least on my side of the SUV. Laney, however, seemed content watching the scenery of the day fly by us. Not once did she ask me a question or turn her head to look at me. There was no music, no snoring to make me think she had fallen asleep. Just a suffocating, crazy, loud silence in the small space. A prickle up my spine a few times had me worried that maybe she had figured it out. That at least she remembers who I am and what I plan to do to her. She has always tried to run from me in the past. Then again, she has always remembered. This life for her, it is very obvious, is a stark difference not only in appearance but in personality, demeanor, everything. She is more like the girl I knew when I was in my twenties, not my four thousands.“Are you hungry?” I ask her putting the vehicle in park and finally turn to face her. She shakes her head not turning only to reach for her bag in the back. I rest my ha
***Laney POV***Falcon stalks angrily through the train to find our seats, with me following swiftly behind him. His shoulders have been tense since Monty and his mate showed up, declaring they had tickets for the same train as well.Turns out Monty has the gift of persuasion on humans and he didn’t actually need to purchase tickets for him and Rome. I think it’s a kind of cool trick. Falcon thinks it’s a cheap trick, but Monty didn’t ask for his opinion, so he didn’t seem bothered by it.I reach out and take Falcon’s hand in mine, watching his shoulders as they noticeably drop and relax. A small smile pulls at the corners of my lips as I shyly look at the ground. I did that. I made him calm down with just my touch. It doesn’t matter if he wants to play hot and cold with me. Right now I was able to help him just decompress whether he realizes it. We may not be mates, but we are something. I know it.“Sit.” Falcon grunts, coming to a spot with four seats. He releases my hand instantly
I lean against the flimsy sink, staring at my reflection in the mirror. I know I’m not the classical version of beautiful. But my skin is clear of blemishes, and my green eyes aren’t as rare as Rome’s honey-colored eyes, but they are still uncommon enough. I frown when I eye my hair. The vibrant fiery red draws all the attention from any decent features I have. That’s the problem, my hair. And my pale complexion is littered with freckles that try to consume my face. My fingers curl over the side of the sink as I remember Falcon’s face when he watched Rome sit down. That jealous monster gnaws at me from the inside, unlike anything I have ever felt as the lights flicker in the bathroom. I have been envious before. Shit, I live to be envious, apparently. Watching the kids at the school getting to learn while I sat across the street. Or when their loving parents came to pick them up. I was envious of anyone who got love or attention when I lingered in the allies hoping for a spot of food
***Falcon POV***“Yes,” Monty says simply, not bothering to take his eyes off his brothers. “These are my brothers. Eagon and Eric.”I can feel Laney’s tense muscles on the planes of my chest, and I cradle my hand around her waist, my palm flattening along her stomach and pressing her close to me. The heat of her body against mine feels too damn right.“I’m going to need you to do some explaining right now,” Laney hisses. Rome whips around her honey eyes, scowling at Laney.“He is here to protect you, that I promise you. So instead of questioning him, look for a fucking way out of this mess,” she mutters lowly. Monty takes a few steps forward, his hands outstretched, his head turning slightly to the humans shaking in their seats. “What happened to trying not to make a fuss in public?” Monty asks. “Please, the time has come and gone for patience. She is here, in her last life. We are out of time, and the rules no longer apply.”I spin my head around eying the door behind us leading t
***Laney POV***I place my hand between our lips, stopping the kiss Falcon was undoubtedly about to give me. A kiss I want so badly to accept and find comfort in, one I can not accept. Not right now, not when I’m falling apart. I don’t want a kiss to fix what’s broken. I want it because he wants me and cares for me. When he saw Rome, I could see the look in his eyes. It was more than her beauty that took him off his feet.His eyes are open as he watches me, placing a gentle kiss on my fingers that block his advance. He reaches up, pulling my hand down and resting his head against my forehead. Both our eyes close as I allow myself this one small moment in time with him. He came for me like he promised he would. Like he says he always has, but I feel he is keeping things from me. Important things that might alter our working relationship.“I am sorry. That was brazen of me.” He whispers and I let out a shaky breath, pulling away from him, removing my body from his warm arms. Falcon rema
***Falcon POV***I glance over my shoulder, trying to let the jealousy roll off my shoulders. I wish I could make her laugh the way he so easily does. Make her smile that soul-shattering smile that seems to break down all my barriers. But all I get since the beginning of the trip is her anger and rejection when I finally decide to relent and give in to the pull between us. We aren’t mates. I know it’s the magic that makes me drawn to her.But sometimes it seems better to give in to magic rather than fight it. Clearly, she hasn’t come to the same realization I have. Unless she is not bound to me the way I am to her and she truly has loved me in her past lives. The thought is unsettling and serves to sour my mood further. There have been only three times when we were truly together.Three times where we loved and lived harmoniously until she turned twenty-two. I thought I could just live a good life with her for some time until the time of her death and then I would end her suffering. B
I would give anything to get inside Laney’s head right now as we settle down to camp for the night. She sends me a glance, looking away when our eyes lock, her hair cascading down over her face, hiding the blush I know is back. It was idiotic but unavoidable to not only say those things but kiss her back. Obviously, I knew I would eventually give in. The magic that surrounds us, binds us together like a damn bungee cord, is too much to fight. Yet this time, it felt like it was more on my terms rather than the whispered chants of a witch in the wind. Laney is everything I told her she was. And for once, I firmly believe that I think that of my accord. Though I will never really know, which makes being absolute about what I am doing all that much harder. Monty and Laney have been laughing and chatting nonstop the whole way. After the embarrassment of being caught kissing me, she moved back into being the cheerful girl with a positive outlook, no matter the shit that has tried to bring
***Laney POV***I lay with my face toward the darkness, the fire dancing behind me, casting shadows on the trees and forest life. The owls are out, hooting at the night sky and no doubt looking for their prey. Such sounds used to make me uneasy. It always made me think of the predators that might end me. Now that I know there is something worse than coyotes or wild animals, it’s almost serene. Almost. I can feel Falcon’s gaze on me like I always can like he is tuned into the very fiber of my existence. What I hate more is that I swear I can feel Rome and her anger, her hatred. It makes my gut pinch painfully and my chest feels tight. She was supposed to be programmed to love me no matter what. That’s what I told myself from the moment I knew she existed. I was so damn excited to think I wasn’t all alone in the world that I assumed she would feel the same way. I wrap my arms around myself tight, the cool breeze of the night air trickling through my clothing.“Are you cold?” Falcon a