Page 60 of Stone Temptation
And gorgeous, his physique like a swimmer’s.
“I want to go home,” he whispered, shaking. “I can’t… I can’t be here.”
I made an easy approach, genuinely worried. “It’s alright.”
He backed away from my reaching hand, his eyes glistening. “I never wanted this. I never fucking wanted this.”
“Talk to me.”
He looked at me, tears running down his cheeks. “I can’t.”
“Tell me about the ring.”
His shaking got worse, his protection shimmering across his body.
A cold wind whipped the papers across the floor. Luke made himself smaller, hunching, becoming more frightened by the second.
An idea hit me. “Can I take you somewhere?”
He blinked more tears free. “Please don’t hurt me.”
“Not gonna hurt you, remember?”
He shivered, saying zilch.
I picked up the ring, dropping it in my pocket, then gently took him into my arms. I held him for a moment, soothing him with liquid tones.
“I’m here to help you, Luke. Promise. The mark is my word. My bond. Come with me and we’ll make it right.”
He rested his cheek on my chest, wrapping his arms around me. “I’m sorry.” He broke down into sobs, clinging to me tighter.
“It’ll be alright.”
Securing him, I took off, heading for my room. I had to get to the bottom of this.
Shit. I’d definitely found myself more excitement.
FIFTEEN
Luke
Dammit.
Dammit hard.
I’d fallen apart in Asher’s arms, everything too much, a million tons of crap crushing me into a sobbing mess.
Can I go home yet?
This was all a distraction from Finn. He was my one true goal. I hadn’t asked for any of this. What could I do to kick down these hurdles?
I let Asher fly me away from the epicenter of drama to a room that was, well, a revelation of color and fairy lights. The bounty of candles and crystals, the bright blue and yellow walls, and the silky turquoise bedspread all forced me out of my sadness.
There was even a dining table of a similar size to mine, covered with a white lace tablecloth.
I sniffled. “Is this your room?”
“Yeah.” His wings and tail retracted, skin returning to flesh. His suit hung off him in tatters. “We’re safe here. Just got a message that the chimera is dead.” He waved his flip phone.