Page 31 of White Hot Kiss
Irritated, I tried to pull my hand free. “Can you ever give a straight answer?”
Something flashed in his eyes. “Okay. You want the truth? I’m here because of you. Yes, you heard that right. And don’t ask me why, because we don’t have time right now and you wouldn’t believe me anyway. You’re part Warden and if you get bitten by the zombie, then you will get infected. Maybe not completely batshit crazy like humans, but crazy enough to make my job harder.”
My heart rate quadrupled. “Why—why are you here because of me?”
“For the love of all unholy things, why must you be so difficult? I apologized for calling you a prude. I’ll even apologize for yesterday. I scared you. I threw your cell in a toilet. See, I was raised in Hell. You could say I’m socially awkward.”
Awkward was not one of the descriptions that came to mind for him. He had a sort of fluid grace that was otherworldly and predatory. “This is weird, even for me,” I admitted.
“But better than gym class, right?”
Most things were better than gym class. “I want to know why your being here has anything to do with me.”
“Like I said, you wouldn’t believe me.” When I held my ground, he said something too low and quick for me to understand. I wasn’t even sure it was English, but it sounded like a curse. “I’m not here to hurt you, okay? I’m the very last thing you should be worried about.”
Taken aback by that, I could only stare as realization smacked me upside the head. For some reason—I didn’t know why—I...I believed him. Maybe it had to do with the fact that if Roth wanted to harm me, he could’ve done so by now. Or maybe I was just incredibly stupid and had a death wish. And the idea of going to gym class did suck.
I sighed. “Okay, but you have to tell me why you’re here when we’re done.”
Roth nodded.
My gaze dropped to our clasped hands. Warmth had traveled up my arm, and I really didn’t trust that feeling. “And you don’t need to hold my hand.”
“But what if I get scared?”
“Seriously?”
Several seconds passed and then he released my hand. Scratching his chin, he shrugged. “Okay. It’s a deal, but if you want to hold my hand later, you’re out of luck.”
“I don’t think that’s going to be a problem.”
Roth slipped his hands into the pockets of his black jeans as he rocked back on his heels. “Are you happy now? Can we go?”
“All right,” I said. “Fine.”
He shot me a wide smile, flashing two perfectly placed dimples I hadn’t seen before. He looked almost normal when he smiled like that, but the perfection of his face still seemed unreal.
I tore my gaze from him, walking forward. “Where is it again?”
“The boiler room in the basement. And it’s probably going to smell worse down there.”
I’d forgotten about the smell somehow. “So you guys keep track of other demons and stuff?”
Roth nodded as he shouldered the double doors open. “Yes.”
I caught the door before it slammed shut, easing it closed. “And you let them infect humans even though it’s against the rules?”
Heading down the steps, he glanced back. He was humming under his breath, a song that was faintly familiar. “Yes.”
I followed him, gripping the rail with damp fingers. Something felt as if it was nesting in my stomach. “The Alphas forbid that kind of stuff. You’re only allowed—”
“I know. We’re only allowed to nudge humans, but never outright manipulate, infect and/or kill, and blah, blah. Free will is bullshit.” He laughed and jumped off the step, landing nimbly on the cement. “We’re demons. Rules kind of only apply to us when we want them to.”
“Free will isn’t bullshit, Roth.”
He stopped suddenly in front of me and our eyes locked. “Say it again.”
I frowned. “Say what?”