Page 134 of Stealing Embers
Does he really think he’s fooling anyone?
Sucking my bottom lip into my mouth, I bite down on it while I consider what my next words should be.
Reaching out, Steel gently tugs it free with his thumb.
“That lip is too pretty to abuse.”
Whoa.
Heat sweeps down my body and twin tingles run up and down the lines on either side of my spine where my wings emerge.
Clearing my throat, I lick the lip Steel just freed.
Steel’s eyes blaze as he watches me.
“What about Nova? I’m sure she’d be interested to know about your ‘little trip.’”
His chest overextends as he breathes in a giant gulp of air. His eyes take on a faraway look before they clear and his gaze latches back onto me. “I didn’t realize what was going on right in front of me. I’ve been . . . distracted the last few months.” I don’t miss the pointedness of his words.
Did he move closer? It feels like the heat from his body is buffeting against me. Not sure I like that. I probably stink.
“Even so, I should have caught on sooner. There’s no excuse for taking her for granted. I had a talk with her. We’re straight.” His eyes cast to the side. “Or at least, we’re okay for now.”
His confession causes something to lighten inside my chest. I tell myself it’s relief for Nova’s sake—she’s been living in a world of uncertainty and assumption for too long—but I’m not sure that’s really it.
The reason I sought Steel out presses down on me, compressing the lightness from my chest.
“What do you plan to accomplish when you find her?” I ask.
A wall slams down over his features and his body. He sways away from me. The dead space between us suddenly stretches for what feels like miles. But it’s better that way. Whatever weird connection I have with Steel really should be broken.
I don’t understand the part he plays in my phasing—or spontaneous wing growth—but I need to learn to do it on my own. Now that I know there’s a horde of Forsaken gunning for me, I have to learn to protect myself. Myself and the people I’m beginning to care about.
And all this inner cave-woman stuff—the “Mine,” the growly noises—um, no. Don’t like that at all.
Stepping back, I give Steel even more space.
“Are you staying?” he asks, notching his chin toward the academy behind me.
“Yeah, I think so,” I answer honestly.
“I’m glad.”
His reply surprises me. It was only yesterday—or was it earlier today?—that he was telling me to go to another academy.
“People here care about you. I was wrong to try to take that away from you.”
And now I’m not just surprised, but floored . . . and utterly speechless.
This is the first genuine note of care Steel has shown me. Yes, he’s shouted a few times that he didn’t want me to die, and he’s protected my physical body on a number of occasions, but up until now, he’s never shown me real compassion.
“But . . . what about your siblings?” I finally get out.
“I think . . .” He looks toward where the sun is hanging above the western horizon. The warm light bathes his face, bronzing his skin and making him appear soft for once. “I think you can learn to protect each other, for now.”
He turns his face to me, a half-smile quirking the side of his mouth.
“Besides, you have some pretty badass skills and abilities. There may not be another Nephilim alive capable of protecting them as well as you right now . . . besides me, of course.”