Broken Bond - Callie Rose Page 0,47
means it’s responding to your commands better. It’s not just stirring up based on your emotions, but reacting to conscious thought.” He beams. “That’s excellent.”
I want to be excited for her just like he is. But all I can see is the black smoke. The witch’s magic that she just used. My stomach twists, and I swallow back a wave of nausea.
Fucking hell. This isn’t what I signed up for.
Before Trystan or Ridge can acknowledge what’s happening, I get to my feet and stride out of the barn. I hit the door with a little more force than necessary and walk into the brilliant sunshine, closing my eyes briefly against the light. It steadies me just a little, though I can still feel the heaviness of Sable’s magic drifting after me on the breeze.
I stalk into the forest at the edge of the settlement, needing a little space between me and civilization. All those years I spent roaming by myself haven’t helped my people skills, and it’s only made me want to be alone even more.
A breeze blows in off the mountains. I stand facing the trees, my nose lifted to the smell of snow and pine coming from the peaks. When I was younger, I used to venture up the mountains, where the atmosphere grows cold and thin. My parents hated it—they were worried I’d find myself on the wrong side of a bear and not be able to defend myself.
If only they could see me now.
A stick cracks behind me, and my eyes fly open. Most shifters move like liquid. Any number of the people here in this village could have snuck up on me like they didn’t even exist.
That’s how I know it’s Sable behind me. I don’t know how good witches are at stealth, but she’s about as subtle as a grenade.
“Couldn’t help but notice the way you banged out of the barn like the devil was at your heels,” she remarks when I don’t turn around.
“I needed some air.”
“Yeah. Sure.” There’s a hint of sarcasm to her voice, and it puts up my hackles.
I whirl on her, ready to give her a piece of my mind. I didn’t come out here to be bothered. I came out here to get some air and try to wipe all traces of her magic from my memory.
But when my eyes land on her… I’m doomed. She looks so small and innocent, on top of being the most beautiful ray of sunshine I’ve ever seen in my entire life. My breath catches in my throat. None of the shitty things I’m thinking come out. The only sound I’m capable of making is a small grunt of acknowledgment.
“You wanna talk about this?” Sable asks, a hint of steel in her bell-like voice.
That’s the girl I know. Soft and lovely like a summer shower, but with the backbone of a predator. Mushy on the inside with a thick armor on the outside, built up over a life of hardship so that it protects her from anything that could hurt her.
“Not really,” I reply with a shrug, then turn back to the tree line. If I keep looking at her, I just know I’ll give in. It’s like looking at the sun for too long and trying to deny the pain. So I shove down my emotions as deep as possible.
“I think you do.” There’s bluster in her tone, but a hint of sadness too. “I think you’re dying to give me a piece of your mind. Maybe if we just go ahead and have it out, we can stop with the temper tantrums.”
Defensive anger snakes through me, but I tamp it back. I have to admit, I’ve had a harder time controlling my emotions since I lost my pack. I lived too long as a wolf. But I’m not an idiot—Sable’s baiting me.
The question is, do I want to take the bait? Or walk away?
Truthfully, I’m tired as hell of harboring all these feelings. I feel like a fucking crazy person. What if talking about it would help? What if a few moments hashing out the situation with Sable is all I need to remember how deeply I was falling for her before the witch appeared?
I take a deep breath, wondering whether or not I can dig deep and be honest. Hiding my feelings is a hell of a lot easier than admitting I’m not okay.
“I don’t like it,” I finally say.
I feel her shift behind me, her feet brushing over