Darkblood Prison - G.K. DeRosa Page 0,72

after what I did?”

“Because I know how hard you’ve fought to control your abilities. I’ve seen it firsthand. And, you should’ve seen all the damage I caused the first few times I turned.” He grinned, and it set off that cute twinkle in his eyes.

A faint chuckle slipped out. “How many people did you kill?”

“Three.”

“Seriously?” I cried out.

He nodded, and darkness clouded his features. “And hurt a lot more. None of us is innocent, Azara.”

“Thank you.” He extended his hand as he stood, and I wrapped my fingers around his big palm. It was warm and soft, much like the look in his eyes. As soon as I was on my feet, the cold wetness seeped into my butt. “Ugh, I never should have sat in the snow.”

He laughed and twirled around. The entire backside of his green jumpsuit was soaked. “You’re not the only one.”

As we headed back toward the entrance, we crossed in front of the group of inmates that had been watching us since we arrived. Their jumpsuits were a mix of colors, so it was hard to say if they were from Delacroix’s crew. Probably not, since they’d never failed to announce their presence before.

I shook the thoughts off and threw them a steely glare as I passed. Had they seen me almost demon out? It had been too far for them to make out my conversation with Vander, but still, I didn’t like them spying on me. I’d have to mention it to the guys when I got back to my cell.

I glanced up at Vander as we stepped inside, and the warm air heated my frosty cheeks. “Are you going to tell Talon what happened?”

He shook his head. “What happens in the prison yard, stays in the prison yard.”

I tossed him a grateful smile. “Thank you.”

“No problem. We can have our own little secrets too.”

“Like who my parents are?”

He nodded. “Plus, Talon would lose his shit if he found out you were Ryder’s daughter. He like idolizes the guy.”

I laughed out loud, pitching forward. Once the fit of giggles passed, a lightbulb went off in my brain. “My dad was the one who hired you, wasn’t he?”

“Maybe.” He winked and threaded his arm around my shoulders. “But you didn’t hear that from me.”

The whoosh of our cell door opening woke me from a restless sleep. After everything I’d learned from Vander, I couldn’t get my mind to settle. Being alone in our cell didn’t help either. Hayden was still on that mission with Dallas, and Talon hadn’t returned at light’s out. Last time I’d seen him, Vessa had invited him to her room. Bleh.

I focused my sleepy gaze on Vander as he trudged in. “What’s going on?”

“Logan wants to see us, again.”

Pushing the covers off, I slid to the edge of the bed. I hazarded a quick glance over my shoulder at the empty bunkbeds. I knew Talon hadn’t returned, but I still had to torture myself to confirm it. “About what?” I muttered.

“Not sure. A new guard came and got me a few minutes ago. Gargoyle actually.”

“Oh good, maybe Logan finally got his new team in. I can’t say I’ll be sorry to see those dragons go.” I grabbed my jumpsuit from under the bed and walked over to the partition in the back of the cell. Pulling it on, I watched Vander through the crack in the screen. He was checking himself out in the mirror as we chatted, and I couldn’t help but grin. The guy had grown on me in the past couple days.

“Speaking of dragons, where’s Talon?”

“Not sure. He never came back last night.” I stepped out from behind the screen and met stunned amber eyes.

“He didn’t?”

“Nope.” I popped my P for extra emphasis.

“I’m sure he’ll be at Logan’s office,” he said as he motioned to the door.

I followed him out, not saying a word. Was it weird for Vander that Talon and his sister had a thing? Was I ready for that awkward conversation? Probably not.

Neither of us spoke as we traversed the quiet halls. It was before dawn, and the rest of the prison’s inmates were tightly locked away in their cells.

Just before we reached the warden’s office, Vander tugged me to a stop. “Azara, I’m sorry if my arrival messed things up for you and Talon.”

Whoa, where did that come from? I was sure my eyes were bugging out of my head. I took a second to catch my breath and compose my thoughts. “It wasn’t