Darkblood Prison - G.K. DeRosa Page 0,76

in his mind. That was going to be tough. “I’ll see if there’s anything I can do to make up for that.” His hand reached for mine, but he pulled it back at the last second.

I folded my arms over my chest and tucked my hands under my armpits, scooting over a tad for good measure. I hoped this subway ride would be over soon or I’d end up kissing or punching the dragon next to me.

A sharp screech shattered the silence, and the train skidded to a halt. My hands flailed but despite my best efforts, I slid across the bench and glided onto Talon’s lap. Thick arms came around me like a flesh and blood seatbelt, securing me to his firm chest.

“Are you okay?” His warm breath whipped through my hair.

“Yeah, fine.” I grabbed onto the metal pole beside him and extricated myself from his hold. “What do you think that was?”

Talon stood and moved to the end of the car, peering through the glass. “No idea.” I glanced through the window behind me, but all I could make out was a whole lot of black.

The crackle of the intercom jerked my attention to the speaker overhead. “We apologize for the inconvenience, but we are experiencing a temporary delay. Please remain seated, and we will be on our way as soon as possible.”

Talon raked his hands over his face and through his hair, tugging at the short dark strands. “I can’t believe this.”

I couldn’t help myself, I opened my mind, trying to read his thoughts. Nothing. I closed my eyes, straining to visualize his brain.

“Stop that!” Talon erased the space between us and squeezed my shoulders.

I gave him my most innocent look. “Stop what?”

“I can see what you’re trying to do. It’s not fair. You can’t go digging around my mind just because you can.”

I wiggled free and slumped down on the bench. “It didn’t work if it makes you feel any better.”

“It doesn’t,” he shouted.

“Why? You have a lot of secrets you’re keeping from me?”

He shook his head, his cheeks growing a dark shade of crimson. “I’ve only ever lied to you about one thing, Azara. And I had to, it was my job. You, on the other hand, have been keeping secrets from day one.”

“To protect my family!”

“Whatever,” he muttered as he began to pace.

I stomped toward him, anger free flowing through my insides. “Fine, you want to know the truth so bad. I’ll effing tell you. My powers aren’t of the normal wicca variety.”

“No shit,” he murmured.

I jabbed my finger into his chest and snarled, “Do you want to hear it or don’t you?”

“You have warlock blood running through your veins.”

My jaw dropped, nearly scraping the dirty subway floor. “How—who---?”

“No one told me, Azara. I figured it out. After spending the past few months with you, meeting your relatives, as unbelievable as it seems, I figured it out.”

All the fire evaporated, and I sank down onto the hard, plastic seat. “Why didn’t you say something?”

He shrugged and sat down beside me. “I was waiting for you to feel comfortable enough to tell me.”

“I wanted to. If it were only my secret, I would have.”

“Right.” He stared across the aisle into nothingness. “Is it from your mom?”

I nodded. “Please don’t tell anyone, Talon. They’ve kept her secret, and now mine, hidden for over twenty years. If it gets out, I don’t know what would happen.”

He reached for my shoulder, and I didn’t back away this time. He gave it a squeeze and offered me a reassuring smile. “I’ll take your secret to the grave, Azara.”

“Thank you.”

He didn’t say anything for a while, his fingers still pressed against my skin. I’d be a liar if I said I didn’t find comfort in them. “What exactly would happen if others found out?”

“I’m not sure honestly. GG always said the Coven Council would go ballistic, and other supernaturals would fear my mom for her powers. Her abilities are crazy cool. She can skinwalk like my grandfather.”

Talon’s brow lifted. “Have you ever tried?”

“No!”

“Maybe it’ll come eventually, like the portal-opening and telepathic abilities.”

I didn’t want any more powers to be honest. Soul-sucking was enough to handle, skinwalking seemed like another creepy one like that. “Hopefully not.”

Talon’s hand moved from my shoulder to my cheek, and his thumb grazed my skin. “Don’t be scared of your powers, Azara. That’s the worst thing you can do. Learn about them, understand them, and master them. Then you’ll be unstoppable.”

His minty breath mingled with mine,