Catastrophic Attraction - Eve Langlais Page 0,24
end up being some psycho child kidnapper again.”
“Yes.”
“And yet knowing it might fail, you still did it and set her loose?” She shook her head. “That was foolish.”
“Some would call me compassionate.”
She snorted. “I wouldn’t go that far. You scrambled her brains.”
“When I started, I didn’t realize how much it would take.”
“To what? Completely annihilate her will? Her sense of identity?”
“She went after my daughter.” His voice was cold.
“Then you should have killed her.”
“Because death is less cruel?” He eyed her. “Tell me, do you really think my turning a woman who’s been relying on petty crime her entire life, crime which started because of abuse, and creating someone caring who can make a difference in a child’s life is a bad thing?”
“You’re trying to make it sound as if you did her a favor.”
“Didn’t I? Liandra’s life was a series of awful events. Once I removed the memories of them, she changed. Became the person she could have been.”
“According to you. Experiences shape us. Good or bad. You can’t wipe everyone. Nor should you.”
“But it’s okay to kill them? Because the way I hear it, you’re not one to leave problems alive.”
Her lips flattened. Titan blabbing again. Never mind his statement had merit. Killing was quick and clean. She couldn’t stop her distaste for what Roark could do inside people’s heads. “Dead people can’t betray you.”
“On that we can both agree.” He tugged the hood over his head.
“Just so you know, touch what’s in here”—she tapped her temple—“and you’ll wish you’d died.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it. Unless you betray me.”
“Here’s to hoping you never do something to deserve my knife across your throat.”
Chapter 6
As they wound their way back to the castle, Roark couldn’t help but glance over at Casey. She walked with utter confidence, a swagger in her lithe hips. Enough shimmy that her braided hair bounced down her back.
A smart woman, talking with her meant exposing parts of himself he usually kept hidden. Explaining why he was king. Revealing the secret of what he could do. At least part of it. But he didn’t feel as if he were getting to know her, and he doubted she’d tell him anything even if he asked.
Her arm shot out and slammed into his chest with more strength than he’d have expected, causing him to stumble.
“What?”
“I saw something.”
“You might want to be a little more verbose. Can’t read your mind, you know.” The tease fell off his tongue, and he almost choked. He never joked about his power.
Yet it must have been the right answer because she almost had a smile. “I think I saw your cat go that way.”
“Sachi?” He frowned. “She doesn’t usually leave the castle.”
“Because you totally follow her around all day and know exactly what she’s doing.”
He pursed his lips. “Fine, it could be her wandering the streets. What of it?”
“I am pretty sure she wants us to follow.”
“She’s a cat. She’s probably hoping you have some food.” Never mind the fact she’d saved his life a few times and calmed him countless others. To attribute anything more was… What exactly?
“Aren’t you curious about where she’s going?”
“Not really.”
“Haven has a cat. Wiliest creature you’ve ever seen. Uncanny sense for danger, and better at finding stuff than Dottie.”
“Dottie being?”
“Not the point of the story.” Casey went down a narrow alley, and he found himself following. “Just that your cat is rather interesting.”
“I’m sure she’ll be happy to hear it.”
They emerged from the alley into a courtyard. A fountain in the center of it spouted water, the drops rising in the air and then falling like rain to hit the basin.
Roark caught sight of his cat across the square, tail raised, obviously waiting. Casey spotted her and began moving; whereas, he suddenly got caught in a vivid reminder of the past.
This was where it had happened. The day that shaped him.
Fingers snapped in front of his face. “You in there?”
His gaze focused on Casey. “We need to leave.”
“Why?” She thought there was a threat and scanned the space around them.
It would be ironic if violence struck him twice in this place. “Because it’s where Charlie’s mother died.” That was enough to stifle any smart rebuke by Casey.
When he moved, she followed, her decision to trail the cat forgotten. Then again, he had a feeling Sachi did it on purpose. The kitten was the only reason he’d lived that day. He’d left her in his bed, and yet she must have followed him to the square. Hearing her meow,