A Discovery of Secrets and Fate (Chronicles of the Stone Veil #2) - Sawyer Bennett Page 0,72

of mind.

But that would be wrong. A butterfly couldn’t be caged.

Except she’s not exactly a butterfly, is she? Carrick thought.

No, despite her beauty and delicate features, she was more like a fiery phoenix rising from the ashes of her despair over what happened to her sister and friend. He couldn’t suppress that, not just because it could be detrimental to the prophecy, but because it would kill Finley not to be able to participate in getting vengeance while, at the same time, hopefully saving the world. She was in too deep, and she was too committed not to help lead the charge.

Carrick wondered if the gods had known all along how strong she would be. Was Adira’s death pre-ordained as a catalyst to get Finley’s commitment, or had one of the gods interfered where they shouldn’t?

Were they banking on Finley’s strength and determination to carry this through?

If so, he had better do a better job of keeping her safe because there’s one thing Finley was right about.

Carrick was in it for one thing, which was to ascend.

He deserved it not only for all the ways in which he had served the gods, but because he had endured Rune’s curse long enough, and he was not about to let human emotions cloud his judgment. He had to keep his eye on the prize.

By the time the car pulled up to The Prestige, Carrick’s anger had started to rise again. Mostly at himself for worrying so much about Finley and not enough about his end game.

The ride up the elevator was tense as the silence between them stretched thin. She had yet to apologize or even acknowledge what she did was wrong. The fact Finley clearly had no regret over her rash actions fueled his fury, so by the time the doors were swinging open, Carrick no longer thought about the fear he’d felt when she put her life in danger or the empathy he had for her losing her sister. He didn’t think of her as a butterfly or a phoenix, but merely an impulsively idiotic woman who needed to be reined in.

It was time for her to remember he was in charge, and she must obey the rules.

Just as Finley was stepping into the condo before him, she nonchalantly said, “You know, you really do worry too much. I obviously—”

Her words cut off as her jaw clacked shut because Carrick had her by the arm, then slung her across the foyer. It wasn’t forceful enough to hurt, but it did make her stumble several feet before she gained her balance. Mainly, it made it clear that he was pissed.

She righted herself, hitching her backpack up over her shoulder before whirling on him. “What the hell?”

Those were the only words she got out as Carrick advanced on her, long strides that carried him right into her personal space and had her scurrying backward to get away.

His anger fueling his steps, Carrick backed her across the living area toward the kitchen and right into a wall that had her stopping dead in her tracks. Finley hit with a thud, her backpack slipping off her shoulder, then dropping to the floor.

Carrick didn’t stop, though. He moved in close, placing both palms on the wall just above her head. He caged her in with both his body and his fury. Carrick got a tingle of satisfaction that there was a tinge of fear in her expression because now maybe she would take him seriously.

Dipping his face close to hers, Carrick rumbled low. “You foolish, impetuous, idiotic girl.”

“Woman,” Finley clarified indignantly.

“You act like but a girl,” he retorted, his voice never rising but becoming far more dangerous in tone. “Taking risks like your stupid stunt in the bar with that incubus.”

Finley’s eyes rounded in surprise, her cheeks going red.

“Yeah… I know you were trying to tap into powers rather than doing your fucking job to let us know you’d tagged the incubus. It was dangerous trying to manipulate powers you know nothing about, and it put you into further danger. What would have happened had we not gotten to you in time?”

The question needed no answer. They both knew she’d be dead.

“But you did get to me in time,” she pointed out, not willing to back down despite the fact he could see she was still intimidated.

Clearly not enough.

One of Carrick’s hands moved from the wall to wrap around the front of her throat, and her mouth pressed shut. He didn’t need to squeeze as