Rage and Ruin by Jennifer L. Armentrout Page 0,122
of them,” I continued, hands clenching into fists. “I killed that witch, Faye. So, yeah, we’re both great at lying about the important stuff, right? We’re both hypocrites. Does that make you feel better, knowing that? It should. Now that you know what I’m capable of, you should be thrilled I drew that line.”
He stared at me. “You’re wrong. I’m better at keeping things a secret than you.”
“Is that so?” I challenged.
“I knew about Roth and the coven,” he said, effectively blowing my mind and the smugness right out of me. “I knew that he asked you to help. And I know that you didn’t want to kill her or any of them. I also know that you didn’t kill that witch until she went after Bambi and the Crone told you to.”
“Well,” I said, and that was all I could say.
“Roth called me after he dropped you off.”
My jaw was on the ground. That demonic SOB had told me not to tell Zayne!
“He didn’t think it wise for you to be out there by yourself,” he continued, and I about fell flat on my back. “I was just waiting for you to tell me, and I guess you have.”
I had nothing to say.
“There it is. The expression on your face I was waiting for when the hypocrisy turned right back around on you. Too bad it’s not as enjoyable as I thought it would be,” he said. “And you know what? I should be in there with Stacey, because that’s what a friend does. Instead, I’m out here with you.”
The sting returned, mixing with the burn. “I didn’t tell you to come out here.”
Zayne shook his head as he dragged his lower lip between his teeth. “Do you know your way back to the apartment?”
“I can figure—”
“Do you or do you not know your way back to the apartment, Trinity? Do you even have any apps downloaded on your phone to help you? Can you see those street signs? Did you pay attention when Sam led you here?” When I didn’t answer—when I couldn’t answer—he said, “It’s not like I can just let you roam around, so whether or not you want me here or I want to be here, this is where I am.”
The burn and sting became a knot I could barely swallow. All my anger pulsed, dissipated, returned as something entirely new. My chest ached, but my skin burned with embarrassment and my shoulders slumped under the sudden weight as I stared at the pebbled alley floor.
Burden.
That’s what that weight was. A burden of duty, and a burden of having to be aided. Zayne was right. I didn’t even have Google Maps on my phone. Hell, I wouldn’t be able to read the stupid directions if I did. He knew that, and he was here because of that and because he was my bonded Protector.
Not because I was a friend in need.
Not because this was where he wanted or needed to be.
And that was a world of difference. Even if things hadn’t gotten so complicated between us, this situation right here would’ve probably still happened.
“I want to go back to the apartment,” I said, feeling so very heavy. “I would like that.”
“Of course.” His voice was flat. “It’s your world, Trinity.”
It’s your world.
Hadn’t Misha said something similar? I turned toward the street, squinting behind my sunglasses. “I can do an Uber if you—um, if you help me with seeing the app and...” Heat flowed over my cheeks. “And help me with the car when it gets here. I can’t see license plates, and some makes—”
“Got it,” he clipped out, and when I looked over my shoulder, he already had his phone out. No more than a few seconds later, he announced, “The car will be here in less than ten minutes.”
And that was all he said.
28
About two years ago, Misha and I got into this huge fight. Jada and Ty and several other Wardens were leaving the Community to spend a day in one of the nearby towns and Outback cheese fries were involved, so of course, I wanted to go with them. Thierry refused my request due to some inane reason and, knowing my penchant for not listening to his orders, he went as far as stationing spare Wardens at all the possible exits of the house. Misha had told me he wasn’t going and would be working on something with Thierry. He’d lied and gone with the group, and while coming to find out