the trill of cicadas, I sank into my thoughts. Not about Zayne. I didn’t have the brain capacity to deal with anything Roth had just shared about him. Not when I’d just straight up killed someone.
Someone who was only mostly human and who had wanted—actually, needed—me dead. Who wouldn’t have mourned me. Who would’ve used my death for nefarious ends.
Still...someone I had killed.
I didn’t want to go back to the apartment. I didn’t want to be...trapped there with these thoughts. I needed to file them away before I faced Zayne.
I walked and walked, passing stunning waterways, ancient rock scrambles and even a rustic log cabin that looked one windstorm away from crumbling. I crossed a boulder bridge, awestruck by the fact that the thing was still standing, and as I walked, I replayed what I’d done.
Part of me couldn’t believe that I hadn’t found a different way. Another part of me knew I should’ve kept my cool and not given in to the anger that had led me to showing the witch what I was. The moment I’d done that, there was no going back. And I acknowledged that that wasn’t the first time I’d killed something other than a demon.
There’d been Ryker, then Clay.
And there’d been Misha.
All of them had been acts of self-defense, but although Faye had attacked me, I’d been able to restrain her. She’d been no real threat to my safety. Plus, I’d goaded her and then some, and...if I was being honest with myself, serving retribution had felt good.
Coming to a bench, I sat down heavily and lifted my gaze to the trees. This place reminded me of the Community, where I’d grown up. The air smelled fresher here. I sat back, realizing I didn’t feel any demons nearby.
Guess they didn’t like parks.
I stared at a sign across from me, having no idea what landmark it announced, and all I could think was that, when Faye had screamed, I hadn’t flinched, and when I’d ended her life, I hadn’t felt anything other than righteous retribution.
That was why I needed to walk. Those were the feelings I needed to sort out. Roth’s parting words had been powerful but pointless, because I didn’t feel an ounce of guilt. I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to or not, and if I was, I didn’t know what that said about me.
Or what I was capable of.
17
I had no idea how much time had passed when my phone started ringing. But I had a sinking suspicion about who it was as I pulled out my phone.
Zayne.
I really should’ve found my way back to the apartment before he returned, but I would’ve had to hail a cab or figure out how to use the Uber app, which I would barely have been able to see. Two things I’d never done before.
Probably should’ve thought of that before I let Roth drop me off.
I answered, wincing when I squeaked out a criminal-sounding “Hello?”
“Where are you?” Zayne asked, concern so apparent I could picture him pacing. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” I felt bad for making him worry. “Completely okay. I’m at Rock Creek Park.”
“You’re where?” Surprise flooded his voice.
“It’s a park near the zoo—”
“I know where it is. How did you get there?”
“Oh, I just sort of walked...and ended up here.”
“That’s one Hell of a distance to walk, Trin.”
Watching a couple jog by in matching spandex, I wondered how far I was from his apartment. “Yeah, I know. That’s why I’m sort of just sitting here on a bench.” I crossed my ankles. “So, did you take care of everything you needed to?”
“Yeah.” Zayne fell silent, and for a second I thought the call had disconnected. “Do you want me to come get you?”
A tiny part of me was on the verge of saying no, but I was going to have to deal with Zayne’s questions face-to-face sooner or later. “Can you? Because that would be great.”
“I’ll be there in about thirty minutes.”
“Perfect,” I said with so much chirpiness, the one word could’ve turned into a cheer. “Do you want me to meet you at the entrance?”
“I’ll find you in the park.” There was a beat of silence. “Trin, I...”
A child toddled past me, chasing the leash of a dog that was three times its size. “Yes?”
He didn’t answer immediately. “Nothing. I’ll be there in thirty.”
Zayne disconnected, and I was left staring at my phone, wondering what he’d wanted to say. There was no way he could know what I’d done today. Distance