I'm racked with so many confusing, terrifying, and horrifying emotions, that I don't know what to say or do right now. A battle is warring within me, and I'm worried the hidden darkness is going to win.
Please let there be a good explanation.
"You don't have blood on you, so maybe there's something else going on?" he says hopefully, making it sound like a question.
His attempt to alleviate my absolute shock and dread is feeble at best.
"I'm a witch, Kane. One wave of my hand and bloodstains disappear."
I lean over to press my head against the palms of my hands, praying one memory will surface. I don't know if I really want that or not though. What if I lost it so badly that I actually—oh no—
"If you took the time to clean your clothes, then you would have cleaned the car, too," he says, interrupting my own tormenting reverie.
Not if I was so dark that I didn't really give a damn about anything but looking like a mess. What heartless monster is inside me?
I start holding back the floodgates, and his arms wrap around me to steady my dizzying state.
"Hey," he murmurs gently, treating me like cracked glass, as a few tears drip from my eyes. "Babe, I'll take care of this. We'll figure out what's going on. Right now, let's focus on the Were meeting, and then we'll go from there."
He kisses me softly, not letting me fall apart in his embrace. I steady my nerves and just nod numbly. He pulls me up, keeping me supported with his arm wrapped around me.
"You'll tell me when Sierra finds something?" I ask, my voice hoarse and crackling.
"Yeah," he murmurs too quietly, making me question if he really will or not—if it's something he knows I won't want to hear.
"I wish I could remembersomethingfrom before I got here."
"Don't worry about it right now. It could be anything. Someone could have attacked you for all you know. Just keep quiet about the blood. If anything comes of it, I'll just claim it. I'm a night stalker. As long as the body is disposed of, no one can touch me."
Bile rises to my throat in that instant, and I dart outside to heave over the balcony. Kane runs up beside me—using human speed—as all the lake walkers and joggers glance up to see me in the freezing cold, wearing next-to-nothing, and hurling my guts up over a railing.
A warm jacket wraps around my body as Kane pulls my hair back. Before I collapse, I feel his arms around me, picking me up, cradling me to his chest. Seconds before my eyelids fall shut and unconsciousness takes over, I feel his lips press against my forehead as he sighs out wearily.
The car rolls to a stop, and the slight jarring of it going into the parked position wakes me from my accidental slumber. I look over to see my very concerned night stalker letting his gaze wash over me, his brow crinkled with tension.
"You okay? I know that's a stupid question right now, but I'm worried. I shouldn't have said anything, but I didn't want to keep it from you."
"No," I strain out with a tired voice. "Don't ever keep anything from me. I'm tired of people keeping stuff a secret because they're worried I can't handle it. Whatever I did, I'll make it right somehow, and deal with it if I can't."
"Just keep it quiet. Let it fall on me."
He's so serious right now. He's willing to take blame for something I could have done. I'd melt if I wasn't so distracted by my dread.
"Has Sierra called to say if she's found anything yet?" I ask, proud of how even my tone sounds despite my inner turmoil.
"We'll talk about it when we're alone," he whispers, tugging at my hand and pulling me onto his lap. "There're about five Were out here right now. They just arrived. I feel their presence burning strong."
"I didn't know night stalkers had that ability," I whisper back.
"Most don't, but I do," he says in a nearly muted tone. "Just with were-creatures and lycans. And it's stronger around red moon times."
"Obviously you can't sense witches," I add, keeping my voice as nearly inaudible as his.
He uses his head to motion for us to get out, and then he pulls me from the car with him in one smooth motion. His fingers thread with mine, and my scalp suddenly starts to tingle with anxiety. The prickling sensations only grow as we near the front door.
My eyes give Gage's car a quick glance, and Kane's hand tightens on mine when voices from inside the house reach us through the open window.
"You're damn lucky you made a deal with Zallus, Drackus. I don't fear you in the least," an unknown voice snarls out. "We're not leaving until the dredger has checked her memories. If you speak the truth, then she'll have nothing to fear."
