Page 22 of Unmasked Prophecy
“Atta girl,” Zane calls from across the fire, a smirk twisting his lips. “Knew you had it in you.”
The flames crackle, and my eyes settle on them. I’ve always found a strange comfort in fire, except for the one that blazed out the front only a night ago. That’s the kind of fire I never want to see again in my life. Guilt still grips my chest, knowing how close these men came to the kind of danger I’m still not sure they understand.
Knox pulls out a joint, his face stern as he brings it to his lips, lighting it and taking a deep drag, leaning back in his chair. I try to keep my expression relaxed, but this is all so strangely foreign to me. I’m not used to them, or their world. They’re so different from what I know, and yet I find a strange sense of comfort in it.
“You thinkin’ of running off again?” Kael teases, arching a brow. “Or you gonna stick around and see how this plays out?”
“Depends,” I say, a small smile tugging at my lips. “You got more of this stuff?”
He chuckles, and it’s a sound I’m not used to. Light. Warm. It makes the tightness in my chest ease, just a little. I can’t help but like these guys, they’re scary and broody, yet funny and warm at the same time. I didn’t know those two things could mix, but here they are, proof of it.
“Plenty more,” Zane says, tipping his chair back on two legs. “Stick with us, you’ll be swimmin’ in it.”
“Or drownin’,” Knox mutters, passing the joint to Talon.
My eyes move to Talon, who is staring at the fire, his expression unreadable. My breath hitches at the sheer beauty that lies on this man’s face. The flames cast shadows across his features, making his eyes stand out. They’re already spectacular, but beneath the firelight, they’re breathtaking.
As if sensing I’m watching him, his eyes shift and lock onto mine, and I feel that familiar pull. I know he’s not over what happened last night. I can feel the tension in the way he holds himself, in the way he watches me. He has barely spoken a word.
I offer him a smile, hoping to break some of this uncomfortable silence. Surprising me, he stands and moves to sit beside me.
Close.
Too close.
My breath hitches.
The air shifts subtly, carrying with it a distinct aroma that envelops me completely. It's a blend of beer and a hint of musk mixed with leather, uniquely him. God, the way I want this man terrifies me. It terrifies me because I’m afraid it will mean I get hurt.
Really fucking hurt.
“Hey,” I say softly, unsure of what else to do.
“Hey,” he replies, short and sharp, but there’s no bite to it.
Kael passes the joint to Talon, who takes it, tipping his head slightly as he brings it to his lips, inhaling deep. My skin pricklesas I watch him, completely taken, forgetting the world around me.
“Can I try some?” I ask, nodding to the joint in his hand.
His eyes flash. “You ever smoked before?”
I bite my lip. “No, but I want to...”
“Gonna be a night of firsts for you, then.”
I swallow, my throat suddenly dry.
Talon shifts, turning to face me, and the world feels like it narrows down to just us. His eyes pin mine. Deep. Intense. My heart stutters as he lifts the joint to his lips, taking a slow drag, the tip flaring orange in the dark. He doesn’t break eye contact. Not even for a second.
“Breathe in,” he murmurs, and his hand curls around the back of my neck, pulling me closer. My skin prickles where he touches me, and I have to remind myself how to breathe as his lips near.
My lips part.
He exhales.
The smoke is warm and heady as it fills my lungs, and I gasp, a low moan catching in my throat. My head spins, but not from the joint, not from the way it hits my system and sends a rush through my body—it’s him. It’s Talon, and the way he makes me feel like I’m burning alive, like I’m coming apart at the seams.
Fuck, I think I’m falling for him.
