Fire and Bone (Otherborn #1)(4)

I give a curt nod and try not to stare at the pool of red spreading along the cracks in the stone floor.

He holds out the dagger. “Would you prefer to do the honors?”

I look at his blood-smeared palm and my mouth goes dry. “Much gratitude, but no. I wouldn’t wish to dirty my skirts.”

His eyes rake over me. “You must settle yourself into this life, Daughter of Fire. We are not full of youthful whims here in the North. You are now a grown woman, and this is a cold world.” He steps closer and takes my chin in his fingers, the sticky blood smearing my skin. “It is a shame that you are so lovely.”

I make myself meet his icy, silver-blue gaze. “Why?”

His lips tilt in a sad smile. “Because, my fire creature, nothing beautiful survives my cold touch. I doubt you’ll be the first.”





TWO

SAGE

“She’s definitely not much to look at,” a voice says, pulling me from sleep. I was dreaming of . . . I don’t know, it’s fluttered out of my head already. But I do know I’m not alone in the room.

I sit up in a rush and scramble back against the wall.

Three large males hover over me, all wearing cat ears and holding red Solo cups. Two are blond with pale skin, and the third is super tan with brown eyes and dark brown hair. They study me intently, like I’m some sort of science experiment they’re trying to figure out.

“Whoa,” blond number one says, his head pulling back.

Blond number two adds, “Skittish thing,” like I’m not staring right at him.

The tan guy takes a drink, then says, “You’d be skittish too if you woke up to someone insulting you.”

Blondie One looks dubious. “You know I’m flawless, Ben.”

“Sure I do,” Brown Eyes answers dryly. He must be the cousin.

Star pushes them all aside. “Gods’ bones, give the girl space to breathe. I told you to leave her be until Faelan gets here.”

“You aren’t in charge, Star,” Blondie Two says, then chugs his drink. Whatever’s in the cup appears to be red; some of it stains his lips before he licks it off.

Star rolls her eyes and throws up her hands. “Far be it from me to make Faelan’s job easier.”

“What the hell’s going on?” I ask, looking from one figure to the other. I’ve woken up in the twilight zone. Who’s Faelan?

“Ignore these beefburgers, Sage,” Star says as she sets her cup down on the bedside table. “Go away, all of you. The girl needs to rest.”

Ben starts to object. “But what about the spe—”

She smacks her hand over his mouth. “Later, Ben.” She shoos at the three muscular guys with her tiny hands.

They bow their heads, looking contrite as they leave the room.

Star sighs dramatically and sits on the bed. “Boys are so annoying.”

“Star, what is going on?” I hug one of the pillows to my chest.

“Oh, they just heard about you and were curious.”

“You talked to them about me?” Why would she do that? That’s weird and creepy. Horror stories of street kids being bought and sold like cattle fill my head.

Her face pinches with concern. “Not like in a stalker way!” she says. “I just told them that I was hoping we could . . . you know, help you. Good karma and all that.” She looks at me sheepishly. “Not creepy, I swear.”

“A little creepy,” I say. But I relax some, seeing open honesty in her eyes. It’s not normal for people to be so nice, which is probably why I’m freaking out.

“I’m sorry. I’m just bad with humans,” she says in a whisper, like it’s a confession. “But I’ll scold those boys later for scaring you, I promise.”

Humans?

“It’s all right,” I say. “I’m not used to people giving a shit.”

“You poor thing,” she says, and her eyes glisten.

I laugh softly and nudge her shoulder. “It’s okay, Star.”

Her gaze skips to the space between us and her jaw clenches like she’s suddenly realizing how close I am to her.

Now we’re back to the awkward. I move away and lean on the wall again. “If it’s all right, I’d like to try and get some sleep. Then I’ll go. Feel free to burn the sheets afterward.”

“No rush,” she says, not picking up on my sarcasm. She reaches over and grabs her cup, takes a sip, and then holds it out to me. “Here, have this. I’ll make myself another one.”

I accept the cup. It’s filled with brown liquid that smells kind of herbal. “What is it?”

“Spiced tea and vodka, my own special recipe.” She smiles in her genuine way again, and I can’t help but relax a little. “It’s super yummy.”

“Thanks for the shower and not freaking out about the clothes.” I motion to the white shirt and jeans I borrowed. “And thanks for a place to crash. I wouldn’t wanna be out there tonight.” Not on Halloween, when all of LA acts like lunatic children.

She blushes a little and nods. “Just sleep. I’ll check on you later. And I’ll make sure the boys don’t come back.” Then she slips out into the party and the cloud of laughter and music.