Feed Her

Callahan

She's ruffled me. Gotten under my skin.

I'm distracted when I walk out of the room. I fist my hand, relax it. I swear I can still feel the pulse at her throat in my fist. I need to be careful. I need to check my rage. I may need her yet.

And I don't want to hurt her.

"Callahan," Alec calls out. He has to do it a second time before I stop and turn. I didn't even see him outside the door. "Everything okay?"

“Everything's splendid. Stay with her. She can spend five minutes with her brother after she eats. Then I want her in that room unless she's in the kitchen with Lenore. She's not to go outside and you're not to leave her side, understand?"

He appears momentarily confused and I realize how intense I sound but he schools his features and nods.

"Good." I look at my bedroom door behind which is my infuriating captive. I give a shake of my head to clear the assault of her words. I'm walking down the stairs but before I've even reached the bottom, I smell it. Burnt sugar.

I inhale