Chapter 17

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Ellery

He somehow managed to suppress the bolts between his fingers before he grasped my elbow, dragged me against his side, and propelled me toward the hallway. A vein throbbed at his temple, and I could hear his teeth grinding together.

I had to run to keep up with his rapid strides, which incensed me more. I jerked at my arm, but he refused to release me.

"Ryker!" Tucker yelled as he jogged after us.

Ryker spun on him. "You stay out of this! You never should have brought her here. This is between us now."

Tucker stepped back from Ryker's wrath and glanced at me. When Ryker started forward again, Tucker hesitated briefly before following us.

When the stocky amsirah guarding the door saw us approaching, his eyes widened. He hurried to open the door before we got there.

I blinked against the light flooding inside and greedily inhaled the fresh air. I wanted every remnant of that place gone, but it clung to my clothing and hair.

I didn't realize Tucker was still behind us until a stick snapped. The poltergeist on the rock rose into the air and lifted his knife, but Ryker didn't pay any attention to him as he dragged me toward the woods.

Tugging on my arm again, I tried to free it from his grasp, but he refused to relinquish me. "Let go!"

Ryker didn't acknowledge me as he turned to Tucker. "I'm not kidding, Tucker; back off."

"Ryker—"

"We're fine," I assured him.

I needed time alone with Ryker; that wouldn't happen if Tucker kept trying to interfere. Tucker hesitated as his eyes met mine. I may have burned my bridge with him, but he didn't like the idea of leaving me alone with an irate Ryker.

"We're fine," I told him again. "I'm fine. He doesn't scare me."

Tucker looked doubtful as Ryker growled, "I should."

Tucker stepped back. "Don't do anything stupid."

"I already trusted her; I can't do anything dumber than that."

I resisted kicking him as I jerked at my arm again. He had a point, but he could also shove that point up his too-tight ass.

Tucker's attention shifted to me. "Be careful."

I didn't bother to reply as Ryker turned and propelled me through the woods again. When we'd gone far enough to talk without interruption, I planted my heels into the spongy ground and jerked on my arm.

Dirt and debris skidded up from beneath my brown boots as he dragged me a few more steps. His hand constricted on my arm before he finally released me.

He stalked ten feet away, weaving in and out of the trees as his hands clenched and unclenched. Little lightning bolts zipped between his fingers as he stopped beside a Maylin tree.

The tree's gnarled branches, so easy for climbing, spiraled high into the sky. The Maylin's cheerful yellow leaves were a direct contrast to Ryker's stormy eyes and furious countenance.

I took a deep breath to steady my nerves as everything crashed around me. Now that I had some time away from that place, the woman, and Ryker's indifference, my irritation was fading.

I was beginning to regret my revelation, but what did it matter? I had nothing left to lose and was tired of being walked on by rich, powerful men—I'd never expected Ryker to be one of them.

Despite the fear pulsing through me, I also felt relief. I'd spent months battling my guilt over keeping the knowledge I was the Hooded Robber from Ryker. Finally , it had come out.

Granted, it hadn't come out in the best way or under the greatest circumstances, but it was done. I was finally free… from that, at least.

There were still more secrets between us, but the worst was out, and it was time to face the consequences of it. He wouldn't kill me.

No matter how pissed off he was, he wouldn't harm me, but my heart would take more of a beating by the time this was over. I was sure of it.

From across the ten feet separating us, Ryker glowered at me. This man, who used to hold me with such tenderness and stare at me with such joy, looked as if he hated me, and after everything I'd done, I didn't blame him.

It was about to get worse as he was about to find out why things never could have worked out between us… even if his father hadn't gotten involved. I gulped. There was no going back from this; I'd destroyed everything good and right between us.

I'd ruined the best thing that ever happened to me. I loved this man more than I ever could have believed possible on that day when I offered my hand in place of Mouse's.

Then, I'd considered him an indifferent asshole. Over time, I'd seen how good his heart was and learned all the abuses and horrors he'd endured.

I was just one more thing to add to the wrongs he'd endured. Tears pricked my eyes, but I blinked them away; this wasn't the time to cry.

I yearned to have those strong arms around me again, cradling me as he held me protectively against him. The look on his face said he'd prefer to see me dead.

"I'm sorry," I whispered. "No matter what, you have to know I'm sorry for everything that happened; I never expected things to get this out of control, and I never planned to… to…"

To fall in love with you, but I couldn't say that. Those words might infuriate him, and I was too raw to expose myself further.

"I never expected anything to happen between us. I never could have seen that coming."

He showed no reaction to my words. "Who is it, Ellery?"