Chapter 35

Jayce

I’ve got first rotation on watch tonight. It’s been an hour of crickets, bullfrogs, and mosquitoes.

I walked the length of the facility twice before sitting on the steps of a children’s ride.

The abandoned park casts long shadows under the dim light of the stars.

There hasn’t been a moment to clear my thoughts from the chaos of emotions threatening to swallow me whole.

I’ll kill Shay’s father or betrothed without remorse, but will she forgive me if it comes to that?

A twig breaking shakes me from my thoughts. I turn toward the sound—my defenses high.

Damn Circe. I might have to let Shay kill her. Standing there, bathed in the dim glow of the moon, Circe wears nothing, her eyes ablaze with a desperation that makes me pity her .

“Jayce,” she purrs, trying to sound seductive. “I've missed you. I know you’ve missed this.” She waves her hand along the curves of her body. My eyes refuse to follow her motion.

My heart races as I take a step back. I can’t even feel shocked. I should have seen this coming. I wish she’d leave our history in the past.

She’s a haunting reminder of memories I long to forget.

“Circe, I never made you any promises. I don’t understand your obsession.” My voice remains steady despite the frustration raging inside.

Her lips curl into a cruel smile as she steps closer.

“I doubt that. Not when you could have a body like mine instead of skin and bones.” She taunts. Her eyes flick past me to where Shay stands frozen in the doorway. Clear rage bubbles in her veins.

I shake my head as I realize Circe’s goal is to hurt Shay. Anger flares within me, but I need my senses clear. Circe’s plan is about to backfire.

Circe’s smile falters for a moment, replaced by a flicker of uncertainty at the look Shay’s giving her. She shakes off her nerves. Adding a defiant toss of her head, she steps closer toward me. She must have a death wish as her hand reaches out to trace the lines of my jaw.

“You’ll never satisfy him the way I can,” she taunts.

I step back, away from her touch. I must let happen what’s about to happen.