15. Zander

Chapter fifteen

Zander

K illy did good. He’d also changed the outcome without warning, and no one got hurt.

You need to explain what you’re really feeling, Zee. It’s not about controlling Killy. It’s fear of losing him, Crow replied. Crow had heard what Killy thought after the door closed. I just hadn't wanted to admit it to myself, or maybe I couldn't figure out what scared me until now.

I counted spaces home, found my phone, and fell onto the bed. Crow was never wrong. I’d made an ass of myself tonight, and nothing I said came out right.

Me: Gerald scared the hell out of me. Axl said to watch out for him, but I hadn’t met him before tonight. I was later than planned and worried he’d already started spreading the gasoline. You fixed it. You changed it without a warning from me. The Pride will respect you now. Kelly couldn’t summon them like that. Xeno put a blade in his throat because Kelly wouldn’t let him mate to Cassandra. I’m not making sense. I don’t want to control you. I can’t see the danger coming and can’t protect you. It scares me to attach myself to someone I can’t protect.

I tapped send and hoped it made sense. Hoped Killy understood. Hadn’t expected a response tonight, but it came, and I was afraid to read it.

Killy: I get that. You never asked me what my magic was. I feel the danger. I felt Gerald’s presence on the property tonight. Had wondered if you’d come to help, to protect, or if I’d summoned you.

Me: I came to protect you. I felt the summoning, but it didn’t move me.

Killy: That’s good to know. If it had, you wouldn’t be strong enough to sustain me.

That was true. Magic for magic, he outbled me. I was only a demigod. But. He didn’t need my magic to protect him. He could defend himself and his family.

Me: Would you have dinner with me tomorrow night?

Killy: On one condition.

Me: Name it.

Killy: You don’t get scared and leave again. I still want that kiss. And we’re eating here.

Me: Cool. You can teach me how to play pool, and if you win, you can have that kiss.

Killy: And if I lose?

Oh, hell! What did I say? Oh, why did I start this? I was not good at flirting!

Crow, however, was.

Me: If you lose, you have to dance for me.

Killy: So many possibilities with that one. Am I naked? Is it a striptease? Are you going to touch me? Hell, I may just lose on purpose.

Well, damn. Naked hadn’t crossed my mind until he said it. He didn’t know I’d seen him naked, up close and personal. I wanted to see all that flesh again, too.

Killy: Be on your game, and you can see anything you want.

Holy hell! Could he hear me?

Killy: Go to sleep, Zee. I’ll see you tomorrow. Six, and come prepared.

Prepared? Prepared for what? Killy didn’t answer that time. I put the phone on the charger and lay there for a moment, going through all the scenarios that came to mind. Had I gotten myself into something I couldn’t prepare for?