Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 60904 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 305(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60904 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 305(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
I decide to go inside, taking time to stare up at the vaulted ceiling. The space is so immense that I can’t help feeling small and insignificant.
Or maybe that feeling is a reflection of my current emotional state.
There are chairs arranged in neat rows for a service later, but for now, the Minster is full of tourists rather than worshippers.
I drop down into one of the seats and pull out my phone.
There will never be a good time to break up with Bones. I might as well do it now before I lose my nerve.
Karolina
I need to talk to you.
He answers a minute later.
Bones
What’s going on?
He must know that I was caught during the dirty scene he arranged in the library, but he doesn’t apologize.
I shrug it off. That doesn’t matter now.
Karolina
I can’t do this anymore.
Bones
Why not?
Karolina
I met someone.
My hands shake at the admission. I’m still not sure if I can be with Rand, but I know I can’t continue my relationship with Bones while I have feelings for my professor.
Bones
I see.
Karolina
I’m sorry. I need you to know that our relationship has been important to me. I’ve never seen you as a toy to be used and discarded. That’s not what this is.
Bones
You’re ending things, then?
Karolina
I have to.
A pause.
Bones
He must be special. You never seemed to want a deeper connection.
I press my lips together. Even now, I hesitate to share intimate information with my masked man.
Karolina
I don’t know what I want. I just know that I can’t keep doing this.
Bones
Fair enough. I want you to be happy, Karolina.
My eyes sting, and I quickly blink away the threat of tears.
Karolina
Thank you. I want you to be happy too.
Bones
I will be. I’m not upset with you. I never could be.
Karolina
I don’t want to hurt you.
Bones
I’m not hurt, kitten. If this is what you need, I’ll support you.
I swipe wet heat from my cheek.
Karolina
Thank you for everything.
Bones
Be well, Karolina.
Karolina
You too.
I stare at my phone for a few minutes, but he doesn’t send another message.
It’s over.
I wipe my cheeks again.
The loss of my constant companion is undeniably painful.
Suddenly, selfishly, I don’t want to be alone in my pain.
I find Rand’s contact details.
Karolina
I’m ready to talk. Can you meet me at the Minster?
Rand
I’ll be there in ten minutes.
King’s Manor is close, so I’m not surprised he can get to me quickly. He always seems prepared to drop everything for me.
And this time, it’s not because I’m being threatened by my stalker. He simply wants to see me, especially after our steamy scene in his office yesterday.
As I wait for him to arrive, a choir gathers in the center of the cathedral. They’re singing in Latin, so I can’t understand the words, but the music is beautiful enough to draw more tears to my eyes.
I don’t jolt when Rand gently touches my shoulder; I recognize him.
He sits beside me and murmurs, “What’s wrong?”
I blink hard to stave off my tears and turn to face him. “I wanted to see you.”
I’m not sure what else to say. I don’t want to tell him about Bones. That feels too private.
And I don’t want to talk to him about my sexual relationship with another man.
His hand rests atop mine.
“I’m glad. I needed to see you too.” He squeezes my fingers. “I want to be with you, Lena. Don’t walk away again. Please.”
“But you barely know me,” I whisper.
“I know enough. I know I’ve never felt this way about anyone else. I don’t care that you’re my student. I’ll do whatever it takes to make this work. Let me in. I will never hurt you.”
I think about all we’ve shared. I haven’t spent much time with him, but I am getting to know him. Probably more deeply than what he shares with most people.
We’re both orphans, and we both know the darker side of humanity.
It’s made me isolate to protect myself, but Rand doesn’t seem to respond to his trauma in the same way.
At least, not when it comes to me.
On a physical level, our desires do seem perfectly matched. But we’re more than that.
“I’m scared,” I admit. “Not of you. I’m scared of what might happen.”
“I won’t let anything happen to you,” he vows.
“I’m scared of what will happen to you.” The fearful confession is drawn from deep in my soul.
His head tilts, and he tries to read me. “I told you I’m perfectly capable of defending myself against your stalker.”
“It’s not that,” I insist.
A series of macabre images race across my brain in a nauseating film reel: my parents, pale and bloated on slabs; Carter, eyes unseeing and his head a gory mess; Brandon, his face ruined and his body unmoving; and finally, Rich with his throat slashed.
“Breathe,” Rand intones. “Look at me.”
I focus on him and drag in a shaky breath.
“You’re safe,” he promises. “And so am I. Nothing bad is going to happen to me. I won’t let anyone harm either of us.”