She waits patiently. That beautiful blue eye searching me for cracks. Searing into me leaves burnt pieces, wanting to know the truth.

I know what it is Helena. My brother did something to Carmen that I am afraid to say. He did it and he dropped her here because he knows that I am here. What he knows about me and Carmen, if he knows that we where together and he did that to her to get back at me for choosing her over kindred and blood that I don’t know.

I think it. I think it so loud that the echoes bounce off my skull and makes my brain hurt. Do I say it?

No.

“Helena I have always been as honest as I can with you. I won’t put anyone in danger for Carmen. You have my word.”

“Yes Shane you say it, but do you believe it?” 

I don’t answer her. I can’t. Turning and walking back to the house I know deep down inside where even I don’t want to go, I know that now that Carmen is here and alive and safe there was no way that I was gonna let her go, let alone to be hurt again.

Chapter Twelve

I walk back into the house. Into the kitchen. She is there alone and shivering. She rubs her arms under the blanket. Nothing, still cold. I don’t know why I stand there and stare at her. She doesn’t seem to notice at first but then she does and she nearly jumps out of her chair. I walk over slowly and kneel in front of her and kiss her. No holding back, no fear of what to do. I kiss her until she calms. I kiss her till I feel her hands on my face, in my hair, till we are feverish. She still feels something for me. The physical me. Thank god……..

“Why did you do that?”

“Because I am tired of you looking at me like I am him.”