Page 150 of Lethal King

Without ceremony, Kaja plops beside me, nuzzling against my trembling skin.

“Took you long enough,” I say, wiping a tear from my cheek.

I’m about to take a chance and try to pick the kitten up when an unexpected sound breaks through my sad little haze.

The creaking of a door being opened.

In an instance, a feral instinct flares up in me, temporarily burning away my sorrow and evaporating my tears.

Reaching below my beltline, I pull out the pistol I stole from that ogre at Flavian’s club. It should still have five shots left.

I don’t dare call out as a pair of heavy footsteps approach down the hall. All I do is lift my gun and aim towards the doorway.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” a familiar voice comes from around the corner.

My gun drops.

“… Tytus?”

“Your shadow,” he says. Stepping into the kitchen, he nods down to the long black silhouette I’m casting on the ground. The light above the stove is on, and it’s exposing my position.

Shit. That was sloppy.

Something really is wrong with me.

“Whatever,” I mumble, putting my gun away.

Tytus does the same.

“I figured it was about time you showed up,” he smiles. “Took you long enough to escape.”

I’m surprised by how unsurprised he seems to see me.

“How did you know I was going to be here?” I ask.

“I didn’t,” he shrugs.

“Then why are you here?”

Joining me at the counter, Tytus runs a gentle hand over Kaja’s back. The kitten purrs.

“Just feeding the cat, but it looks like you beat me to it.” Before I can inquire further, he reaches up to his throat, all while looking at mine. “Are you alright?”

I’m well aware of the red mark burned into my skin. It’s from the collar.

That fucking collar.

“Don’t worry about it. I’m fine,” I mumble, flushing with shame.

“Are you sure?”

Tytus turns his attention to my puffy eyes.

“Yes,” I insist. “Where’s Babcia?”

My adoptive brother hesitates to answer, and my raw heart winces.

“Ty…”