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“Elijah believes that Patrice will jump at the chance to find someone like her. Especially if the recommendation comes from him.”
“This is fucked-up,” Amelia announces. “I thought this was a good idea, but damn. I…we understand if you don’t want to do this.”
“No. It was my idea to start with, and it’s the only way to save them. I’ve lived in much worse conditions.” I take a deep breath, pushing memories from my mind.
“You can stay here as long as needed,” Fynn announces to the group. “If Patrice is in the area, I doubt you’ll want to go far.”
“Thank you,” Micah answers for all of us.
Thorne wraps his fingers around mine protectively. I’m not the only one with memories flashing to mind. I squeeze his hand, hoping to offer comfort. “I’m taking Elsie for a walk,” he announces to the group.
I don’t argue as he leads me down the deck stairs to the sand. It’s not until we’re standing side by side, staringinto the sea that he speaks. “This is going to sound so selfish.” He closes his eyes. “But I don’t know if I can do this.” He wipes a tear from his cheek. “I just found you.”
I turn, facing him. “I have no intention of being lost.”
“I know, but what if…”
“No,” I interrupt. “We can’t do the what ifs.” My mind flashes back to Francis’s words when we were going after Kragen. “This is my chance to save them. To make up for the humans that I’ve killed over the years.”
“You don’t need to make up for that, Elsie.”
“Yes, I do. I’ve killed so many people, Thorne. Innocent humans who did nothing wrong except carry the very thing that sustains me in their veins.” It’s my turn to wipe a tear. “I turned into the monster I escaped from.”
“You’re nothing like him,” Thorne argues.
“Every human I killed is one step closer to becoming him.” My fingers glide softly over his cheek. “I’m going to be okay.”
“You don’t know that.”
“No, I don’t. But I have to believe it.” I pause. “If I can save a child, it’s worth it. If I can save another group of humans from becoming their food, it’s worth it.”
Thorne closes his eyes, allowing the tears to cover his cheeks. “I love you, acushla.”
“I know, and I love you, too.”
“We have contact!” Luna yells from the sliding glass window.
“That was quick.” I laugh awkwardly.
“I will rip her limb from limb if one hair on your head is damaged.” The energy pouring off Thorne is something I’ve never witnessed, and in any other situation, it would be hot.
“I would expect nothing less,” I say, wrapping my arms around his waist and pulling him close. His lips are on mine in an instant. The intensity of the kiss says more than words ever could. His tongue separates my lips, making contact with mine and sending chills down my spine.
I pull away from the kiss, out of breath. “We’d better stop, or this is going to turn into a spectacle for the tourists.” Thorne doesn’t laugh at my weak attempt at humor.
Lacing my fingers through his, I lead him up the stairs and back into the house. “What has happened?” I ask the crowd staring at me.
“Patrice wants to meet you,” Micah answers.
“Where?”
“A home off the bay,” he answers. “In an hour.”
“Hell no,” Thorne answers. “She’s not going to be ready in an hour.”
“I’ll be ready,” I lie. I pull Thorne’s hand to my lips, kissing the back of it. “We have to make Patrice believe for this to happen. If I truly wanted to join her, I wouldbe ready to jump when she says jump. I wouldn’t make her wait.”
“The bay is almost an hour away,” Fynn says. “We need to leave now to get you there on time.”
