Page 120 of Crucible
I swear, even the sky darkens, the gray clouds blocking some of the sun.
Sunshine, don’t go…
“We always knew this was temporary,” Khalil says, but I’m only half listening. “I know it doesn’t seem like it, but there will be other girls. I can promise you that. We won’t be on this mountain forever.”
“I don’t want anyone else, and neither do you.” I turn my head to study his profile. Khalil’s jaw is clenched as he stares straight ahead, refusing to meet my gaze. I’m right, and he knows it. He doesn’t want to give her up either—not even for Zeke. “Maybe instead of telling me I need to move on, you and Thor should start owning how you feel.”
Khalil’s shocked gaze flies to me, and his mouth falls open like he wants to deny that he’s not completely gone for Sunshine, but I beat him to it before he can utter one syllable of bullshit.
“The snow is going to melt soon,” I remind him. “She could still leave. You won’t be able to use theweatheras an excuse forever.”
“There are plenty of other things in these wilds that can kill her.”
I shake my head. “She’s passed every test. The mountain won’t kill her.” It’s going to sound batshit crazy coming from me, but over the years, we’ve gotten the sense that our mountain was sentient. It throws everything at you to either forge something it can wield or let nature take its course. It looks into the soul of anyone who trespasses and decides the trials you’ll face. If any. No one’s ever been tested more than Aurelia George. When Khalil doesn’t respond, I add, “We still have time to make her want to stay, Khalil.”
“Doubtful.”
“God, you’re a fucking pussy. I should have smothered you in your sleep when I had the chance.”
Khalil stops dead in his tracks, so I wind up a few steps ahead of him. “When would you have had the chance?” he sputters incredulously.
“Oh, plenty of times.” Spinning around, I close the gap between us despite the warning in his body language to keep my distance. Khalil’s not the only apex predator, so I forge ahead. “And let me clear. If I find even a single hair on Sunshine’s head out of place, I’ll show you just how unserious I was all those times I tried to kill you. I’ll flip that fancy kill switch that Zeke doesn’t think I know about and wake Bane.”
“Cura, what the hell are you—”
“Chrysa—”
“Stop,” he barks and then shoves me immediately. “What the fuck is your problem? How do you know about that?”
Raking Zeke’s fingers through his hair when it falls free of the careful coif I prefer to his messy bed hair, I say coolly, “Don’t worry about it. You just remember that I do, and never mention killing Sunshine again. How can you when you’ve seen how perfect she is for us?”
“Because she’s a fucking loose end who’s going to outlive her usefulness, and you’re the dumb fuck who can’t see that she’s using you.”
“She’s just trying to survive. Any one of us would do the same.”
“Don’t be such a fucking simp, Seth. Aurelia’s no damsel in distress. She’s the evil queen you save the damsel from.”
I step into his face and the deadly tension between us skyrockets. “She’s also the only reason I tolerate you breathing her air. If Zeke wakes up, he won’t be able to take care of her on his own. We might be using her, and she might be using me, butI’musingyou.”
Instead of looking worried that I’ve threatened his life twice in a matter of minutes, he smirks. “I guess you better back up off me then.”
I hold his stare for a few seconds longer before I back out of his reach. Only then do I give him my back before continuing our trek to the rescue camp.
Not a minute after Thorin and Aurelia’s weird yet sexually charged fight this morning, we’d gotten the call from Sheriff Kelly that it was safe to resume the search. It was either a genius move or a terrible one, leaving them alone together. I guess we’ll see soon enough since I am morethan a little eager to get out of the cold and home to my girl.
I quickened my steps, ready to get this pointless day of searching over with so I could see her again. After my argument with Khalil, I trust Thorin alone with Sunshine even less than before.
What if Thorin and Khalil had already decided they were done with her? What if Thorin staying behind was a ploy to get me out of the way while he disposed of her?
What if he’s hurting her right now?
My gut roils while my hands become fists. I’m ready to turn back and run all the way to Big Bear and the cabin when rational thought sneaks up on my murderous rage.
No…
I saw the way he looked at her this morning. Thorin’s not done with her yet. If anything, his obsession’s grown. Aurelia’s gotten under his skin and clawing her way into his heart. I know it. Maybe Khalil knows it too, and that’s why he’s trying to reinforce this rift by convincing himself that all she is to us is a loose end.
Aurelia’s safe at the moment, but for how much longer?
