Page 202 of Black Reign

I whisper the only thing that makes sense.

“Ghost.”

His eyes close for half a second.

Then he crosses the space between us.

One hand cups the back of my head.

The other wraps around my waist.

Not romantic.

Not yet.

Protective.

Fierce.

Like he's checking whether I'm solid.

Whether I'm actually here.

My face hits his chest.

His coat smells exactly the way it did at the wedding.

Cedar.

Clean wool.

Him.

A sound leaves me that I would deny under oath.

I fist both hands in his shirt.

He feels it.

His arms tighten.

“You're bleeding.”

“Little bit.”

His jaw hardens over my hair.

“Who did it?”

I almost laugh.

“That sounded very Ghost.”

“No.”

His voice drops.

“This is Xavier.”