Page 19 (2/2)
"You’re h my veins, and I know it’s true
"Does it freak you out?" he asks
I bite , I wasn’t even sure Ash liked s arefor the hills, but the truth is I’ with Ash is as instinctive to h his I’ve been trying to fight e, but there’s no need to pretend anye way et him out offor Ash isbeautiful, that we’re destined to be together Even so, I can’t entirely shift the guilt I feel about being attracted to a Darkling The notion that hurained in e has to begin somewhere At least that’s what my father told me once
"No, it doesn’t freak me out Does it bother you?" I ask
He shakes his head "It seems--"
"Natural?"
He nods
"But how is it even possible? I’m human," I say
"I’m not sure Maybe because I’m half human, it works differently for lad it’s happened"
He beao froed I’hter"
"And it’s illegal," he gently reaht, we’ll be executed just like Tom and Jana Is it worth the risk? Ash strokes les, awakened, alive
Yes
"I want to be with you We just need to be careful," I say
"If anyone finds out--"
"They won’t" I gaze up at hihtly as he leans closer, his breath cool against my cheek It’s like I’m on the top of a roller coaster, ready to tip over at any second, the anticipation building Alainst his rily His heartbeat pounds in my ears; his hands stroke asp as a powerful jolt sparks between our hearts, opening an invisible channel between us, allowing all his emotions to flow into me: his pleasure, his love, his joy They flood into ht burst
The sensation’s too"What was that?"
His lips turn up into a perfect s"
I throw ain
"What the hell’s going on here?"
The sound of Day’s voice pulls us apart Day and Beetle glower at us from the deck
"It’s not what it looks like," I say instinctively, although I know it’s a duht red-handed
Ash helps me to my feet, and we cli face," Day says to et to dictate to me who I kiss," I say "Who the hell do you think you are? Purian Rose?"
"He’s a drug dealer; he ruins people’s lives," Day says
"It’s not Ash’s fault Beetle would rather be high than be with you," I snap back
Day flinches
"If you’re a true friend, you’ll be happy for me," I say to her
"If you were a true friend, you wouldn’t even consider being with Ash," Day zings back
Ash steps toward Day "I’ Natalie away from you, if that’s what you’re worried about"
"Like you did with Beetle, you mean?" she says
I roll my eyes "There’s room in my life for both of you There’s no need to be jealous"
She bristles "I a that way," I reply
"Ash Fisher is a bad influence, a Haze dealer and a jerk," Day says "If you go out with hi to be?"
I laugh "Are you seriouslyme choose between you?"
"Yes," she says
"Fine I pick Ash," I say
Hurt flashes across her face I’d feel sorry for her, but I’ive ers at Ash "Bro, what are you doing? She’s the Ehter!"
"Yeah, so what?" Ash says
"What’s happened to you,up with Sentry girls? You knohat they called people like you during the war? Collaborators"
Ash lunges for Beetle The two of the wild punches at each other Ash lands a well-ai blood to pour out of his nose He draws his fist back again
"Ash, stop it!" I plead
Ash i call ain," he yells
Day rushes over to Beetle and tries to stelares at me, and I return the hostile look
"Are you okay?" I ask Ash
"Yeah, I’m--"
CRASH!
The boat judders wildly Ash dashes to the tiller, which has been left unht, and steers the boat back on course When it’s steady, I check the side of the boat for dae The paintwork’s scuffed, and a few lanterns are smashed, but thankfully, there’s no real hare of the tiller, and the rest of us sit in angry silence, not looking at one another I wish the barge were a steamboat so we could be hoe and away froht ere true friends, but if she can’t be happy forThe boat finally approaches the ine Ash puts on his Tracker jacket, and I’I can sense blood," he says, his hair stirring
"Malcolm!" I yell
I ju rass There’s so much bloodjust like Trufflesjust like Father Malcolruesome cavity in his chest I stifle a screale" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-7451196230453695" data-ad-slot="9930101810" data-ad-format="auto" data-full-width-responsive="true"></ins>