Page 76 (1/2)

Wake up, brother Don’t leave lanced at Nila The simplistic beauty of her onyx eyes and sexy lips twitched nant quiet No horses were hobbled tonight--the dogs slept across the yard, and the witching hour gave us our own seclusion frohtmares

Nila plucked at the plaid blanket that I’d placed over the hay bale "Will he remain that way?"

My heart clenched I hope so "He will if he knohat’s good for hih, too full ofthethe subject, I looped ?"

She nodded slowly "Of course"

"Can you take off the hood? I want to see you You’re in too much shadow"

Instantly, her e up, she shook her head "I’d prefer to keep it on I’htly and hugged herself

I soared upright "Bullshit I knohen you’re lying Just like I knew you were lying in most of the texts you sent"

Her shoulders hunched Her hands went to either side of her hood, keeping it tight around her face

Moving in front of her, I tugged on the black material "Nila…take off the hood"

"No"

"Nila…" My voice dropped to a growl "What are you hiding frolassed her eyes

My heart splintered "Nila, please I can’t stand it when you don’t tell ainst her hold

A single tear slipped down her face "Please…don’t

"What happened to you? When I first saw you, you were al back to life, but soed" My voice turned heavy "Please, Nila Let me fix this Whatever happened; let me try to help"

More tears ran silently down her face She looked away "I--I eak I gave in I didn’t think I had anything left inside ht "But then I saw you, and I reain You reminded me that I’m still cared for and it’s my duty Not to stay alive for myself, but for you You’ve already helped, more than you know"

"Fuck…Nila…" My chest seized as her sadness crested over ht?"

She s ether I’htened "Just…please, don’t ask me to take off the hood"

I couldn’t stand it My temper thickened "Take it off I have to know"

She shook her head

"Don’t make ether, re the truth"

Her shoulders hunched She hesitated for too long Finally, her head bowed "Please…please don’t find ly"