Page 186 of Rite of Unity

“Calden, I—”

“Get out of here now.”

The bite in his tone had me flinching back until I was in the doorway.

“Wait.”

I stopped, my chest painfully tight.

He moved, closing the distance between us, and touched my face, heat flaring under the pad of his thumb.He dragged it across my cheek, then dropped his hand, wiping it on his pants.“You had blood on your cheek.”

My hand fisted his shirt.

He buried his face in my hair, inhaling deeply.

I tilted my head, eyes sliding closed as phantom fingers ran down my arms.

Lips ghosted over mine, never touching.I ached to close the space, to do what I had wanted from the moment I saw him watching me from his dark corner.

“Get out.”

My eyes fluttered open.He had moved back several paces, the distance between us a great chasm.

“I can’t let you—”

“You think I’m going to stay here and take credit for it?”

My breath caught.

He smiled, a dimple appearing in his cheek.“I’ll come back for you.”

My heart squeezed.Even after…

“Tonight?”

He shook his head.“This is a crime we can’t outrun.”

I nodded.“When?”

He glanced down at his tablet.“Tomorrow.”

I backed up, warmth spreading through my limbs, and a small smile touched my lips.“Tomorrow.”

“Go.”

I turned, running from the room.

Back in Elias’s room, I lay on my side and stared at the wall.A few days ago, Calden had asked me to leave with him, and I had said no.The mission had been the only thing I could see.

Now, the mission was done.

Tomorrow, I would truly be free.

Elias pulled me against him, snoring softly.

I let him.

***