Page 8 of Knight’s Salvation

“Don’t worry. They’ll get over their curiosity soon enough. Come on, grub’s this way.”

James led her to a large banquet-style table loaded with food. Her stomach growled. She hadn’t eaten since that morning and was too nervous to touch a bite when lunchtime rolled around. She was a curvy girl, had never pretended she didn’t love food, and took advantage of the wonderful spread. They filled their plates while James joked and teased, managing to put her at ease despite the gazes she felt burning into the back of her head.

He placed a buttered roll on his plate then handed her one. “So what did you do before you came here?”

She laughed. “Um, yesterday?”

He smiled. “Ah, yeah, I guess so.”

“Well, I did temp work mostly. I knew I’d have to move on eventually, pull up roots and leave everything behind once I gained my power. So I never bothered with anything permanent. Besides my sister, I avoided getting involved too deeply with anyone, kept my possessions to a minimum…you know, that type of thing.”

He shook his head. “That must’ve been hard, Mia. Never allowing yourself to get close to anyone or anything.” He moved toward some vacant chairs near the end of a table and motioned for her to sit.

“I guess. Though I imagine my situation is easier than those of you ripped from your old lives without warning.”

He shrugged. “I don’t know. I mean, yeah, it sucks, but at least we’ve lived…you know, without fear of what was coming, experienced stuff. Sounds like you kept yourself closed off. That’s gotta be lonely.”

An ache started up in the center of her chest. He was right; of course he was. Yeah, it’d been lonely, especially when Chaya left, but what else could she have done? Instead she said, “It wasn’t so bad.”

Keeping her head down, she focused on cutting through the chicken on her plate because she didn’t want him to see the truth in her eyes.

His hand covered hers, his palm warm, skin a little rough.

“I’m sorry, Mia, that was insensitive of me.”

“No. It’s fine, really. I’m tougher than I…”

Clunk.

A plate groaning with food crashed onto the table beside her. Zenon dragged out a chair, and his leather jacket creaked when he folded his big body into it. His spicy scent invaded her space and her belly flipped. But he didn’t look at her. Those cold unblinking eyes were focused on James.

The warmth of James’s hand disappeared and he cleared his throat while looking between her and Zenon. His eyes widened slightly then he dropped his gaze and started eating. It was several seconds before Zenon did the same, and she could tell James was trying not to squirm with all that intensity directed at him. Then as if nothing had happened, Zenon picked up his fork and started shoving food into his mouth. Mia stared at him, shocked by his sudden appearance and unwarranted aggressiveness toward James.

But he didn’t glance her way. Not once.

She wanted to ask him what the hell his problem was, but maybe this was her chance to try and figure him out. Maybe rectify his low opinion of her. It kind of pissed her off, actually. He didn’t know her, yet for some reason he’d decided to hate her on the spot.

She lightly touched his arm to get his attention. “So, Zenon, do you help with the training?”

He jolted like she’d shocked him then stilled, unnaturally so. The fork on its way to his mouth, suspended halfway to its destination, lowered. It seemed like forever before he turned. He looked down at her hand resting on his forearm then his strange eyes lifted and caught hers. She couldn’t help it—she yanked her hand back in surprise. He blinked several times, his thick dark lashes such a stark contrast to the amazing color of his eyes.

“I’m sorry…I…” The savage mask fell back into place and he turned away, dipping his head and letting his hair fall forward to cover his face. Oh God, she’d made it worse. “Zenon…”

He shoved away from the table suddenly, so hard his chair crashed to the ground behind him. The whole room came to a screeching standstill, and again all eyes turned to her. Stunned, she tried to think of what to say. Should she try to apologize again? But she didn’t know what she was apologizing for.

Before she could get her brain in gear, he stormed out.

“Jesus. What the hell crawled up his ass?” James muttered. “I mean, apart from the usual.”

The guy sitting to his left shook his head. “Beats me.”

Mia swallowed the lump in her throat. “It’s my fault. I don’t think he likes me very much.”

“Don’t let him get to you. He doesn’t like anyone. I’m surprised he even sat down at the table. He never eats with the rest of us. Prefers his own company.”

It was crazy, beyond crazy actually, but she had the sudden urge to go after him. To try and pet the beast. But she didn’t; she stayed in her seat. He wouldn’t welcome her company, and she got the feeling she’d just end up losing a limb.

Zenon ignoredthe startled glances as he pushed through the doors. What the fuck had he been thinking? That he could talk to her. That she wouldn’t take one look at him and recoil in disgust.