Page 84 of A Trial By Blood

There was an odd note to his voice. “Has he been to the clubhouse tonight?”

“Yeah, then he left.”

“What did he say? He said he was doing something for you.”

Silence. “Rose, you don’t need to worry—”

“He lied, didn’t he?”

“It’s not that simple.”

“You know where he is, don’t you?” The unease in my gut intensified when he didn’t answer right away.

Finally, he said, “It’s not my place to say.”

“What did he talk to you about?”

“Look—”

“Relic,” I bit out. The sense of urgency was building to extremes inside me, a cold sweat breaking out over my skin.

“Fuck.” Relic blew out a long breath. “He needed to feed. We talked over his options. I thought I convinced him to go to you. He obviously changed his mind.”

Dread gripped me in its sharp claws. “He’s gone to The Vault, hasn’t he?”

“Rose—”

“Hasn’t he?”

“Yeah, I’d say that’s where he is.”

Pain seared me. “Why? Why would he do that to me?”

“He’s not fucking anyone, babe, he’s feeding. This isn’t him cheating on you.”

“That’s what it feels like. That’s exactly what it feels like.” I was breathing hard, close to hyperventilating.

“Shit…Roe, he was past the point he usually allows himself to get. He was close to the edge. He was scared if he tried to feed from you, he’d lose control, that he’d hurt you. I told him he wouldn’t, but that fear obviously got the better of him. He’s still trying to work all of this out. He’s confused. Give him a pass this one time, yeah?”

Like hell I would. I told him how I felt, and yeah, he was struggling to understand all he was feeling, but this was a betrayal. Honestly, it was the worst thing he could ever do. “I need to go. Thanks.”

“Rose, hang on…”

I disconnected the call. I could sit here feeling sick to my stomach, or I could try to stop it. Maybe I was already too late. Nausea hit me hard at the thought.

But maybe I wasn’t.

I had to try. Shoving on my shoes, I ran downstairs and grabbed Mag’s keys. “Can I borrow your car?” I called to Mags, who was the only one there. Iris and Ash had obviously gone back to the keep.

She twisted to face me. “Yeah, where are you going? Will Ronan be with you?”

“It’s fine. I’m meeting him,” I said.

“You’re lying.” She stood. “Does this have to do with your task?”

“I need to go, Mags.”

“Talk to me, Roe.”