Page 147 of Darkened Promises

I wish we could be friends. I’d like that.

I give her my best closed-mouthed smile, then shove Gheruță into his neck. A little thrill shoots through me at having an audience, even if she does look a little pale.

After a couple seconds, I remove Gheruță and step around the gurgling man. Stopping beside her, I crouch down so I can see her up close. She’s really very pretty.

She’s watching me as closely as I am her. Does she think I’m pretty too?

I used to be. But Maestru ruined that for me. He didn’t like my spark. So now I’m scarred and tarnished.

Without thought, I reach out and trail a finger around her parted mouth. Even her tongue’s so…pink.

Is that what mine would look like?

Every tongue I’ve looked at is different; some wide, some short, some pointed.

She snaps her mouth shut, and disappointment curls through me.

“Tigrișor, you need to get it done. They’ll arrive any minute,” my Păzitor growls in my ear.

He will arrive any minute, he means. My sweet Păzitor doesn’t like my detective so much.

Flicking my hands, I motion for her to go. Her brows crease, and she stares at me. I repeat myself, and she listens this time, scrambling to her feet.

Just before she rounds the corner, she looks back at me.

Bye.

I rummage through the bag and pull out the last part of the order: fire.

THE END