“You were working for them all along.”
He shrugged. “They thought I was.”
I took in a deep trembling breath, trying to retain control of my emotions. Thane had the ability to annoy me like no other. But it would do no good to be angry at him. “Did you lead them to Jimmy? Is he dead because of you?”
“No.” He was calm as he responded, always in control. “I could never do that.”
Perhaps I was an idiot, but I believed him. “I need you.”
He quirked a brow.
I flushed, looking away. “I mean…I’m leaving.”
“I heard.”
He’d heard. Had he been listening to my conversation with Will and Kelly? I brushed aside the thought. “You owe me, I saved your life.”
“Yes, but you actually had owed me one, if you remember.”
I fought my sigh. He would think of that. “So, we’re even.”
He didn’t respond, his lips didn’t lift, but I swore I could see the amusement in his eyes. If he came with me, it wouldn’t be because either of us owed each other anything. It would be because he wanted to.
“Do you like me?” I blurted out.
He shrugged. “You’re okay.”
I sighed, frustrated. “I’m serious, Thane. Do you want to…kiss me and other stuff?”
The amusement in his blue eyes was rather obvious now. “Other stuff?”
The heat of embarrassment rushed to my cheeks, but I was determined to get the truth from him once and for all. “Answer the question.”
He took in a deep breath, looked toward the woods as if to gather his thoughts, and then refocused on me. “Yes.”
My heart fluttered, even as my mind told me not to trust his answer. “You’ve lied to me.”
He pushed away from the tree. “Actually, I never lied, I only allowed you to believe what you wanted.”
“No, don’t play word games.” I shoved my finger into his chest. “You purposefully kept information from me. No more. You understand? If we’re going to do this, it’s as partners. Partners who share everything. No secrets. No omissions.”
“Everything?”
I swallowed hard. Good god, not everything. “Well, the important stuff.” Flustered, I tucked a loose lock of hair behind my ear. “I’m leaving now, and…I want you to come with me.”
“What about Will?”
“Will has his own life here.” I glanced back at the group. They were packing up camp, preparing to head out, always on the move. At least this time I would choose my direction of travel. Will might not think Raven had the ingredients for the serum, but I did.
“This is what he lives for. But I can’t stay.” If anyone would understand, it would be Thane. After all, he’d never belonged either. “Will you come with me?”
“So he won’t go and instead you ask me?”
I frowned. Was Thane actually jealous? Impossible. “No. I didn’t ask him.” Was he dragging this out on purpose? “Listen, if you don’t want to go, then fine. I’ll go on my own. I don’t need—”
Before I could finish Thane reached out, grabbed me around the waist and jerked me forward. His lips found mind in a possessive, uncompromising kiss. I might not have known what tomorrow would bring, but in that brief moment everything felt right with the world once more. When he pulled back, I was breathless and dizzy, but mostly I was relieved. Thane might not be one to speak from the heart, but he’d said what he’d needed to with that kiss.
“Where are we going?” he asked.
“To find Raven.”
“I see.” He released his hold on me, picked up his pack and shrugged it onto his shoulders. “Then let’s go.”
He didn’t question me, but trusted my decision.
I looked back only once to memorize the details of the people I had come to care about. Kelly and Will were watching us. Will looked upset, Kelly merely sad. I knew they’d seen the kiss and were confused by our relationship. But to me the feelings I had for Thane were anything but confusing. In fact, they were the only thing in my life that felt real and normal and right. Will turned away and started back to the group, his people. Kelly waved her consent. I smiled back at her.
“Ready?” When Thane held out his hand, I slid my fingers around his.
Grandfather had said I would need someone strong to help me on this journey. I knew without a doubt that man was Thane. I’d known the moment I’d met him, even if it had taken me awhile to realize it. Even longer to admit it.
As I followed Thane up the hill, away from the comforts of the familiar and into the unknown once more, I thought about what Bacchus had said.
Somehow he had known I hadn’t taken the serum.
Maybe he believed I hadn’t taken the antidote for love…for Thane. Perhaps a part of that was true. But that romantic me had died when I’d left the compound.
I hadn’t taken the vaccine.
But the reasoning behind my decision hadn’t been merely to save Thane if he needed the blood. Will wasn’t the only one concerned about the welfare of others. I hadn’t taken the serum for the greater good. If we wanted to survive, if I wanted to find Raven, I would need Thane, and Thane would need blood.
If I wanted to keep my brothers and sister alive, if I wanted to save the others, I might have to sacrifice myself.
For now, I was okay with that.
The End
I hope you’ve enjoyed The Chosen Ones. If you’re interested in finding out what happens to Jane and Thanatos, head to my website at www.LoriBrighton.com and sign up for my newsletter located on the contact page. This newsletter will contain valuable information about upcoming releases, including the release date for The Forsaken Ones, the next book in The Beautiful Ones series.
About Lori Brighton
Lori has a degree in Anthropology and worked as a museum curator. Deciding the people in her imagination were slightly more exciting than the dead things in a museum basement, she set out to become an author. Lori writes Romance for adults, as well as Young Adult books for teens and adults.
To find out more about Lori visit her at: www.LoriBrighton.com
Lori’s Young Adult Books:
The Chosen Ones Series:
The Beautiful Ones: Prequel (Free)
The Chosen Ones: Book 1
The Forsaken Ones: Book 2
The Mind Readers Series:
The Mind Readers: Book 1 (Ebook version is free!)
The Mind Thieves: Book 2
The Mind Games: Book 3
The Mind Keepers (Series-ending Novella)
The Matchmaker Series:
Make Me a Match: Book 1
The Chosen Ones Page 27
