2 Hungry, Hungry Hoodoo by Liz Schulte Page B

body ached like I’d run a marathon. I absently rubbed my breastbone and my mind drifted to Cheney drinking in the study. Where was he now? Was he thinking about me? My eyes drifted closed as I ignored Sebastian’s incessant talking, and I could almost smell the dusty old books and Cheney’s scent that was always laced with sandalwood. When I opened my eyes, I was standing behind the soft leather chair I’d sat in across from Cheney only yesterday. The room was dark and empty, silent as death. I didn’t celebrate my success or hurry back to Sebastian. I walked along the bookcases, trailing my finger along the spines, trying to listen to my heart, but my heart wasn’t talking. My mind, however, wouldn’t be quiet. I sat in Cheney’s chair and remembered his voice asking me if I’d ever loved him.
    A pretty box made of interwoven pieces of various metals sat on the table beside me, gleaming even in the low light. I touched it lightly, trying to open it, but it was locked. I stared at it a moment, and then with a flick of my telekinetic mind, the lid popped up. The contents took a moment to register. I looked again. What the fuck?
    The click of the door being shut made me jump out of the chair. I tore my gaze from the box. Cheney strolled toward me, his hands in his pocket. I backed up. Oh shit.
    “Selene.” His voice was soft. My eyes kept darting to the box then to him as I backed away, putting the chair between us. He frowned and followed my gaze. His eyes widened. “I can explain.”
    “Whose heart is that?”
    His jaw clenched. “I’m not sure, but I think it is …” He paused as if he had trouble saying the name. “Michael’s.”
    My stomach lurched. I wanted to throw up, run away from him. “Why?” I kept moving back and he kept advancing. “How could you?”
    His eyes widened even further, and he stopped. “You don’t think I did this? What could I possibly have to gain by killing a human who was no longer in your life?”
    “You tell me.”
    “Nothing. I have nothing to gain. This is why I wasn’t in the gym with Sebastian this morning. I went to Sy’s hoping to intercept you. I think you need to come back to the castle. It isn’t safe for you out there.”
    “I’m not so sure it’s safe for me in here,” I said under my breath. Hurt filled his eyes.
    “You don’t mean that.” He was in front of me in a blink, and I didn’t have time to move away. The back of his hand brushed against my cheek and relief washed over me, but I fought against it. “I know somewhere in there you know you don’t mean it.”
    I pressed my lips together, too confused to know anything.
    He eased his arms around me and urged me closer. “I’m sorry for your loss, and I’m sorry I asked you to leave. Come back.”
    His touch opened up my lungs and let me breathe for the first time since I’d walked away, but I struggled against him. “No,” I said weakly, but he continued to hug me until I gave in and buried my face into his shoulder.
    “I can protect you, Selene. I can take care of you.”
    I pushed away from him. “Like you did Michael?”
    His arms fell to his sides. “That isn’t fair.”
    “And being dead is?” I glanced back at the box. “What exactly happened? How did you get that?”
    Cheney crossed his arms over his chest. “I don’t appreciate your tone. What exactly have I done to lose your trust?”
    I mimicked his stance. “Was I in love with you before we were bonded?”
    He leaned back slightly and chewed on the side of his lip. “I like to think so.” The wild intensity that laced his every look melted away and weariness replaced it. “The box was delivered here this morning. No one saw anything.”
    “Was there a note?”
    “Not that I saw. Are you so certain it isn’t your rebel friends doing this, trying to come between us because everything didn’t go as planned?”
    I wasn’t certain of anything anymore. “Will my friends be safe here?”
    He watched me for a