Page 10 of The Monsters We Are

Wynter shot him a look. Her Ancient was not dumb. In fact, he was ace at strategy. So either he was purposely being obtuse here, or his overprotectiveness was clouding his judgment. “Because it would communicate that you don’t trust in my ability to protect myself. That would only embolden anyone thinking of accepting Adam’s offer.”

Cain clamped his lips shut. He clearly wanted to argue. Badly.

Before he had time to formulate a bullshit protest, she continued, “It would also make people wonder if just maybe those who doubt I’m a revenant are actually right to have such doubts. I can’t prove that I am a revenant without showing everyone my monster. That’s not something I can do as it would attempt to kill the nearest people just because it can. So I need to send the message that I don’t need protection from them.”

“It might not be enough.”

“No, it mightn’t,” she reluctantly conceded. “Someone might still make a try for me. They’d dramatically fail. And then I’d send a whole other message.”

He gave her a look that said, “I’m listening”.

“Revenants are something to fear. Fear is what will encourage people to leave me be. Not guards. Not threats. The best way to ensure that no one fucks with me is to let others see what happens when people do.”

Cursing beneath his breath, he tipped his head back.

She couldn’t blame him for wanting to do thingshisway. He’d never had anyone in his life who it would severely pain him to lose. He didn’t always handle that well; it sometimes skewed his thought processes.

If having guards would truly help her, Wynter would agree to it even if only to give him piece of mind. She didn’t like it when he was all knotted up inside. But she genuinely didn’t believe that his approach to the situation was the answer, so she wasn’t going to back down simply to make him feel better. It would come back to bite them both on the ass.

She hugged him a little tighter for a brief moment. “Besides, would you truly trust that any guards you appointed wouldn’t think to try to take me to Adam?”

Cain let out a long breath. “No,” he admitted after a few moments, his gaze once more locking with hers. “The only person I wholeheartedly trust is you.”

She felt her expression soften. “Then trust me on this. You know I’m right. It’s not likeyou’llappoint yourself guards, is it?”

“I’m an Ancient.”

“But not invincible.Icould end you.”

His lips canted. “I know. I like it.”

“God, you’re so disturbed.”

“Probably.” He didn’t seem all that concerned about it.

She rolled her eyes. “On a whole other note, how did your meeting with the other Ancients go?”

He absently played with her hair as he gave her a brief rundown of the conversation.

Her interest seriously piqued, she asked, “Do you think you really have a chance of piercing the cage?”

“If we have Abaddon’s help, yes. Without him? Not so much.”

“How difficult will it be to wake him?”

“If he’s the one who keeps leading you to the garden while you’re sleeping, perhaps not so difficult.”

She bit the inside of her cheek. It was still strange to think that the male voice she’d heard in her dreams could have been not only real but his uncle. “When are you going to try?”

“Tomorrow evening.”

“Alone, or with the other Ancients?”

“All seven of us will try as a unit. It may take several attempts to pull him completely out of sleep. It may even be something that takes days or weeks. On the other hand, it might not work at all, but I don’t wish to dwell on that.”

She hummed as he nuzzled her neck again, his nose brushing her skin, his lips grazing her pulse. “Seth’s idea to try punching a hole through the cage on All Hallows’ Eve is a good one. Especially since there’ll be a blood moon then. I’m totally up for meeting Eve and the twins. I think the other Ancients are right, it would help smooth things over.” And she was interested in observing them, in making her own judgments about them. “I agree with Seth, I think Eve will definitely want to help puncture your cage.”

“Maybe. But I’m not so sure that either Noah or Rima will.” Cain captured her gaze. “Never let your guard down around Eve or the twins, no matter how innocent you believe them to be.”