Chapter 65: Chapter Sixteen

Cassius

~Greece 79 AD~

~“Eva!” I hissed out her name. She reeked of human. “Where have you been?”~

~“Out.”~

~“Do not lie to me.” I’d never been so angry before in my existence. “I trust you will tell the truth, so I’ll give you another chance. Where have you been?”~

~Her shoulders slumped. “I can’t stay away!” She shook her head.~

~I know I’m supposed to wait for a mate, and I will, Cassius. You know I’m patient. I just... the children are so innocent, so different from us. The way their minds work…”~

~Her smile was contagious. “Just this morning, John said an entire sentence and was able to spell his name and—”~

~“John?” I repeated. “You named them?”~

~“They had names!” she argued.~

~“If you want a pet, I’ll buy you one.” I stalked toward her as the air between us filled with an icy haze. “But you are NOT to visit the children anymore. If Sariel discovers my treachery, it will be my head!”~

~“He won’t!” Eva argued. “I promise, just—at least let me say goodbye.”~

~“No.” Her entire face fell. “You’ve spent enough time there. Write a letter, but you are not to visit them again.”~

~Cursing, I pressed a fingertip against the inside of her wrist. “Already you smell of human, when was the last time you fed?”~

~She frowned. “I don’t know, a few days…”~

~“So, not only have you been with humans you haven’t been taking care of yourself? What if Timber returns, hmm? What if he tries to fight you? And because of your inability to follow the rules, he kills you?”~

~Eva hung her head. “I’m sorry, Cassius.”~

~“Stop being sorry and simply be better, Eva.”~

~“All right. I will Cassius. I swear it.”~