Katie's Hope

"I don't think you should be here," Katie said, anger rising at his considering look at Toby. "Very well. I'm in the chamber beside yours if you need anything." While quiet, his words were meant as the threat she took them to be. She was still staring at the doorway when Kris walked through. He strode to his walk-in closet and snatched a sweater and boots.

"What the hell is going on, Kris?" she demanded. "Later."

"No, Kris, now. Toby and I have been attacked by demons, and Sasha's wandering around the castle like he owns the place."

"I don't expect you to understand. What's clear is that your mateis still out of control. Sasha can help me break the bond so you don't have to deal with that anymore."

"What bond?" she asked.

"The bond between you and Rhyn. You wanted your life back, didn't you?" he asked pointedly.

"Yes, but-- "

"I need Sasha's help. He's a deviant. He knows how to do things no Immortal has ever done. He brought us a vial of blood to replace you as a test subject, and he knows where we can find the information to break your bond to Rhyn."

She was silent, surprised as much by his information as she was by the turning of her stomach at the thought of losing Rhyn.

I have to do it before Gabriel comes for me. "It won't hurt him or me, will it?" she asked.

"I don't know yet, but if it must hurt one of you, it'll be my dear little brother, who is a blight to Immortals and humans alike." His words were spoken with an unusual amount of venom.

"Besides, the bond between angel and human cannot be broken, so you'll have to take care of Toby until you die."

"Why do you hate Rhyn so much?" She watched him stop lacing his boots. A haunted look crossed his face.

"I want what he took from me," he said quietly. "I can't have it, and so neither shall he."

The look on his face made her bite her tongue to keep from saying anything else. Weeks ago, when she'd been at the Sanctuary, Gabriel entrusted her with the secret of what had caused Kris to turn on Rhyn. It involved a woman, Kris's intended mate. She was working with the Dark One, and Rhyn had killed for that reason. And no one had ever told Kris. She ached to, but she doubted he'd believe her.