Chapter 7

Why do we always put our insecurities on other people? If I’d just told him why I kept putting off feeding, if he’d just told me how it actually made him feel, we could have avoided this. I was more at fault though. As long as I’m honest, Connor is always honest back to me.

A fresh wave of pain overtook the burns on my face and I cringed, stumbling forward a step like I might face plant right into the tiled floor. Connor caught me, both hands braced on my shoulders.

“You have better control now than when you first bit me,” he said. “It doesn’t matter that you’re hurt this time, and need it more. If you were able to be cautious about things and stop yourself before, you can again. So have some faith in yourself, Em. I do. Just remember what Alec taught you. The guy’s nuts, but he’s at least good for that.”

I lifted my head, my blurred vision focusing on Connor’s renewed smirk. I couldn’t laugh, couldn’t smile in kind, but I nodded. “Okay.”