“What about a drug dealer or a rapist?”
His condescension rankled. “Stop trying to make this more complicated than it is.”
“It is complicated,” he snapped. “There are levels of good and bad in all of us. Are you going to go through life weighing and judging, so you can decide if you care enough to help a person? That’s exhausting and ridiculous.”
“So I just write everyone off like you do?” she snapped back.
Kiyo shrugged. “I’m happier for it, aren’t I?”
“You’re the unhappiest person I’ve ever met in my life.” She brushed past and marched ahead, using her supernatural speed to get away from him.
Unfortunately, he was fast too. “I’m not unhappy. I’m not anything. That’s my point.”
Jesus Christ, this wolf was delusional. “Oh, please. Beneath that stoic facade, there’s an army of emotions just waiting to burst out and wage war on the world.”
“You don’t know anything about me.” His voice was like ice.
“I imagine very few people do. That’s what happens when you don’t let anyone in.”
“Who says I don’t? Because I don’t want to let you in? Has it occurred to you I just don’t like you or trust you very much?”
Her heart, she realized, was racing. “Well, the feeling is mutual. And I like nearly everybody.”
“And trust nearly everybody too. Something that will get you killed.”
“I don’t trust nearly everybody, you bloody arse!” She halted and pushed at his chest.
He didn’t even move. Just quirked an annoyingly patronizing eyebrow at her.
“I have been on the run since I was twelve years old. I am one of only five beings left in this world with powers beyond anyone’s wildest imagination. I’m capable of things you couldn’t conceive of.” She stepped into him, forcing him to hold her gaze. “And out of all my incredible gifts, my soft emotions, as you call them, my kindness, my compassion, my love, are my greatest. Because without them, I am the darkest, most dangerous being you’ll ever meet.
“Be grateful I am who I am, Kiyo. For everyone’s sake.”
The werewolf studied her with his intense expression and then shocked the hell out of her by tipping his head in a slight nod of acknowledgment.
She hesitated before she resumed walking again. Because what Kiyo didn’t realize was that she’d said it out loud not just to snap him out of his superior attitude but as a reminder to herself.
There were days she crossed the line and let herself be pulled into the shadows.
She had to fight harder to stop that from happening.
They were silent as they strode side by side, but tension hummed between them. Tension that continued to make Niamh’s pulse race.
As they hit the woodlands, the wolf gestured and they stepped inside the forest. The trees, though not snow dusted, were covered in frost, and the bracken snapped and cracked with an extra icy crunch beneath their feet.
Niamh desperately wanted to prod Kiyo about himself. Who he was? Why was he different from other wolves? Because he was. Definitely. However, she didn’t want to get into another argument. The werewolf had the ability to prick her pride and irritate her more than most.
“What do we do next?” she asked instead.
She noted the way his eyes darted all around as they walked. He was constantly on guard, watching his surroundings. “You still think we need to be in Tokyo?”
“Yeah.” Niamh was eager to learn more about her companion.
“I think we should check in with Bran and Fionn. They might be able to help us map a safe route there.”
“I’m surprised you’d rely on someone else for help.” She winced as soon as she said it. She had this annoying habit of needling him. “Sorry.”
He shook his head. “You’re not wrong. But I trust only one person in the world, and it’s Fionn, and he trusts Bran.”
“Why Fionn?”
He cut her a look. “Because someone like Fionn doesn’t entrust the dire secrets of his very existence—and more importantly, those of his true mate’s—to someone unless he trusts him. He trusted me. Regardless of the unbreakable contract. He trusts me with Rose. I’ve always respected him, and by trusting me with Rose’s secrets, I’m honor bound to return his trust.”
Niamh smiled at the uncharacteristically sweet words. Kiyo might not think he was being sweet, but he was. He and Fionn had a bromance. “I thought you scorned the true-mate bond?”
“I do. That doesn’t mean it isn’t powerful. Rose is what matters the most to Fionn. Any fool can see that.”
A twinge of something flared within her.
She realized it was envy.
“You can trust me,” she offered.
He surprised her with a small smile. Okay, it was more of a smirk, but still … it was hot. “Do you trust me?”
“You’re the reason I experienced pure iron for the first time, so I should really say no …”
Kiyo gave a huff of disbelief. “But you’re beginning to anyway?”