Devilish Game (Shadow Guild: The Rebel 4)

He moved back before I could make contact and hurt flickered inside me. “You don’t want me to touch you?”

“It’s not wise.”

I nodded, knowing he was probably right. Last week, we’d had the best night of my life. But we couldn’t do that again. Not with the way our future was shaping up.

Worry twisted my heart as I entered his beautiful flat. Austere, yet gorgeous, the space had a high ceiling and an enormous wall of windows that looked out on a tormented, wave-capped beach. It was magic, of course, but I couldn’t help but think that the tumultuous beach represented the state of Grey’s soul or . . . whatever.

He was a desperate mess, like I was.

I turned to him, taking in the broad shoulders that were still capped with heavy muscle despite the weight loss. His suit still fit perfectly, of course. It should be impossible. “Where have you been?”

“Worried?”

“Yes.”

The corner of his mouth tugged up in the smallest smile. “Don’t be. I’ve found a solution to our problem.”

“Is that why you look like hell?”

“It wasn’t easy, true. But it’s also just the nature of the curse. Hell is calling my name.”

I couldn’t believe it. He was a good person. True, he had a terrible past and was involved in some seriously shady dealings, but he was fundamentally good. But even if heaven called his name, that still wasn’t a place I could go. Not yet.

If ever.

I shook the thought away. “What is the solution? Will it save you?”

“I believe so. I’ve found a spell and a sorceress in town who can break our Cursed Mate bond.”

Hope flared. “So we won’t be cursed anymore?”

“We won’t be mates.”

Disappointment surged, but I tamped it down. If this was the only way, then . . . of course I’d do it. I wasn’t even sure I believed in fated mates anyway. It wasn’t like I’d been born to this world and grown up with it.

“If we’re not mates, then we can’t be cursed,” I said. “That’s how it works?”

“Precisely.”

“Who is it? Can they do it now?” As much as I didn’t want to break the bond, Grey looked like hell. He needed all the help we could get, and he needed it soon.

“They can. Immediately. It won’t take long.”

Mac was on the trail of the kidnappings. I had to take the time for this. “Let’s go.”

He nodded, his gaze lingering on me for a moment. His l

ips parted, as if he wanted to say something, but no words came out. I swallowed hard and moved toward the door. “Come on. No time to waste.”

“Of course.” He followed me out of his flat, and I couldn’t believe we were already on our way. How was this happening so damned fast?

I looked back at him, catching sight of the exhaustion in his eyes.

This only feels fast to me.

“You’ve been going nonstop since we parted, haven’t you?” I asked. “Looking for a cure.”

He nodded.