Chapter 143: He Doesn’t Matter
Lorraine’s POV
The wind had settled around us, and the only sound now was the rustling of leaves whispering across the moonlit clearing.
Kieran stood tall and terrifying in his ascended form, the silver streaks still threading through his dark hair, his crimson eyes dimmed slightly but still unnatura. And even though he was calm now, I could feel the fire burning beneath his skin.
But we had found each other. I had stopped him. He was awake and sane and whole.
That had to mean something, right?
"So...." I broke the silence, my voice unsure, "what do we do now? Should we head back to the underground hideout? Astrid said we needed to come up with a proper plan if we’re going to...."
"No."
I blinked.
He didn’t even let me finish. "There’s no we in this, Lorraine."
My heart stilled. "What?"
I took a step forward, confused, instinctively reaching for his hand. He stepped back immediately, like my fingers were made of fire. That same hand, his hand, that had once cupped my cheek like it was something precious.... now recoiled from me like I was a plague.
"What’s going on, Kieran?" I asked softly, a knot forming in my chest. "Why won’t you let me touch you?"