Chapter 30

Chiara

My mouth falls open at Alessio’s words. I stare at him, waiting for the punchline, but it never comes.

“So what you mean is,” I say slowly, choosing my words, “I will die if I stick with you?”

“No.” He frowns. “Who said anything about dying? What I said is, I’m being hunted and you have nowhere to go, so we have to stick together.”

I close my eyes and massage my temples. I don’t feel particularly well already, because of all the drugging and the fire and god knows that else, but he’s making it worse with all these remarks.

If I open my mouth, I feel like I’m going to scream. So instead of saying anything, I just pull the musty blanket over myself and stay quiet, watching the flames of the lamp dance in the dark.

Alessio’s eyes flicker in my direction, and soon enough, he’s already making his way toward me. He sits on the couch and reaches for my shoulder, but I just slap his hand away.

“Don’t touch me.”

He recoils. “I’m sorry.”

Something about his apology feels almost . . . sof