Graveyard Watchman (Book 2) The Demon Wars

Chapter 8

I'm staring at Dominic, hoping he looks my way but he only watches as Skylar approaches him.

"I'll be okay," Skylar says, smiling back at me like he's trying to be reassuring before Dominic escorts him out.

What is Dominic thinking? Does he actually assume there's something between Skylar and me? I have to find out. I need to explain once and for all. I can't have him doubting me.

Not now...not ever.

Dashing toward the door, I yank on the latch, pulling it open but have to quickly stop myself from slamming directly into Dominic.

"He is already gone," he whispers and I look up into his reddish-brown eyes. He's angry. I can feel it. But there's something else bothering him. Something even stronger.

"I wasn't looking for Skylar," I blurt out, "I was looking for you."

Dominic tilts his head and closes the door behind us but doesn't say a word as he stands perfectly still, like he's waiting for me to keep talking.

"I--I'm not...crap," I shake my head, "I don't have feelings for him!" I whisper-shout, watching his expression change. "I never have--not like that."

Relief, or maybe understanding, I can't be sure, washes over Dominic's face and I wrap my arms around him, resting my head against his chest.

"I want to make a promise to you, right here, right now," I pull back and look up at his handsome, chiseled face, "I will never doubt you again," I raise my hand to the side of his jawline, "and I only ask the same from you," I whisper.

His arms go tighter around my waist as he lets out a breath, "Yes, we need to trust one another," his voice low and hushed, "unconditionally," he looks away.

Seconds go by and suddenly the realization of what happened only hours ago flood back into my thoughts.

The cemetery--

And all those Fighters who died trying to save me.

Now, I get it. I was feeling his sadness all along...

As if reading my thoughts, Dominic's arms loosen as he takes my hand, guiding me over to the fireplace. I take a seat while he remains standing and I wait. He knows I want to hear how it went with the Council but I don't want to push him. He's been through enough.

"They knew," he finally whispers, looking me dead on and I can see the deep sorrow behind his eyes, "they knew I wanted you there to help," he walks over to the fireplace, "they even predicted what would happen."

"You mean the death of all the Fighters?" I say the words so quietly I wonder for a second if he heard them.

He turns to me, closing his eyes and nods, "And that you would try to find me."

"W--what did they say?" I look down, watching my hands rub together, "will you be punished?"

"No," he admits and I look up at him, "it does not work that way with the Council. They only use our judgement, good or bad, as a means of learning and understanding," he steps away with his back to me, "I will have to learn to live with their deaths," he pauses for a second, "they said it is punishment enough," his breath catches, "and they would be correct," his last words so quiet I barely hear them.

I immediately leap out of my chair and go to him. I still feel at fault, he can't take all this blame on himself. But he gently pushes me back and whispers, "forgive me, Kate," he leans in and kisses my forehead, "I--I need some time," he gets out, rushing toward the door, his cloak whipping around his body before disappearing behind our thick, bedroom door.