Blaze of Memory

CHAPTER 23

Even as Dev hung up on Lucas and turned his mind to other matters, something inexplicable was taking place in the DarkRiver alpha’s territory.

Judd Lauren, Psy rebel, former assassin, and fucking dangerous son of a bitch according to all who knew him, looked mystified at the little girl who was staring up at him, all huge eyes in a heart-shaped face. “Yes?” Crouching down to the forest floor, he tried to appear nonthreatening. “Did you want something?”

She shook her head, glossy black curls bouncing on her shoulders.

Judd had become better with kids since leaving the PsyNet, but right that second, he felt utterly clueless. Normally when he came down to train with Dorian, it was only Keenan he encountered. And Dorian’s son was more interested in copying their moves than chatting. “Noor,” he tried again. “Are you looking for Keenan?” He knew the two were fast friends.

Another shake of her head.

He glanced behind her, hoping Dorian would come out and rescue him. No such luck. “Do you want to play?” It was generally what Ben, one of the SnowDancer pups, wanted when he trailed after Judd.

But Noor shook her head again.

Desperation took hold. “Ah . . .” He had nothing.

Then she smiled, pure trust in the sparkle of her eyes. “I have a present for you.” She lifted a little fist.

“Oh?” Startled, he held up his hand, palm up. “Why?”

“Because we’re the same.”

Judd closed his hand over the river-smoothed stone she put in his hand, knowing he was nothing like this bright innocent. His ability had made him an assassin, then a healer, but it would still be so easy for him to kill—only his love for Brenna, for his family and friends, his pack, kept him from crossing that brutal line. “Yeah? How do you figure that?”

A beatific smile. “I just know.” Then she leaned forward to wrap her arms around his neck.

Hugging her back with all the gentleness he had in him, he rose to his feet, taking her with him. And as he walked back to Dorian’s, he wondered what similarities a little girl whose name meant “Light,” saw between them.

Once, he would’ve brushed it off, distanced himself. Now, he kissed her cheek and accepted the gift of her trust.