Psy & Changelings 01 - Slave to Sensation

way. “May I have some water?”
    Tamsyn was already holding out a glass. Taking it from her, Sascha drank it down. “Thank you.”
    â€œYou’re welcome.” Tamsyn took the glass back and her eyes met Lucas’s. “Maybe I should check on the others.”
    â€œYes.”
    Nate frowned but heard the message. A minute later, Lucas was alone in the kitchen with Sascha. Leaning forward, he did something he’d been aching to do since she’d woken. He lifted her up into his arms and sat down in a chair with her cradled in his embrace.
    She froze. “What are you doing?”
    â€œHolding you.” He breathed in the scent of her, tangling one hand in the curls at her waist. “I thought you were dying. You can’t die .”
    As if she understood the anguish he’d gone through, she placed a slender hand hesitantly against his chest and tucked her head under his chin. “I think I was in a deep sleep state. My body is now functioning normally.”
    â€œWhat happened?”
    â€œI don’t know.”
    â€œI can smell a lie.” He felt her tremble in his arms and every protective urge he had surged to the surface. “Speak to me, darling.”
    â€œI’ll help you,” she whispered. “I’ll help you find the killer, give you everything I have.”
    There was a depth of conviction in her voice that hadn’t been there earlier. “Why?”
    â€œI have to be at my apartment by noon,” she said, in place of an answer. “That was when I told Mother I’d be back from a trip to see an out-of-town architect with you.”
    â€œWe’ll get you there.” He squeezed her tight, feeding the need in him, the need for her. “Tell me what happened. I’m not going to stop asking.”
    â€œI lost control of my body,” she said softly. “I’ve been having problems for months. They always passed without major incident, but this time, it was like my entire system short-circuited. I headed for your lands because I thought I’d be safe from Psy eyes there.”
    â€œYou need to be seen by a doctor.”
    â€œNo.” She shook her head. “No one can know that I’m starting to crack.”
    â€œIt sounds like a physical problem, not a mental one.”
    â€œIt isn’t. I . . . felt things, Lucas. Things that drove me to unconsciousness. This is coming from my mind.” Her hand clenched against his chest. “If they find out . . .”
    He wasn’t happy with her not seeing a doctor but knew he had little choice if she’d made up her mind—he’d never had reason to track down a doctor who’d treat Psy patients in confidence. It was something he was going to make it his business to find out. “How’re you feeling now?”
    â€œFine. But I want to shower.”
    â€œAll right.” He continued to hold her. Her hunger for touch was so strong, it tore at him. “Sascha, I know you’re not like other Psy.” It was time to get the truth out into the open.
    Her hand slapped over his mouth. “Don’t ever say that out loud. Ever. If you have any . . . care for me, don’t even think it.” Fear vibrated in her voice. “If anyone overhears, it’ll mean my death.”
    He kissed the palm of her hand and watched the night sky of her eyes darken in confusion. She jerked the hand away. “You’ll have to talk about it soon.”
    â€œI know.” She sat up, pushing away from him. “I’m breaking apart, but before I do, I’ll help you.”
    â€œBreaking apart?”
    â€œMadness.” Her voice was so soft, he almost didn’t catch the word. “I’m going insane. There’s no more hiding from it—I might as well go down in a blaze of glory.” Her eyes met his. “Will you promise me one thing?”
    â€œWhat do you want?”
    â€œWhen the madness breaks me, I want you to kill me. Quickly, cleanly, without mercy.”
    His heart stopped. “No.”
    â€œYou must,” she said, her tone urgent. “If you don’t, they’ll turn me into the walking dead. Promise.”
    He had no intention of killing her. But he could prevaricate as well as the next feline. “I’ll kill you if you give in to insanity.” No matter what her fears, there was no hint of mental sickness in her. None. He would’ve smelled the acrid scent of decay