Free Ashes (Book 2 The Kindred Series) by Erica Stevens Page B

going to do her any good at the moment. She was here,
Devon was not, and Mark seemed determined to make her
miserable.
    “Doesn’t it, whore?”
    Cassie’s jaw clenched tightly as she
fought the fierce urge to punch him. If she hit him though, she
would probably hurt him. And no matter how much she wouldn’t mind
hurting him, she knew her conscience could not handle it. “I’m
talking to you,” he growled, his growing agitation evident in his
voice.
    Her eyes flickered briefly toward him.
Shock riveted her. His eyes were feral, frantic. She was surprised
and horrified by the lack of control that radiated from him. He was
about ready to snap. Fear coiled through Cassie. She took a small
step back, her attempt at bravery forgotten in the face of his
wildly unstable persona. She did not know what was wrong with him
lately, but this was the second time she had seen him half crazed
as he came after her. The first time had led to the school hating
her, this time she was afraid it might lead to actual violence. She
wasn’t entirely certain that even if she did hit him, it would
affect him in his current condition.
    Cassie glanced around the cafeteria,
searching for an escape, but they had slipped into the inner area
of the lunch line. A wall now blocked her back and students were
crammed around her. Students who would offer her no help right now.
Out of habit, and looking for something more to protect herself
with, Cassie grabbed a tray. She clenched it tightly, holding it
against her chest in a poor attempt to shield herself from his
bizarre behavior. It did little to help.
    She glanced at the crowd still ahead of
her, silently urging them to move faster. “You always thought you
were too good for all of us. For me. Now you’re
nothing.”
    She shot a fierce glare at him, anger
boiling up to replace the curdling horror inside of her. “I am too
good for you,” she retorted, unable to stop herself.
    His eyes bugged out of his head, his
hands fisted at his sides and for a brief moment she thought that
he was going to hit her. “Bitch!” he spat.
    Cassie had enough. Tossing her tray
onto the metal railing, she turned and began to shove her way
through the crowd, ignoring the disgruntled looks she received.
Pushing free of the crowd, she inhaled a shaky breath, wanting
nothing more than to be free of the cafeteria, and the
school.
    A hand seized hold of her arm, ripping
her around. A startled cry escaped her as Mark’s hand tightened on
her, his grip becoming painful. “Don’t you walk away from
me!”
    “Let go Mark.” She tugged on her arm,
but he wouldn’t release her.
    Cassie’s hand fisted, she didn’t care
what happened she was going to knock him on his ass. Another hand
shot forward, seizing hold of Marks’ arm in a bone crushing grip
before Cassie could let her fist fly. Cassie’s eyes shot to Devon
as he stepped forward, fury radiating from every inch of his body.
“Let her go before I break your arm,” he snarled.
    Mark’s mouth dropped, his eyes widened
in pain as Devon clenched down harder. Mark’s fingers released her,
not by choice, but because he could no longer hold her. Mark tried
to pull his arm free, but Devon held tight. His jaw was clenched, a
muscle twitched in his cheek as he glared violently at
Mark.
    “I told you before to stay the hell
away from her.”
    The words were spoken softly, but they
caused the hair on Cassie’s arms and neck to rise. She had thought
Mark was out of control, but she could sense the unraveling
restraint that Devon fought so hard to keep in check. Cassie
glanced at Mark’s arm; it would only take a little more pressure
for it to snap.
    “Devon,” Cassie breathed, worry flaring
through her.
    Chris appeared beside him, blocking the
curious stares of the students that passed by. “What’s going on
guys?” he asked brightly for the benefit of those surrounding them,
but his eyes were dark and turbulent as he studied Devon wearily.
He glanced at Cassie