Free Phoenix Tonic by Shelley Martin Page A

period is for you. That’s why we made the suppressant. You are not the first person to take the tonic.”
    That brought up another question in Hailey’s mind. “Speaking of which, what did you do to Kira? The poor girl is like an emotionless zombie.”
    Kallian’s brow pulled together. “Kira has nothing to do with this. We’re talking about you, and your uncontrollable temper.”
    The edges of Hailey’s baby tee started to smoke. She quickly doused her arms with water and breathed deeply. “And why do you think that is? You’ve taken me away from my family, my friends, everything—”
    “It was the cancer that took those things away,” Kallian broke in. “I was trying to give those things back.”
    “All you wanted was a test subject!” She cranked the water back on and splashed herself again. “How did you expect me to act? On top of almost killing my mother and kissing my brother, you keep me locked up like an animal!”
    He sighed. “And what do you expect us to do? Let you burn everything in sight?”
    Her pitch rose along with her volume. “You forced me to take medicines—”
    “If we were going to talk, you needed to—”
    “I don’t get any showers—”
    “You just got two,” he said steadily.
    She splashed more water. “And I have the creepiest, most chauvinistic pig staring at me through a camera every time I burn my clothes off.”
    A hand snaked through the door and flung it open. Kallian stood with both hands pressed against either side of the door frame.
    Hailey gasped and stumbled back, pressing herself against the towel rack. The steamy room filled with his scent. Her heart raced at the sudden sensations flooding her body. She closed her eyes and turned her head, desperate not to take in his undeniable beauty.
    The heat quenched, and her shirt stopped smoking in his presence. The blackened, burnt spots stretched across her shoulders and chest. She crossed her arms over the marks, desperately wanting him to believe she could handle herself.
    Sharp and low, Kallian’s voice vibrated through the small room, sending shivers up her spine. “I turned off the visual cameras every time you flared up. I only monitored the heat signature until Kira returned and assured me you were decent. I would never intentionally dishonor you in such a way.”
    His grip on the wood tightened and his voice lowered. “And speaking of dishonor, that’s exactly what you are doing to me and my family. They’re furious I’ve given you the tonic without marriage. Your very existence is a threat. And on top of that, you just said you were going to murder over a hundred people if you don’t get your way. How selfish can you be?”
    Her eyes opened a slit then squeezed shut again. Kallian closed his mouth at the sight of her shaking fists.
    She hated how she trembled in his presence. She hated how her intoxicated mind wanted to submit. And most of all, she hated herself for being so weak.
    “I hate you,” she whispered.
    His hands dropped from the door frame and undid the buttons on his shirt. “I know.” Rustling fabric filled her ears and she knew his bare, golden skin was within reach. Her muscles locked tight as he moved closer. She couldn’t see him, but she could feel his energy calling to her like the moon to the tide.
    The fabric of the shirt slipped around her shoulders and Kallian retreated. “I’m sorry.” Hailey looked up to see him run his hand through his hair. “I can’t fight with you like this.” He sighed and walked out of the bathroom. “Come on, let’s get you back to your room. It should be clean by now.”
    Hailey’s body instinctively followed after Kallian. But she forced her eyes down, away from his bare, muscular back. He ushered her back to her shiny, sterile room. A bed sheet over a mattress on the cold slab broke the tin foil surroundings. But nothing else.
    “I’ll arrange for new drapes and entertainment to be brought in as soon as possible,” he said