Free Banewolf (Dark Siren Book 2) by Eden Ashley Page B

father.”
    “Really? How fantastic that you understand that.”
    Kali was in a foul mood. Toeing the ledge of a meltdown, she wanted to yell insults and accuse Rhane of the most horrible things. The animosity wasn’t only for him. Each time York opened his mouth, she felt the urge to slap him. York did the smart thing and left the manor. But Rhane, always the martyr, stuck around.
    It almost felt as if a seed planted during the night grew malevolent roots down deep into her mind as she slept. Daylight came, and Kali opened her eyes to anger and belligerence. As hard as she tried, she couldn’t stop herself. She couldn’t hold back mean words or unkind thoughts. The more she pulled at the roots, the deeper they plunged, infecting her brain like cancer. Kali wondered somewhat distractedly if feeding from the creature she’d killed had anything to do with it.
    Leaning across the counter, Rhane rested his chin in one hand and watched her with an expression of barely concealed worry. All morning he’d resisted her attempts to bait him into a fight. Kali wished he would just get mad and retaliate. Maybe a stronger reaction from him could help snap her out of whatever it was that caused this.
    “We need to talk about what happened to you at school yesterday.”
    “You said we could talk about it later.”
    “It is later.”
    “Rhane, just leave me alone!” Mortified that she’d stamped her foot like a petulant child, Kali bit her lip and walked away before saying something she’d regret forever.
    In the living room, Rion and War were playing the latest first-person shooter game on the Xbox. It was their custom most weekday mornings. Noise from the flat-screen television had muted some time ago but abruptly resumed when she entered. Gaming was the perfect excuse to avoid eye contact. Kali flopped down on the couch between them anyway. Rion glanced at her as she smoothed her black sundress but then glued his eyes forward. War fidgeted with his ball cap but said nothing. After several minutes of gunfire, explosions and dead terrorists, the two settled into themselves again. Ruthless banter and profanity-littered insults were an ordinary part of their relationship.
    When Rhane entered the room, the boys cleared out without a word, dropping the controllers as if someone had doused them with gasoline and struck a match. As Rion shoved through the front door behind War, she caught a glimpse of his t-shirt and almost smiled. Written on the back in white block lettering was “THE REAL WOLFMAN.”
    Giving her plenty of space, Rhane sat down at the other end of the couch. “I can’t let you go back to school until we understand what happened there yesterday.”
    “I thought you said you weren’t my father.”
    “Your father has trusted me to protect you. I can’t do that unless you talk to me.” He ran a hand through his thick hair, giving it a slight tug at the ends.
    “You’re going to go bald,” she muttered.
    “I hope not. Something tells me Greg wouldn’t be too fond of you dating a skinhead.” The smile he flashed was his rarest, the one that showcased a single dimple.
    It was enough to make her squirm in her seat. Feeling a bit less angry, Kali rubbed her eyes. Dark thoughts please go away.  
    “Tell me what happened.”
    No more late night snacking on monsters if you can’t handle the aftermath.
    “Kalista.”
    She jerked around at the sound of her name. Though his eyes were gentle, Rhane watched her intently. She exhaled. “Last night you offered to talk about our past.”
    “I did.” His gaze flitted down and then back up. Kali was certain that she could have lived a thousand lifetimes and never gotten used to his unusual eyes and the way they sometimes peered straight into her. “And you bailed—again.”
    Kali st ruggled beneath the weight of the shame she felt. But shame was good. It was better than unbridled anger. “I know. I’m sorry. Rhane, I don’t know what’s gotten into me. I can’t