Sink (Cold Mark Book 2) Read Free Page A

sat directly beside him, closest to my head.
    Trying to keep the fear from my system, I ground my wrists against the rope holding them. A little pain to take the place of fear couldn’t hurt. Especially since the Mian sitting here had their nostrils flared and sat far back on their seats, like they were trying to control the urge to attack me.
    My gaze quickly landed on Jax. I tried not to let my hurt at his betrayal show in my eyes, but I grumbled harshly in English, “How are you no longer a slave?” He was Human, like me. He should act like it, dammit. Not be putting his tongue in other people’s mouths.
    With a flick of his finger, Pluma Creo tapped the bottom of my boot, gaining my attention. “ That is the first thing that you have to say?” He spoke in Mianese, eyeing me oddly. “Just what the hell are you doing here, Ms. Valorn?”
    Stiller grunted softly, muttering under his breath, “ At least we know why Pluma Kreob and Pluma Wazra have been beating the borderline and demanding entrance .”
    Pluma Creo flicked him an irritated glance, one that meant ’ duh ’. Though, his gaze darted back to mine, and I felt my brows pucker as I really got a firsthand view of his eyes as he leaned forward and braced his elbows on his knees. “Answer my question, Ms. Valorn.”
    His eyes were crystal blue…but they were so light in color against his tan complexion that they pierced me. I remembered having a similar reaction to his other half, Pluma Moir. This Pluma’s eyes held an indefinite amount of mystery, knowledge and intelligence sifting as he studied me. I felt my body go completely still when I only wanted to lean forward to gaze a little closer, to see if that dark outer rim was aqua or black, to see if I could figure out the secret that lay there so guarded but still teasing, as if he knew but would never tell.
    My lips thinned as I jerked my attention away and glanced in the opposite direction.
    Black as night eyes watched me, Pluma Moir much closer to my head than Pluma Creo.
    His gaze trapped mine just as it had the first time I had met him in that small room after the ‘arrival ritual.’ It was a gaze that made you hunger for more. A midnight that you wanted to savor, to keep him looking your way, just so you could stare that much longer into delicate, yet punishing depths.
    These Mian…they were dangerous.
    I sucked in a harsh breath, and quickly tugged my legs up and shoved my body so that I was now sitting. I stared at the floor. At the black tiling. It was safe there to look. Speaking their language, I stated slowly, “I won’t answer any of your questions.” Though, I did find it interesting that my Vaq were beating down the borderline to get in. Did that mean they actually couldn’t pass without allowed entry? I had thought they had just given up on me, had gone back to Belvar to live happily together.
    No one spoke for an indefinite amount of time.
    The breeze coming in from an open window ruffled my hair, but I stayed gazing at the floor.
    Silent. I could do that.
    Apparently, they could too.
    My legs began to ache, starting to numb from sitting in one place for too long.
    My ass even started to hurt, but I stayed still.
    Eventually, Jax grumbled, “Oh, for fuck’s sake.” He shoved out of his chair and pushing Stiller’s hand away when he tried to yank him back. He landed on his knees right in front of me. I jerked when he placed his hands on my knees, but he only gripped me that much tighter. His grey eyes, no glow, just normal Jax – normal Human - peered up at me from his dipped position while I kept my head down. “Braita, what happened?” He ground his jaw together, speaking through clenched teeth. “Did those Plumas hurt you?”
    Yes . “No.”
    “Then what ha-”
    “She’s lying,” Stiller interrupted.
    Instantly, Jax paused. He continued watching me, but asked, “How do you know?”
    Stiller shrugged. “It’s in her voice.”
    I cursed quietly, then grumbled,