Read Online Shift - 02 by M. R. Merrick - Free Book Online

distractions.”
    “Umm, alright…”
    “How are you?” he asked.
    “I’m good. How are you?” I smirked.
    “That’s not what I mean.”
    I sighed. “I know.”
    “I want to know how you’re really doing. I need to know where your head’s at.”
    I shrugged. “I’m fine.”
    Marcus crossed his arms and his gaze stayed locked on me.
    “What?”
    “Tonight was…difficult. This past month has been tough on everyone, but it’s been more personal for you. I want you to know you can talk to me. You shouldn’t feel like you have to deal with this alone.”
    “Yeah, I get it, but I’m fine,” I said. “Thanks for the pep talk.”
    “I mean it, Chase.” Marcus’ voice was soft but commanding. “Your magic is getting stronger, you’ve been ignoring your training, and you’ve been dodging all of us. You’ve hardly spoken to anyone since–”
    “What did you expect, Marcus? I’m living in a strange house with people I’ve only known for a few months. My mother–the only person who mattered to me–is dead, murdered at the hands of my father, the same father who had me exiled from the Circle, and tried to kill me. What do you want me to say? I’m dealing with it.”
    Marcus sighed. “I know this is a lot to deal with, but we have to stick together. Emotions fuel our elements. If we lose control of them, we can’t properly manage our magic. At the rate your power is growing, you need that control, and we need to be open and able to trust each other. Talking about–”
    “I don’t want to talk. I want to be left alone and I want to kill the son of a bitch who murdered my mother!” My blood started to boil with anger. I wasn’t angry with Marcus, but he was pushing this, so he got to be on the receiving end.
    “I know you haven’t known us for very long, but I knew your mother my entire life. She trusted me, and you need to know you can too. I understand you’re hesitant, and that’s okay, but I know what you’re feeling.”
    “You do?   Did your dad kill your mom right after he stuck a knife in your stomach?”
    “No…”
    “I didn’t think so. You lost a friend. I lost the only person who ever gave a damn about me. So don’t pretend you understand what it’s like. You don’t. Which means you can’t relate or help me.”
    “But Rayna does. If you don’t want to talk to me, talk to her. Talk to someone.”
    “Did you not hear me? I don’t want to talk. Why are you pushing so damn hard?”
    “This meeting with the Circle was just the beginning. If the Circle wants the ring, you can be sure the Underworld will too.”
    “You’re warning me about the Underworld? Thanks, but they’ve been after me since I got exiled, so what else is new?”
      “Once they realize you have it, the last three years are going to seem like a holiday for you. Whatever the ring does, it’s wanted by many. That paints an even bigger target on you. We need to deal with this before that happens, and in order to do that, I need you to have a clear head.”
    “I appreciate what you’re trying to do, but in all honesty, I don’t give a damn what you or anybody else wants. I want a normal life. I want my mom back. I don’t want to be looking over my shoulder for the next person trying to kill me. If it’s not the Circle, it’s Riley, and if it’s neither of them, it’s a demon who thinks I’m a trophy. But I don’t get what I want, so I don’t give a shit what anyone else wants!”
    Blood pushed through my veins in hot waves and hurt my skin. It was going to burn me from the inside out. Magic throbbed at my fingertips and the fire grew in my palms.
    “Don’t do this, Chase. Calm yourself.”
    I threw my arms in the air and started pacing. “You want to talk? Let’s talk. I’ve lost everything. What have you lost? A friend? A fellow soldier? Your freedom, now that the Circle knows you’re alive?”
    “It’s not like that.”
    Fire exploded inside me and I keeled over. Pain shot through my