Chapter 27: Chapter 27

He sighed and sat up, holding his hands out in surrender.

"I didn't mean anything by that, not much anyway. I was simply stating a fact. Was I wrong?"

He had her there.

"No," she ground out through clenched teeth.

"But hiding her was better than being killed for someone discovering what I am."

"Did it ever occur to you that it would be easier to hide if you understood her, learned to live in harmony with her?" A dark eyebrow arched in question.

Once again, he had a point.

"Obviously not."

At her admission, a corner of his mouth turned up in amusement.

"Well," he climbed off the rock,

"I suppose it isn't too late to change that, if she's as sane as you say she is." He held out his large hand to help her to her feet.

She took it reluctantly, not surprised to find it rough with work.

What she did find intriguing was the gentleness of his grasp, despite the strength she could feel residing inside him.