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them for months. “You’re not mortal.”
    She crossed her arms over her waist for long seconds as if protecting herself. Then she dropped her arms and asked, “How long have you known?”
    He shrugged. “Not sure exactly. Sometimes you move too fast with extraordinary reflexes and occasionally, I’ve caught glimpses of an aura of light around you.”
    “My and Eli’s mother was mortal. My father is not. I’ve been doing all I can to fail him so that he’d strip out my other side and let me just be mortal. But he isn’t going to allow that.” Her eyes filled with bright pain. “He’s powerful enough to destroy Eli, and he’ll do it. I can’t let him.
    I have to convince you.”
    A surge of red-hot rage raced through him. Adrenaline pumped, his heart pounded, his veins swelled with it. He wanted Ginny with a blazing hot need, but he’d never have her. Especially now that his touch came with a mood killing shock of pain. Her father—whatever he was—
    wanted that for his daughter? Hatred for that bastard battled with protectiveness for Ginny.
    The same protectiveness that he’d felt all those months ago after Phoenix had rescued her and Eli from rogues. The rogue witch hunters had shot Eli twice; and were threatening Ginny with a knife to get Eli to kill a witch.
    Ram had arranged the safe house for the brother and sister and stayed there himself as protection. He had expected hysterics or tears from Ginny. Instead, she had been calm and determined in forcing her brother to rest and heal. Her strength attracted him instantly.
    Later she sat by her sleeping brother, and Ram walked in. Ginny hadn’t heard him. He’d seen her face was streaked with tears as she stared at nothing, saying, Heal him. Isn’t it enough I watched him shot and you wouldn’t let me help him ? How much pain does he have to suffer so you can feel my emotions ? How much, damn it ! A quiet sob had racked her shoulders.
    Ram had felt her grief and anger, her utter rage and helplessness, and he’d wanted to rush in and kill what was hurting her.
    But he’d had no idea what it was tearing at Ginny. Hell, he still didn’t. Her father could be anything. Not mortal didn’t exactly narrow it down. But if he had the prick in front of him right now, Ram would have found a way to kill him.
    Knowing what he did now, Ram suspected she’d been talking to her father that day. Clearly the man, or god, was cruel to Ginny and that was shredding Ram’s control.
    Enough. He was not ruled by emotions or desire. He took one measured step back so her hand dropped and they broke contact. “No. Your father may be threatening Eli, but I’m a threat to you.” And she to him, but that was his problem, not hers. “I don’t know what the fuck this bird’s,” he said, slapping his hand on his chest to indicate the thunderbird tattooed beneath his shirt, “problem is, but it’s getting worse.”
    “You won’t hurt me,” she insisted, her eyes wide with conviction.
    He shook his head, refusing to let her sway him. “You’re too trusting of me. But I know better.” She had trusted him with her kiss, and it had taken all his formidable will to end it.
    Her shoulders dropped, and her eyes muddied with shadows. “You’ll save the witches though. Don’t let them suffer. Please.”
    It took iron control not to soften toward her. “You know I will. One more question though.
    Why is it so important to you?” With all she had going on, she was worried about three witches she didn’t even know?
    Furrow lines appeared between her eyebrows as if a memory hurt. She rubbed her forehead as she answered, “When I touched Shane, I saw him cutting a witch to get her blood. Felt it.” She sucked in a breath and dropped her hand. “I felt his high from her blood. And the poor witch…” Her whole face tightened. “I’m forbidden from doing anything, and when I try anyway, I’m punished. But this time I negotiated to—”
    “You’re what ?” Ram cut