CRYSTALLUM (The Primordial Principles Book 1) by Laney McMann

something?
    "It's been a damn long couple of nights for me and Danny," Cole continued. "You can't imagine, so if we could make this simple, and you let go of Kadence's arm...it's turning blue, and I'm not a doctor, but that's not normal, we could call it a night. I, for one, could use some sleep." He stretched, and his jacket raised, exposing muscled ridges on his bare stomach.
    Kadence stared, which was completely inappropriate considering the circumstances. He seemed so relaxed. As if this was a normal Monday night for him. Dracon's grip loosened slightly around her arm.
    "As much as I like you, young Alpha, I am afraid we have come to a crossroad we cannot return from."
    "I'm afraid you're right." With a movement so swift, Kade almost missed it, Cole swiped his hand through the air.
    A blast of frigid snow swept over the forest like a reverberating tidal wave, consuming the silence with a deafening roar. Kade was shoved back. The ground rumbled underneath her feet as if it were cracking apart. Dracon's grip loosened, and she yanked hard and ran. Raw power stampeded through the woods like a tornado. She swerved through the deadly maze of falling snow in a blind panic, the wind screaming at her back. Trees swayed precariously, bending sideways. Dry pine needles careened in all directions, sharp tips acting as miniature darts, pinging off her face and arms. Her legs sunk into snow, and she struggled to run, but couldn't pick up speed. An arm grabbed her from behind. A hand covered her mouth, stifling her scream.
    "Stop." Hands grasped her flailing arms and pressed them against her sides. "Kadence." Wide eyes stared into her own, and she immediately fell still. Cole pressed a finger to his lips, and pulled her behind a clump of bushes. "I'm sorry I scared you. Stay silent."
    She stared at him, mute with shock. He knows Dracon. Knows him . How is that possible? "Wha-what are you doing here?" It was all that came out of her mouth.
    "I thought I owed you for what you did at Crystalline. Even if I didn't need your help.” Cole grinned.
    There was still the unshakable truth that he had been the one to destroy the Shadows at Crystalline, an idea Kade had yet to give more than two minutes thought. It was completely insane. Except that it wasn't. All she had to do was look in the mirror to know that monsters existed in the world.
    She was one of them.
    The storm continued, tree roots tearing from the ground with ripping, popping sounds. Cole peeked out from behind the bushes. "I'll be right back."
    “Wait!" Kade grabbed his arm. "Why are you helping me?"
    He tilted his head to the side and there was a tenderness about the motion. A realness. "Because you need my help."
    "But—" I'm a monster, and you shouldn't.
    "Stay here for a minute." He moved away from her again.
    "No... I—"
    "I have to help Danny." He held her fearful gaze. "Everything will be okay. I won't let Dracon hurt you."
    Kade nodded, unable to say what she needed to say. You don't understand. You can't help me, no one can. "It was you," she said. "You killed the Shadow Saturday night at Crystalline."
    He grinned. "I did. They're the Nefarius. Guardians of the Nocturnal Gates. But you were holding your own pretty well for someone who doesn't know what she’s doing." He waved a hand through the air, like she'd seen him do a few seconds before, and the wind increased.
    What the? How in the hell...
    A quick, playful smile graced his lips, as if this was fun, and Kade noticed his eyes were almost black. Just like they’d been on the sidewalk in front of Crystalline. As if something lurked behind them. "You're staring at me again." He smirked. "I'll be right back."
    “Wait!" Kade grabbed his arm.
    "You're kind of demanding, aren't you?” She let go.
    “What are you?" The forbidden words spilled out, words she was never supposed to breathe, but she couldn't stop them. She'd never met anyone like him. Someone who could see the things she could see. Someone who maybe