The Gramm Curse (The Night Watchmen Series) Read Online Free Page B

thickness to it that only ever appears when Gavin struggles with what’s on his mind, or when he’s about to lecture me. I just want to get this over with. I know he needs to say whatever it is he’s going to say. He won’t leave otherwise.
    With a deep breath, I lean against the counter, crossing my arms. “So, what’s up?”
    He fixes his eyes on me. “You’ve got to give her a chance.”
    I roll my eyes. Here we go again . “Cassie’s words?”
    He crosses his arms. “No. My own.”
    I don’t believe him. I blow out a deep breath. “Look, can we pretend we had this conversation for the millionth time so you can go? No need to waste any more breath over this. You know the outcome will be the same.”
    His determination is as heavy as an anchor, rooting him in place. “Indulge me one more time.”
    “Really?” I say, pushing off the counter. “I’m not in the mood, Gavin. Not today. Go home. Go sleep, or watch infomercials or whatever.”
    “I’d rather watch you squirm,” he says lightly, following after me. I drop onto my leather couch and kick my feet up on the small wooden coffee table. He sits across from me in our dad’s old recliner. “It sucks to see you so bent out of shape because of our parents. They wouldn’t have wanted this for you. I know it was a long time ago, but I still remember. You’ve twisted our past into something it wasn’t. You’ve made him into something worth idolizing, but you’ve got it all wrong.”
    A quake of agitation ripples through my chest. We never agree on this subject. “Oh yeah, and how’s that?”
    He leans forward, knowing he’s baited me, knowing he’s snuck through the cracks in my walls. “Because, Jax, he broke mom's heart. He made her believe he loved her, and then he shut it all off. He denied her his love up until the curse took his life. Who does that? Who wants to be like that?”
    “Someone who wants to protect those they care about,” I say slowly, setting my eyes on his. “Someone who knows that their time is running out and a decision needs to be made. Him or mom. He chose himself. He chose to die so she could live.”
    “No, damn it. You’ve got to get it through your head. Don’t you remember the drinking? The fighting? The pleading? He made her fall in love, and then he shut her out. Dad’s death did nothing but make him a liar.”
    I jump out of my seat, fists clenched at my sides. “No, Dad’s death made him a hero!” I shout. Rage pounds behind my eyes, pounds within my heart. “He did his job. He did what he was supposed to do. He protected her.”
    “No, Jaxen,” he says with more sorrow than I want to comprehend. He drags a hand down his face, and his eyes flood with sadness. “He lied to her.”
    A metal clamp of agony presses on my heart. I don't want to hear this. I don't like the way it's making me feel. I don't want to feel, but I can't seem to shut my emotions off. The switch always breaks in Gavin's presence. 
    Gavin's watching me like a wild animal in a cage, waiting for my reaction. It makes me feel even worse knowing how the others around me perceive me. Knowing that they see me as destructive and unfeeling when all I'm trying to do is what I think is right.
    What I think will keep those I care most about safe from harm.
    I shut my eyes for a moment, and tug in a long deep breath to steady me. “He protected his Witch,” I say slowly, carefully, trying to maintain composure. “He carried his curse and died with his dignity, the same way I’m going to go out. The only difference is that I’m not going to drag Jezi into a relationship that I don’t care about, just to indulge her fantasy. I’m not going to mislead her. She deserves more than that. If you were half the man, you’d do the same for Cass.”
    He slowly stands, running his hands down the front of his pants. “I may not be perfect, but Cassie knew from day one. She accepted me. She accepted our fate.”
    “The same goes for me and