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“This is for me. Please,” I said, needing to reassure myself she was alive. I wanted to kiss her senseless, but now was not the time, so I settled for holding her tight to my chest.
The sound of people running down the corridor made its way to her room, and Reagan shifted uncomfortably. “Can you grab a blanket or something? I’m naked.”
I let go of her to pull my shirt off then tug it over her head, feeding her arms through it like she was a child. “I can’t believe you just dressed me,” she murmured, lowering her forehead to my shoulder with a pronounced exhale. The simple act of affection was her white flag waving in the air. I didn’t think I’d won the war, but that she felt comfortable enough to rest against me when she was so vulnerable . . . I would take it as a small win.
“Reagan!” Clara exclaimed, barreling through the door. Reagan’s head snapped up. I instantly regretted sending for her.
Her cousin collapsed to her knees beside us and all but pulled Reagan back to try and take stock of her injuries. Other than some bruises though, her body had healed them all. I’d checked after pulling her into my arms.
“What happened?” Pollux asked, stepping into the bedroom. The hairs on the back of my neck lifted and I was severely tempted to order him away because I didn’t want anyone near my mate when she was in this condition—not even him. Logically I knew it was an emotional reaction. Pollux was my oldest and most trusted friend. He’d proven himself hundreds of times over.
“Jana attacked Reagan,” I said through a clenched jaw.
“What?” Pol and Clara spoke in unison, their voices rising at the end of the question.
Reagan let out a shaky breath. “I’m okay. Safety drills kicked in.”
“Thank fuck,” Clara said, hugging her tight.
My brain was stuck on what she’d said. “Safety drills?”
She pulled back, picking at the edge of the shirt I’d put on her. “My dad trained our entire family to react in case of an attack, day or night.”
“What kind of an attack?”
“Anything. Rogue factions from other areas of No Man’s Land wanting to take over The Crossroads. A House or two deciding they wanted our territory.” Reagan’s cheeks turned a shade of pink. Her eyes shifted, making sure to look away from me as she continued. “A coven member surviving and coming after me to finish the job they started. We all did the drills, but I think everyone was more concerned with making sure I could take care of myself in case it was the latter.”
Words left me. The anger I felt on her behalf was immeasurable. Not only for what had happened to her today, but all the years prior. Nothing I could do or say would make it better. After all, at the very base of it, I was the reason she was a guardian. Even if it wasn’t my doing, the fact remained that I was the cause of her suffering.
My eyes lowered to the pool of blood. “Reagan, I’m sorry?—”
“Don’t,” she said quietly.
I sighed. We were back to where we were before. I should have known, but the reality of it stung. Rocking back on my haunches, I stood up to face Pollux. Before I could interrogate Jana, I needed his help with the magic that had sealed her room.
“Caius,” Reagan whispered, “I . . .” She took a deep breath.
“Whatever you need,” I said softly, crouching down.
“I don’t want to be alone.”
“I’ll be with you every second,” Clara said dutifully.
She smiled at her cousin. “I mean . . . I need to talk to Caius. Just the two of us.”
Her cousin’s mouth formed an “o” then she tried to hide a smile. “Maybe let me help you bathe first?” she said in a hushed voice, angling her head to all the blood.
Reagan pressed her lips together and with a scrunched nose, nodded in agreement. “Right. Probably a good idea.”
We helped her stand, and Clara wrapped her arm around Reagan’s waist as they walked to her bathroom.
I didn’t want to let hope sneak its way in, but there was no stopping it. She wasn’t pushing me away, and I was going to hold on to that.
“Wait,” she said, a slight panic to her rushed statement as she turned around. “Where are you going to be? What if . . .?”
“I’m staying here. Pol and I are going to clean the blood off the floors. Take as long as you need. I’ll be right here waiting.”
Her chin dipped and a slight half smile of relief crossed her face before Clara whisked her away into the bathroom.
