He reached out to touch my arm, but when I flinched, he froze.
“I’m not going to hurt you.”
My vision was tunneling, and all I could see were his beautiful eyes filling with concern. But he would hurt me... his people were trying to do exactly that. He probably just didn’t realize who I was. Maybe I could get some information out of him before I got sucked back to reality? Focusing on my breathing and trying to take deep breaths, dream boy stepped closer, encouraging me by jumping into the exercise with me. Slowly, the panic that was desperately trying to seize my body receded, and I stabilized. Lifting my eyes, I saw how unsure he was now that I’d flinched when he’d tried to comfort me.
“I’m sorry. I know you won’t hurt me, just an involuntary response,” I murmured, wrapping my arms around myself.
He cocked his head to the side, studying my face, and whatever he saw there had his gaze darkening. His voice was deep and laced with fury when he stepped toward me, two horns rising out of the top of his forehead. I squeaked, but that didn’t deter this demon. “Someone’s hurt you? Tell me where the miscreant dwells, and I’ll snap his fucking neck with my bare hands and bring his severed cock back to you as a trophy.”
Whoa. Holy mother of moons and maidens, Mr. Awkward Sexy is no longer in the building, people. His alter-ego, Mr. Horned and Murderous has taken the wheel.
Giggling nervously, I put my hands on his chest. I needed to match his crazy in order to defuse this madness. “Oh no, that won’t be necessary. I’ve already ripped off the shriveled up snail and coated it in... iron. Yeah, sometimes I wear it as a necklace, and it works wonders to let fuck boys know what I’m about.”
An appreciative and devilish smile spread across his mouth. “Can I see it? Are you wearing it now?” He raked both hands behind his horns, through his hair, leaving it wild and untamed. “Fuck, that is the most arousing story I’ve ever heard; you’re a warrior.” His mouth-watering scent slammed into me so hard I almost dropped to my knees, a soft moan slipping out before I could stop it, his pupils dilating. He was aroused, and I could scent it.What the fuck is happening!?
“Tell me your name, warrior woman.”
His form rippled, signaling I was about to lose the connection. That was okay with me, though. The guys and Gran needed to hear about this shit as soon as possible.
“Maybe next time, dream demon,” I called out as everything went black.
* * *
So warm.
Lying on my side, Kai’s head was buried between my boobs, his long leg curled around my hip and legs. Cam was pressed up against my back and ass, a huge arm thrown over both myself and the snoring, motorboating son of a beast.
“Guys,” I groaned, attempting to wiggle my way out of their clutches. Sexy and strong clutches, but still... I had to tell them what I’d just dreamed... or whatever that was.
They both woke up immediately. Flying upright and off the bed, they fell into fighting stances, their eyes scanning the room.
“Since when are you guys ninjas? That was some serious spy shit right there,” I laughed, but for real, that didn’t look like some basic gym self-defense training.
Cam’s gaze locked on Kai, and something passed between them silently.Hmm, what’s that about?
“We’ve all taken martial arts classes, Sprout. All the better to protect you with. You scared us. I thought there was a break in or something. Shit,” Kai breathed, pressing a palm to his heart, probably trying to get the hyped up organ to chill out.
Before I could respond, Cam’s eyes narrowed as he questioned, “What the hell are you wearing, little witch?”
“Noth-” I inhaled sharply when I dropped my chin and saw the deep purple velvet robe I’d put on in my... dream. “Oh shit. Ohhhh shit.”
Both men rushed to me, climbing back on the bed and each taking a hand. “Oh shit, what? What’s wrong, Sprout?”
“There was a man—”
Cut off again, they demanded, “What man? Where is he? What did he look like?”
I held up my hand to silence them, emphasizing, “In what Ithoughtwas a dream.”
Damn, my voice sounded strained and wobbly even to my own ears. Waking up wearing this robe was really messing with my strength. My head was pounding fiercely, too. Ugh, yep, still had the bump from my attempt to join forces with Aslan. Growls vibrated through the air when they saw the injury, and Cam was already flickering like a faulty set of Christmas lights.
“He didn’t hurt me; this was embarrassingly self-inflicted,” I reassured, pointing to my forehead, “but it was the strangest thing because this was the second time I’ve seen this man! Before you jump me for not telling you until now, I legit thought it was a dream! I overheard a conversation between him and his father this time, talking about their race being in danger.” I grabbed my forehead with a moan. “Shit, that hurts,” I whimpered.
“Are you okay? Do you need some water?” I felt Kai slide off the bed at Cam’s question, probably going to fetch me a drink. “Lay down, little witch. You might have a concussion. Just... take it easy,” he soothed, helping me to slowly lower my head down to the pillows once more.
“It’s just getting worse, Cam. It feels like my skull is trying to crack.” Tears leaked from my eyes, but my hands were still covering the majority of my face.
“I’ve got water if you want it, Sprout. Boss, do you think we should call a doc to come and check her out?” Kai was pacing beside the bed; I couldn’t see him, but I could hear his movements.
“Water,” I croaked, leaning up slightly as a straw found my lips and greedily downing half of the glass.
“Call someone, and the other guys, K. Now.”
A scream ripped through the room, and I felt something wet running down the sides of my neck and nose, my muscles spasming as the horrible noise continued. People were yelling my name, cursing and crying frantically, and then roars and barking pierced through the blinding, most excruciating pain I had ever felt.
Oh gods, I’m dying.
Blackness and silence welcomed me like a warm, comforting blanket, and I drifted into nothingness.
