A quiet moment settles between us, just the soft rustle of wrappers and the low hum of the TV in the background. Then Asher breaks it.
"Sage… I'll take the floor. I've slept in worse places during war."
"No," I say instantly, frowning. "If you sleep on the floor, then I will too."
"Here we go," Kayden groans, setting the champagne aside after another swig. "You two can go be noble on the carpet. I'm not a martyr—I'll be here. Stretched out. Like a civilized creature."
I exchange a look with Asher. And just like that, the decision's made.
There's no ceremony to it—just the three of us, getting ready for bed, taking turns in the bathroom. Kayden grumbles about the soap smelling like citrus. Asher folds his clothes with military precision before sliding under the covers. I just try not to overthink any of it.
In the end, we all curl up in the king-sized bed, me in the middle. I feel everything. The warmth of them beside me. The not-quite-touching tension. The subtle shifts of breath and movement. Just a week ago, I would've bet good money that sharing a bed with two vampires would involve teeth, blood, and a premature death.
But here I am. And here they are. And I feel… safe.
With that wild, improbable thought echoing in my mind, I drift off.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Sage
Laughter.
Loud. Ugly. Twisting like thorns.
"If you didn't wanna get messed with, missy, you shouldn't've messed with our stuff."
Hands—too many hands—on me.
Fingers digging in. A grip like iron, dragging me backward, deeper into the woods. My mouth—covered. My scream swallows itself. I taste sweat. Earth. Blood?
I'm alone against them. Three men. Bulky. Breathing hard. Laughing like wolves.
"Nature-loving little thing," one sneers.
"Let's see if the trees hug you back," says another.
The woods are alive. I can feel them watching. The whisper of leaves. The low rustle of something old. But nothing moves to stop the intruders.
They drag me into the grove. The one I tried to protect.
The sacred one.
It should feel safe. It should feel holy.
But the grass is quiet. The moon's cold. Everything beautiful feels like it's turned its back on me.
"Far enough," one grunts.
I'm thrown. Weightless for a moment, then—
Crack.
The rock meets my skull and white erupts behind my eyes.
Noise tunnels. My head swims.
"Oh shit. She's bleeding."
