“No!” Elira’s voice broke like shattering glass.
“Elira—” I started, stepping toward her.
“I said no!” she cried out, backing away. "What business is it of yours what happened to me before? Do I demand all your secrets?"
The air went tight, thick with tension.
“Was it the Sentinels?” Slade asked, his voice deadly quiet, his knuckles cracking. “Tell me who. Describe them.”
“In detail.” Leo said, looking suspiciously thoughtful.
“Why?” she spat, chest heaving. “So you can kill them for me? I don’t need you to fight my battles for me!”
I stepped forward, barely seeing straight through the red haze of anger. “You stubborn, crazy girl! When is it going to sink into that tiny head of yours that you’re one of us now? We protect our own!"
“I will never be one of you!” she shouted back, voice cracking.
“It’s too late, little shadowmancer," I snarled. "Whether you like it or not, we’ve claimed you. You're ours now. So you will tell me your secrets—” I took another step, chest heaving, “—or I swear, I’ll rip the truth from the world myself if I have to.”
She didn’t flinch.
She stepped closer, head high, eyes burning.
"You force your way into my head again," she said, her voice low and shaking with fury, "and I will never — ever — forgive you."
The two of us were glaring at each other and breathing so hard, I didn’t even notice Phoenix stepping between us.
“Ok, guys, whoa. Let’s back up and take a breath.”
I stepped at her again, my hands reaching out like they wanted to clamp her little neck. She just met my gaze unflinching.
I growled, but I knew she would never back down. I forced myself back a step.
“I’d like to go to sleep now.” She bit out, her voice shaking.
“Ok, if its ok with you, Elle, one of us will stay with you tonight.” Leo said. “We’ll take shifts in case Vasquez is lurking.”
“I’m first.” Slade said briefly. He stepped over to the bed and sat down.
I looked at him in surprise. I didn’t expect him to volunteer.
She sank onto the edge of the bed like a marionette with its strings cut. “Fine,” she whispered, the fight draining out of her. “Whatever.”
“Elira!”
“Just go Thorne. Please. Leave me alone.” She whispered.
I wanted to shake her. I wanted her to yell at me. But she seemed so small. Phoenix touched my arm.
“Come on man, let’s go.” He said.
I looked at Slade, who nodded at me. “I’ve got this,” he said, “I’ll keep her safe.”
I sighed and left the room.
Chapter 22
Slade
