“What is that?” Orin inquired in a raspyvoice as she removed the potion from the pouch.
“It’s a healing potion,” Lexi answered as sheuncorked the bottle. “I bought it from a witch.”
“I’m not taking a witches’ brew. I’ll heal onmy own.”
“Not fast enough.”
“What does that mean?”
His fathomless black eyes were bloodshot whenthey met hers, and she saw the pain reflected in them. She movedthe potion toward him, but he grabbed her wrist and held it beforethem. Despite his weakness, his grip was strong.
“What does that mean?” he demanded.
“They’re looking for you, and they can’t findyou here. I have to protect my family. You have to take this andleave here… soon.”
“Whois looking for me?”
“Malakai and a group of lycans.” She pausedas she contemplated not telling him about his brothers; he hadenough going on without adding that betrayal to the mix, but heneeded to know what he faced once he left here. “Your brothers,Cole and Brokk, are with them. Theycan’tfind youhere.”
His eyes darkened at the mention of hisbrothers, and his nostrils flared. “Those bastards.”
She didn’t blame him for being angry at hisbrothers; she would be incensed, but something inside her rankledwhen he called Cole a bastard. Though, she supposed it was anadequate description for the man trying to kill him.
“I can’t leave here,” he said.
“Youcan’tstay here.”
A muscle twitched in his cheek as his jawclenched. He was gorgeous with his narrow face, high cheekbones,pointed chin, and hawkish nose, but he radiated an unsettlingbrutality. He wasn’t as handsome as Cole, but there was no denyingthe similarities between them, especially when it came to theirruthlessness.
“Are you going to make me leave?” heasked.
She didn’t know how to respond because theyboth knew she wasn’t strong enough tomakehim leave. “I’mhelping you.”
“And you’re going tokeephelpingme.”
She gawked at him, and then, feeling like anidiot, she closed her mouth, but she couldn’t quite keep it closed.“Isavedyou.”
She felt like an idiot for saying that. Itwas obvious he didn’t care she’d saved him and was trying to helphim. All he cared about was protecting his ass.
Why did you bring him here?
These tunnels were their sanctuary, and she’drisked them by exposing their existence to this ungratefulasshole.
She mentally smacked herself half a dozentimes, but berating herself wouldn’t do any good. It was too late.She’d already done this stupid,recklessthing, and shecouldn’t undo it. It was time to face the consequences.
“Youcan’tstay here,” she said.
“I can, and I am, unless you plan to turn mein, which means turning yourself in. You knew who I was when youhid me. That’swhyyou hid me away. Do you think they’lltake it easy on you if you turn me in now?”
“I had no idea who you were when I broughtyou in here.”
“Maybe you didn’t know I’m a dark fae prince,but you knew I was a rebel.”
She couldn’t argue that. “I have others toprotect!”
“So do I, which is why I’mnotgoingback out there right now.”
“You can’t stay here.”
