'Then when?’ I ask them in a low voice. 'When is the deadline?'
His hand rises again, and I stiffen a little. I know they all see it. I've been with him and Morgan in a normal state of mind only once and that wasbefore.
The other times, it was like it was in the cave, when my body needed something that I couldn't name. I remember it afterwards, but it's not really me. I'll have to be with all three of themas me, including Locke.
My hands feel clammy. 'I'd rather not have it looming...'
'No,' Locke says with a finality that both relieves and distresses me in equal measure.
'Agreed,' Morgan says in response before I can say a word. 'Not yet. It needs to be done soon, but we have a little time. We should…use it.'
I'm not sure what he means by that ominous statement, but I don't have chance to ask. As if deciding by some silent exchangebetween the three of them, Locke stomps across the floor and goes upstairs without another word, leaving me with Jak and Morgan.
Morgan comes closer, and his hand slowly envelopes mine. I let him touch me, trying to prove to him or myself perhaps, that I can if I wanted to. He urges me with him as he sits down in the chair by the warm hearth, his eyes holding mine in challenge. Jak is hovering close by, seeming to be uncertain of what to do now. Morgan turns his head a little toward him but doesn't really look at him. His eyes stay on me.
'Go.'
I see in my periphery that Jak opens his mouth to argue but then thinks the better of it. He grits his teeth, but he turns, and he ascends the stairs as well.
Morgan lets out a long breath, waiting for my decision.
Slowly, I sink down to his lap, my eyes not leaving his, and his arms encircle me loosely in case I change my mind and want to get away from him.
I should.
'Oh, Bryn,' he breathes out, stroking the back of my head. 'We shouldn't have brought you here.'
I pull back a little to look into his eyes, but I don't get up, not ready to give in to his silent challenge, nor leave the warmth and pretend safety of him just yet if I'm completely truthful with myself.
'Where else could I have gone and been safe?' I ask quietly.
He lets out a snarl. 'You're not safe here.'
'But I could be,' I argue.
'It shouldn't have been like this,' he mutters, half to himself.
'But it is,' I say, nothing if not pragmatic. 'Nothing is ever perfect, and everything has its price. I'll happily pay it to stay here.'
I realize, even as I say the words, that it's true. I will even lie with all three of these males though I don't trust them. I don't particularly want to after what's happened, but will it be a true hardship?
I shiver a little as I remember the pleasure they've given me freely. No, it won't be a hardship, not for my body anyway. Just for my mind.
'But you shouldn't have to pay it,' he says angrily.
He leans back in the chair and closes his eyes, tipping back his head.
'You shouldn't have to pay it,' he states again, this time in a whisper. 'If we'd truly understood how it was here now, we'd never have brought you.'
'Where would you have taken me, then?' I ask, indulging him. 'To your home Circle?'
He cracks an eye and looks down at me.
'Not likely,' he says.
'What Circle are you from anyway?' I ask.
'The Fifth,' he says, without preamble.
