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When they shove me inside, I fall instantly into Kole’s arms.

He pulls me into him and kisses my forehead, then he moves his fingers to my neck and an angry growl rattles in his chest. “They made me leave,” he says. “I couldn’t do anything to help.”

“It’s okay. I’m all right.” I look up into his eyes. In the dark, I can hardly see him but I don’t need to; I’d know his face anywhere.

I know he’ll be struggling to restrain the hunger that beats in his belly at the scent of my blood. I know he’ll be desperate to drink from me.

But he won’t.

He slips his hands beneath the blanket and sighs as he feels my body.

“You’re hot,” he whispers.

“Thank you,” I chuckle.

“Nova,” he replies sternly. “What happened? Your wings?”

I sigh a little and wince at the fresh burn on my thigh. I should give myself more. One isn’t enough. I step away from Kole and turn my back to him. I close my eyes then send vicious stabs of heat to my legs, my back, my neck.

When the pain sets in, I drop to the floor panting.

Kole is bending down, trying to assess my injuries when the cell door opens and another figure is tossed in beside us.

Kim.

His clothes land in a pile next to him.

“Fuck,” he breathes, on all fours, still naked. “Are you all right?”

I shake my head and crawl over to him, then wrap my arms around him and hold him close. He is breathing hard.

“I’m sorry,” he says.

“What are you sorry for?” I cup his face in my hands and stare into hisdeep,p grayish blue eyes. His skin is flushed and mottled. Worse burns than mine. I swallow hard and fight the nausea that’s building in my stomach. “I’m the one who hurt you.”

I feel Kole standing over us.

For a moment, even though he told me he liked watching, my stomach twists with nerves. What if he’s mad? What if he thought he’d want it but actually watching us was different?

“You have nothing to apologize for.” He extends a hand and helps Kim to his feet.

Kim takes it, clearly as surprised as I am that Kole’s not beating him to a pulp. His chest is covered in burns, but he pulls on his pants quickly and fastens his belt.

It’s still dark, but our eyes are adjusting and I can see them now standing opposite one another.

Kole is tall, viking like. All cords of muscle and darkness.

Kim is more human. He is softer, and lighter, and yet still sexy as fuck. Even now he’s injured. Or especially now he’s injured?

It occurs to me that I like being able to take care of my guys too.

I’ve never wanted to be the damsel in distress. I love knowing they’ll be there if I need them, and I love that they help me to become the version of myself I’ve always wanted to be. But I have never wanted them to save me. And I’ve always liked it when I’m able to take care of them too.

Kim needs to be taken care of right now, and it’s bringing a warmth to my belly that has nothing to do with the fire inside me.

“Are you in pain?”

Kim hasn’t answered my question yet, but the grate in the door opens, and something is tossed inside.