AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“No one exceptional, my arse.”
His voice was unfamiliar. Deeper perhaps, more gravelly. I let that thought flicker in my mind but pushed it away the moment his lips claimed mine again.
The change of pressure in the air was my only sign something had shifted behind us. I glanced to where the portal had been, only to find it back to normal. All that was left to remind us of what we’d done was the remnants of the circle Moira and Ash had set.
“Bloody fucking hell, Moira,” Noah ground out, his voice tight with worry.
It was enough to tear my attention away from the Viking in my arms. I turned Noah’s way, my eyes widening when I spotted Moira on the ground, blood dripping from her nose. Ash was faring little better, her skin chalky and tinged almost gray.
“I’m fine. Leave me alone, bloodsucker. The buffet is closed.”
“As if that’s what I’m interested in.”
“I see you eyeing me.” She tried to get to her feet but stumbled, Noah rushing to her side in an instant. “No sampling the goods, Blackthorne.”
He rolled his eyes as he righted her. “Witches taste like shite.”
“Tell that to your ancestors.”
“I have a more discerning palette.”
She laughed, but it was a rough, grating sound. Like she was having trouble breathing.
“Moira, are you okay?” I asked, loathe to leave the protective circle of Alek’s arms but genuinely concerned for my best friend.
“Fine. Fine. Just don’t ask me to do that again for another decade or so. I think it might kill me.”
My stomach twisted at the pain in her voice. She’d hurt herself to get me what I wanted. Alek’s hands gripped my waist, holding me close as though he sensed I was going to leave.
“I can see the worry on your face, babycakes. I’m stronger than I look.”
“Don’t worry, Sunday. I’ll take care of her. You have other things to see to,” Ash said, taking Noah’s place beside her girlfriend.
As she and Ash came closer, holding each other tight, something inside me eased. They had each other. They’d be okay. I had to trust them.
“You good, Viking?” Kingston’s question held a note of tension.
“Of course.”
“You smell weird.”
“And you smell like a wet dog who hasn’t had a bath in a fortnight.”
Kingston’s eyes narrowed. “You’re just lucky our girl is in your arms. After the shit you pulled last time I saw you, you should be grateful I’m not welcoming you home with a fist to the face.”
Alek’s expression turned thunderous. I would have sworn I heard an answering rumble rolling in the distance. “I dare you to try, wolf.”
“Sunday, take a step back,” Caleb growled.
“What?”
“Take a step back right bloody now, you insolent girl. Do as you’re told.”
Now there was a mixture of anger and fear in his voice, and I couldn’t bring myself to question him further. I extricated myself from Alek’s arms. It wasn’t easy with the way they tightened as soon as I tried, but his attention shifted as Caleb approached. My priest had me behind him in a flash.
“You’re a danger to her.”
“Caleb, stop it.”
