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“You weren’t there that night!” I scream, angry tears misting my eyes. “You don’t know what it was like for either of us!”
Nick is relentless. “I know it was worse for you, but you don’t let that night rule your life.”
“ThehellI don’t!” I slam to my feet, banging the table with both hands, and my chair goes flying out behind me. “Why the hell do you think I don’t date, or even have any friends? I get sick to my stomach every time someone touches me! Every damn time someone gets too friendly, I relive that night. It’s called Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, asshole, and it’s real! And just because Oliver suffers from it differently than me, doesn’t mean he’s notsuffering.If you want him to use his magic again, then get him help. Don’t sit around making him feel like less of a man for a problem he probably doesn’t even realize he has. He wasn’t like me. He wasn’t sent to years of therapy. He never told anyone what happened. Nobody knew what he went through. He needs compassion and support, not a kick in the ass, and if you can’t leave him alone, then you can get the hell out of here. I’ll find Shandra without you.”
My chest is heaving, and my tears are streaming down my cheeks, but I don’t care. I’m so angry. And maybe my anger isn’t for Oliver. Well, not only for Oliver. Maybe I have anger issues after my sad story of a life. But just because I lost it doesn’t make what I said untrue. I’m not going to back down.
Neither is Nick, apparently. Or maybe he’s just reacting to my display of dominance. I don’t know what kind of underworlder he is. Maybe hecan’tback down. He rises slowly to his feet and does that freaky eye thing where his pupils turn into slits and he emits power. When he gets like this, the room gets hotter, as if he’s radiating heat. “You,” he says, shaking with fury, “will not do anything else regarding this case unless I say so and am there to supervise you, or so help me I’ll throw you in jail for hindering my investigation!”
And that is just enough to send Terrance over the edge. “ARE YOUTHREATENINGHER?” he roars.
His eyes are now all black, which has previously scared the piss out of everyone around him, no matter how badass they are. Not now, though. Apparently, Nick Gorgeous is the Agency’s go-to guy, because he’s even more badass than a raging troll. His gaze snaps from me to Terrance, and he stands up straight, seeming to grow taller and broader as he does. And something happens to his skin that I’m not sure how to describe. I’m not close enough to him to get a good look at it, but I’d swear it’s shiny now, as if it turned to armor.What the hell is that guy?
“I’m doing myjob,” he says, his voice echoing with power. “After Oliver called about the black magic, Madison told me to babysit these two idiots”—he waves his hand at Oliver and me—“the unsolved human puzzle, and the Agency’s golden boy because they know Nora won’t stop meddling until she gets herself killed, and Oliver will go along for the ride because he’s infatuated with her.”
What? How rude.
“I don’t mind letting Nora do her thing,” Nick continues. “I want to find our missing underworlders, too, and she seems to be our best bet for that so far. But make no mistake, Terrance, I will protect her from herself if I have to, whether it pisses you off or not.”
Terrance calms down, seeming pleased with Nick’s explanation. I groan, and suddenly both Nick and Terrance are looking at me. I went from no one in the world caring about me to having two extremely overprotective big brother types in one night. I would tell Nick where he can shove his babysitting, except the man has a point. I’m just reckless and stubborn enough to get myself into serious trouble. And I honestly wouldn’t mind having whatever the hell he is at my side tonight when I go serve myself up as bait in order to find Shandra. “Well,” I grumble, because they’re both staring at me as if waiting for me to say something. I give Nick a flat look. “At least you can recognize my skills for how useful they are and aren’t trying to ground me.”
Nick surprises me with a chuckle. “You are pretty badass, little human. You’ve proven to be more than resourceful. I’ve got no problems letting you put that arsenal of unique abilities to use. But if you insist on doing this, then I’m coming with you.”
“Fair enough.” I shrug. “Just respect Oliver, and we won’t have any more problems.”
“Fine.” Nick matches my shrug. “I can do that. I guess I didn’t look at it from that perspective before. I’ll try not to be too big of an ass from now on.”
I snort, and turn to wink at Oliver. Only he’s not standing next to Nick anymore; he’s come around the table and is right beside me. When I meet his eyes, I notice they’re shining with unshed tears. Then, without warning, he throws his arms around me. The hug is so tight, and so desperate, that I let him hang on to me. “Thank you,” he whispers in a shaky voice.
His thoughts flood me, only they’re so jumbled I pick up emotions more than individual thoughts. The main theme is gratitude. I’m the first person who’s ever defended him about his refusal to use magic. I’m the first person who’s ever understood him. He’s so grateful to have me in his life now. He loves that I call him Ollie and refer to him as my best friend. He’s never had a best friend before.
He’s always been misunderstood. He’s been ostracized in the sorcerer community, and he’s a disappointment and an embarrassment to his parents. He’s so glad that I seem to genuinely care. He wishes I wanted more than friendship from him, but he understands my aversion to dating and is determined to ignore his feelings for me and just be the best friend I could ever ask for.
For once, hearing someone’s thoughts doesn’t upset me. I smile as I return his hug. “Of course I understand you,” I whisper, not hiding the fact that I know what he’s thinking. There’s no point when he knows what I can do. “I’m just as screwed up as you are. And I do care. Maybe I can’t date you, but Idocare. It’s you and me, Ollie. Against the whole damn world, if we have to.”
“Aww, misfit love. How adorable.”
Oliver rips himself away from me, his face flaming. I lift my middle finger to Nick. “Thought you said you’d stop being an ass.”
He grins at me. “I said I’d try. You’re making it too difficult.”
I roll my eyes again. I feel like he makes me do that a lot. And yet…I kind of like the cheeky bastard. “Okay, are we done with the drama now? Ready to hear my plan?”
We all sit back down, and Nick waves a hand toward me. “Take it away, Spitfire.”
“Well,Gorgeous…” Okay, I have to use the ridiculous name this once to butter him up. It works, too, because he grins and winks at me. It takes everything in me not to roll my eyes again. Or smile. “We’re going to rush them.”
He leans forward, his smile transforming into a confused frown. “Beg your pardon?”
I shrug. “It’s Rush Week. They’re going to a sorority mixer tonight at Alpha Gamma Delta, and they need one more guy and one more underworlder. So, since you insist on going with me, you’re going to be my date tonight, and we’re going to rush—me a sorority and you…an evil cult with an affinity for dark magic and sacrifice.”
Nick purses his lips as if he’s doing everything he can to not laugh at my antics. When he can speak without grinning, he simply says, “Explain.”
I take a deep breath, unnerved a little to have the attention of everyone in the room. They’re ready to listen to my plan and take me seriously. As if I’ve ever been a leader or made a plan in my life. But I’m the one with the knowledge this time, and I vowed I’d do everything I can to get Shandra back.
“They need twelve,” I say. “Muscle Head and Shandra were only eleven. They said the ceremony has to be done on the blood moon—which is Tuesday—but they’re still a guy and an underworlder short. Xavier was supposed to be their twelfth, but I botched that plan when I fed him to Cecile.”
Both Terrance and Nick snort at my wording, and Oliver grins, but come on. How else would you say it? I mean, succubi feed off of lust. Iliterallyfed my neighbor to her.
