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“Lucifer’s balls, stop being such a fucking martyr. Sit down.”
He eased me to the floor. The shower was big enough for him to kneel behind me as I sat cross-legged on the tile, barely able to keep myself awake. He got my long hair wet, tipping my head into the streaming water. He squeezed a dollop of shampoo into his hand, and began to massage it into my hair.
I bit my lip. God, it felt amazing. His claws lightly scratched my scalp, massaging the soap through my hair, working the suds down to the very ends. He took his time, moving slowly, my body becoming more relaxed with every passing minute.
“Don’t fall asleep on me now,” he said. “I’ve gotta rinse you.”
I closed my eyes as he tipped me into the shower’s stream. Dirt, blood, and grime were stroked out of my hair, his hands gentle as they rubbed all over my scalp. The heat had soothed the ache in my muscles, and the oxy was finally kicking in.
“I’m sleepy,” I mumbled, my head drooping down as he squeezed the water from my hair. I wanted to stay awake, but my body had other plans. I didn’t even know if I’d make it to bed.
“I know. We’re almost done.”
He stood up for a few minutes. I could only guess he was washing himself, but I couldn’t stay awake for it. I drifted off, nearly asleep when the water turning off stirred me awake again. Everything was a very sleepy blur, painkillers and exhaustion refusing to allow me to open my eyes as a towel was wrapped around my body and around my hair.
He laid me in bed naked, and pulled the clean blankets over me. His hands brushed my shoulder as he covered me, and I longed for more of that little touch. The thought of back-scratches and a bedtime story sounded really damn good to my ridiculous, sleep-deprived brain.
He said something about bandages, but I was too tired to pay attention. I was asleep within seconds.
23
The sun shone bright the next day, in a crisp cold-blue sky. Zane went with me back up the mountain, carrying me on his back for most of the way. My pride told me I should have limped my way up the hillside, but maybe for once — just once — I could set my pride aside and accept the help.
It would have taken us hours to reach the cabin if I’d been walking. The Eld really did a number on me; my body ached as if someone had beaten me with hammers. The closer we got to the yard, the more my nausea grew. I could still smell the stench of death.
Just at the edge of the yard, Zane set me down.
“Wait here,” he said. “I’ll get your brother buried.”
“I can help —”
He held up a clawed hand. “No, you can’t. You don’t need to keep exposing yourself to seeing his body. Give yourself a little mercy, Juniper.”
I didn’t argue with him. He was right, I couldn’t bear the sight again. I’d seen plenty of death through the years, I’d taken lives, I’d inflicted and endured brutal injuries. But this was my brother, and he wouldn’t have wanted me to see him like that either.
Give yourself a little mercy.Easier said than done, but I tried.
It was only a few minutes before Zane returned and motioned for me to follow him. There were few signs of the carnage from last night, but splintered trees at the edge of the yard served as evidence something massively powerful had ripped through here. A shiver went up my spine at the memory of Zane fighting the Gollums, and the brutal, untamable strength he could unleash. I had no memory of what he’d done to the Eld, but when he said he’d slaughtered them all, it must have been a bloodbath.
The grave was filled again; Marcus laid to rest once more. But this time, the massive log I’d buried him beside had been pulled over the grave, a barrier against anything that wanted to dig him up again.
The Prince was laid to rest in his crypt beneath the castle, and in the castle he’s safe.
“Here.” I turned to find Zane standing there with my shotgun in his hand. “I found it back in the trees.”
I took it carefully, immediately more at ease with the weight of it in my hands. But a gun couldn’t save me from foolish actions. I’d let emotion drag me into danger last night, and it had nearly cost me my life. I wouldn’t make that mistake again.
“I’ll be nearby,” Zane said, and he walked away to give me some privacy. I knelt down near the grave, and laid my hand over the dirt. All my tears were drained, the sharp agony now a dull, cold ache in my chest. No matter what I did now, no matter how hard I fought, Marcus was gone.
But he wouldn’t be forgotten. I wouldn’t let them forget. Those who had done this to him — those who had done this tome— would die with our names on their lips.
“I’m coming for you, fuckers,” I murmured. I kissed my hand and laid it to the dirt in one final goodbye. Then I went back to the cabin and collected the few things I had. As I left the house, locking the door behind me, the wind picked up and rustled through the trees, tracing a cold chill up my back.
“Juniper…”
I turned. Even on a sunny day like this, shadows lay beneath the trees. There would always be dark places in these woods.
“I’ll find you.”
