AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He chuckles as my eyes slip closed. “Whatever you need, little warrior.”
Chapter 14
I’m not sure how long I linger in the tub, but I know it’s longer than I normally would. I would have stayed longer too if not for Cohen coming into the bathroom and practically dragging me out.
“You can’t avoid this conversation forever, wildcard,” he chides, holding out a thick fluffy towel for me. He’s clean, dressed in a pair of gray sweatpants and nothing else. The man must be trying to kill me, because, holy shit, he looks so damn good.
It should be illegal for someone as ripped and well hung as Cohen to wear gray sweatpants. For real.
I sigh and step out of the tub, letting the water sluice off my body as Kohaku leans forward to pull the plug. He’d been quiet the whole time we’d been in here, both of us content to just sit in each other’s company without expecting anything more.
It had been pleasant and incredibly relaxing, especially when he grabbed a comb, scooped my wet hair over the edge of the tub, and started brushing out the tangles. Yeah, that shit was real relaxing and now my hair is nearly dry and feels silky soft.
Cohen wraps the towel around me and then runs his hands over my arms like he’s trying to help dry me. “Ezra made dinner. I would say it’s for everyone, but it’s pretty obvious that he’s trying to get on your good side, so it’s definitely for you.”
I nod, unsurprised. Ezra likes to take care of people, he likes to provide. But if he thinks a meal is going to be enough to have me overlook that he just left me there, he’s sorely mistaken.
Kohaku and Cohen leave me to dress on my own. I find my bag on the bed and briefly wonder if Cohen expects me to sleep in here with him, but decide we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.
I have too much other stuff to deal with before worrying about sleeping arrangements. Mostly getting food into my belly because I haven’t eaten in… What day is it? Is it still the day we left Ezra’s house? Or the next day? Was I out for more than twenty-four hours when they took me?
These are the questions that spill from my lips as I pad into the kitchen, wearing black leggings and an oversized cropped pink sweatshirt with the word ‘exhausted’ across the front. It felt appropriate for what’s coming.
I directed my questions at Cohen, but it’s Gideon who answers. “It’s the next day. You were gone for almost a full twenty-four hours.” I nod as Cohen moves over to me, sweeping a hand down my arm.
“Can I get you something to drink, wildcard?”
“Water, please.”
He kisses my forehead and moves to get me my requested beverage while the four coven members watch me warily. There're platters of food spread out on the island, the fixings for tacos, Spanish rice, and cheesy refried beans. A bowl of tortilla chips sits next to a selection of dips.
Ezra must have been busy the entire time I was in that bath.
My stomach grumbles, furious that I’m not filling it with the delicious looking food right this second, but I just… God, I feel awkward. Uncertain. I don’t know where I stand with these guys. Not really. I hate feeling like this.
I hate that they can so easily hurt me, that I let them so easily hurt me.
Fuck. I need to be stronger.
“What are you thinking, love?” Hardin murmurs. “What’s going on in that pretty head of yours?”
I shake said pretty head as Cohen presses a cool glass into my hand. His fingers come up to brush against my bruised cheek. “It looks better already. We’ll have you healed up in no time. A few more two hour long baths and you’ll be right as rain.”
He teasing me, I can tell by the curl of his lips. He’s trying to ease some of my tension, to get me to relax. I appreciate the effort, but I don’t think it’s going to work. He sighs, drops his fingers to caress my lip, my chin and then my throat before it falls away entirely.
“Carmichael made all this food for you, hasn’t let any of us touch it, since you weren’t here.” I nod my understanding and move over to the island, grabbing a plate from the stack and eyeing the food.
Ezra steps back, giving me space, likely feeling just as uncertain of our situation as I am. A part of me wants to ease that worry. I give him a small smile before slipping a couple of small tortillas onto my plate. “Thanks for this, Ez. It looks amazing.”
Some of the tension in his shoulders eases and he blows out a breath as I assemble what promises to be a delicious meal. Too bad I won’t really taste it, and despite that my stomach is practically eating itself, it’s also all tied up in knots. I’m not sure I’ll be able to eat more than a few bites before I feel full.
The others follow my lead, well, all of them but Kohaku, who follows me to the table and takes the seat next to me. I’ve finished my first taco when Cohen takes the chair on my other side. The four coven members take the seats across from us, the divide clear. Those of us that fought the witch hunters and those of us that didn’t.
“Are you going to let us explain?” Fielder asks as I pick up my second taco. His tone of voice, like I’m in the wrong, sets me on edge. My taco drops to the plate and I lean back, preparing for the worst.
Cohen grunts. “You couldn’t have waited until she’d eaten a full meal, Harris?”
Fielder turns a chilly glare on the witch next to me. “I don’t understand why you’re here to begin with. This doesn’t concern you.”
