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Like a knife, Aria’s voice cut through the red-tinged haze that had obscured my vision. I blinked to regain my focus, thus clearing the dregs of madness that had trickled into my thoughts. Aria’s hands were wrapped around one of mine, her fingers rubbing soothing circles into the skin.
Neo and Johnny had moved between the women and me, taking up defensive poses.
“Shit,” Mikey breathed, gulping. “Sorry, I didn’t think… I didn’t think he’d react like that. Sorry, Aria.”
Aria let out a slow breath, gently guiding me back to the bed. “Apology accepted.”
I cleared my throat, shaking my head a little.
Johnny sagged in front of Marilyn. “Oh, thank God,” he breathed. “I would hate trying to fight you, man. Don’t scare me like that again.”
Neo raised a single brow at him. “As much as I’d like to tussle, I’d prefer it weren’t in front of the women. Or around them in general.”
His lips pursed as he eyed Reese’s furious expression.
“This is exactly what I mean,” she fumed. “Everyone’s first instinct was to protect the human!”
“Thewomen,” Marilyn corrected, smiling at Johnny. I had to suppress a laugh when my best friend’s cheeks darkened. “Even if we were all stronger than them, their first instinct is always to protect the women.”
Reese sighed. “I want to be better. I want to be at least able to defend myself.”
Neo shrugged. “I don’t see why. I’d protect you no matter what.”
Aria sucked in a sharp breath at Neo’s confession, and we exchanged surprised glances.
“And who protects you, Neo?” Reese asked quietly.
Neo’s brows dipped in confusion.
“They’ll test each of us tomorrow, and then we’ll be placed where they think we fit,” I interrupted before they could start baring their souls in our presence. Honestly, I could only tolerate romantic shit from Aria and myself—my tolerance for anyone else’s romance was low. Nonexistent, almost. “There’s a possibility you’ll still be asked to contribute in some other way on top of your training, similar to how we did at the Resistance compound.”
Neo sighed. “I think I’ll pass on the training shit. I’ve had enough of that to last me the rest of my life.”
“At least attend the testing?” I urged. “You’ve been trained, sure, but not by the fae. They might have something different to teach us. I have training, too; I know several forms of martial arts, how to use almost every weapon, and how to fight against every supernatural beingexceptthe fae.”
“Our training is similar, but I haven’t had to use any of it in so long. I’m definitely a little rusty,” Mikey admitted, glancing around. “I wouldn’t mind a refresher or maybe even learning some new techniques.”
Marilyn started with a “Johnny doesn’t need—”
“I don’t like violence,” Johnny interrupted Marilyn, frowning, “but if it means I can protect Marilyn, or at least get her out alive, if something goes south… I’ll do it.”
I flashed him a grin. “Good. Though you realize you’ve just admitted that you have a weakness, right?”
I pointed at Marilyn. “It’s her.”
The pair exchanged soft smiles.
“And old ass architecture,” Mikey added.
“So, it’s agreed, then?” I asked. “Aria and I will try to learn as much as we can about the bond while we can, we’ll figure out a way to escape, and hopefully learn the strengths and weaknesses of the fae while we’re at it?”
A collection of nods answered me.
“Great. Now, get out. I’d like to be alone with my mate.”
Mikey’s eyes narrowed, his lips parting to say something. I held up a hand to silence him. “If you’re about to say something possibly intrusive, I ambeggingyou to keep quiet.”.
He closed his mouth, glanced between Aria and me, then left.
