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Enzo steps forward, gaze wide and manic. “I think it’s best you sit with us today.”
“She said no,” Austin says, standing up.
My heart swells at the gesture, but I can’t let Austin get involved in this mess. “It’s OK. They’re right. We have some things to discuss.”
A blueberry falls out of Jess’s mouth. “The fuck did you just say?”
“Yeah. What could you possibly have to discuss after you’ve spent the weekend so sick you quarantined yourself?” Stevie tacks on.
I close my eyes and take a deep breath. “It’s dumb demon shit, guys. Don’t worry about me, OK?” I stand.
“Fine,” Stevie says through a forced smile. Her hazel eyes bore into me like she’s trying to will her thoughts into my brain via my pupils.
“I’ll be fine,” I promise, and turn around.
When I do, each of the heirs finds a spot around me, Axe in front, Bastian behind, Enzo to my right, and Dashel to my left. They encircle me the entire way to the other side of the room.
Even when we’re seated, with Enzo, Axe, and Dashel across from me in that order, Bastian stays at my back.
Guarding me like I’m the Queen.
Lines crinkle at the corners of Axe’s eyes. He pulls a hand over his face, drawing my attention to the dark smudges of exhaustion rimming his lids.
Enzo is more wired than usual. His leg bounces so violently under the table, it shakes the whole thing. Even Dashel, who doesn’t like me in the least, looks like a slightly more haggard version of his gorgeous succubus face.
“We spoke to Tomas,” Axe whispers as the shimmering sensation of magic covers my skin. “It’s a soundproof barrier. You can talk freely here.”
“I don’t know who Tomas is.”
Enzo lets out a scoff of a laugh. “That’s because you like to call him Vlad.”
My heart pounds in my ears. It’s all I can hear except my own worried thoughts. “And what did he have to say?” My voice shakes with the question.
This might be the end.
The end of ever finding Gael. The end of my freedom.
Dashel speaks up. “He said he helped you out of the Twisted Forest in exchange for a drop of your blood. Is that true?”
I can’t read his tone or face. I don’t know if he’s telling me the truth or only part of it.
But I play it like I would normally. “It is. But I don’t see how it’s any business of yours who I give any of my bodily fluids to.”
A wave of sensual energy washes over me. It relaxes me more than turns me on, and I’m not too pressed to tell Dashel to stop. But Axe’s reaction to my statement isn’t so calming. His mouth lifts into a snarl, and his next words aren’t spoken.
They’re growled.
“You’re a goddamn demoness. Have a little self-respect. Sharing your…” He pauses and takes a breath. “Sharing youranythingwith anyone other than your demon mates is—” He snarls, unable to speak the words.
“It’s fucking nuts, Dove,” Enzo finishes. “Smelling you on him almost drove us mad. We were on the verge of waging war on the entire vampire student body for touching you.”
Dashel nods. “It wouldn’t have been pretty. The wolves always side with the vamps, and the witches don’t like getting involved, so the four of us nearly got our asses handed to us this weekend.”
A sour taste coats my tongue as bile rises in my throat. “I-I didn’t know. I’m sorry.”
“Yes, well, sorry doesn’t do anyone any good.” Axe pulls a hand through his hair. “So, from now on, you’re not going anywhere anymore without one of us there. And you’re not staying in the dorm, either.”
“What? Where the hell am I staying then?”
