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I stay awake for a long time, wondering if I could bear it if Julian decides to get closer to Iris. He’s always been sheltered by me and my brothers. Is the Collins girl even worth his attention?
Jealousy and curiosity clash inside me. She’d have to prove herself to me before she can get Julian.
I have to keep an eye on her, I decide, stroking Julian’s feathery-soft silver strands.
11
Iris
I squint against the bright sunshine streaming in through the clear glass window beside my bed. Suppressing a yawn, I climb out of bed and stretch.
Even though there’s no clock in the vast attic space, I can tell it’s late.
Unlike yesterday, no one barged in to the room to shout at me. No one ordered me to get to work.
Relief spreads through me. Julian kept his promise. I slept through the night without anyone coming in to attack me.
Sleeping on a real bed made my exhaustion vanish. My body doesn’t feel too sore either.
Stretching my arms over my head, I bend both ways, testing my flexibility. Another yawn escapes me but instead of going back under the covers, I straighten the sheet and fold the blanket.
Once my bed is made, I go toward the door. Opening it slowly, I peer outside.
No one’s around.
I walk out into the hallway and go down the stairs to use the bathroom on the floor below the attic.
This part of the house seems unused as most of the doors are locked. Even the bathroom seems unused. It’s clean but there’s a thin layer of dust everywhere.
I wash up quickly and go back upstairs.
The door to the attic is half open. I peer in and find a familiar figure fluffing the pillow on my bed.
“Hey,” I say softly.
Julian turns around and smiles at me.
My heartbeat races at once. I gulp, trying to moisten my suddenly dry throat.
“How long have you been awake?” he asks, fluffing up the two spare cushions next.
“Not too long,” I say, walking further inside the room. “I wasn’t sure if I could go downstairs. Are Caleb and Damon home?”
He frowns. “You can go downstairs anytime you like. I haven’t got a chance to speak to Damon but I’m sure he won’t hurt you.”
“How can you be sure?” I ask, thinking about the red-haired demon who’d dragged me here.
“He’s my mate, Iris. I know him.” His frown deepens. “Besides, if he had to hurt you, you wouldn’t be standing here. You’d be dead already.”
I remember his strength and speed from the other night. He didn’t retaliate despite me attacking him constantly during my struggle to escape. Maybe he didn’t hate me after all...
A heavy breath escapes me. I’m still too wound up from yesterday’s incident.
Julian comes closer and wraps his arms around me.
My worries vanish the moment I’m in his arms. I melt against his warm, hard chest. His chocolaty scent comforts me, calming me instantly.
“You’re safe, Iris,” he says in a gentle voice as he strokes my back. “I won’t let anyone hurt you again.”
