Page 58 of Reluctant Rebel

Jinx smiled small, shooing Sabre away. “I’m fine. Go get the others, will you? Z blabbed like a champ. I have news. But I only want to tell it once.”

“It can wait until morning. Rest,” Sabre said firmly.

When Jinx opened her mouth to argue, Mikhail stepped close. “Sabre is right. I know you’re a fierce weretiger, but you need rest. Draven’s angelic powers can only do so much. Your welfare is more important than Z’s dastardly plan.”

“Z intends to take over the world and make supernatural beings an endangered species,” Jinx pointed out.

Mikhail shrugged, crossing his arms over his chest, refusing to budge on the subject. “Like I said, you’re more important.”

“Listen to him,” Sabre bade Jinx, moving towards the door. “He knows what he’s talking about.” She pinned Mikhail with her mauve eyes. “Take care of her.”

Mikhail nodded once. “I promise.”

“Hey, I can take care of myself. I’m the one who escaped from an Ace without any help,” Jinx grumbled with a pout as Sabre shut the door behind her.

Mikhail thought she was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen. “You’re a warrior.”

“No need to get too excited,” Jinx said with an eye roll. “I’m still just a former sex slave and a daughter of Hype addicts.”

The knowledge of what Jinx had gone through hurt, but what hurt more were the emotions behind the words. She believed what she said. “Don’t do that. Don’t tear yourself down.”

Jinx avoided his eyes, picking at the comforter. “It’s the truth. It’s who I am. And you …” She looked around at the rich furnishings. “You’re the son of a king.”

Mikhail's brows slammed down as he marched closer to her. “Please tell me that isn’t one of your reasons for not wanting to be my mate.”

Jinx looked at him like he was a moron. “Of course it is.”

He sat down carefully on the edge of the bed with his hands clenched tight in an effort to hold back from touching her. “I already told you that you would be a fitting mate if my position allowed for it.”

Jinx shrugged one shoulder. “Sure. I heard you. That’s whatyouthink. But it’s not whatIthink.”

Mikhail was flabbergasted by her logic. “Well … just … think again!” he commanded.

“It’s not that easy,” Jinx said. But at least she was smiling.

“I guess not,” he allowed, relaxing his stiff back. “If only we could control our own thoughts, huh?”

Jinx stilled, her eyes going wide. “Zagan can.”

Mikhail shook his head in confusion. “What?”

Jinx explained what she had learned about Z, and despite agreeing with Sabre to wait until the morning, he allowed Jinx to talk until her voice turned hoarse. “So, we’ve all been getting upgraded every time a member of our family is killed?” It seemed impossible, but it explained Brax’s new abilities and why a loyal shadow demon would betray the throne.

“Essentially, yes,” Jinx confirmed. “I saw it with my own eyes. It’s like he had that demon under a spell or something. Turns out, it was just Z’s new, shiny powers.”

Mikhail got up and excused himself for a moment. He walked into his ensuite and filled a glass with cold water. He took a moment to grip the edge of the sink and breathe deeply, doing his best not to lose his shit. Once he was under control, he walked out and handed Jinx the water, watching as she sipped slowly. “And he wants you to kill me?” It was beyond cruel. He couldn’t believe his brother had sunk so deep into madness.

When Jinx paled, Mikhail cursed himself for being so tactless. He took the glass from her trembling hands, placing it on the bedside table before gathering her into his arms. “I’m sorry. That was in poor taste.”

Jinx gripped his shirt, burrowing deeper into the space between his neck and shoulder as if she could hide from the terrible truth. “I won’t do it. I’ll die first.”

Pain and fear surged through Mikhail, making his heart race uncontrollably. “Don’t say that,” he snapped, his voice cracking under the strain. “Never say that, Jinx.”

She looked up at him, her eyes glistening. “It’s the truth.”

“Why?” he groaned. “Why is it the truth when you don’t want me as a mate?”

“What if Z ordered you to hurt me?” Jinx asked instead of answering his question. “How would you feel?”

---