Page 109 of Son of a Witch

Knoxe patted me and it was then I realized I hadn’t flinched or rolled away from his touch. Pride warmed me all over that I was stronger than I gave myself credit for.

“The warden’s jumpy about the escaped prisoners,” Knoxe explained, his tone brotherly, comforting. “Prove to him you’re no threat. Comply with every order and rule. Put your head down and behave. You got it?”

I ignored the unpleasant, fiery sting on my wrist, responded to his authority and straightened my back. A soldier given an order and obeying. “Yes, Knoxe.”

“That’s good, buddy.” Knoxe’s firm grasp turned caring and cuddled me like a brother. “We’re gonna get you out of that damn bracelet, okay?”

Two guards posted outside the Terra Room tightened the grip on their spears at our arrival. A move they always made as if they suspected we’d jump them, steal their weapons and break out.

We paused a few feet from them, Knoxe giving me the space to catch my breath, bite back the flames on my skin.

His dark brown eyes lightened with what I interpreted as affection and concern. “You good, buddy?”

Gratitude danced the waltz in my chest. “Thanks, Knoxe. For having my back.”

He patted me again and smiled before dropping his arm from my shoulders. “That’s what brothers are for.”

Brothers. At last. It only took three years, the death of our friend, the arrival of our girlfriend, and more chaos than any man could survive to bring us closer. Worth it to have him as a steady presence at my side and watching my back.

Happiness vibrated like drums carrying me to the others, waiting for us in the Terra Room, huddled in a circle, voices low as they discussed the brief.

Astra’s gaze zoned in on me rubbing at my flesh and the thick, obtrusive bracelet cuffing me. “What’s that on your arm?”

A dose of nasty doubt crept in and sank its tentacles around my throat. Dark thoughts circled in my thought like a repeating note. What if I was the reason we failed this mission?

CHAPTER36

Pascal

My wrist ignitedwith the unnerving distraction that I feared might be my downfall.

Selena broke the discussion and came to investigate, Astra trailing behind her.

“The warden’s restricted his powers,” Knoxe answered for me as I braced myself to leave, holding onto his words, his trust in me, stamping down the apprehension grazing across my neck like a broken cello bow.

My girlfriend’s fingers slid between mine and squeezed.

Selena’s forehead crinkled, her worried gaze cutting to me. “When we’re about to leave?”

Knoxe’s lips thinned. He locked down the secret of my heightening powers and I was thankful for that.

Selena’s grip on her belt tightened, and she glanced at another two sentries manning the pale blue glowing portal entrance. “Give me a report on the way to the target.”

Knoxe nodded at the order and followed her through, the rest of us trailing behind. Astra tightened her grip on me, and Tor slid his hands into mine.

My attempt to pursue them was hindered by Astra jerking me back.

Moist eyes stared into mine. “Your blood tests were bad, weren’t they?”

“Extremely bad.” I needed to feel the silk of her hair on my fingers like the caress of a bow on a violin.

“You’re not a threat to anyone.” Frustration speared me in the chest at her conviction.

“C’mon, Supergal,” Tor interrupted, hugging her other side. “This isn’t about the rules anymore. This is about destroying us.”

Astra’s gaze sailed to him. “What are you talking about?”

“Look at the evidence.” He counted them off on his fingers. “Devon took a hit out on us and failed to kill us. He and his crew escaped and are stalking our’s and Vartros’ families. Theresa Sanchez got rid of Vartros and had her shill installed as warden. Vartros slips us evidence of coverups, deletion of records and mission reports, and untraceable payments to guard and inmates.”

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