Page 88 of Failed State

I wasn’t just fooling myself; they really are working together.

“We have an extensive selection of finger foods, so it’s easy to munch while we work,” Thad says as he puts his enormous hands on my shoulders gently. He pauses, giving me time to protest, and when I don’t, another sliver of worry fades from the atmosphere of the room. “I’ll work on your shoulders withthis stuff from your beauty baskets, and Huck will help you with that.”

My eyes widen and I have to swallow past a lump in my throat when I realize that means the demon is going to feed me. He’s smirking at me fondly, but it’s not in a creepy way. I nod my consent to them, and Thad lifts his hands again to deal with whatever weird cream he’s going to use. I watch as the other three wait, curious what they’re going to do while my two friends pamper me.

“I’m gonna work on your feet, Vicious. It’s one of my tier-one skills, and that’s not because I have a fetish or anything. I’m justfantasticat it,” Rory says, as he scoots down while keeping his eyes on my face. “You’ll love it; I promise.”

“Okay,” I murmur as he picks up one foot. “I mean, you guys don’t have to?—”

Huck leans in with a piece of fruit, smiling that adorable down home grin that makes him damn near irresistible. “Sweet pea, no one is forcing us to do anything. We want to take care of you an’ believe you me, we wantyouto want it, too. So tell us if anything is bothersome, and don’t be shy about sayin’ what makes you feel good, either.”

How does that honeyed voice always activate the calming sensors in my brain? It’s fucking magic.

“In fact, I particularly enjoy sounds that tell me what feels good,” Sebastian says as he lounges in the spot between Huck and Rory. “I bet the dragon does as well.”

“Very much.”

Elias’s quiet agreement, so typically succinct, is a balm on my nerves. Knowing that they’re all behaving exactly as I would expect, without changing who they are, is more evidence that they are willingly doing this stuff. This isn’t just a feint or a trick—they mean it when they say they’re all happy to be here withme. That helps me relax a little more, and Thad rumbles happily behind me as he kneads my tight shoulders.

“That’s perfect, Syd. Relax, so I can get all these knots out for you.”

I finish chewing the fruit Huck placed against my lips, then feel my face heat as the guys who can see me chewing stare. “Did I do something weird?”

“No,” Rory says with a chuckle. His thumb digs into my arch and a straight-up moan escapes my mouth before I can stop it. He ducks his head, hiding his expression, but I can see the others as their faces go from soft to intense in a blink. “Damn, Vicious.”

“Sorry,” I mutter, then drop my gaze to my hands in my lap, not able to look at them when they’re staring at me that way. “That, uh, was good.”

“No shit,” Sebastian grumbles as I feel him moving next to me. “If we couldn’t tell that, they should send us all back to the factory to be reset.”

Damn him for making me even more self-conscious without being mean; now I can’t snark at him.

Thad leans in, his lips against my ear as he continues massaging my shoulders skillfully. “It’s okay to feel good, Syd. I know you’ve been fighting it, fighting happiness for a long time. But even in the darkest times, we’re allowed to find joy and peace. That doesn’t make us bad people.”

“Good point, my ursine friend,” Huck says as he holds up a piece of cheese. I accept it, my eyes fluttering at how tasty it is, and he groans. “Look at how well you’re adaptin’, sweet pea. You didn’t even look like you were going to bite my finger off this time.”

His praise does funny things to my stomach and I scowl at my hands. I don’t need dudes to tell me what I’m doing well at; I’m perfectly able to gauge my skill sets. But even as I frown at the weird sensations, the rest of my body disavows that thought.Hearing Huck’s sweet twang compliment me has my nerve endings firing and the heat in my face racing down my torso to blossom in places that aren’t normally this involved. I swallow the cheese and lick my suddenly dry lips, realizing how thirsty I am suddenly.

“What can I give you, little rebel? I sense you need a drink. We have water, juice, and soda.”

Turning to look at Elias, I force myself to meet his gaze. It’s still intense, but there’s a determined softness to it that immediately helps me accept his offer. “Water for now, please.”

The dragon brings a cup to my mouth, tipping it enough for me to get a cool drink of icy water. I take one more, then nod, so he pulls it back. His pleased expression makes me shiver, and I’m about to say something when Rory unlocks another groan of pleasure as he wrings my toes between his fingers. I’ve never enjoyed someone touching my feet as much as this, and I have no idea how he’s doing it. He wasn’t just bragging; he’s a goddamnmasterat foot massages as far as I know.

“Your face when you make that sound isdelicious,” Sebastian says with a languid smile. “It’s enough to launch ships, and I have no idea how these two have managed for four years.”

Huck chuckles, bringing a piece of meat to my lips that keeps me from shooting back at the vampire. Once I take the bite—which is insanely good—he responds. “It wasn’t like we had a choice, bloodsucker. Our girl here wasn’t ready to share and now, I believe, she’s in a place where sharing is workin’ out very well for her.”

Oh. My. Goddess.

I know my face is flaming and I can’t stop it. Hopefully, they can’t see it so well in the candlelight, but my entire body is rapidly following suit. I’m flushed and warm, but also feeling comfortable and safe in a way I haven’t in—-my entire life, maybe. It was their goal, I’m sure, but as Thad and Rorycontinue making my muscles go from knotted to puddles of goo, I can’t control the rest of me. Everything they’re doing and saying works together to melt my mind and body in ways I couldn’t have imagined on my own.

“Is that true, Sydney?” The vampire looks at me, his red eyes boring into mine as he queries me. “Are you accepting the benefits of sharing our abilities in non-Games related ways? Is it making you feel good enough to melt in place?”

I have no idea how I’m going to answer that without revealing the truth—I’m almost melted as it is.

IT’S NOT HOARDING IF IT’S MEN

SEBASTIAN

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