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“Was?” I said.

Bran’s mouth tightened into a thin line. “Wedo not share our women now.”

“Why not?” The question was asked before Icould stop it.

He glared at me, his anger radiating from himin thick, slow waves. “That is none of your business, human.”

I stumbled back, my hands protecting my kidneys.“You’re right. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have been so nosy.”

The anger left his face and he gave me aremorseful look. “I will not hurt you, human.”

“No, uh, I know that,” I said as I backed downthe hallway. “I’m just really tired now and… um, good night, Bran.”

“Good night, Evelyn.”

Chapter Twelve

Evelyn

I shot into a sitting position, my heartthudding in my chest and my arms raised to protect my head as I peered into thedarkness. The last shreds of my nightmare clung to me, and I rubbed my chestand tried to take deep, calming breaths.

I wasn’t on Earth now and Alex would never hurtme again. I dropped my hand to my side and rubbed. I must have been tossingand turning because my sheet and quilt were tangled, and my side was aching.It’d been a terrible nightmare, and I shuddered all over. I’d been back in ourdingy apartment, asleep on my mattress. Alex had come into my room and draggedme off of the mattress by my hair and into the living room. Troy was standing inthe room and Alex threw me at him before walking away.

I shuddered again. The nightmare had beenso real. I could still feel Troy’s hot breath on my face, smell the garlic thatalways lingered on his breath, as he’d bent over me and grinned. “Mine, youlittle bitch. You’re all mine now and you’ll never get away.”

My pulse was speeding up again, and Ipushed back the quilt and the sheet and climbed out of bed. I was already cravingsome juice and I knew I’d never go back to sleep if I didn’t have a glass. Hell,I probably wouldn’t sleep anyway – the nightmare was still too fresh – but atleast my side wouldn’t hurt as much.

I slipped out of my room and walked quietlyto the kitchen. By the time I got there, I was freezing and wishing I’d thoughtto put my sweater on over my tank top. The house was even colder at night and myfingers were going numb. I grabbed a glass from the cupboard and the jug ofjuice from the Draax version of a fridge and poured myself a glass.

I drank it quickly, relishing the taste ofit as it slid down my throat, but the cold juice only served to make me colder.My body shaking, I went to rinse the glass, muttering a curse when it slippedout of my numb fingers and fell to the floor. It shattered against the tile,and I winced and took a quick look at the doorway before crouching and pickingup the larger pieces.

“Ouch! Shit!” My finger was bleeding, andI stood and eyed the sink and then the pieces of glass on the floor. Blood wasstarting to drip, and I used the edge of my tank top to stem the flow. Shit, Iwould have to go and grab some shoes. If I tried to walk over to the sink, I’dend up with glass in my foot and –

“What is going on?”

The deep voice scared the hell out of me,and I whirled around. The man standing in the dark doorway was not a Draax, butAlex. Alex, with his cruel sneer and his hands already balling into fists,ready to hit and hurt and make me beg for mercy.

His big body was blocking my only exit, andI skittered away until my back hit the far wall. I slid down and covered myhead with my arms, the hot tears already falling.

“I’m sorry,” I said. “I’m so sorry. I’ll cleanit up right away, Alex. I promise. Please don’t hurt me.”

“Shh, Evie.”

The big body knelt in front of me and I tookin a whooping gasp of air. The man standing in front of me wasn’t Alex, butBran. The light flicked on, and Court hurried over and joined us.

“What happened?”

“I am not sure,” Bran said. “Evelyn, areyou -”

“She is bleeding.” Court’s voice was fullof alarm. “Little human, where are you hurt?”

My heart was still thudding along like anelephant in a stampede and I couldn’t stop crying. Alex wasn’t here, he couldn’thurt me, and I knew that, but for some reason the fear was still eating at mystomach, making my body shake and my breathing shallow.

“She cut her finger, I think,” Bran said.

He reached for my hand, and I flinched andducked my head.

“Shh, little human. I will not hurt you.”Bran’s voice was oddly gentle.

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