Page 38 of Bones

I study him but he’s already leaving the bedroom. The voice saying that he’s going to hurt me, that I need to protect myself from him using me like everyone else is still there but it’s not as loud. I can manage whispers, I remind myself as I follow him to Reapers office. So long as nothing happens that will make those whispers louder, I can get through this.

That whisper roars to the front of my thoughts, screaming and shouting as Reaper asks, “Are you willing to use your powers to assist us if it becomes necessary?”

He’s reasonable. The question itself is reasonable. I should have expected it, but somehow I didn’t.

Everyone is waiting for my reply, the air is so thick around the table at Cerberus Securities where we sit that I can’t suck any of it in.

This is how it started, with the Justiciars. Would I be willing to help for the greater good? They can do this without me but the outcome will be better, safer for everyone involved, if I work with them.

Most of the demons who work for Reaper in the security business are here. Each one watching me. I want to shrink in my chair, loathing being the center of so many intense gazes.

“No.”

It’s Bones who answers, and white relief washes over me at him taking the decision away from me. It’s different than earlier, as stupid as it sounds to myself. I’m strong enough to fight for us, but fighting for myself? I don’t know when I’ll have that strength but it’s not today.

Bones doesn’t look at me, but he reaches for my hand and I grasp it between both of mine. He’s practically vibrating with tension as he glares down Reaper. I dart a look around the table at the other demons gathered. Cinder. Blaze. Chainz. Stubs. Heathen. Brute. They’re all watching the silent war between Reaper, their boss and club president, and Bones.

Reaper looks away first by sliding his gaze to me, not an ounce of intensity changing. I fight a shudder and struggle against the urge to bolt. Whispers of instincts honed long ago by my ancestors back when humans were nothing more than nomadic creatures eking out a survival in the wilds tell me that this male, this demon, is a creature of death. That any soul caught in his presence is a soul already dead.

His voice is as hard as a brutal winter wind. “Sloan?”

“I--“ I cut myself off, coughing to loosen the tightness in my chest. “I would rather not,” I confess. Unable to bear his near black gaze any longer, I drop my eyes to the table in front of me. “Honestly, if I could have this Siphoning power taken from me, I would. It’s caused so much pain. I . . . I don’t want it.”

I brace myself for the ridicule, the condemnation, the insults. Not just from Reaper, but from the rest of the demons, too. They’re all males with powers, powers I’m sure none of them are unwilling to use. They’re willing to fight for me against Xavius, but now that I’ve admitted my reluctance surely they’ll no longer think I’m worth helping.

“Fine.”

It takes me a moment to really hear Reaper’s response. By the time I’m gaping at him, wondering if he really just accepted my refusal without argument, he’s already going over a strategy.

Bones’ squeezes my hand and I turn my stunned gaze to him. There’s still a distance between us, but it’s one that feels easily crossed in time. When the pain isn’t as fresh and raw. He dips his head close to mine, his mouth at my ear.

“He’ll never ask for more than someone is willing to give, no matter what it is,” he whispers. “It’s a vow he made when we escaped here, together. That’s why we follow him.”

My eyes burn with tears as he pulls back and turns his attention to the club president again. I suck in a ragged breath, doing my best to be discreet but from the understanding look Heathen shoots me, I’m not as quiet as I think. He turns his attention to Stubs, who is talking now, giving me a reprieve from being the center of attention.

In fact, they all make a point of ignoring me, like they know I’m struggling to keep my composure after the emotional whiplash I’m dealing with.

God, I’m actually struggling to believe that Reaper actually accepted my refusal to use my so-called powers.

I know Dr. Grayback would just be telling me that this is what a real relationship with a boss should be like. A healthy interaction with anyone, really. Where consent is vital and respected, regardless of the situation.

I’ve got my thoughts as settled as they can be, given the emotional roller coaster the day has been, by the time I feelReaper’s gaze on me again. I look up, this time with a steadier resolve.

“Are you ready?” he asks and I capture my bottom lip between my teeth and shoot a look at Bones. He nods subtly, encouraging me. I nod at Reaper. “Give Stubs your phone, and then he’ll send a text to Paul asking to meet up in the morning. If you would prefer, he or Bones can handle the communications with him.”

I release a breath. “No, I think I can handle that. If I can’t, I’ll let someone take over.” I pull my phone out of the small purse I picked up a while ago and slide it across the table towards the demon I’ve never seen far from his computer bay.

Reaper raps his knuckles on the table and pushes his chair back. The rest of the males follow, their chairs sliding almost noiselessly on the polished floors. “Then let’s get everything in position. This time, tomorrow, this shit will be over and done with.”

23

BONES

“This is some fucking bullshit.”

Reaper ignores me. Can’t blame him since even I’m getting annoyed with myself and complaining. I can’t help it. I should be in there with my mate, not Sydney. Sloan shouldn’t even have to be in the same city as this mother fucker, let alone playing nice in this fancy restaurant Paul insisted on having lunch with her at.

Except Sloan insisted she play an active role in taking down her abusers and the fuckers who attacked the Knights of Hades trying to get back Kennedy.

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