Page 39 of Silverproof Damsel

“Sunshine,” he murmured as he held his hand out for me to take. Eyeing it like a snake poised to strike, he chuckledwickedly. “Come, you’ve had a long day. Nyota has drawn you a bath. Let’s get you inside where it’s safe.”

Placing my hand in his, I allowed Cole to help me out of the vehicle. Rhys’ raised voice stopped him from allowing me to exit the SUV. Cole pushed me back inside, his eyes thinning.

“Issue?” Cole asked, violence poised in his tone.

“They’re at the gates, brother,” Rhys answered before issuing a low whistle.

Rhys’ knights flowed like the sea from the mansion’s front door. Uncertain how to respond, I turned, staring at the fence line of the property with fear clawing at my throat.

“Shields up, now,” Rhys ordered loudly. “Protect your lady, Knights.”

My eyes widened as his words replayed inside my head. The knights moved in a V formation, each raising their shields at various levels. By the time they’d reached the door of the Cadillac, it was a shield wall. Rhys slipped between the knights, grabbing me from the vehicle.

“Walk in front of me, Remington.” Nodding as I shivered with adrenaline coursing through my veins, I stepped in front of him as the first deafening shot erupted in the countryside. Rhys spun, his body shielding mine as he lifted me, then rushed toward the door with Cole hot on our heels.

“Nyx!” I screamed as Acyn came into view, carrying her in his arms.

“She’ll heal. You won’t,” he snapped as we entered the safety of the house. “Why the fuck are they firing on you?”

Gasping in outrage, I answered him in a high-pitched tone. “How the fuck would I know? Maybe they’ve decided I’m not worth taking alive?”

“It wasn’t a question for you, Love.” Rhys set me on my feet and pushed me toward Nyota. “Guard her with your life.”

“Don’t need to tell me twice,” Nyota called to his back as he whistled loudly.

“Into tactical offense formation. Now,” he roared as the other Van Helsings swarmed to where he stood. “Kill every fucking one of them.” The moment he shouted the last word, weapons began materializing in his sibling’s hands.

“Behind me,” Mikel growled, forcing brothers I’d not met yet to crowd in behind him.

Fear of Rhys’ safety flooded my system, causing my hands to ball into tight fists at my sides. Lips quivering, I started to move toward him, but Nyota gripped my arm. A quick jerk of her chin told me to stay put.

“Be careful, Rhys,” I whispered, forcing his eyes to slide to where I stood. A cocky smile played on his full, kissable lips.

“Careful, Silversmith. I might start thinking you care about me,” he purred before returning his attention to the issue at hand. Without looking back, he left with the others as a barrage of gunfire exploded from outside.

Chapter Sixteen

Thefightingoutsidegrewlouder and more distressing with each endless moment that it continued. My fear grew thicker. I wasn’t sure which side was winning, but Nyota refused to allow me near enough to a window to peek, either.

“How are you so calm?” I demanded, then resumed pacing.

Nyota shrugged, then turned toward the sound of boots meeting tiled flooring. Planting her hand on her hip, she glanced at me before issuing orders to the knights flooding into the dining room where we stood.

“Let’s sum it up to my experience. Otherwise, I’d probably be an anxious asshole like you’re being right now.”

“Noted.”

I watched in silence as she issued orders, as if she’d been born to do just that. It was her element. She more than excelled at it. Without so much as a moment’s hesitation, Nyota sent them off to battle. It was as if she sensed where they were needed the most through some invisible link she shared with her brothers.

Once the last of the swarm of men had vanished from sight, she turned toward me again. The moment she did, a thunderoussound caused the crystal chandelier above our heads to sway, causing thousands of rainbow prisms to light throughout the chamber.

Screams erupted immediately upon the second deafening bang, causing fear to cut sharp ribbons through my innards. My hand flattened, with the palm against my abdomen, as the walls shuddered from whatever had blasted through the courtyard.

“We should be out there aiding them,” I reiterated what I’d already said a thousand times. “What if they’re wounded?”

Nyota’s crystal-blue eyes thinned on me before she flipped inky, dark tresses over her petite shoulder. Without so much as whispering a word, she negated what I’d demanded once more.

“I need to know what is happening out there!” My voice was sharp with panic flooding each word I uttered.

---