Page 109 of Savage Torment

“I agree with Wylder,” he declares, folding his arms over his chest as he glances around the room while Lincoln grunts.

“You're the one who knows things we don’t,” he says in response, his nostrils flaring with a hint of irritation.

The energy in the room is concerning. Everything feels out of sync, possibly because there have never been this many people in my room all at once before. So many factions, too.

Standing on my bed—literally standing—I glance around the room, taking a deep breath as I figure out, or at least try to understand, what we do next.

Minnie and Bryony lean against the armoire, their arms linked as they gaze around the room with a sense of helplessness.

Wylder, Tatum, Lincoln, and Asher are at the foot of the bed, bickering among themselves, while Blaze stands to the right near my desk with Ben by his side.

Apparently, the reason Blaze had to leave was because it was no longer safe to keep him hidden, and it seems a silent decisionhas been made for him to come here. He’s going to be safer with others present than alone, I guess.

So that leaves witches, wolves, a vampire, and a human in my room. Who would have thought it was possible? All on the same side. To do what, I’m not entirely sure. Regardless, I don’t think it’s something Professor Whitmore could’ve envisioned.

Running my hands through my hair, I clear my throat, gaining everyone’s attention. All eyes turn to me, but the embarrassment I expect to feel doesn’t arrive. Somehow, it’s more guilt. Not a new feeling for me. But this time it’s because I made a decision, took a deal, and now all these people are involved. It doesn’t matter if it’s of their own accord; it’s still because of me.

“Perhaps we should go around the room so everyone can express their thoughts.”

I trust everyone in this room enough to tackle this chaotic situation together.

Fortunately, Minnie nods eagerly. Part of me knows that once Minnie agrees, the wolves will follow suit. It’s almost amusing that Lincoln is the Alpha of the pack, given how soft he is on his sister. He ends up following her lead more often than not.

Testing the waters to my right, my gaze locks with Blaze, and he winks, immediately confirming that he’s on board.

“Let's ensure we express everything,” Minnie states, unlinking her arm from Bryony’s as she climbs onto the bed with me and stands a step in front, pointing a finger first at her brother. “Lincoln, you can begin.”

He frowns, his eyebrows narrowing as frustration appears to take hold of his features before he rolls his eyes and shrugs. “I actually don't have anything to say.”

“That’s a first,” Blaze retorts, causing Wylder to snicker while Lincoln glares at the vampire.

“Fuck you.”

Blaze winks. “You wish.”

Who on Earth is this funny vampire, and where’s my dark and broody asshole? I’m sure he’s still in there somewhere.

Minnie cackles, pressing her hand to her mouth in an attempt to stifle the sound, but it’s futile. Once she finally regains her composure, she points her slender finger at Tatum.

He takes it as a hint to go and his eyes find mine immediately, a softness clear as a small smile curls at the corner of his mouth. “I am mated with Polaris,” he states, reaching for the hem of his t-shirt and lifting it high enough to reveal the mark on his chest that matches mine.

“Holy shit!” Ben gasps in disbelief as Wylder claps.

“That’s fucking awesome, man,” he gushes, and the two of them fist bump, making my cheeks heat. Especially when he turns to me, eyes dark with a promise in his gaze. One that swears I’m destined to have another mark on my body soon.

“Asher?” Minnie calls out, and he shakes his head.

“Nothing.”

Minnie shifts her focus to the vampire in the room, crossing her arms over her chest as she gives him a piercing look. It feels as if she’s ready for the unavoidable argument.

Blaze tucks his hands behind his back and nods. “Okay, I have about forty-eight hours to kill Tatum, or The Crow will come for me,” he states, and I gawk at him, nearly falling from the bed.

“What?” Minnie and I say in unison, and he shrugs, giving me a tight smile.

“Hence why we're all here, Amica Mea. We're trying to figure it out,” he states, like that's enough of an explanation.

I glance at Tatum, who is clearly not surprised by the news. I can’t help but wonder when this all happened. However, seeing him remain calm helps ease the panic and fear in my chest.

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