Page 63 of Who Owns You?

From his left shoulder all the way down to his right hip, his body isn’t fucking connected. Gold weeps from the huge wound in his side, and I feel puke creep up the back of my throat.

I didn’t know gargoyles could puke, but Atlas’s injury lances me straight through with terror.

“Please come quick!” My voice snaps through the air again, but I can’t take my eyes off Atlas.

He doesn’t look too good, and if I take my eyes off him, then he might not be there when I put them back.

I rest a hand gently into the tangled waves of his hair, not knowing what the fuck to do. I’m a protector, but here, I’m utterly helpless. I can’t do anything to save my nest-mate, and I just might blow it worse this time than ever before.

“You would really let me kick out our mate?” Atlas asks suddenly, his eyes unfocused and pointed toward the dreary sky.

“Yes, but you have to live. This nest is nothing without you, Atlas.” I give his cheek a gentle pat, trying to keep him awake. “You need to keep your eyes open, or I might vomit on you.”

Atlas takes in a deep breath and winces. “Don’t do that, don’t make me want to laugh.”

“I’m sorry, it’s a gift.” I frown and bite my cheek. “You just have to stay awake. Just keep your eyes on my handsome face.”

Atlas snorts, some of that cool, give-no-shits-take-no-shits attitude showing itself.

“Handsome face, my ass.”

Chapter 28

JULIUS

Selfishly,I’m watching Charlotte work in her studio. Something about the way she works and moves and expresses how she feels without knowing I’m there makes me feel less horrible for avoiding her.

We’ve all been avoiding her, and I think she’s avoiding us right back. It’s only fair, but you don’t have to like what’s fair.

Charlotte has always made me feel a little selfish. I love it when she eats the breakfast I make for her, knowing I’m the one giving her nutrition to have the energy she needs to get through the day and to sustain the magic that flows through her veins.

Lurking in the shadows of the doorway to her studio, I feel much more like a demon than a gargoyle. My magic allows me mastery of the castle in a lot of ways. Molding the shadows to my body is tricky but manageable. I greedily drink in her body as she moves from the window to her easel, painting the thick dark clouds with streaks of golden lightning.

She captures the color so vividly. If I didn’t know any better, I would think she is painting with gold rather than acrylics.

The rain patters down on the roof high above us as I watch her paint. Each little flick of her wrist adds another smudge of color, adding to the painting that seems to be just as alive as the force of nature it’s capturing.

Lightning strikes close, and she flinches softly as the quiet in the studio is broken. Rain taps against the large windows, making the warm light of the room dance slightly. Her breath catches for a moment, and I feel the experimental prod of her magic. I have to bite my lip to keep from moaning. It’s not an inherently sexual touch, but I’m starved for Charlotte.

“How long have you been standing there?” she asks, setting down her palette and brush.

She shoves her hands into the front pockets over her overalls as she turns to face me.

I release a soft breath and let the shadows fall from my form. “Not too long. I can’t help myself knowing you’re right…there.” I lift my hand and reach for her before jerking it back.

“I am right here. I didn’t go anywhere, Atlas did,” she snaps, eyes misting over, her pretty pink lips twisting into a mixture of a grimace and a frown.

I flinch at the harshness of her words, pushing my glasses up the bridge of my nose to give myself a fraction of a second to think.

“He did, and he was wrong for expressing his hurt like that, but he will be back, and we’ll work this all out. I can feel it.” I press my free hand to my gut. “It’s worse than indigestion.”

My attempt to lighten the mood falls flat as her gaze withers.

“You’re so lucky you’re cute.”

“Just cute?” I ask softly, my booted foot toeing the line between the hallway and her studio.

I want to take her into my arms more than anything.

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