Page 3 of Shadow Warrior
I took his advice and sucked in a couple of calming breaths. Harmon was out of my reach right now. There was nothing I could do at this minute. God, I hated being powerless.
“Better?” Brady asked.
I lifted my gaze to his, and it hit me again how I’d almost lost him, and what a miracle it was that he was here. Alive. Looking at me. A lump formed in my throat.
“Come here.” The command was a possessive growl that sent prickles of delight chasing over my skin.
I rounded the bed and climbed up next to him. He wrapped an arm around me, tucked me into his side, and rested his chin on my head. His heartbeat was strong and steady, and his cedar scent surrounded me. He was safe. He was alive.
“I thought I’d lost you.” My voice was thick with relief. And that L word, the one I hadn’t wanted to say, hovered on my lips. “Don’t ever scare me like that again.”
He hugged me tighter. “I’m here. I’m not going anywhere, Indigo.”
I fisted his T-shirt and raised myself on an elbow to look down into his face. His eyes darkened, and the stars came out to play. He was so fucking beautiful, it hurt my heart.
“Brady?”
His gaze fell to my lips. “Yeah?”
“Can I sleep here with you tonight?”
His throat bobbed. “I’d like that.”
* * *
Devon had come upblank on news of Harmon. His uncle had refused to discuss the issue and sent him packing. But as we filed into the assembly hall, I could only hope Henrich was about to give us some answers.
“Where’s Thomas?” Carlo asked.
I scanned the rows of cadets and spotted him up front. “He must have gotten here early.”
Carlo looked worried. “How did he take Devon’s lack of news?”
“Not good. He kind of shut down.”
We took a spot at the back of the room near the main exit, and I caught sight of Aidan and Devon entering via a door to the far right of the room. There was no sign of Lloyd, but he could be here, just not in view. Vince was on the other side of the room. I’d barely seen the shadow knight since we’d been fast-tracked. I guess his role in our training was over for now.
The room was narrow and long. It jutted off the side of the building like an after-thought. Its super-high ceiling and narrow windows too high up to peer from gave it both a cavernous and claustrophobic air. According to Carlo, it had once been a chapel but was now used for assemblies. I guess supernaturals had little use for God.
“How’s Brady doing?” Carlo asked.
“Good. He fell asleep a little while ago, but the healer thinks he should be good to leave in a couple of days.”
“Weird how hard it hit him.” Carlo frowned. “Hyde too. He’s still up at the Academy, right?”
The mention of Hyde’s name was like a thorn prodding my heart. “Yeah. Deana’s with him.” I cleared my throat. “I’m sure he’s fine.”
Carlo slung an arm over my shoulder and gave me a one-armed hug. “You’re okay, Justice. Trust me. He doesn’t deserve you.”
Wait, what? I peered up at him. “You know?”
He offered me a small smile. “You wear your heart on your sleeve, twinkle toes.”
Well, damn.
A murmur skittered over the gathered.
“Big boss is here.” Carlo released me and stood up straighter.
