Page 40 of Wicked Dove
He slowly stands, nostrils flaring as he tucks his hands into his pockets. If this were my first time meeting him, I’d probably be scared, but I’ve seen him alone. Although, I don’t know if that makes any difference. I was scared then too, but I had more adrenaline coursing through my veins to realize.
“I’m protecting my interests. It's my job as your guardian, remember?”
My eyes turn to slits as I fume, but it’s Willow’s whiny voice that cuts through the air.
“Guardian?” she blurts, practically vibrating beside me. “Why the hell are you her guardian?”
“So he didn't wind up dead,” Rion interjects, and I want the floor to open up and swallow me whole; anything to take me out of this goddamn situation as soon as possible.
When it’s clear that’s not going to happen, I chance a glance at the crazy redhead beside me, only to find her features scrunching in disgust.
Dammit.
I know what that look means.
Understanding.
“It was you,” she snarls, launching herself at me. “You touched my man,” she growls as claws extend from her knuckles and she swipes at my face.
Pain cuts across my skin, a strangled cry of horror coming from my lips as I somehow manage to stay upright. I don’t know how, adrenaline, sheer determination, or deranged willpower, but rage fuels through my bones as I slam my palms into her chest, just like I did with Kael. I channel all of myself into the move, but just like yesterday with Rion, nothing happens except she stumbles with the force.
“Back the fuck off, Willow, before I use your blood for my next spell,” Ocean warns, throwing her arm protectively around my shoulder, and Willow snickers, unfazed.
“Shut up, Ocean. No one gives a shit,” she smarts back, tossing her hair over her shoulder before turning her attention back to Kael.
“You're done, Willow,” Kael snaps as I lift my hand to my face, slowly becoming more aware of the blood trickling across my skin.
“You went too far,” Thorne snaps, and Willow cackles with glee.
“Shit happens. I mean, look at her face. He'll never fuck you now,” she promises, but her words do no harm as Thorne appears in front of me, shielding me from her view as I remain frozen in place.
He tips my chin up with his finger and the chaos around me disappears until it’s only the two of us. “Come with me.”
His gaze reaches my soul once again, and like the apparent crazy, scythey bitch I am…
I go.
TWELVE
THORNE
Idon't know what the fuck is going on.
All I know is I can feel her emotions as if they are my own. Fear, uncertainty, determination, rage; all of it. It's thrumming through my veins like it comes from within me, but I know the source.
I know it's her.
With my hand wrapped around her upper arm, I drag her through the dining hall despite the audience we’ve got. Nobody ever says a word to me; they wouldn’t dare. They also wouldn’t challenge me.
I could slaughter this girl right here, right now, and no one would come to her aid.
The desire to shed some blood prickles as a thought in my mind, but I silence it quickly. Despite my instincts telling me to put my guard up and protect myself before anything can come of it, there’s another part, a curious part.
I don't know whether I'm luring her toward medical aid or her doom. Her eyes are on me with every step. I can feel the curiosity, or maybe that’s a touch of my own, because I have no idea who this girl is, but I'm already overwhelmed by her presence.
Even more than that, I’m wrung tight with the fact I’m intervening at all. I shouldn’t be helping. I wouldn’t usually, but it looks like I’m not in control of my body right now.
As we step out into the morning air, she digs her heels in and tries to pull her arm from my grip. “Actually, I’m feeling good where I am,” she says, finally realizing she's allowing a stranger to lead her anywhere they choose.
