Page 23 of Underworld
But Logan didn’t blame me.
He cupped my chin and lifted my face to his. “Of course I don’t blame you.”
I blushed. “I don’t think I’ll ever get used to how easily you read my mind.”
He grinned and it wasalmostthe playful smile he’d once given me. Almost. “It gives me a little bit of an edge,” he agreed. My other Virtues seemed limited to the thoughts I sent to them, either intentional or not. Logan, though, he knew me too well.
Then he stroked his hand down my hair, smoothing the ends. “I’m happy you’re back, Lily. But I always knew you would be.”
He kissed me then, a sweet loving brush of his lips against mine.
When he pulled back, I sighed. “Thank you.”
I couldn’t put into words what I was thanking him for—his steadiness, his loyalty, how easily he gave me his love and devotion. He was so vital to me—and although the others might not realize it, he was vital to the mate circle as well.
“You never need to thank me, Lily. Not for loving you.”
Taking his hand, I squeezed.
“Are you two done?” Hendrik asked, sounding bored. He’d been watching the exchange. I had expected him to venture on to the Council meeting without us, but as indifferent as he insisted on being, the claiming lock of his gaze said that he wasn’t letting me out of his sight.
Logan lifted his lip at Hendrik in a snarl. “I came because I felt her pain, you asshole. Give her a moment, and then we’ll go.”
Hendrik only smirked.
Logan turned his attention back to me. “I’ll walk with you, if that’s alright.”
“Just get me away from here,” I said, ignoring Hendrik as he moved closer. I didn’t have the energy for his brand of “love” right now.
Logan’s pupils spiked and along our bond, I felt his protectiveness toward me rising. Needing to soothe.
I leaned against him, my cheek to his bared upper arm. It helped, just knowing hecared.
We started walking with Hendrik our faithful shadow.
“The Dean isn’t the same,” Logan said after several minutes of quiet passed.
“I’d hope not,” I agreed. Shehadkilled me, after all.
“I’m serious.” Logan brought my hand to his lips and kissed the back softly. “Being the Conduit for Calamity took a toll. I don’t think she started out being an evil bitch. Ever since Luc took on the curse of being the Conduit for himself, she’s definitely changed.”
Stopping in my tracks, I looked up at him.
“What?” Logan eyed me warily and that was all it took.
The line between humor and hysteria must not be all that broad because I started laughing. “So, Luc…Lucifer, has already won.” I gestured to the barrier. “This isn’t a war. This is a siege.” Now I understood why Cole had wanted me to choose his side.
Because it was the one that would win.
“Don’t look at it that way,” Logan said, tugging me along with him. “With the Dean on our side, we have a better chance and we’re getting stronger, all of us. She’s a powerful immortal and the Queen wouldn’t have chosen her to lead the Academy if she didn’t believe in her.”
The Queen… he meant my mother.
“When I first saw the Dean, I wanted to rip her throat out,” Logan growled. He paused, then added darkly, “With my teeth.”
Along our bond, I felt the intensity of those words and knew he meant it as Hendrik hummed in agreement.
My mother had chosen the Dean to remain in charge, even after what she’d done. Calamity was a fucked up entity, I decided, and I couldn’t blame those impacted by it for their actions.
