Page 115 of Ransomed to the World
“But?” Her heart threatened to break her ribs it was thumping so hard, her chest tightening with anxiety.
“No buts.” Edgar’s voice was firm. “You took us into battle with you. It’s all we wanted—to share your burden. You’re not alone in this anymore.”
Tears burned her eyes, and she blinked them away, her throat tight as emotions threatened to drown her.
“We know there’s no way to stop you from finding trouble.” Mason lifted her foot and rubbed the bottom, the massage dragging a groan out of her. “We would never stop you, we just want to be by your side next time it finds you.”
Xander raised her fingers, kissing the tips. “Some days, you’ll save our lives, and we’re going to rail and rage at you. Other times, we’ll bitch at each other for putting you in danger, but only because we adore the shit out of you.”
“And you’ll do the same when we try to protect you.” Camden flashed her a crooked half-smile. “You’ll grouse and bitch, but you won’t be able to stop us from following you into danger, any more than we can stop you.”
Their acceptance of her—without reservation or recriminations—made her heart swell with emotions.
“That’s why we’re going to train harder as a team.” The undertone in Xander’s deep voice hinted at how much he relished the prospect, and he gave her a smile she could only describe as evil. He reached into his back pocket, then pulled out a familiar feather.
She snatched it out of his hand, her breath catching as she ran her fingers lovingly over the edges. She thought she’d lost it. She gave him a nod of thanks, then tucked it down the front of her shirt, keeping it safe until she had time to place it with the grimoire, where she couldn’t lose it again and no one could take it away from her.
“No more heroics on your own.” Edgar gave her a pointed look, his expression chiding, but he quickly became distracted by the hand that was still tucked down her shirt.
She quickly yanked her hand back out and smirked at seeing him so easily diverted.
Mason gently tucked her foot back under the covers, drawing her gaze. “We all want one thing…”
“Pack,” Logan whispered in her ear, his voice husky. “Now that we’ve found it with you, we’re not letting you go, not even to death.”
“We’re family now.” Xander spoke without hesitation. “That means we’ll fight.”
“And argue about who’s in charge.” Edgar gave her a wry grin.
“And take you out on many, many dates.” Camden winked.
Annora cracked a smile, and the other guys chuckled.
“It won’t be easy.” Mason straightened to his full height. “We’reallassholes, so there will be plenty of heartache and headaches.”
“We’re driven by one thing.” The humor fell away from Camden’s face, his eyes darkening. “Our love for you. No matter what happens, that will never change.”
Logan nuzzled her ear. “We won’t ever give up, ever stop fighting, not when we’re fighting for what we love.”
Annora was still a bit concerned about Logan after what he’d recently went through, afraid that what happened might have set back his progress
She couldn’t bear it if he retreated back into his shell again. She twisted to look at him, biting back a groan when pain rippled through her side. “You sure you’re okay with this?”
“I’ll always be a hundred percent on your side. You guys are my family now.” He brushed his cheek against hers, then grimaced. “Once the truth of phantoms becomes known and my family finds out just how much power you wield, they might try to demand a groom price from you.”
He fussed with smoothing out the wrinkles in the covers, avoiding her gaze.
“Let them.” Annora met his look steadily when his eyes flashed up to hers. “I’d relish the challenge and the opportunity to show them just how displeased I am at how they’ve treated you over the years.”
She leaned up and kissed his cheek.
Then Annora smirked up at the rest of the guys. “Anyone else ready to sneak off the island before they decide not to let us leave?”
The guys snorted, but Edgar just nodded. “I already contacted the captain for passage. He’s ready to depart as soon as we arrive.”
As the others began to gather their things and figure out an exit plan to avoid being spotted, Mason lingered by the bed. “Sure you don’t want to stay and learn about being a phantom? I know you wanted to discover more about your heritage. You could learn how to control your abilities from them.”
“Nope.” Though she was tempted, it ultimately wasn’t worth the cost they would demand in return. “I don’t think they’re the best people to ask, especially since I basically ripped apart their world.”
