Page 71 of Ransomed to the World
Her head snapped up at the mention of Sadie. Logically, Annora knew Edgar was her mate and hers alone, but she didn’t like to be reminded that he’d been betrothed before they met.
Worse…to Sadie.
She ruthlessly shoved the tendrils of jealousy deep down and focused on the plan. “Central City?”
Edgar’s sharp gaze swung toward hers. Darkness swam in his deep blue eyes, but she knew she’d failed to hide her emotions when amusement crinkled their corners. For some reason, the fucker enjoyed seeing her jealousy.
“Central City is what we call the island.” His voice was warm and gooey, his earlier anger vanished.
She would not be lulled. “And how will Sadie know to meet us?”
“She’s watching the boats coming into port.” His smile was a little more pronounced, as if he enjoyed riling her up. “Central City is hidden from the outside world. It’s basically a piece of the phantom realm on earth. Only those who know or have phantom blood can see it.”
Annora remembered spotting lights on the ocean off in the distance and wondered if that was where they were going.
Edgar sighed and pushed away from the wall. “Morning will be here in a few hours. I suggest we all get some sleep. Tomorrow is going to be a long day.”
Logan crawled back into bed, looping an arm around her waist and pulling her down with him, cuddling her close before blowing a raspberry at the back of her neck. Camden and Xander stood, switching spots so Camden took the seat while Xander stretched out next to her, his weight causing her to roll against him until she was wedged between the guys on the bed.
Instead of being uncomfortably squashed between them, she was finally able to relax. Their touch soothed her unease, taking away the anxiety that seemed to become a permanent part of her when they weren’t nearby.
Being with them was different.
With them, she was home.
Mason shifted and grunted until he was stretched out along the floor…as much as he could anyway. Edgar sat in the other chair next to Camden, then reached out and dimmed the lights.
Annora wasn’t aware of falling asleep until the gentle rolling of the ship beneath her pulled her awake. She bolted upright with a gasp and found herself alone on the bed. A quick glance showed she had the room to herself. When she went to crawl out of bed, she spotted a small package waiting for her and froze.
A present?
She scanned the room, expecting to find one of the guys, but she was alone.
She reached over and poked at the gift, then jerked back, half-expecting it to be booby-trapped or something.
Nothing happened.
She glanced around once more, but nothing had changed. She sat cross-legged on the bed and stared at the package for another full minute before curiosity got the better of her. She gingerly picked up the brown paper package, placing it on her lap, almost giddy as she carefully peeled back the wrapping.
And discovered a set of long daggers nestled inside.
She couldn’t move as she gaped at the beautifully carved weapons. The blades were pure black and gleamed with darkness that she recognized from the afterworld. The handles were sculpted in silver, and her fingers itched to hold them.
She reached out a shaky hand, almost afraid to touch them.
It was only then that she realized this was what Edgar had asked Camden to pick up for him when they were at the tavern. Warmth expanded through her chest, and she ran her finger across her bottom lip, before slowly reaching out and tracing her fingers down one of the blades—and felt the afterworld tugging at her fingertips.
She picked up one of the daggers, amazed by the weight and balance…almost like it had been created just for her. She carefully set the blade back on the bed and scrambled off. She wanted to refuse the gift—they were much too expensive—but the urge to keep them was something fierce.
She’d received two presents from the guys now—her very first presents—and she couldn’t help but smile that they were both knives.
She headed toward the door to confront Edgar, uncertain of the etiquette when refusing a gift. But before she could grab the doorknob, she halted, unwilling to leave them behind, already feeling possessive of them.
She raced back, snatched them up and hurried toward the door, flinging it open just as the ship dipped, and she nearly ran over Edgar. She bumped into his chest, sending him crashing against the far wall and landing on top of him with anoomph.
His arms wrapped around her, and he gazed down at her with a half grin. When he noticed the daggers, his face softened. “I see you found my gift.”
Annora glanced down at them, tracing her finger along the metal, suddenly knowing she could never return them. “Why?”
