Page 96 of Wrongfully Magicked
Darby stiffens, a scowl darkening his expression, clearly offended that I would question his honor. “I would never let anything happen to you.”
He says it with such conviction that I believe him, and my chest warms at his loyalty—loyalty that I did nothing to earn, and that no one else has ever given me except his sister.
“I believe you.” I swallow the lump in my throat and curl my hands into fists to keep from reaching out to soothe him. I fear if I touch him, I might never let him go. I have to remind myself that these men aren’t my own personal playthings to touch whenever I want. “I never doubted that you could protect me for an instant.”
He relaxes infinitesimally, and I grimace.
“You’re looking at me like I’m a wounded bird. My family will be able to sniff out any hint of weakness and exploit it. One slip, and it would put you in danger. I would never forgive myself if anything happened to you.”
The longer I speak, the more his face goes blank, and I swallow hard, knowing I hurt him.
“And as much as I might want you at my side, you need to think about your sister. If she’s still alive, she will be there. You are the best person to look for her and probably the only one who will be able to find her.”
He looks conflicted at the mention of his sister, and I squeeze his hand. “I would never ask you to choose between protecting me and saving her.”
Darby searches my eyes, then gives a jerky nod and squeezes my hand in response.
I glance back at Stryker, then wince and shake my head. “Same with you. My family is not the hugs and kisses type. They are…not going to be happy that I’ve evaded them for so long.”
Stryker is once more in his beastling form. After showering and putting on clean clothes, he looks adorable with his fur all fluffy, tempting me to touch, but I don’t dare say that out loud.
Men get unreasonably cranky when they are called cute or adorable.
A growl rumbles in his chest, his ears pressed flat against his head, and I can see huge ass fangs peeking out between his parted lips. I cut off his protest before he can even voice it.
“The reunion with my family is going to be…rough. The instant they lay a hand on me, you won’t be able to stop yourself from attacking. Nothing you do will save me. It will only get you killed.”
The black claws tipping the ends of his fingers slowly lengthen as he struggles with his beast. Tiny shards of white brighten in his irises, making his blue eyes glow. I reach back between the bucket seats and rest my hand on his leg, squeezing it gently. I don’t fear he’ll harm me, more like he’ll snatch me up and run.
I wait for his eyes to focus, and his attention zeroes in on me once more. “As much as I would love for us to disappear, they would never stop hunting me. If we want a future that is about more than just survival, where our lives won’t be constantly at risk, then we have to do this.”
He slides his hand over mine, his grip almost painful. Blowing out a heavy breath, he slowly nods, his gaze never leaving mine. It’s only when his claws retract slightly that I know he’s back in control.
The way his jaw clenches, I know he’s not happy, but he doesn’t protest.
I’ll take that as a win.
I pat his leg once before swiveling in my seat to face Soren, but he’s already shaking his head.
“No chance, little minx.” He winks at me, not the least bit perturbed that I was deciding who stays and who goes. “I go where you go.”
I purse my lips, then grudgingly nod. As much as I want to protect them, it’s not possible. No one is safe around me. While I might want to send them away, I’m not stupid.
They might be my only shot at getting free of my family.
If it were only me, I might risk running, but my family needs to be stopped. They are power hungry monsters, hiding beneath their bloodlines, money, and prestige. If anyone bothers to even look at them wrong, they are either paid off, blackmailed, or killed outright.
Not to mention that Darby’s sister is still trapped in that house of horrors. I owe it to her to try and get her out, no matter how unlikely it might be that she’s still alive after all this time.
“Fine,” I mutter, hating that my actions would put them in danger. If I thought I could get away with it, I would lock him in a cage until this shit was done. “It makes sense to include you. If they are dealing with demons, your knowledge would be invaluable.”
The smug bastard settles firmly back into his seat, pleased with himself, if his smirk is any indication. Biting back a growl, I spin around with a huff and look toward Cassius and Porter. “The two of you are known members of MID. They must have connected our disappearances by now. It would make sense that you took me in exchange for cash.”
Porter’s expression doesn’t change, never giving away his thoughts. Cassius’ nostrils flare in annoyance, but I don’t let it distract me. Now is not the time for feelings.
“Neither of you two like me very much, so it shouldn’t be too hard for either of you not to react when you turn me over to them.”
Shadows slink along the interior of the car, wrapping around my ankles almost playfully. As they skirt higher, the cold seeps through my pants like a caress. It’s so different from my normal heat that instead of flinching from the cold, my muscles relax as if seeking more.
