Page 57 of Ruling in Flames (Reborn 5)
18
MAYA
Despite the shifterdoctor Marco called in insisting that the boys were fine, I found myself having a midnight vigil situated between their beds. The guilt was eating me alive—I felt like I was completely to blame for them being injured.
They couldn’t have been more than five or six, yet they’d fallen victim to Malcolm because of me. While it wasn’t directly so, I couldn’t help but take the blame, and it didn’t surprise me that he had been willing to target someone so vulnerable. That was what he did.
Not anymore, though.
No, because of Az and ultimately Marco,Malcolm was dead.
I couldn’t fully appreciate the sense of relief I felt at finally being free, at no longer having to look over my shoulder in fear of Malcolm being there.He was dead and never coming back.I knew it would hit me eventually, but right now, curled up in an armchair with a blanket, I found myself only able to focus on the boys to either side of me.
Tears of frustration welled in my eyes, hoping that what my magic was telling me was right. That they were okay and just exhausted, using sleep as a method for their bodies to mend any damage that my magic hadn’t. While Malcolm had told me to use my blood, he hadn’t said how, so I’d been relying on pure instinct when I had dripped my blood into their wounds, praying to the Maker it would work. The relief I felt when they started to heal was absolutely unparalleled.
I hadn’t even realized I was capable of something like that.
“You need sleep, sugar,” Croy said, walking towards me and crouching down in front of my chair. Outside of Az, who had yet to visit, each of my mates had taken turns coming in and out of the room to check on me. I knew that they were trying to not crowd the room in case the boys woke up, and despite wanting them in here, I totally understood it. Having all of them in a room could be objectively overwhelming and would probably intimidate our two guests.
“I will, I just need them to wake up,” I murmured, hoping he understood why I couldn’t sleep. Not right now. What if they needed me? I felt extremely protective over the two of them, and I didn’t even know their names.
Croy’s face turned soft. “How about I sit and watch them? I have to work on a few things, and this will make sure I get caught up on work without falling asleep. If they move or wake up at all, I promise I’ll have someone come grab you. It’s making everyone nervous that you haven’t slept after using your magic like you did in the cave, let alone eat. Please, Sugar?”
His eyes implored me to agree, and I found myself torn. The idea of resting or maybe just getting some fresh air did sound appealing, especially because I didn’t want to worry my mates. I hadn’t even had a chance to shower after the cave incident—I’d cleaned up and changed after what Anani and I had done earlier, but a long soak in a bathtub sounded absolutely wonderful. I didn’t think I would sleep, like I said, but maybe a little stretch and walk would help clear my mind.
“You promise you'll come wake me up?” I asked, panic lodging in my throat at the idea of the boys waking up scared, confused, and alone.
“I promise,” he assured me. I finally sighed and deflated, getting up and letting him take my place. I kissed him lightly, a rumble escaping his throat, then I looked over both boys before leaving through the door.
I fought the urge to go to my mates, who were gathered in Marco’s office, talking in low tones. As much as I wanted to see them and as much as I knew I needed rest, something was bothering me, and I had a feeling it had to do with not having seen Az since coming back. He’d been oddly quiet when we left the cave and even more so once we arrived back at the estate, but I’d been so caught up in my concern for the boys I hadn’t realized it until now.
Peeking in his room and not seeing him, I walked down the stairs and towards the back of the house. I wrapped my hand around my necklace and tried to sense where he was, finding myself turning down a side path of the house that led down to where we had taken off to leave for the caves. The safety rail was still retracted, and sitting on the rocky edge was Az, his shadowed form covered by his massive wings that were extended to each side.
Something was for sure was off. I didn’t know what, but I could feel it.
“Az?” I called out, my voice carrying on the warm ocean wind.
He stiffened, only increasing my concern.What the heck was going on?Deciding to be bold, I walked near him and stood slightly to the side, trying to see his expression, which was shrouded in darkness.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,mon lapin,” he managed to get out, his voice strained. “Just tired.”
I believed that, but that wasn’t what the issue was right now.
I took a deep breath, catching the scent of seared feathers and blood. I made a panicked noise and approached him, sliding onto his lap. He grunted, leaning back so I wasn’t hanging over the edge. Now that I was close, I could see that his face was extremely pale and filled with an excruciating amount of pain. His wings were damaged in the front, the scent of blood coming from where the limb met the skin.
“How did this happen?” I demanded.When did this happen? In the cave? After? Was there a threat I wasn’t seeing?My breathing went rough as I considered all the possibilities.
“His magic was uncontrollable and lashed out while I was holding him,” Az explained, his gaze moving over my expression.
Oh Maker, he’d been in pain that long?
“Let me fix it,” I begged softly. “Please?”
“I’ll be fine, I just need to heal—”
“Let me heal you,” I said, cupping his jaw. “I can’t sit here, knowing you’re in pain, and not fix it. I know you would do the same for me—youhavedone the same for me.”
