Oddly enough, though my clothes and skin should have burned, I don’t have any damage.
To my surprise, Arran is almost completely healed, too.
It’s Raithe who meets us just outside the concealment ward of his coven’s property. His eyes immediately snap to his fellow phoenix when we arrive.
“What happened?” He runs forward, looking Calder over. “Did he die?”
“No,” Maxum answers. “Let’s step over into a secure area before we get into it, if you don’t mind.”
“Yes, of course.” Raithe rushes back to the boundary and waves us through, inviting us all into the safety of Amira’s magic.
Now that I’m more aware of my magic, I can feel her power wrap around me like a warm blanket.
Raithe doesn’t press for more information as we head straight for our tiny cabin. Amira and Darius must have sensed something off because they appear quickly as we come to the large clearing between the two main buildings.
Amira inspects us all quickly, then her gaze falls back on Calder cradled in Flint’s arms. “Were you attacked?” Her voice is firm. I assume she’s ensuring we didn’t bring more trouble.
Maxum shakes his head. “Apparently, Jade has the ability to return soul fragments to their bodies.”
“Interesting,” Darius drawls, giving me a once over. “Few can work with such a delicate skill.”
“I don’t know how delicate it was since he freaked out immediately afterward.”
“Fractured souls have a tendency of panicking and reacting on primal instinct,” he explains. “You’ll need to monitor him when he finally wakes up.”
“You can use my regeneration space. It won’t burn down.” Raithe nods toward a hill with a metal hatch. “It’s as fireproof as I could manage.”
Without question, Flint carries him over and Raithe helps him inside.
I bite my lip, wondering what I should do. I want to be with Calder, ease him through this process, but I worry he won’t find my presence comforting. He might hate me. He might never forgive me.
Fuckinggoddessdammit.
“Maxum and Flint will tend to him,” Arran whispers over the shell of my ear as his arms wrap around my waist. “Come, you need some rest.”
I resist and take a step toward the underground shelter.
Arran growls and snatches me up in his arms, bridal style. I fight him, shifting in his hold, but I’m unwilling to hurt him to break free, so I’m left with few options against his strength.
“Please. He’s going to hate me.” I plead. “He’ll think I’ve abandoned him.”
I won’t be able to live in this pack if he hates me. He will make all our lives miserable. I’d be guilty of ruining their family. I’ve already mated with Arran and Flint… What have I done? Rushing into mating when things are so chaotic?
This isn’t like me. Do I even knowmyselfanymore?
Dammit. I’m having an out-of-body experience. It’s as if I can see my mind and body and some other rational part of me is helplessly watching on as I’m spiraling. I can’t stop. Because thingsarefucked up. And I’m the reason.
Maxum appears suddenly in my field of vision, and Arran abruptly jerks to a stop.
My demon grasps my jaw and forces me to look him in the eye.
I’m instantly back in my body and alert. I almost recoil at his fierce glower. I know he’s a force to be reckoned with, but I don’t back down from meeting his gaze because in my gut I know he won’t hurt me.
Not on purpose.
But the way he’s peering into my damned soul rattles me.
“We will get through this.Together.” He waits for me to acknowledge what he’s said, but I only stare up into his beautifully heated eyes. “Don’t do anything reckless. You belong here with us, and that means with Calder too. He just needs to wake up, settle down, and remember what’s happened.”
