Torian pressed his arm against his waist, then bowed over it. "Yes, General."
Ms. Rhodes just sighed. "Do not make me send her father with the group of you." And she flicked her hand. "Torian, you open the doors forKeir. Now go."
Keir turned, carrying me against his chest, and Aspen moved to my side to grab my hand. "You know, there is abitof an appeal to these big strong boys you like."
I leaned my weary head on Keir's shoulder. "Yeah? What's that?"
"We have someone to do the heavy lifting," Aspen said, lacing her fingers between mine. "And someone to remind me that you're going to be ok. Please be ok, Rain?"
"He didn't touch you," I said. "That means I'm fine." But I just couldn't keep my eyes open.
Chapter Sixty-Two
KEIR
The moment Rain's eyes closed, the shadows vanished. Not just the ones wrapped around us, but every shadow in my sight. She also sagged in my arms, her entire body going limp. I gave her a little heave, making sure her head wasn't going to slide off my shoulder, and walked a little faster.
"She's out," I told Aspen.
"She's not used to that much magic," Aspen said. "Most of us had a chance to grow into it. Rain just got it all dumped on her."
But she still managed to tuck Rain's arm over her belly before I reached the door. Torian held it wide so I didn't risk bumping her as I got her inside. Hawke hurried to call the elevator, and Wilder trailed behind me, looking like he was ready to take over if she got too heavy.
The whole ride up to the fourth floor, everyone was quiet. There was something heavy in the air. I wasn't sure why, but I certainly felt it. But when we reached Rain's room, Aspen pulled out a key and unlocked it. Evidently, Rain had given her girlfriend a key at some point, and that may have been the cutest thing I could think of. But I didn't say anything because I had my little Morrigan to gently ease down onto the bed.
The moment she was out of my arms, Aspen started emptying her pockets. "Wilder, her charger is by Glow." She passed him Rain's phone. Then, "What's..." Her brow furrowed, and she removed a stone pendant shaped like a crow in a circle. "Why did she have this?"
"No clue, but it was glowing," I said.
"Yeah, the moment she grabbed her sword," Wilder added. "It shined through her jeans."
As I was busy pulling off her shoes, Hawke went around the bed to pass over another pillow. Aspen made sure Rain was propped up well. The whole time, Torian stood quietly at the side, watching.
"Is everyone ok?" I asked.
"All good," Aspen replied.
Hawke dropped his ass down on the bed, reaching over to clasp Rain's leg. "Why the fuck were you outside, Aspen?"
"Um, Rain's shadow stood up in front of Ms. Rhodes, and I realized she probably needed power, so..."
"So she ran into the middle of that," Torian said, "not caring about her own safety!"
"Ms. Rhodes was with me!" Aspen insisted. "I stayed behind her, just like she said!"
"And I could've powered her up," Torian countered.
"She'smygirlfriend!" Aspen snapped.
"And you're my fucking sister!" Torian grunted like that should've been obvious. "Harper put that enchantment out so they'd getyou, Aspen. Not me. Not Wilder, or Keir, or Hawke. You."
"He's got a point," I said, but gently. "And Wilder was keeping her going."
"But I'm supposed to help!" Aspen snapped, those cold eyes of hers flaring with an inner spark. "I am not weak. I am not helpless! I refuse to sit down, shut up, and be the obedient little bitch while the boys handle everything!"
"It's called being smart," Torian growled.
Her head snapped over to face him. "Because it's ok for everyone else to get hurt, huh?"
