Evie couldn’t control the feeling that came over her at the words. It was trust mixed with hope, two emotions she had a painful relationship with. To feel them both so completely made tears rise in her eyes.
Throughout her life, Evie had kept herself safe by keeping people at a distance. By relying on herself rather than anyone else. By notfeelinganything. Right then, she felt so much. Someone had saved her. Someone was with her. She wasn’t alone.
She leaned against Natalya, putting her arms around her, and hugged her. A tingling flowed through her as she did, sparking sensation into her body. Evie sighed at the feeling. It was comforting. It made her feel alive, and she held Natalya tighter. She didn’t want to let her go.
Natalya was otherworldly and terrifying. She was covered in blood and had just killed someone. It didn’t matter. She had come when Evie was sure no one would. When she was sure she would be taken away again.
Being near Natalya was the first time in months Evie felt truly safe.
Natalya’s arms hung stiffly in the air as Evie embraced her. Natalya didn’t hug anyone, ever. She didn’t even let people touch her. When she touched others, especially humans, it was a hyperconscious thing with a specific purpose. It was to manipulate, torture, or bring pleasure. It was controlled, and it took extreme effort to keep the power of her infernal abilities contained.
She hadn’t been ready for Evie to hold her like this. She should have darted away immediately. Instead, she leaned into the embrace. She held Natalya tighter.
Natalya slowly put her arms around her. The movement was hesitant at first. Unpracticed. Carefully, like Evie was made of glass, Natalya hugged her back. She drew her close and held her in an embrace that should have sent her into sensory overload. Evie leaned into it, sighing deeply. She relaxed into the hug. For the first time in over a century, Natalya did too.
She could smell Evie’s hair—a scent of blood and citrus shampoo. She sensed her sorrow and fear and the overwhelming relief flowing through her. Natalya felt it deep inside herself, as though Evie’s emotions were her own.
“Don’t go.” Evie spoke the words against Natalya’s shoulder. She could feel Evie’s lips on her skin. “Please don’t leave me alone.”
Natalya drew her closer, suddenly afraid fanged monsters would come take Evie away from her if she let go.
“I won’t. I won’t leave you.”
As Natalya held her, staring into the night beyond the balcony, she thought of the vampires that had used and scarred Evie. Of Stefano’s cruel eyes and his desire that increased with his victim’s fear. Of Varro’s slimy smile.
They’d kidnapped countless humans. Murdered more. They’d conspired to kill Natalya and to harm the Chains. The anger shefelt from all that paled when compared to what this woman had started in her.
Because they’d hurt Evie, Natalya wanted to kill them all.
Chapter 9
They didn’t move until backup from the Court of Chains arrived. Evie couldn’t. She wouldn’t. She didn’t want to let go of Natalya.
Blake and Flea were the first ones through the door, both wearing worried expressions. They changed to shock when they noticed Evie halfway sitting in Natalya’s lap, embracing her. The reaction was repeated by every other patrol team member who entered the apartment.
When they started asking questions, Natalya lifted Evie up as if she weighed nothing at all and took her to the couch. She wrapped Evie in a blanket, caressing her hands and arms as Natalya talked to the patrol team.
“He’s here,” Blake reported, having heard something in her earpiece. Barely a second later, Aleksander was outside the apartment door. He inspected the carnage, his face dark and angry.
“You have to invite him in,” Natalya said to Evie.
“No,” Evie whined, voice shaking. “Please. He’s a vampire. He’ll—”
“If he tries to hurt you, I’ll stake him.” Natalya looked at Aleksander, smiling tensely. “No offense.”
“None taken.” He didn’t return the smile. Evie took a deep breath.
“Would you please come in?” she said quietly. Aleksander crossed the threshold. He looked at the bloody corpse on the floor.
“Who’s this?”
“Austin. One of Varro’s spawn.” Natalya face twisted with held back fury. “His oldest, Stefano, was here too. He got away.”
Aleksander shot a surprised glance at Evie. “They came for her? That was daring.”
“It’s wounded pride more than anything. Stefano felt slighted that he lost his favorite toy.”
“He’s a little prick,” Flea said. “I bet he snuck in here to steal her back because his feelings were hurt. Two boys acting without daddy’s permission.”
