After a couple more minutes, she moves back, wiping her sweating forehead. “I’m afraid the scar on your nose will remain… Was there poison involved?”
Jayce nods slowly, about to touch it, but then decides against it.
“He used a strange blade; it had an odd energy to it. I still remember the way it hummed, and it glowed slightly.” I look at Jayce, trying to keep myself together.
“Pretty much, yeah. He had a message.” Jayce frowns now, looking at Uncle Leo.“Tell the Adonai, I have arrived… Let it begin.”
The room is silent as everyone allows the words to sink in.
“Then we’d better pass that message on to Dante,” Uncle Leo says quietly. “We might need a witch to replay that scene just so we can see what exactly happened. You’re not fucking weak, so how strong was he?”
“Strong enough to make me feel pretty fucking useless,” Jayce murmurs.
“A little failure is sometimes important to not let it get to your head,” Carter says with a raised eyebrow.
“You’re alive, and that’s the main thing,” Renji says, squeezing his shoulder slightly. Carter nods, but his eyes are on me before he looks at Jayce.
“And where were you headed to anyway?” he asks.
Jayce doesn’t reply, but from the way the boys are looking at one another, I know they’re mind-linking. Renji chuckles and winks at me, making me look away, and I hear Theo whistle, but I don’t look up, feeling suddenly very self-conscious.
“Alright, the rest of you get back to school. Jayce and Sienna will return in the morning,” Uncle Leo says as he looks over at Aunty Kiara. “Can I get a report on exactly how deep his injuries were?”
“Of course.” She nods as she pats Jayce’s cheek gently and kisses his forehead before she comes over to me. She cups my cheeks, and I feel her healing pour into me.
“I’m fine…” I murmur, but she only steps back after she’s satisfied.
“You going to be ok?” Azura asks. I nod, giving her a smile as Uncle Leo lights a cigarette.
“Kiara?” he says, leading the way out. Aunty Kiara follows, leaving us with the quints and Azura. Ares isn’t here. I wonder why.
“So…” Azura says the moment the doors shut. “What are you two up to, aiy?” She plants her hands on her hips, looking between us suspiciously.
“None of your business,” Jayce retorts as he sits up, and the blanket falls onto his lap. My eyes widen as I stare at his endless abs and his delicious V.
Oh gods…
“Oh, I’m not dumb,” Azura says slyly, and I know she’s watching me as I look away quickly.
Renji and Theo laugh, and even Carter has a tiny smile on his face.
“I’d like to book a front-row seat when you break the news to Ahren,” Carter says cockily.
“Shut it… Give us some space,” Jayce says, touching his nose, his brows furrowing slightly.
“You and Dad are both now rocking facial scars. You look good, man,” Theo says as Renji nods.
“I do agree, but the fact it’s left a mark… I’m sorry we weren’t there,” he says quietly.
“Yeah… What did I just say?” Jayce repeats, making Azura laugh – no, cackle is the right word.
“Sure, we’ll give you both a few minutes,” she says slyly.“There are some pants over there.”
“Yeah! Keep it PG, kids!” Theo calls, and I look down shyly, my cheeks burning. Once the door shuts, I let out a breath I didn’t even realise I was holding.
“Ignore them,” Jayce says as he gets up, wrapping the bed sheet around his waist. Relief floods me as he stands, and I run over to him, wrapping my arms around him from behind.
He tenses, placing his free hand over my hands, caressing them gently. Tears stream down my cheeks as I inhale his scent, my face buried in his back.
