Chapter Fifteen

T he first thing I notice is the pile of small bags by the door. Clearly, they’re coming more prepared than I am. The second thing is the smell of coffee and breakfast, which makes me frown.

“I thought we needed to leave?” I ask the others who are already out here doing various things to prepare. My question is met with silence, and I tilt my head to the side questioningly as I look over them, waiting for them to reply. When no one answers me after five minutes, and they’re still staring, I ask, “what?”

That finally seems to snap them out of it and, for some reason, has Storm suddenly very focused on whatever he’s cooking on the stove, a different kind of spark burning between his horns, it’s almost smouldering. Rival and Mayhem’s cheeks turn slightly pink, and they busy themselves by readying their empty weapons harnesses. Reaper just looks at me with a hungry look in his eyes, leaving Loki and Killian to share a loaded look and what I can only describe as a downright filthy smirk.

“You look fucking stunning,” Loki practically growls.

“I’m half tempted to say fuck it to this bullshit mission and spend my day worshipping you instead,” Killian adds.

My thighs clench. I know first hand how well he can make my body fucking sing for him, and the thought of actually having him inside me almost make me take him up on the offer.

“Fucking hell.” Storm mutters loud enough to hear from the kitchen area of the room, “the food is ready; we need to get going. Grab your bag from your room and put it by the front door.” He says to me surprisingly with no underlying tone.

"I have everything I need,” I reply, taking a seat at the table and loading my plate up with food like the others.

He eyes me up and down for longer than strictly necessary and then scoffs. Ah, here comes the insult I was missing in the first instance.

“You’ve only got three weapons Princess, rookie move.”

“Storm, we’ve only got the one each that we store in our rooms. She’s got more than us. Could you give it a rest? She can pick up more in the armoury like we’re going to.” Mayhem snaps, and it’s the first time I’ve heard him even vaguely lose his cool. He’s usually so calm and collected, even in a fight.

I stand up, having finished my breakfast already since I practically inhaled it and didn’t bother to stop eating when Storm started in on me.

Giving Storm a level look, I say, “I am getting really fed up with you fucking underestimating me all the time. I’m used to it from other people, but whether you like me or not, we are still a team, and we cannot afford to question or doubt each other.”

Storm’s eyebrows rise slightly at my words.

Not giving him a chance to reply, I move over to the coffee table and start to take off all my weapons, laying them all on the table and even taking the hairpins out that double as a garrote. By the time I’m done, the table is almost overflowing. Reaper lets out an impressed whistle as I turn back to the guys.

“As you can see, I am more than prepared for any eventuality and will not be needing to go to the armoury.”

“I apologise,” Storm says, shocking me as his eyes don’t leave me, and he misses the reaction his words have on the others. “You are right. Underestimating each other could be dangerous out in the field.”

Despite my shock, I manage to reply, “Thank you.”

“Well fuck me sideways; Storm apologised and said someone else was right. You must be something special, Little Warrior.” Reaper grins.

I decide it might be best to ignore that comment since Storm is being friendly for a change, and I don’t want to push it. I quickly put all my weapons back where they belong.

“If you guys have got another backpack, I’m happy to help carry some stuff,” I say, gesturing needlessly to the pile of bags by the door.

“Sure, hang on,” Rival says, getting up and making his way to his room. He comes back out and hands me a small leather bag that will fit comfortably on my back and not restrict my movement so I can still access my swords with it on, perfect.

“Shall I just take something out of each bag?” I ask.

“Put what you need in it first, and then we can fill up whatever space is left.”

“I really do have everything I need.” I reply, and then because of the sceptical look he gives me, I add, “I’ve gone out with less for longer.”

“What do you mean?” Reaper asks, joining the conversation and tilting his head to the side in a purely animal gesture.

I realise my mistake immediately. I don’t want them to know about how early my father was sending me out on assassinations or how many I’ve done. Even Killian doesn’t know the extent of it, although I'm sure he’s guessed. I haven’t been as careful with my words around him as I am with everyone else, which is probably why I keep slipping up now I’m used to speaking more freely around him.

“It doesn’t matter. Just share out what’s already in the bags. At least it’ll be less for each of us to carry then.” I pray that they both let it go because I absolutely don’t want to explain anything right now. My past is bloody, and if I questioned whether Storm hated me before, I do not doubt that he definitely will after he finds out that part of my dark past.

Rival nods and takes the bag back, going over to the door to start sharing the stuff out evenly between them all. Reaper, though continues to stare at me, his eyes narrowed slightly, his nostrils flare as he takes a deep inhale and it's at that moment that I realise that whatever kind of shifter he is, he can smell emotions and usually only Alpha’s can, which solidifies my original theory that he might be one.

It's on the tip of my tongue to ask him once and for all what he is, but the words catch in my throat as he takes a large step toward me, and I have to tilt my head up to meet his penetrating stare. Surprise flares to life in his yellow eyes as I simply stand there staring up at his massive figure without backing up or looking nervous. He doesn’t scare me. In fact, I’m curious about him, and if I’m being completely honest, I find him seriously fucking hot. The fact that he looks like he could lift me easily with one hand is a massive contributing factor, that and his arms are the size of my thighs.

I stay deathly still as he bends down, hooking one giant arm around my waist at the same time his lips graze my ear.

“If you carry on looking at me like that, Little Warrior, I’m going to be tempted take you right fucking here, and I’m not sure you’re ready for that.” His voice is a gravelly purr in my ear, and I couldn’t stop my sharp inhale or the shivers that cascade down my spine if I fucking tried.

My reaction to him is why I speak without a filter, “I think you’d find me more ready than you’d assume, but we do have to get going, and if I ever get the chance to climb you like a fucking tree, I want more than a quickie.”

He groans as his arm tightens around me and brings me closer, holding me flush against his taught body and extremely hard dick. Fuck me sideways; it's huge.

“Naughty,” he chastises mildly, “you distracted me. I actually wanted to say that I know there are things that you haven’t shared,” he pauses as I stiffen in his arms, “let me finish, I know there are things that have caused you a great deal of pain, and if you ever want to talk about it I’m here. Whatever you tell me will not go beyond us two. I have a feeling that we may have more in common than you think.”

He leans back slightly, searching my eyes. Although his offer terrifies me, I understand the sentiment behind it, and I nod my head.

“I can’t promise I will ever take you up on that, I think some things are better left in the past, but if I’m ever ready, it’s you who I’ll talk to, thank you.”

“I understand.” He replies, and surprisingly he really looks like he means that. In another move that shocks me, I’m sensing a theme today, he leans towards me again and gently kisses my cheek, causing tingles to erupt on my cheek, and I resist the urge to touch it. “I wanted you to know that I’m here for you if you need me.”

“Thank you,” I reply.

“Alright, let's get going!” Storm barks out, but he seems to be sticking to the request the guys made of us last night and is keeping the snarky comments to himself.

I was so wrapped up in Reaper that everything outside the two of us completely disappeared. He smirks as my cheeks pinken, and I step back from him, not quite able to hide the awkwardness I feel. Rival hands me the backpack, and we all make our way out of the apartment so that the guys can stock up on their weapons. I pretend to ignore the curious looks that dart between Reaper and me as he walks as close to me as possible without actually touching me.

I can’t help but search out Killian, though. For a long time, it was just him and me; even though we only saw each other sporadically, and I’m sure we each had other romantic encounters, it was never in front of one another. Although this wasn’t romantic, at least not obviously, and we haven’t committed to each other, something just urges me to check in with him. I think it’s most likely because of my own confusion. I’m starting to feel things for the others that I have only really felt with him. More than just need, actually feelings, and I have no idea how to deal with that.

I just know that I absolutely can’t lose Killian; he’s my rock, and there is no way that I would’ve survived the last goddess knows how many years without him, even though I couldn’t get to him in the last three, he was still with me in my thoughts urging me not to give up.

When my eyes land on him, he’s already looking at me with a soft expression. He reaches for me, his tail as usual wrapping around my thigh as he lets the guys move ahead slightly as he tucks me under his arm and kisses the top of my head.

“It’s still you and me forever, Darling. Nothing will change between us even when you choose to add more into your life.”

His words reassure me and yet confuse me all at the same time, but before I can question him, we reach the armoury, and I move off to the side as they all add weapons. It confuses me for a second when Killian picks out a few, too, until I remember that I pretty much kidnapped him to bring him here, and he hasn’t gone back yet. I can guarantee that he still has more weapons on him than most people would, but he also has a habit of acquiring weapons from other places, too, so I’m reasonably certain he’s just adding to his collection now, and the school will never see the weapons he chooses again.

It takes no time at all for them to gather the weapons they want, and I follow them as they take the lead through a side door in the castle and across the gardens towards the stables.

I have a feeling I’m going to regret not coming to see Revel sooner.

“What the fuck is that?” Loki asks as we get near enough to the stables to hear the racket one of them is making. Snorting, whinnying, stomping and from the sounds of it kicking something and winding the other horses up at the same time.

I have a sneaking suspicion that this might be down to Revel, but I’m holding out hope he’s behaved until I get confirmation he hasn’t.

We get to the door of the stables and are met by a harried looking stable hand.

“What’s going on?” Storm asks.

“One of the horses that arrived a few days ago is kicking up a fuss. No one can get near him, he’s bitten several people, and even our Fae stable hands that have gifts with horses can’t get near him.” He explains over the racket, “he’s been like this since he arrived, and it’s starting to drive us all mad now.” He adds, leading us further into the stables where the noise gets louder, the other horses joining in. “We wanted to move him away from the others, but he’s too dangerous.”

“Fucking hell, he’s proper going for it,” Rival says, shocked as the angry noises continue.

“For fuck sake,” I mutter, earning a questioning look from Reaper and Killian. “Cover your ears.”

Surprisingly they listen to me, and both put their hands over their ears. Loki sees them, looks at me and instantly does the same without question, making me smirk. I raise my fingers to my lips and whistle shrilly, walking forward and towards the stall at the end where the noise is coming from and where I am absolutely certain Revel is housed and being a bugger.

Storm whips around to chastise me before he realises that everything’s gone quiet.

I smirk, “Alright, you big baby, I’m here now. Stop with the damn racket.”

All I get in return in the now silent stables is a snort which brings a smile to my face. I ignore everyone as I get to his stall and reach out to unlatch the door.

“Erm, miss, I don’t know how you got him to settle, but I wouldn’t let him out if I were you.” The stable hand warns, a nervous edge to his voice.

“Don’t worry. He won’t hurt anyone now. He’s pissed at me.” I chuckle.

“You don’t seem as concerned as you should be considering what he’s just told us about that horse.” Storm comments with a raised eyebrow.

“That’s because I’m not.” My answer is simple as Revel, clearly having had enough of waiting for me to open the door, kicks it again, and I rush to unlatch it, so he doesn’t break the damn thing.

The others stay as far back as they can as my giant black horse comes barrelling out of the stall and straight for me. I remain still as he comes for me; despite all his posturing, he wouldn’t hurt me, and now I’m with him; he won’t hurt anyone else. He’s a giant softy, really, but he’s got a massive personality, and if he’s pissed, then everyone is going to know about it.

“Farren,” Storm warns with an edge to his voice as Revel snaps his sharp pointed teeth in my direction.

I chuckle at his antics, “I missed you too, you grumpy fucker. Do you want to go for a ride?”

He snorts in agreement and then gently nudges my shoulder with his nose. I gently stroke his face in greeting as a sense of utter calm washes through me. He shows me a picture of a rundown shack, holes in the walls, rats in the straw and an empty food bucket.

I burst out laughing, shocking the guys who still haven’t gotten their own horses ready, “I know for a fact that’s not true, you cheeky fucker. They’ve been looking after you well even though you’ve been an arse.”

“You can communicate with him?” Mayhem asks, curiosity infusing his voice. He takes a step closer, and Revel whips his head in his direction, causing him to pause in his steps.

As I start to answer him, Reaper strides past, utterly unconcerned as he approaches Revel, and before I can warn him to behave himself since they’re my friends, not foe, he’s nudging Reaper’s arm with his head and completely ignoring me. My mouth drops open as I stare, and Reaper chuckles.

“I’ve got a way with animals, and he knows I’m no threat to you.” He replies simply.

“It’s a part of his nature,” Loki adds, finally moving into another stall that I’m assuming is housing his horse.

The others are all doing the same, apart from Mayhem, who is still waiting for an answer.

“Erm, sorry that threw me off. Yeah, I can communicate with him, just in feelings and sometimes pictures. He tried to make out they mistreated him in here, but he’s a shit liar.” I chuckle.

“That’s fascinating. I’d love to hear more about how that works,” he starts excitement thrumming through his tone as his eyes light up at the prospect of more knowledge.

“Not now, mate. We’ve got to get going. We’ve already wasted enough time.” Storm interrupts firmly.

The look of disappointment on his face has me saying, “I’ll answer all questions when we’ve set off. We should have plenty of time.”

“Great, thanks, Farren.” He replies exuberantly as he moves to get his horse.

I quickly tack up Revel, who only gives me a little bit of shit while I do it and then look around, trying to find the stable hand that brought us in here. I spot him standing not too far away, watching Revel and me warily.

“I’m so sorry he was a pain; I promise he’ll behave himself now.” I start. When he still looks wary, I turn to Revel and give him a stern look, “won’t you?”

I swear if he could roll his eyes, he would, but instead, he dips his head in his version of a nod.

“Wow, okay, I’ll take your word for it, but if he gives me any more shit, you’ll have to feed him.”

“That’s fair.”

I swing up easily onto Revel and then walk him to the door to wait for the others who are running behind, thanks to the show that Revel put on. He stands reasonably calmly as we wait, which is a miracle in itself.