23. Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Cain

I watch as her eyes flutter closed, her body trembling with the aftershocks of her release. The look of bliss on her face is enough to make me want another taste of her. Even though I just came, I can feel the desire building within me again. My brother's grip tightens momentarily before he begins to ease up.

"She's out," I say softly, noting the way her body goes limp. He slowly releases his grip on her throat, his fingers leaving marks that will no doubt linger for days. With a gentleness that belies the intensity of what just transpired, I put my hands under her arms and help lower her to the bed.

As I lay her down, I take a moment to admire her. The way she submitted to us, the way she surrendered so completely—it's perfect. I can see her starting to unfold like the most beautiful flower, our very own nightbloom. Her breathing is shallow but steady, her chest rising and falling in a rhythm that soothes something deep within me.

"I told you she was made for us," he murmurs, his voice filled with dark satisfaction. He traces a finger down her cheek, watching as her lips part slightly in her sleep.

I nod, my eyes roaming over her body, taking in every mark and bruise we've left. "She's perfect," I agree, my voice barely above a whisper. "But we need to tend to the cuts and bruises. We can't have her waking yet until we're finished and she's alone again."

He nods, his gaze sharpening on her. "I know," he says. "She's ours, and we'll make sure she knows it, even in her sleep."

Moving to the wall near the head of the bed, I press against two sections and hear the click as it opens the discrete panel hidden there. I pull out a breathing mask with some extended tubing and turn on the small tank, then I hold it over her face. Within moments, her breathing deepens, and her body relaxes further into the mattress.

Ensuring she remains unaware of our movements and actions is crucial, but she needs to wake up feeling both cared for and in control of her senses. The gas will help her rest while we take care of everything she needs, and it will help her body transition better to consciousness.

I pull the neon mask from my face, sighing as my brother fixes his clothes and retrieves his mask that she managed to pull free. I was thankful he was clear headed enough to restrict her movement or our plans would have been ruined.

"We'll start with the cuts," I say, moving to the side of the bed. Bending, I pick up the item I tossed there earlier and put it in my pocket. He retrieves a small first aid kit from the bedside table, its contents meticulously organized.

We work in silent harmony, cleaning each cut with antiseptic and carefully applying liquid bandages. On the deeper cut I apply a numbing cream to the area, it takes moments to do what I need to do, adding a small dissolvable stitch into her skin and sealing it. The bruises, though less urgent, are treated with a soothing salve to ease any discomfort she might feel upon waking.

As we tend to her, I can't help but feel a deepening connection to her. Each touch, each careful movement, solidifies my possessiveness of her. She's ours to protect, to care for, and to dominate.

Once we've finished, we move on to cleaning the rest of her body. Every inch of her skin is wiped down with a warm, damp cloth, removing any traces of sweat and blood.

Her breathing remains deep and even, the sedative ensuring she stays asleep through our care. I gently pull the bed sheets over her so she stays warm and comfortable.

I lean down, brushing a strand of hair from her face, my touch lingering for a moment. "Rest now, little shadow," I whisper. "We'll be watching you, always."

When I step back, I notice my brother doing something with her phone. Curious, I raise an eyebrow and ask quietly, "What are you doing?"

He glances up with a small smile playing on his lips, his fingers tapping away at her phone screen. "Setting her alarm for the morning," he replies casually.

I frown in confusion. "Alarm? Why?"

He looks at me knowingly and simply says, "Trust me."

His confident tone intrigues me, but I decide not to press further. Instead, I watch as he finishes and sets the phone back down beside her. The soft glow of the screen illuminates her serene face, casting a gentle light in the dimly lit room.

I know she doesn't understand everything yet. She only has a few pieces to the larger puzzle. But, she's ours now and has been for a long time, and we intend to ensure she understands that fully.