Chapter 7

7

DEVA

A guessthat was totally right.

“Grim.” I leveled him with a dark look while examining his freshly showered hair that was so dark from being soaked you couldn’t see the hints of navy in it. It was pushed away from his face, highlighting his intense dark eyes. Covered only in a towel wrapped around his waist, his entire body was on display to me, and I couldn’t help the wave of desire that catapulted through me at the mere view of his frame. The man was so damn muscular, and the way he towered over me, putting his hands on either side of the counter of the vanity as I stared up at him in protest, was only turning me on more.

“Yes, my little jaguar?” He ran a thumb over my injured lip. I was glad I was covered in a robe post-shower because the effect he had on my body was as disastrous as ever. I crossed my arms, attempting distance between us as I offered him a further narrowed look.

“Look at my neck—look at it good.”

“Oh, I’m well aware of what I did to your neck.” His eyes lit up. “As will everyone else.”

“Like your parents,” I gritted out, nearly wincing as amusement flashed in his gaze. It wasn’t that I thought I’d made some type of stellar impression on them, but I also didn’t want them to think…well, I wasn’t exactly sure what they would think about me.

“That’s okay, they already know I love you,” he offered, causing my eyes to widen. “Plus, my shadows have changed now, so we’re both fully marked.”

His shadows had changed—in fact, I would consider that an understatement. They still carried the scent of leather and smoke, but instead of just being a pure dark onyx, like a layer of ink, they now contained the faintest silver sparkle. One that I knew came from my own magic.

And that didn’t even include the shard of moonstone lodged in his chest, a trait that was shared by all my men. I knew it wasn’t an official marking of mine…but it still felt like mine. It still felt like I had a claim over them. One that I didn’t think they would deny me, considering how possessive they were.

“Little jaguar, what’s really bothering you about this?” Grim’s voice was softer and a bit more understanding as he continued to stare into my expression.

“I just don’t want to make a bad impression,” I admitted softly. “I can tell you’re close with your family⁠—”

“Deva, there is nothing to be worried about. And even if they didn’t like you, it wouldn’t matter to me,” Grim said. “With that being said, before you found me in that room I’d been talking to my parents, and they’re looking forward to meeting you. Some of my cousins want to meet you too…” Grim’s voice trailed off in annoyance.

“How many people are we talking, exactly?” I asked.

“I would damn near say the entire family. As well as some others…pretty much everyone in the organization.”

“All because of the attack today?”

“No.” Cage’s voice sounded from the doorway where he was lounging, his gaze flickering over me. “I have a feeling they’ve been planning this for a bit—it just happened to work out well. Even my family will be here.”

I stared at him in surprise. “Your family?”

“All my brothers and probably my parents. Well, not all my brothers—I know some of them are traveling in different territories…but most of them.”

Something about that concept bothered Cage, but I wasn’t positive if it was the idea of his family being here or not being here. I could understand if he wanted them out of harm’s way, but I wasn’t sure that was exactly what was going on.

“No pressure,” I murmured under my breath as Grim pressed a kiss to my forehead and walked back into his bedroom. I’d been confused when our return from the treasure room took us to a different suite, but now that I knew this was Grim’s actual bedroom, it made a lot more sense.

In fact, this room’s style almost perfectly encapsulated Grim. From the stone wall of the bathroom to the black marble flooring and gothic chandelier, it was almost completely bathed in shadows, and the bedroom was much the same with richly colored velvet furniture.

“You’re right, there’s no pressure. I don’t give a fuck what they think, and neither should you.” Cage approached and cupped my jaw, his eyes moving over my lips and face. “Although I am very tempted to put a mark on you. The idea of so many witches around you isn’t one I love.”

“I doubt they will notice I’m⁠—

“What?”

Cage was chuckling as his crimson eyes flashed a dark blood red. “Sorry, you just were going to say that no one would notice you, and that is far from the case. You can’t not be drawn to you, little siren. But that’s okay. It’s why I’m completely comfortable killing fucking everybody. I didn’t realize what a useful skill it was until I met you.”

It was a skill I had myself and had always hated, but somehow when he said it…somehow he didn’t make it seem nearly as bad. Or maybe I just had a really twisted sense of right and wrong after being with these men. Then again, it was very easy to be distracted by them and lose any sense of rational thought—especially when Cage was right in my space, his lean, muscular body and olive skin appearing to almost glow in the darkness of the room. Or maybe it was his magic, a fine red mist that seemed to sink into my skin, wanting to leave an imprint there.

“You would kill everyone at the meeting for me?” I asked seriously, running my fingers through his dark, warm-toned hair, loving the golden hints I could see in it. He had changed from his school uniform into a dark long-sleeve shirt pushed up at the forearms, and a pair of dark jeans with matching boots. The look was extremely appealing, and I didn’t stop myself from running my hand up his chest.

“That isn’t in question.” Cage smirked. “And I would thoroughly enjoy it.”

“You forgot zaya’s clothes,” Alek called out, his eyes narrowed on Cage as he appeared in the doorway.

“I didn’t forget shit.”

“I should get dressed,” I murmured, slipping around Cage to grab the clothes Alek had brought. Cage looked annoyed with Alek’s interruption, or maybe the fact that he brought me clothes in the first place, which had me smiling and shaking my head.

As I ushered them out, I closed the door but didn’t lock it, able to feel that all of them were in the next room. My nap hadn’t been nearly long enough after such an insane morning, but the time with Grim had left me feeling as though I was damn near glowing. It wasn’t often that I felt good about myself, especially after coming off the streets—I had gone from survival mode to experiencing an array of insecurities I hadn’t even known were possible.

I’d always hated my scars, but between the mix of the marks my men had left me on me—despite not being permanent—and the moonstone in my chest, my eyes were drawn away from the old marks. Although I had absolutely no doubt there were new scars on my back from the classroom incident. I was learning to live with them though, choosing to view them as a sign of strength.

After brushing through my richly colored hair and drying it to just damp, I dressed myself in a pair of dark jeans that sat on my waist and paired it with a dark shirt that I tucked in. I’d put on some black socks and leather boots before leaving the room. I considered finding a hoodie, the urge to cover myself completely to avoid eyes on me still prominent, but I knew that no matter what I was wearing, there would be attention on me.

Turning from the mirror and opening the door, I was almost immediately met with Alek’s large frame. Had he been waiting for me to finish getting ready? That was sweet. His navy eyes ran over my face before looking at my neck with interest, a flash of possessiveness running through his gaze.

“Zaya, you look far more well rested now,” he said softly. He looked somewhat the opposite, his inky hair disheveled, and dark tattoos on full display in his wrinkled short-sleeve shirt. It was almost like he’d tried to take a nap and hadn’t been successful. Still, despite being tired, there was a natural energy that surrounded and vibrated from Alek, reminding me the man was absolutely lethal.

I craved for him to teach me more about my magic since it was similar to his—for him to show me that maybe having more than one form wasn’t all bad. That my mutated magic could be used for something more. Something good.

“I feel better,” I admitted. “Although I’m not sure what to expect tonight.”

Before he could respond, a familiar animal trill had my gaze snapping towards the black velvet bed. Relief soared through me, and I moved past Alek, nearly sighing at his expensive cologne and thunderstorm scent before immediately going down on my knees in front of the bed.

“Boo,” I whispered, my eyes prickling at the sight of my unique-looking familiar. I didn’t know how to describe my shape-shifting friend except that she was feline in nature…most of the time. She had a fluffy tail with spike shaped ears and was covered in smoky shadows. But I knew she could shift—in fact, she’d shifted into nearly every other form that coincided with the other familiars around her, all of them comfortably spread out among the bed.

Springer, Oz’s jumping spider, was seated on her paw happily, watching me with interest, his body large enough that I could see the dark hair that covered him, making him sort of look fluffy and cute if we were being honest. I didn’t think Fozy—Lazaro’s charcoal gray owl—agreed though, his position nearby as he glared at the other familiars surrounding her, a bit too much like his broody owner. Either that or he was thinking of eating Springer…which was possible.

“Completely safe and happy,” Alek said, crouching down and running a hand over my back. Christov, his brightly colored fox, immediately stretched and stood up, coming over to me and booping my nose with his own, making my chest squeeze happily. I loved the familiarity that all of these familiars had with me as well as one another.

“I was worried,” I admitted. “Although it looks like Magus is completely unbothered…” I narrowed my eyes at the red and white striped cat who was spread out on his back, belly exposed, sound asleep. I darted my gaze towards Cage who was spread out on one of the couches laughing at something Grim said to Lazaro, the two of them in a heated debate of some kind.

“He always is,” Alek agreed. “The only one who has been acting a bit off is Orix.” My gaze moved to the tiny white rabbit that was curled against Boo, almost melded to her side, eyes closed. I reached a hand out and pet the creature, Grim’s head snapping towards mine out of my peripheral. I felt relief as Orix blinked large red eyes at me and pushed his wet nose against my hand. He seemed fine, but maybe his owner’s stress was taking a toll on him…

“Lazaro, if Fozy goes for Springer, we will have an issue.” Oz walked through the main doors, calling out what I had sort of assumed was a potential problem. Alek helped me stand as I turned to the unblessed witch, the small box he carried no doubt having to do with something regarding either potions or health-related stuff…or maybe poison. That was always a very strong possibility.

“He won’t,” Lazaro said, almost sounding offended, before letting out a whistle that had Fozy flying towards him. I had a feeling he wasn’t nearly as confident as he pretended. Alek pressed a kiss to the top of my head before leaving me with Oz, who sat his box down on a nearby table and motioned for me.

Inhaling, I walked hesitantly over and looked into the box, although not before running my gaze over the 6’5’’ intoxicating—completely sociopathic serial killer—that I’d been in love with since he first took me in. His black hair was longer than when we first started school and damp as if he had just showered, his violet eyes running over the contents of the box as his large fingers picked up a vial. I knew now just how extensive those tattoos were and how they covered every single part of him…and I loved it. I loved him so damn much. Even if he was more than a bit crazy.

“Nothing to fear, starlight, just some healing potions.” His lips pressed into the faintest smirk before running a hand up my waist.

“Not scared,” I countered before teasing, “Maybe I was just interested. After all, apparently there are a ton of different options when it comes to potions.” Namely, the one he’d used on my skin, the warm oil making me feel like a puddle under his hands before he’d fucked me into the damn bed.

Oz’s eyes flashed with an electric light as his hand tightened on me. “Careful what you wish for, Deva—I could keep you tied up to a bed playing with you and testing shit on you for days on end.”

My center tightened, my breath catching as his gaze moved to the necklace still placed around my throat—the one made of bone. “Anytime you want that, starlight, all you have to do is ask.”

And I predicted I would—in fact, once this was all over, I had a feeling I would willingly let Oz tie me up and completely stop caring about time. Hell, I’d do that with any of them, if we were being completely honest.

“Until then, I need you to take this medicine.” Oz handed me a vial, easily popping off the lid. “I know you’re healed, but I can tell you’re nerve endings are fried from that damn burning ward. This will help soothe them until your body fully catches up with the healing process.”

“Thanks, Oz.” Going up on my toes, I pressed a kiss to his lips before stepping back and chugging the liquid. It was a quick sip, and when I was finished I handed the bottle back to him, his gaze running over my face with something very affectionate and surprised.

“What?” I asked curiously.

“I don’t think I’ll ever get used to the trust you place in me.”

Stepping into him, I placed my hand on his chest and went up on my toes, brushing my nose against his before admitting, “I know you would never hurt me.”

Even if he thought about wanting to cut me open sometimes…but he wouldn’t do it.

“I would never, no matter the thoughts in my head,” he agreed, echoing my thoughts and making me smile against his shirt, loving that I got to so openly touch him.

“Deva.”

Lazaro’s demanding voice had my smile growing. If there was anyone who was the polar opposite to Oz’s intensity, it was Lazaro. His mix between indifferent arrogance, wild segmented magic that was absolutely lethal, and his need to control me for reasons he viewed as wrong—well, it wasn’t one I fully had a wrap on. What I did know? Everything about him drew me in. I didn’t hesitate to turn and face him, finding him right in my space as Oz muttered something but left us for a moment, going to sort through something in the box.

“Lazaro, you look nice,” I commented. He wore a dark button-down shirt that exposed his golden brown chest. Between his chocolate-colored hair with golden highlights and his metallic nickel-colored eyes, the man was like a beam of sunshine, pure light despite there being a much darker side to him, one that turned the moon symbols on his arm a vibrant pulsating silver and had a darkness seeping over his skin that frankly turned me on way more than it should have—probably because it was fueled purely by magic. Raw, powerful magic.

“Although…” I tilted my head. “You look upset.”

Which absolutely was not surprising, for the record.

His jaw clenched as he tugged me against him, wrapping a hard arm around my waist and burying his nose in my hair. His movements were possessive, demanding, and hard—impatient, almost. I melted into him, unafraid of the intensity, as I realized just how worked up the man was.

“Never fucking again,” he demanded. “You don’t leave my side around anyone associated with that bastard Astaroth, understand? I don’t care if we have a cloaking spell on. That fucker found you way too easily.”

Pulling back just slightly, I examined his expression and found fear there. True fear that he was trying to mask. “They are powerful, I won’t lie about that, but for this to work, we’re going to have to all fight to the best of our⁠—”

“You said you wouldn’t leave,” Lazaro bit out. “He almost took you, little thief—he almost fucking took you.”

Oh man.

Sliding my hands up to his cheeks, I hesitated only momentarily before pressing a soft kiss to his lips. A deep sound left his throat, but he didn’t move to deepen it despite his grip on me growing tighter.

“I’m here and I’m perfectly fine. I promise you.”

“Don’t fucking like it,” he said in a hard tone. “Promise me you will stay by my side tonight. I may trust the Nyx family, but I can’t handle others touching you right now, not anyone outside of us.”

Normally I may have tried to argue with him, but he was so upset that I couldn’t deny him.

“I promise,” I agreed softly, surprise filling his gaze. What he didn’t realize? I had absolutely no issue staying right next to him all night, especially considering I felt like I was about to walk right into the fucking lion’s den.