37. Toby

Iblinked groggily as the ceiling came into focus. What the fuck was going on?

The last thing I remembered was the room tilting sharply, and then darkness. Fuck. I must've collapsed.

Most people's first instinct after going unconscious was to sit up, but I knew better than to do that. My instinct was to check my vitals. My breathing rate was normal. A quick press of the back of my hand to my forehead assured me that my temperature was running a few degrees below the medical standard—aka perfectly normal for a vampire.

I was just checking my pulse when a yell made me jump.

"Mori, he's awake!"

River's shout made me remember that I hadn't been alone when I'd gone down. I glanced quickly around my room. Where was Blaise? Why wasn't he here?

River burst into the room with Mori hot on his heels. I sat up slowly, relieved when no dizziness presented itself. "Where's Blaise?"

Mori and River exchanged a cryptic look and my stomach sank. "Oh fuck. Did I hallucinate everything since Lucky's party?"

"No," River said hastily. "Well, you guys are together if the naked state Blaise greeted me in suggests anything. Kinda gross, but given he was panicking I've decided to let it slide."

Oh no. "Blaise was panicking?"

"You went out like a light," Mori said grimly. "Of course the bloke was panicking. It's not good if a human does that, let alone a supe."

"So where is he now?"

There was that look again. Neither Mori nor River possessed a subtle bone in their body.

"What's going on?"

"Nothing," River said cheerily, not meeting my eyes. "Blaise just popped out."

"Just popped out," I repeated flatly. "After panicking because I was unconscious, he's just…popped out?"

"Yeah. He asked us to watch over you though, so it's not like he abandoned you or anything."

My eyes narrowed. "That's not what I'm worried about. I'm worried about why you're acting weird."

"I'm not acting weird."

Mori sighed, sliding his arm around his mate's shoulders. "River, I love you, but you're a fucking terrible liar."

"I'm not." River sniffed. "I'm an exceptional liar most of the time, it's just that in this instance, I don't like the reason why I'm lying. I don't think Blaise should be keeping this from Toby."

"He didn't ask you to keep it from him, he asked you to stop Toby going after him."

A chill went through me. I got to my feet, folding my arms over my chest. "Tell me where he went. Right. Fucking. Now."

"Toby, we can't —"

"I'm gonna stop you right there," I said icily, holding up a hand. "Blaise is my mate in all but name. From what River is saying, he's off doing something potentially dangerous. There's nothing either of you can do to stop me going after him, and nor should you. He's mine and I'm going to be there for him. Just like you two are for each other."

I kept my eyes fixed on River, knowing he'd be the trickier one to convince. He was also the one who could actually keep me there against my will. Mori could try, but our powers and skills were fairly evenly matched.

River though? He was in a whole different league.

His brow was furrowed as he met my gaze. Eventually he sighed and his shoulders slumped. "Fine, but I'm only telling you because I hate that he's on his own. Blaise is so used to being alone that I think it's his default. Also, if it were Mori, none of you fuckers could stop me going after him."

I inclined my head in thanks. "Talk while I get dressed."

Dimitri dropped me in a park attached to a church. I barely blinked at the massive structure that appeared when Dimitri touched his wrist to a boulder, too concerned about the mage within it.

"Thank you," I said to him distractedly. "I owe you one."

"Don't worry about it. Like I've already said, he's probably perfectly safe. They're good people, and if anyone can help you, it's them. I can't believe none of us thought about it before."

"It's fine," I said automatically, already walking towards the mansion. "I'll call if we need a lift back."

The sound of Dimitri's wings beating told me I was alone. It wasn't for long though. I was barely halfway to the front door when I was pinned in place by several bands of light.

"For fuck's sake." I sighed. I should've had a shield up, but I hadn't wanted to look like I was coming in on the offensive. "I don't want any trouble. I'm looking for a fire mage called Blaise."

An angel stepped out from behind a tree, his lilac hair radiant in the setting sun. "Oh, are you Toby?"

"Yes," I said warily. "Do I know you?"

"Nope," the angel said, the bands of light disappearing in a flash. "But we've been hearing all about you."

I fell into step beside him, still wary after the initial greeting. "Blaise is safe?"

"He's fine." The angel waved dismissively. "It's you we're all worried about. Is it true that you're dying?"

I choked back a laugh. "Not very tactful, are you?"

"Nope," he said cheerily. "My twin got all the tact."

"What did you get?"

He gave me a knowing grin. "The good looks."

I understood the joke when the door was opened and we were greeted by an angel identical to the one beside me. "Theo, you found him."

"I did," Theo replied. "You found Blaise but I found Toby. That means I'm a point up on you."

"A point up?"

A third angel walked over, this one even taller than the giant twins. His quick smile seemed designed to put you at ease. "Ignore them. Stupid sibling rivalry spanning a few centuries. I'm Rami and this is Nate. I'd say he's the slightly less annoying one but it varies from day to day."

"Rude," the twins said in stereo.

A headache began to throb at my temples, a reminder that time was running out. "Can you take me to Blaise? Please?"

"Follow me," Rami said simply. "He's with Benji. We're waiting for Ez to get back. He's on his way."

"Ez?"

Rami nodded in confirmation. "Ezekial. He's our second now that Dimitri has…"

I didn't need any further clarification, the matching desolate looks on the twins' faces telling me everything.

They missed their comrade.

They led me into a grand living room, full of furniture you wouldn't usually find outside of a museum or grand palace. Another angel, presumably Benji, was reclined on a chair, staring aimlessly out of the window. He might have looked like he wasn't paying attention, but from the tension in his muscles, he was ready to jump into action at a second's notice.

I barely paid any attention to him, focusing instead on Blaise. He was perched on the very edge of the delicate chaise longue, his knee rattling as he chewed at the skin around his thumb. When he spotted me, his eyes flew wide. "Shit."

"Shit indeed," I said, my eyes narrowing as I stalked closer. I nudged his knees wide, standing in between them. Grabbing his chin, I tilted his face up so he was forced to look at me. "Did you honestly think sneaking out while I was unconscious was a good idea?"

"Well I didn't think it was a bad one," he sassed, grunting as my hand slid from his chin to grip his throat. "And seeing as how we haven't officially signed a contract again yet, I don't think it warrants a punishment."

"I'll be the one who decides that," I murmured, keeping my grip firm.

"Fuck, this is so hot," one of the twins whispered from behind me.

"Right? Think we can get some twinky guys to go all Dom for us?"

Blaise blushed, clearly hearing them as easily as I had. "Technically, I should be mad at you."

I stroked his neck with my thumb. "How'd you figure that one out?"

"You weren't supposed to come after me. You're sick. You shouldn't be travelling." He huffed. "Should've known better than to trust River to not tell you."

I leaned down to peck his lips. "Darling, there isn't anywhere you could go now where I wouldn't follow you. Don't be too mad at River, he has a mate. He knows what it's like."

Blaise's mouth fell open. "But…we aren't mates."

"We are as far as I'm concerned. I don't need a bond between us to know you're it for me."

Blaise gave a bashful smile. "I love you, Tobes."

"I love you too, boy."

Someone cleared their throat behind us, making me jump slightly.

"Touching as this all is, I got the impression that time is of the essence?"