Chapter 25

DARBY

We've been going over the plan all day, ironing out details and accounting for every contingency. Everything has to go exactly as planned. I won't risk her life unless I know we can keep her safe…not after I discovered what her family did to her.

The sick fucks documented everything like she was some science experiment, and the things they did…I shudder. The pictures and journal pages are seared into my brain, and no amount of scrubbing will ever clean it.

It's a miracle she survived such horrific treatment. If they are willing to do that to their own daughter, then my sister never stood a chance. The thought of my baby sister being at their mercy for any length of time is gut-wrenching, and the hope of getting her back dwindles to nothing.

Her family are monsters who should be stripped of their magic and imprisoned.

Unfortunately, their money and prestige get them out of paying for the atrocities they committed.

I'm determined to make sure they don't get away with any of it.

As we travel back into town to meet up with her family, Anita retreats into herself, not that I blame her. Her childhood was a living nightmare, and I'm not sure how she was able to survive such brutality.

They stressed her mind to the breaking point and beyond, taxed her body in every way imaginable to get her powers to manifest. They did everything they could to break her, the bastards determined to forge her into a puppet for them to control.

What they didn't count on was her sheer stubbornness and stark determination to survive.

She refused to bend or break, and I'm glad my sister had someone like her in her life.

I didn't tell the others what I learned. It's too private and, frankly, none of their business. It should be her choice if she wants to share it or not.

Everything else has been taken from her, and I refuse to take her choices from her as well.

The quiet in the vehicle thickens with each mile we get closer to the city, her silence like spiders crawling across my skin. From the way she avoids my gaze, I can tell she knows I dug into her past. When researching her family, it was impossible to avoid.

She's upset, and I can't blame her.

I broke her trust.

The fact that I had good reason is beside the point.

Hating that she's so standoffish, I lean toward her. When she stiffens and glances warily at me from the corner of her eye, my heart clenches. "If you have any doubts, we don't have to do this. Everyone will understand. We can hide you where your family won't be able to track you."

"So you know what they did to me." Her voice is only a whisper, but her raw pain is like a gunshot to the chest. She glances out the window, studying the barren landscape to avoid looking at me, and my gut sinks like it's being strangled and dragged down by a kraken.

"No, it's fine." She speaks so softly, it's only a whisper. "We need to do this now. It's only a matter of time before they find me. Someone must pay the price for their greed. They won't willingly give up their magic and power."

Done with her pushing me away, especially when she needs us now more than ever, I grab her hand and thread our fingers together. "If it's fine, then why can't you look at me?"

She goes rigid, then turns toward me slowly and raises a single brow. "Better?"

Her beautiful amber eyes are shattered, bleeding emotions that can no longer be contained. Anger and worry are prominent, but underneath is a layer of such raw terror that it eats away at my soul, and my heart sinks when I realize I'm partially responsible. I tore open old wounds that were barely scabbed over when I dug into her past without permission.

I wrap my arms around her, then tug her against my chest, cursing when the bucket seats keep us apart. She stiffens, and I tighten my grip so she can't get away, resting my jaw on the top of her head. "I won't let them get their hands on you again."

"Don't make a promise you can't keep," she murmurs, her words for my ears only, and it breaks my heart.

"No matter what happens tonight, remember that you're no longer that helpless girl with no options. If they try anything, I want you to promise me that you'll burn their fucking world to ash." When she doesn't immediately answer, I slip a finger under her chin and force her head up. "Promise me."

I won't compromise her safety.

Red flickers through her dark eyes, some of the cracks replaced by determination, and she nods slowly. "I promise."

The tension in my spine eases a fraction, and I kiss her forehead, then tuck her close once more, not ready to let her go yet. "Rest. It will be a long ride."

She nods, then burrows against my chest as if she can't get close enough.

I tighten my grip, burying my face in her hair and inhaling her sugar and spice scent. I wish I could use my tech abilities to destroy her family without her involvement. Unfortunately, the assholes are cunning and manage to dispose of their victims well.

On paper, they look like a perfect mage family who can do no wrong.

They've had years of practice getting away with their crimes and built layers of protection around themselves. It would take too long to cut through all their defenses and take them down legally. If we don't deal with them now, they will eventually find her, and she'll vanish like she never existed.

Her disappearance would destroy me.

I've lost too many people in my life, and I won't let it happen again.

Whether she knows it or not, I'm completely and irrevocably hers. I can usually hide my possessive asshole tendencies since I avoid human contact like the plague, but not with Anita.

Her name is imprinted on my soul, and I have no intention of ever letting her go.

I'm jealous the other fuckers are able to openly claim her as their mate, and I hate that mages don't have anything as binding.

If I had a chance, I'd tie her to me for all eternity.

I'll just have to find a way to make myself indispensable until she realizes she can't live without me.

ANITA

We hit the city limits just as the sun sets. Darkness creeps through the streets, almost like it's chasing us, smothering any source of life. The guys are alert, practically quivering as they watch the streets…and me.

Porter and Cassius sit in front, taking turns driving, while Stryker and Soren sulk in the third row. I thought they would come to blows over who got to sit next to me, but while they were silently glaring each other to death, Darby slipped past them, reading his tablet the whole time, and stole the seat. Both men looked at Darby for a second, then shrugged and climbed in the back without a word.

Gwen took one look at all the testosterone and opted to find her own way into the city. When I showed concern, she winked and her wings popped out. With a cocky wave, she shot into the air, her snarky remark that she would scope out the area while she waited for us echoing in her wake.

I peer at the dark skies, searching for her small form, anything to avoid looking at the guys. If the men sensed even a hint of doubt, they would call off the meeting.

Unfortunately, it's much too late for that.

When I don't see a familiar speck in the air, I sigh in defeat. Without the distraction, I'm once again hyperaware of the guys' nearness. I'm cognizant of their presence in the back of my mind, conscious of every shift in the air.

It's putting me on edge.

While the other guys at least pretend to give me privacy, Darby blatantly stares at me with unwavering intensity. His chin-length, honey blond hair is tucked behind his ears, giving me a clean view of his handsome face. Being near him is hard, the scent of wood smoke on a warm winter night luring me to snuggle closer.

Only I can't.

The knowledge of my past lingers in his eyes, and I swallow hard as things I've long since put behind me surface again.

He knows.

My mind has blocked a lot of the hellish nightmares of my past, but if I probe the darkness too much, the horrors come spilling back. Every blow. Every slice of my flesh. The way their magic would try to peel my skin from my body. Starvation. Sleep deprivation. Broken bones. Vivisections. My older cousin loved to see how long I could go before I screamed.

The list goes on and on.

When they ran out of things to try, they would bring in outside specialists.

Murderers.

Sadists.

Not a week went by without them trying something new to bring out my magic, and now Darby knows every dirty little detail.

Mortification and shame battle for dominance. People never look at you the same after they learn the truth. Some show pity, while others are curious, wanting me to tell them what happened in vivid detail. Revulsion and fear happen a lot as well, many people in a hurry to get away from me, like torture is contagious.

In the past, a few sick fucks even wanted their own turn, thinking I enjoyed it and would willingly become their little plaything.

After another minute, I can't take his concern any longer. "I don't think Darby should come with me."

Darby stiffens, a scowl darkening his expression, clearly offended that I would question his honor. "I would never let anything happen to you."

He says it with such conviction that I believe him, and my chest warms at his loyalty—loyalty that I did nothing to earn, and that no one else has ever given me except his sister.

"I believe you." I swallow the lump in my throat and curl my hands into fists to keep from reaching out to soothe him. I fear if I touch him, I might never let him go. I have to remind myself that these men aren't my own personal playthings to touch whenever I want. "I never doubted that you could protect me for an instant."

He relaxes infinitesimally, and I grimace.

"You're looking at me like I'm a wounded bird. My family will be able to sniff out any hint of weakness and exploit it. One slip, and it would put you in danger. I would never forgive myself if anything happened to you."

The longer I speak, the more his face goes blank, and I swallow hard, knowing I hurt him.

"And as much as I might want you at my side, you need to think about your sister. If she's still alive, she will be there. You are the best person to look for her and probably the only one who will be able to find her."

He looks conflicted at the mention of his sister, and I squeeze his hand. "I would never ask you to choose between protecting me and saving her."

Darby searches my eyes, then gives a jerky nod and squeezes my hand in response.

I glance back at Stryker, then wince and shake my head. "Same with you. My family is not the hugs and kisses type. They are…not going to be happy that I've evaded them for so long."

Stryker is once more in his beastling form. After showering and putting on clean clothes, he looks adorable with his fur all fluffy, tempting me to touch, but I don't dare say that out loud.

Men get unreasonably cranky when they are called cute or adorable.

A growl rumbles in his chest, his ears pressed flat against his head, and I can see huge ass fangs peeking out between his parted lips. I cut off his protest before he can even voice it.

"The reunion with my family is going to be…rough. The instant they lay a hand on me, you won't be able to stop yourself from attacking. Nothing you do will save me. It will only get you killed."

The black claws tipping the ends of his fingers slowly lengthen as he struggles with his beast. Tiny shards of white brighten in his irises, making his blue eyes glow. I reach back between the bucket seats and rest my hand on his leg, squeezing it gently. I don't fear he'll harm me, more like he'll snatch me up and run.

I wait for his eyes to focus, and his attention zeroes in on me once more. "As much as I would love for us to disappear, they would never stop hunting me. If we want a future that is about more than just survival, where our lives won't be constantly at risk, then we have to do this."

He slides his hand over mine, his grip almost painful. Blowing out a heavy breath, he slowly nods, his gaze never leaving mine. It's only when his claws retract slightly that I know he's back in control.

The way his jaw clenches, I know he's not happy, but he doesn't protest.

I'll take that as a win.

I pat his leg once before swiveling in my seat to face Soren, but he's already shaking his head.

"No chance, little minx." He winks at me, not the least bit perturbed that I was deciding who stays and who goes. "I go where you go."

I purse my lips, then grudgingly nod. As much as I want to protect them, it's not possible. No one is safe around me. While I might want to send them away, I'm not stupid.

They might be my only shot at getting free of my family.

If it were only me, I might risk running, but my family needs to be stopped. They are power hungry monsters, hiding beneath their bloodlines, money, and prestige. If anyone bothers to even look at them wrong, they are either paid off, blackmailed, or killed outright.

Not to mention that Darby's sister is still trapped in that house of horrors. I owe it to her to try and get her out, no matter how unlikely it might be that she's still alive after all this time.

"Fine," I mutter, hating that my actions would put them in danger. If I thought I could get away with it, I would lock him in a cage until this shit was done. "It makes sense to include you. If they are dealing with demons, your knowledge would be invaluable."

The smug bastard settles firmly back into his seat, pleased with himself, if his smirk is any indication. Biting back a growl, I spin around with a huff and look toward Cassius and Porter. "The two of you are known members of MID. They must have connected our disappearances by now. It would make sense that you took me in exchange for cash."

Porter's expression doesn't change, never giving away his thoughts. Cassius' nostrils flare in annoyance, but I don't let it distract me. Now is not the time for feelings.

"Neither of you two like me very much, so it shouldn't be too hard for either of you not to react when you turn me over to them."

Shadows slink along the interior of the car, wrapping around my ankles almost playfully. As they skirt higher, the cold seeps through my pants like a caress. It's so different from my normal heat that instead of flinching from the cold, my muscles relax as if seeking more.

Flustered by the intimate touch, I struggle to keep my mind clear, unsure if Porter is even aware that his shadows are seeking me out. When the cold touch flutters along my inner thighs, I take a shuddering breath, my gaze snaps up…and clashes with Porter's burnt orange eyes in the rearview mirror.

Oh, he knows.

He definitely knows.

His touch moves higher, lightly pressing against the edge of my panties—panties that he purchased—and I shift uncomfortably in my seat. I'm torn between closing my legs and letting them fall open in the need for more.

When the lick of cold slips under my panties and brushes my clit, I bite my bottom lip to keep from moaning.

Then he stops.

Mother.

Fucker.

I glare at him, unsure if I'm more irritated he touched me in the vehicle with others or because he stopped.

He only lifts a challenging brow. "Don't assume that you know how we feel."

Duly chastised, I sit back, my mind boggling at that information, not computing his words for a second. A moment passes, then my eyes widen, and my attention snaps between Porter and Cassius. "You're telling me that you both see me as more than an annoyance?"

"Beautiful," Cassius says, turning in his seat to look at me without his sunglasses, "if we didn't care about you, then we would have left you with MID instead of rescuing you."

I'm so shocked, I can only stare at his bright green eyes. The yellow shards flare, giving him a hypnotizing appearance, his basilisk making his presence known, but that's not what steals my attention.

Hesitation swirls in his gaze, a vulnerability I didn't think he was capable of feeling, and I don't like it.

It's like he's expecting me to reject him.

I lean forward, noting the way he stiffens, and my stomach pitches at seeing such a confident man looking so worried because of me.

When I'm close enough, I reach forward and lightly touch his jaw, marveling at the cool, slightly scaly texture. He leans into my hand, closing his eyes slightly like he's afraid I'll disappear on him if he stops watching me.

I'm not even sure he's breathing.

Just when he relaxes and inhales, I reach up and flick him on the forehead. "Idiot."

He rears back, a hiss rattling in his chest, and he looks torn between being confused and pissed. "What was that for?"

He rubs the spot, glaring daggers at me, and I roll my eyes and shake my head. "For being such an idiot. For waiting so long to tell me. I can take your prickly, asshole nature, I've more than proved that, but apparently, you don't trust me enough to tell me the truth until we're heading into danger and can't do anything about it."

I huff and flop back into my seat, throwing my arms up and complaining to anyone who will listen. "Who does that?"

Cassius blinks dumbly for a moment, then his pupils constrict to slits. I don't even have time to react before he lunges between the seats and pulls me against his chest. As I gasp, his mouth crashes over mine, and he thrusts his tongue deep.

The scent of dry desert sand and thunderstorms fills my senses, and I sink into him. The world around me vanishes as he devours me, and I can do nothing but go along for the ride. One of his hands threads into my hair, fisting the strands, not allowing me to do anything but submit.

He's careful with his fangs, but I'm tired of him holding back. I'm not willing to settle for anything less than all of him. I lick one of his fangs, sucking slightly, careful not to nick myself.

Cassius hisses, his grip turning brutal, like I reached into his pants and stroked his cock. His touch turns rough as he loses control, and I hum happily, running my hands up his chest, then mentally curse his clothes when I'm so desperate to feel his skin.

The sweetest venom fills my mouth. Before I can react, his grip on my hair tightens, and his mouth becomes more demanding, forcing me to swallow the few drops.

It's enough to obliterate every single one of my defenses.

Pure lust heats my veins, and I nearly whimper when he pulls away. When I would have blindly crawled into his lap, he cups my face, and I'm unable to look away from his fierce glowing eyes.

"I won't let them take you." It's both a vow and a promise. He somehow knows my worst fears and is determined to do whatever is necessary to keep me from becoming a demon's pet…even kill me.

Aw, who knew his offer to murder me would melt my heart?

It's the sweetest death threat I've ever received!