His heart ripped free from his chest and he fell forward. Grief slammed into me. It was visceral. I’d murdered my friend. A man I’d thought of as a brother.
My eyes drifted toward Aria. I watched as Declan lifted her into his arms. I’d murdered Aiden for her. For a woman in the arms of another man—
“Enough!”
He shoved, ripping me out of the memory.
I shook and anchored my mind to the point. I was tormented. No. That wasn’t me. That wasn’t my emotion. The memory left Inarus tormented. Why?
I was tempted to step back into it but before I could, Inarus gave me a mental shake.
“Use the anchors and pull me out.”
“But that’s only five,” I sputtered.
“It’ll have to be enough.”
Inarus shoved me out with enough force that I found myself retching on the cold stone floor of the compound, effectively evicted from his mind.
5
Mother fu—I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand. Declan knelt beside me.
“What happened?”
I pushed myself to my feet. “Inarus is a dick.”
Declan’s emerald eyes narrowed and filled with icy fury. “What did he do?”
Shit. I probably shouldn’t have said that.
Before I could decide how best to defuse Declan’s mounting anger, Dia interjected.
“Get up.” Calm, deliberate. “Get up and pull my brother out. Now.”
Could she cut me some slack? Jeez.
He just shoved me out of his mind. What did she expect me to do? I wasn’t a miracle worker and I sure as hell needed a damn minute.
“She needs a minute,” Declan growled.
“Aria, get off the floor.”
I groaned and rolled onto my side. It hurt. It hurt so freaking much. My skull pounded. “Fuck you too.”
She tapped her foot. “You’re back. I’m assuming it’s done.”
I flipped her off. “No. He gave me five. Number six doesn’t look like it’s going to happen.”
Why hello there, sparkly lights. My head spun.
She swore. “You’re joking?”
I sat back on my knees and looked up at her. “Wish I was, but he decided to get pissy at the fifth anchor and shoved me out of his mind.” I rubbed my temples. “Is it possible to make do with five?”
Please say yes. Please. I really needed someone to throw me a bone for once.
She shook her head. “No. And he knows that. Six was already cutting it short given that your memories of one another are more recent.”
She swore again and paced across the room. “What was he thinking?”
She didn’t direct the question at me so I didn’t bother answering. Instead, I rubbed my head and leaned on Declan’s strength. My vision was hazy as it was. Any sudden movements and I had a feeling my face would get up close and personal with the floor again.
“What do you want me to do? I can try with five or we can call it a day.” I prayed she would say to call it a day. I didn’t have anything left in me to keep going. As it was I could barely keep my eyes open.
“Try again.”
“No.” Before I could answer, Declan snarled the word. “She’s exhausted. She’s going to rest. That prick can stew in his own head until morning.”
“But—”
The beginnings of a roar built deep in Declan’s chest.
Dia’s eyes widened and she took two steps back.
Smart. I wouldn’t want to piss off Declan if I were her either. Right now, she was a guest. Declan had been more than hospitable and he could easily revoke his hospitality at any moment.
“Fine.” She scowled down at me. “But first thing in the morning I expect to see you here.”
I wanted to tell her off. She wasn’t in a position to give me orders. But I owed Inarus. I wasn’t going to screw him over because his sister was on a power trip, so I ignored her.
Declan helped me to my feet and I stumbled out into the hallway.
I straightened my back and forced myself to take a step forward. Then another.
I needed to make it back to our room on my own two feet.
Declan stayed right beside me, ready to catch me should I fall, but made no move to help me unless I signaled that I needed it.
He’d cleared the floor and I was grateful. But our room was several floors up and I couldn’t appear weak in front of the Pack. He knew it. And I knew it.
Just put one foot in front of the other. I could do this.
I took a deep breath.
Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming. Swimming. Swimming.
I slept for thirteen hours. I hadn’t realized just how exhausted I was until the door closed behind me and Declan scooped me into his arms. I couldn’t even remember my face hitting the pillow.
Now, morning sunlight streamed in through the windows. The clock on the bedside table flashed seven A.M.
I decided I could use a few more hours of rest and rolled over to my side, closing my eyes again.
Memories flooded my mind. Me on the table. Shock and horror quickly followed by anger. Rage consumed me. Aiden. He was responsible. He was going to take her from me.
A quick and vicious jerk.
I bolted upright and looked down at my chest.
“Just a dream,” I told myself.
Only it wasn’t. I hadn’t even fallen back asleep yet.
There was a rumble to my left. Declan’s eyes were wide open, his every muscle coiled and ready to strike.
“What is it?” His question was a raspy growl that sent shivers up and down my skin.
I shook my head. “Nothing. Go
