“It restricts my impulses for ten minutes,” he says, the words slow – apprehensive.
Like he’s prepared for me to be pissed off at him.
“Impulses? Like ducking to save your own life in a fight?”
“I might get the first duck in, but once the adrenaline kicks in, I’m mellowed into walking and talking. Anything I want to do in that time has to be preplanned.”
I push off his chest, launching myself to my feet. “That sounds stupid!”
He stands, slowly. “People could have died in Lackshir,” he says, his tone deep, troubled.
“You could die!”
Killian grunts behind me, and I have no idea if it was an ‘I agree’ noise or ‘I can protect him.’
“I don’t care how many brothers you have. Lithael wants you guys dead! He has sent killers after you. Xylon and Daryan were BeastSeeds – they weren’t just hunting you; they were going to use you. Gartil could literally shake things to pieces with his power, had a freaking lip-ring, and tried to cut your head off. And Sromma, he could take your power and mimic it,” I shout, my voice high and shaking – and my hands starting to do the same.
The motion sends a dull ache through my broken arm, and I find myself pacing back and forth across the rug, while hugging my arm to my chest.
“He can’t do this,” I declare, turning to face Killian with fear and anger rolling off each and every word.
“It’s short-term,” Roarke offers, and I spin sharply to face him in the armchair behind me.
“You knew, you all knew?”
Roarke nods. “I can read sigils, but he told me when he arrived.”
“Yes, with books and research – and you were in your chuckin’ braies!”
“This one isn’t too complicated. Adrenaline goes up – ability to react goes down. And all sigils are temporary.”
“About a week,” Seth adds.
“I don’t care!” I shout.
It doesn’t make sense to me. Yes – Lackshir was horrible, and it felt like a really close call, but we’re at Eydis’ little hidden cottage now. If anything happens to make Pax lose his shit, it will be a danger that has come to find us. And now he won’t even be able to save his own ass.
“Beautiful, the prison was empty,” Pax says, like that should explain it all.
It doesn’t.
“No, Pax, you’re not making any sense. Why would you risk your life like this?” I demand, sending a thrum-thrum of blood and Allure-induced pain through my ears and down my spine.
“Because Thane is too unpredictable, and he’s growing too strong. He’s growing strong because of you. We agreed – to keep you safe; otherwise, we were both going to hunt the last living Hyll and destroy her before she could get near you, but you’re in a bubble, and we need to remove it before our Release Seals dissolve.”
“I don’t understand. My bubble isn’t worth your life. Why would you?” I almost choke on the word; it feels raw and somehow sharp.
“Because I need you,” he declares, and I blink back black spots in my vision.
“Because I’ll always stand between him and his pain,” Killian adds, and my world tilts a little to the left.
“Because Pax values his pack more than his own life,” Seth says, his words ringing and echoing.
“Because being able to hide from your pain is an Elorsin privilege,” Roarke finishes.
“Undo it. Find a way,” I demand. I need him to, I need him to be safe, and I don’t care about this other stuff.
“Kitten, he can’t,” Roarke says, and as soon as the words are out, Pax pushes me off his lap and advances on my AllureSeed.
Roarke throws his hands up in submission. “It was her,” he says, but the room topples, and I don’t quite see anyone’s reactions.
“Shade,” Pax growls.
He wraps his arms around me at the same time as my legs give out and I lean into him, waiting. Trying to breathe through the pain. Unable to make sense of his words.
“Don’t. Use. Allure,” he growls.
For a long moment I can’t make sense of anything. The guys arguing. Pax is breathing hard – more arguing. Using Allure is worse than being hit in the head by something big and hard. Problem is – I don’t even know I’m doing it.
I try to sift through their conversation, but only one little bit has stuck in my mind – Thane.
“Who’s Thane?” I whisper.
“She did that? She’s that strong?” Pax asks over the top of me, like he’s forgotten I’m here.
“At first, I thought my power was using her – but I’m pretty sure she’s using my power.”
“What makes you so sure?” Seth asks. “She looks like she’s going to pass out.”
Something is pressed to my lips, and I drink greedily. Roarke’s fingers slip under my shirt, his palm flat to the small of my back. His touch makes the pain seep away.
“Because if my power was using her, then it would be trying to get what I want. That question was completely for her benefit. But you can’t force Allure. It’s like sleight-of-hand – an art, not an axe. Pushing this power through anyone’s body like that is going to hurt.”
Pax hooks an arm under my legs and carries me to the couch, which makes Roarke’s fingers slip from my skin.
I grumble, then realize my eyes are shut, sleep tugging at my mind.
“No,” I groan, trying to sit up and press myself away from Pax.
He holds me tighter, settling onto the couch with me on his lap. I hug my aching arm to my chest, my other hand pressing to my temple like I might need to hold my head in place or the thing will fall off.
“Thane – now,” I insist.
Pax’s eyes
