I shuddered, hiding my face once more while trying to banish the images intent upon overtaking my mind. I harbored no doubts that the vampires Ryker spoke of would not hesitate to do whatever horrible things they believed would give them the answers they sought. I bit my lip while tears burned my eyes at the knowledge that Ryker’s people saw Arctic’s as nothing more than something to own. How much did they suffer? Were they beaten? Most likely, since I imagine the vampires enslaved them. What could I do to fix that? There must be something. What was the point of being different if I couldn’t do something to help the beaten and downtrodden?
“There is time yet to wage war, little one. Let’s get you past your tenuous health first, hmm? You’re not much of a savior if you require saving, bunny,” although I flinched from his words, I was grateful he kept his voice gentle. When I met Ryker’s gaze, he nodded. “Yes, bunny, I will aid you when it’s time to save the shifters. However, your health comes first. Perhaps your education as well, hmm?” When I would have protested, his expression warned that my argument would be a waste of breath. Still, the knowledge that people suffered at the hands of another pained my heart and soul. I know what it feels like to be hunted, to always watch over your shoulder for fear of what dwelled in the shadows. I understood pain and abuse too. Hence, the thought of letting someone ache in the dark decimated my heart and soul.
After a moment, Arctic shifted his weight before kissing my forehead, then he untangled himself from me. A mere second after the door to Ryker’s room closed, the entry to the bathroom opened. With a sigh, I accepted the stack of clothes from the vampire lord who smirked, shaking his head when I turned towards Riff. He waited in the doorway with a towel wrapped around his hips. My cheeks burned after I made the mistake of meeting his gaze, so I kept my eyes on my feet. A warm chuckle preceded a gentle kiss on my forehead, and I sighed. Still, I lacked the courage to raise my eyes again, out of fear I might stare. Riff was beautiful.
Less than three minutes passed, and two teenage wolves clothed in shorts and tees stood next to me, their wary eyes watching Ryker. Smiling widely, the vampire lord disappeared with a breeze the only sign of his passing. It must be nice to run that fast, unless you can’t see where you’re going. That would be awkward. Ryker returned within moments, two enormous bowls of chili in his hands. “From what I hear, Matty and Angel can attest this tastes good,” Ryker chuckled, and my cheeks warmed under the regard of Riff and Char.
I nodded with a hesitant smile, eyeing the carpet beneath my feet, only to flinch when a kiss on my cheek startled me. I wonder if I will ever get used to the affectionate nature of werewolves. A silent sigh of relief escaped my lips when they sat on the edge of the bed and ate with gusto after their first hesitant bites. Not that I blamed them. No, good chili wasn’t a given, but this one was tasty. Ava’s was terrific as well, and I preferred hers by a little. With an indulgent chuckle, Ryker offered me a cookie, which I happily ate while humming.
Having finished his chili, Riff eyed the remains of my cookie, and I scowled. This girl does not share. Not cookies, anyway. While I was hesitant to take what Dare’s mom baked for him, these were mine, and hell would rule the earth before I shared. “I would not ask or attempt to touch,” Ryker chuckled warningly, “Angel will bite if you dare.” When Riff eyed him dubiously, he shook his head. “Jax thought he could get away with it and was startled to learn he couldn’t. If I could turn a memory into a video for the eternal enjoyment of all, that’s the one I would choose. His expression was comical, while bunny growled and clutched her little cookies to her chest with the darkest scowl I have ever witnessed.”
Char chortled, and murmured, “well now we know Angel’s weakness for breakfast and dessert. Soon, we’ll get her to eat for an entire day without protest.” My cheeks burned, and when I would have protested, he shook his head. “I jest, sweetheart. But you tend to avoid eating. I understand it’s a habit. However, that doesn’t change that we need to break it.”
“Agreed,” Ryker declared, and I glared at him mutinously. Riff and Char blinked for a moment, glancing at each other with unsure expressions. “Ah, yes, my bunny tends to be a little more open with me. Something I know you hope to achieve someday. But soon daylight shall burn any of my kind who dare risk the sun’s ire, so if we are going to Wolfram tonight, we’d better get to it.”
“Tonight!?” Riff exclaimed while I stared at the vampire in shock. Tonight? I would have thought he’d want to wait a day or so first.
“Yes, tonight. It gives Vesper time to have fun without me killing those who made your torment possible. There’s also the fact that someone set a trap for Angel. I’m tempted to call the house a loss and destroy all of them,” Ryker replied with a careless shrug. Shock filled my soul, followed by sorrow at such a loss of life. Even if
