“Your Glory. I had barely enough time to put up a barrier between us and them.”
My heart lurched. I twisted around, scanning his body for burn marks.
He gently touched my face, pulling me from my hunt. “I’m fine. But are you? You were screaming.” Shadows flickered in his irises, swallowing the momentary worry creasing his face.
I shifted my focus before I drowned in his gaze. But that almost made it worse. His skin pressed more firmly against my cheek, warming me, vibrating like his body constantly hummed with power. I wanted to hate it. I didn’t want to be affected by him. But Heavenly fucking Hell, I’d be a liar if I said I wasn’t. The only hate I had was toward myself.
I pulled away. “Why do you care? You’re only supposed to be keeping me safe, not looking out for my emotional well-being.”
It was unfair to say after these last few days. But it had the desired effect.
His mask dropped back into place, and I almost sighed in relief.
So what if it was a step backward? I couldn’t handle my attraction to him, especially not when he acted like he cared.
Rune butted my hand, and I used her to help me stand, putting distance between me and Ronen.
Oliver and Alexei made their way back to my burn circle. Alexei went straight to Ronen, taking him aside for a hushed conversation. Oliver, pale-faced and glassy-eyed, came straight to me and pulled me into the biggest hug.
And that was what did it.
My lip trembled, and I pressed my face into his chest, hiding the tears. “I’m sorry you had to see that.” And I was so glad Alexei and Ronen couldn’t.
“Not another word out of that mouth of yours, Lucy. Not a fucking word,” Oliver said, his voice breaking. “I will make him live through his worst fears every day, puking my guts up for what he did—and has done—to you.”
I sniffled against his stiff leather, squeezing him tighter. “How about we just find and kill him?”
He gave a rough laugh, laying his chin on my head. “That works too.”
I stepped out of his hold, and we both wiped each other’s cheeks, smiling as we did. “Are you ready to see more?”
Because I wasn’t done.
I wouldn’t let that sick piece of shit control my Glory. I was taking back that part of me. I would train until it not only didn’t hurt, but I could use it ten times better than Michael. And when his time came, I’d show him what mydisgusting, sinfulpowers could do to him.
We practiced late into the day, taking breaks when we needed, or when my Glory got out of control. Ronen was able to prevent it from causing any damage to anyone, but the same couldn’t be said for our surroundings.
Oliver hugged me after each session. Alexei, ever the cheerleader, reminded me that my powers were a beautiful gift and urged me to find the good in them.
Ronen… his jaw throbbed, and his body seemed to tense tighter with each passing hour, Rune pressing against his side as if she sensed he needed her.
By the time night fell, I thought he’d explode. But instead, he sighed like an unbearable weight had lifted off him.
“You did it. You didn’t scream.”
“I actually think she smiled,” Alexei said, coming up behind me and hugging me. Oliver joined in, and of course, Rune as well, jumping up on our group hug. Ronen just crossed his arms, but there was a lightness to his expression.
I laughed. “Does this mean it won’t hurt anymore?”
Alexei and Oliver pulled back.
“Try it and find out,” Ronen said.
“How?”
“You just spent the whole day with it. Close your eyes and feel it,” Alexei said, gesturingpassionately.
I shut my eyes and thought about the first time. My Glory was a warm and energizing presence that zinged beneath my skin like a playful puppy. I accepted it. I loved it. And in turn, I could almost feel the love it had for me.
