We’re piling up secrets here, and keeping things from Ophelia, but we’re doing so in her best interests.
Sometimes, the truth sets you free, but other times it’s a cage, ready to drag you down into hell.
We’re already taking Ophelia into those fiery pits by taking her back to the commune, and those memories. It’s the safest thing for her, but I have to admit, I’m scared it might prove too much.
Ophelia’s belief in the Prophet’s hold on her has been persistent through therapy, time away, and even falling in love with us. What will it do to her fragile psyche to be confronted with him once again?
I pray it doesn’t shatter our precious Pet.
CHAPTER 10
Roman
We call to Ophelia,and I’m relieved when she comes back down alone. I don’t think there’s anything in Ophelia’s room she wouldn’t want Daisy to see.
“She’s trying on some clothes.” Ophelia’s face is set in hard lines, and she’s not her usual, sweet self.
We’ve clearly pissed her off, and I think I understand why. She’s spent her whole life being controlled by men. First her father, then the Prophet, and then her father again, who sent her away to that damned institution. I get up and cross the room. Stopping in front of her, I take her hand, the slight size of it in my much bigger one squeezing my heart.
“I’m sorry,” I say. “We don’t mean to undermine your autonomy, but we really needed Daisy out of here so we could talk.”
“You don’t trust her,” she says sadly.
I tell a white lie. “We don’t trust any outsiders, really. Our main concern is always going to be you, because we love you, and if anything happened to you, it would break us.”
She softens, some of the anger and tension draining from her. Her shoulders relax a little, and her mouth loosens from the tight line it’s been held in.
“We think you should come with us.” I hold her gaze. “If that’s what you want. Even though it means going back near that place, and I know that can’t be easy.”
I’ve suffered trauma, and I recognize how much it takes to face it. Sometimes just a sound, an image, even something as small as catching a scent on the breeze can bring it all slamming back. Then you’re down back in the depths, fighting with all you have to stay afloat.
Blinking rapidly, her eyes glassy, she nods. “I want to come with you. Yes, I’m scared about going anywhere near that compound, but I don’t want to be left here alone.”
Daisy reminded me of something when she talked about the Prophet sensing Ophelia, and I kiss Ophelia’s forehead before stepping back. “Give me a minute.”
Leaving her with the other two guys, I go to the altar room, making sure to be quick. I don’t want Malachi or Cain to put their great big feet back in it again by saying the wrong thing. I open a drawer in a small cabinet where I keep items I use for my magic and slide out the pendant. It’s made from black tourmaline crystal. I’ve been meaning to give it to Ophelia, but she got taken before I could, and then when we got back here, Daisy was waiting for us. But now is the perfect time.
I rush back to the living room. Ophelia is sitting on Cain’s knee as he runs his fingers through her hair, and she’s examining Mal’s nails, who is sitting beside them on the couch.
“This is for you,” I say to her.
I hold out the necklace, and she drops Mal’s hand and takes it. “Oh, it’s beautiful,” she exclaims.
Malachi looks at it and then back to me. He knows what it means.
“It’s black tourmaline,” I tell her as I take it back and lift her hair to fasten it around her throat. The dark crystal looksbeautiful nestled against her pale skin. “It helps absorb negative energy and forms a protective shield around the wearer.”
She looks up at me, her hand closing around it. “It will protect me?”
“It will help.”
“We’ll be there with you, too, baby girl,” Mal says.
“Thank you.” Her words are a whisper.
Unable to fight the urge, I bend down, tip her chin up, and take her mouth in a soft, gentle kiss, relishing the taste of her lips.
I break it off.
