“Fine.”
I ground my teeth at the weakness in her voice. It was so unlike the spitfire Shannon usually was. I wanted to punch a hole in the side of the car. Or find who’d broken her so thoroughly and take my anger out on them. Except, part of me knew that would be impossible. Because he was in Hell. Shannon hid her shame well from everyone but me. I’d watched her for years while we’d been imprisoned. My wolf knew she was a potential mate, but I’d been drowning in my grief over Gwen’s death back then, and the thought of taking another mate had never occurred to me. Even now, I didn’t know if I was ready. But I’d make sure Shannon had the best chance to be happy—with herself if not with me.
After a mutinous ride, we pulled up at Rawson’s just as a portal flashed into existence. I urged Shannon gently off my knee and out of the car. She didn’t look at me as I pulled most of the blankets from her shoulders, leaving her with just a couple. “You should see Ava. Then we leave.”
“But…”
“Don’t. You need medical help, Shannon, and I’m going to ensure you get it. You can see her, but then we leave.”
“But…”
Her frustration as I cocked my head and brushed her skin with my magic was clear. It didn’t stop me from interrupting her, though. Shannon had always been vocal and outspoken. For once, she needed to listen, and the more feral part of my soul liked that I had the power to make her think twice.
“Enough. Rawson’s reached the end of his tether. He’s hurting, and seeing you near Ava could push him to do something we’ll all regret. I’ll not let you make things worse for them or yourself by interfering. Your father killed Rawson’smate and then took what was left of his soul and used him for evil. That prison broke something in him, Shannon; the things he was made to do…. You, of all people, should understand that. He needs time alone with Ava, to reconnect with her and convince himself she’s safe; just the two of them.”
She didn’t speak, merely nodded. Her attention slid to the darkness behind the portal, and her throat moved. She was already pale under her flushed cheeks, but her eyes widened as any remaining colour drained from her features. Brows drawn down and magic churning at my fingertips, I turned to see what she was looking at.
Nothing. The darkness looked thicker than ever against the light of the portal, but there was nothing there, and I didn’t sense any danger. “What’s wrong?”
“N-Nothing.”
Lie. If her expression hadn’t told me, I could scent it, even with the acrid stench of old booze seeping from her pores. Sweat glistened on her forehead, her fists clenched, and she avoided looking at me.
The portal sparked, indicating that someone was about to arrive, so there was no time to challenge her answer. We stood near Rawson’s front door, but I positioned myself so that if my blood brother lost his shit at the sight of Shannon, I could protect her.
“We wait here.”
Shannon nodded and flung the blankets off her shoulders. I didn’t say anything, but I didn’t like her trembling so hard. I took a firm hold of her wrist, not convinced she’d stay out of their way.
Lucas and B’nar stepped out first, followed by Ava and Rawson.
Shannon gave a small cry at the sight of her sister dressed only in a shirt that was miles too big for her, blood covering herskin and hair. I hoped to the Mother it wasn’t hers. Ava’s knees buckled. Before she could fall, Rawson swung her into his arms. He held her close and exchanged a few quiet words with Lucas and B’nar. There was an ache in my chest that I tried to ignore, and it had everything to do with the fact that I wanted to hold Shannon close like that. But that closeness wasn’t something we’d shared in a long time, and then it had only been brief after she’d nearly died in the fight ring in the prison that had destroyed so many of our lives.
Lucas nodded and, clearly dismissed by Rawson, he fixed his attention on Lorna, stalking towards her with a focus that told me he wouldn’t be leaving her that night.
Carefully, I studied Rawson as he said his goodbyes to B’nar. His face was tight, his spine stiff. He was coasting close to the edge of his self-control. I raised a hand in farewell to B’nar, exchanging a nod with my Fae friend before he stepped into the portal, and it disappeared. I needed to be here for at least tonight, but I’d let him know once I was ready to get Shannon back to Faery. I watched Rawson stride towards the steps. His focus remained on the door as he jumped up them and landed near us, walking right on by.
Ava’s eyes widened as her gaze landed on Shannon. “Wait! Let me speak to my sister.”
Rawson’s steps faltered, and his jaw muscles tensed.
“This wasn’t her fault, Cain. You know that, don’t you?”
Their eyes met, and there was so much pain in my brother’s that my chest ached for him.
“I know. It was mine.” Rawson set Ava on her feet, supporting her against him.
Ava glared at Rawson. “We’ll talk about that statement later.”
Shannon yanked her wrist at the same time I let her go. I didn’t have the heart to stop her. She needed to see that hersister was alive and well, and Rawson didn’t look like he was going to attack anyone, he just looked closed off and exhausted.
Shannon surprised Ava as much as me when she flung her arms around her sister and hugged her. Shannon had never been demonstrative. Ever. She always withdrew from physical contact like she’d been burned. Accept for sex with strangers. But I did the same thing. It was easier to emotionally distance yourself from a random hookup than someone you would see again.
“Ava! I’m so sorry…”
Ava pulled back a bit, peering into her sister's pale face. Her mouth pressed into a tight line. “Hey, I’m fine. We all are. This wasn’t your fault, Shan.”
“It was. If I’d been here…”
