“Demon venom is the worst,” Dray says, shaking his head.
“I definitely don’t fancy repeating the experience.”
I step towards Thorne, but he backs away.
“Thorne,” I say, “what happened?”
Thorne looks away. His shoulders rise and fall. Then he turns his head back to me.
“Holding you down like that … my shadows … they …”
“Oh,” I say, my cheeks heating as I understand his meaning.
Dray cackles beside me. “Dirty fucking bastards.”
“I nearly lost control, Briony. I’m sorry.” I wish he’d stop apologizing for things that aren’t his fault, but at least he’s making eye-contact with me this time and isn’t clamming up.
I take a decided step towards him, and this time he stays in place.
“Did it ever occur to you that maybe I’d like them to lose control?” I say.
Thorne’s jaw tightens and his hands curl into fists. “Briony,” he warns.
But I refuse to back down, holding his mesmerizing dark gaze in mine.
“Be careful what you wish for, Nini,” he growls and I can feel his shadows crackling to break free.
“How about we all take a breath for a moment,” Beaufort says, interrupting the moment and the tension. “The last thing we need right now is Thorne’s shadows running out of control. We need them to keep you safe, Briony.”
I sincerely consider sticking my tongue out at him for ruining our moment, but I suppose he is right.
“Why don’t you and I go look for whoever is in here?” Beaufort says to Thorne.
“I want to come,” I say. It could be Fox – it has to be, doesn’t it?
“No, you stay here,” he says, “look after Dray and the dragon–”
“Hey, I don’t need babysitting,” Dray says.
“You don’t?” Beaufort says. “Then what the hell was that all about out there? Charging off without us.”
“It’s the full moon,” Dray explains. “I can’t help it.”
“Exactly!” Beaufort says with a smug grin.
“Exactly,” Dray repeats, “so if you leave me alone with our mate, when it’s the full moon, don’t complain if I fuck her senseless.”
“Blaze,” Beaufort says addressing the dragon, “if he tries anything on with Briony, you have my permission to torch him.”
Blaze huffs as if he approves of this plan.
Beaufort and Thorne move off towards the first door.
“If it’s Fox–” I start.
“If it’s Fox, we will tell you immediately,” Thorne says. “You have my word.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
