“Shhh, shhh. I got you. It’s okay, Princess.” He runs a hand over my wild hair and presses a kiss to my forehead. “You’re safe now, we’re gonna get you out of here.”
“I’m sorry.” My voice cracks. “I was supposed to keep my head down, and I didn’t.”
“You are so strong,” he pulls back, holding me by my shoulders, “don’t you dare apologize.”
Sniffing, I blink up at the mirror of my own eyes. “My guys? Are they okay? What’s—”
“...Jo?” Hearing Hayden’s voice has me whipping my head around. The sight of my Fire Demon, standing among the dead bodies of the guards, has me choking on a whimper.
“Hayden?” Declan lets me go easily as I run, barefoot, and launch myself into his arms.
He catches me effortlessly, the motion as natural as breathing, and I wrap my legs around his waist as he brings his lips to mine. I sink intothe kiss, only for him to pull away and stifle a sob as he buries his face in my hair. “I thought you died.” His voice is rough with emotion. “When I felt the bond go dark…I thought they took you from me.”
“Andthat’swhy he blew up half the guards.” Sam’s voice is the next to surprise me, and I look over Hayden’s shoulder to see Sam, West and Rory.
I…I can’t believe they all came.
“Sammy-boy. Doctor.” I give a watery smile as Sam comes up and grabs one of my hands, pressing a kiss to it. West gives me a sad smile and rubs a hand down my arm. I want to go to them, but they know Hayden needs me right now.
“I’m so sorry,” I whisper to Hayden. “Brooks…he was tryin’ to test a bond breaker on me, but Helaena gave me the instinct inhibitor instead.”
He freezes. “The instinct inhibitor? So…” he pulls away, blinking, “if I bite you again…?”
“Your venom should burn off the effects of the serum like last time.” Helaena speaks from behind me. “I’m sorry, down here I don’t have access to all the same things I do upstairs, and I grabbed the first thing I could to give you instead…”
Declan steps toward her, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. “You helped. Thank you. It’s good to meet you in person, by the way. I’m Declan. Fuzzy speaks very highly of you.”
I can almost hear the blush in her voice when she answers. “I…um…thank you. Mr. Gallagher.”
“Declan is just fine. Now, Hayden…” My alpha stiffens. “Care to put my sister down so we can get the fuck out of here?”
Reluctantly, Hayden lowers me to the ground, and I turn to Declan, putting a hand on my hip. “We still have to get Mabel.”
“Fuck, I know.” He shakes his head. “There’s no chance of you getting out with your pack and letting Rory and I handle this, is there?”
I grin, feeling a little bit like my old self. “Not a chance.”
Suddenly, a squeaking sound catches my attention. At first, I think it might be a squeaky wheel on a rolling cart and brace myself, but then I realize…it’s coming from near the ceiling. My eyes zero in on an air vent. “Turnip!” I cry, stepping over the remains of the guards and trying to reach the vent. Frowning, I tilt my head back and eye the metal on the wall. I’m too short.
“Kole. Can you please pass Brooks off to Rory and help me up here?” Kole does as I ask, and in the next moment he’s lifting me above his head as if I weigh nothing and placing me on his shoulders. I try not to think about the fact that I’m probably flashing everyone my ass right now.
Turnip continues to squeak.
“How is this possible?” Hayden mutters. “I left her in the kitchens so she’d be safe.”
Kole clicks his tongue as I try to pry the vent cover off. “We should have figured the little thing would find a way to get to her.”
“It’s screwed on.” A feeling of helplessness fills me as I stare at the four screws.
“Here, Trouble.” Sam reaches up to hand me a tactical knife. Oh, that’srealnice to hold.
“Thanks, Sammy.” I turn back to the vent, and before long have all four screws undone. Sam takes the cover and knife from me when I remove it, and I find myself tearing up when I see my little friend chittering at me. “Hey, girl.” I scoop her up and hold her soft body to my cheek, letting her rub her face against mine. “I’m sorry I disappeared.”
My stomach dips at the sudden sensation of falling backwards, but then I realize I’m being removed from Kole’s shoulders by Sam. He shifts me so he’s carrying me bridal style while Turnip huddles into my neck.
“Uh…Sam?” I ask, looking around in confusion. West is on one side of me, Hayden is on the other. When I peek behind Sam, Kole is leading up the rear, with Declan, Rory, and Helaena in the very back.
“Yes?” he answers, unbothered.
