Every whimper I’d ever extracted from Quentin coaxed a carnal desire from deep within me, but the sounds she made from pain as she laid in our bed ignited a bloodlust that felt unfamiliar. It was a raw emotion that burnt every nerve, demanding to seek revenge. The strength of the emotion forced my body to tremble and it only temporarily subsided when I looked at her.
The dark bruises across her cheekbones faded and gave rise to flawless brown skin again. Damaged capillaries were an easy fix—it was the shattered bones and punctured organs she’d suffered through for hours. Partial divinity was being heralded as a gift, but I could only see it as a curse while it struggled to heal her instantly.
I wiped the last of the blood away from her lip and threw the towel into the bowl of water on the bedside table. She groaned, a weak sound that splintered my heart. Her brows pulled in as she writhed on the sheets. Reaching out, I gingerly ran my thumb along the space between her eyebrows, gently straightening the crease.
“You can do this, Quen,” I whispered.
The fear of touching her right at that moment ran rampant. I was not known for being gentle. Destruction was my forte, and I didn’t trust myself with the swirl of psychosis that was trying to drag me under that Quentin wouldn’t end up as collateral.
When I moved my hand away from her, she sank back against the pillows, finding temporary respite.
“I promise you, golden girl,” I said, gaze transfixed on her face, “I will never let anyone touch you again.”
A heavy knock sounded on the bedroom door and I scowled at the wood.
“Brother,” came Erik’s timid voice from the other side.
Of course, it would be him, and I had no doubt he’d brought the cavalry with him. There was a deep pang of regret that I’d extended an open door policy. It was a small compensation that they couldn’t enter the bedroom directly with their auras.
“Go away!” I barked and then winced when Quen whimpered. My gaze snapped back to her. “I’m sorry, darling.”
There was scuffling outside the door that made me narrow my eyes.
“Move,” Ignacio’s voice came clear. “Fuck manners. Use force.”
I shot to my feet as my aura expanded, filling the room. Carefully, I controlled the dark shadows to cloak the bed. A privacy screen for Quentin. She would never forgive me if I allowed them to see her weak and vulnerable. If I gave them more ammunition to use against her when they saw fit. The rest of my aura pushed against the door as I strode towards it.
“There’s no reason for any of you to be here,” I told them darkly, unable to rein in my temper. “Leave us alone.”
“You can’t keep her hidden for the rest of her days,” Ig replied, voice coming through the wood. “We’re going back down there. What do you plan to do? Keep her locked up in her home?”
“If I have to.”
“I’m sure she’ll love you for that.”
“Grayson, please.” It was Sloan’s turn to try. “We want to make sure she’s okay.”
“She’s not,” I bit, leaning my back against the door to glance back at the bed, where she was obscured from view.
“We would never hurt her, Gray,” Sloan continued. “I want to help you, just like you helped me.”
I closed my eyes for a split second before pushing myself off the door. “Only you. I mean it, Sloan.”
“Only me,” she repeated.
Moving away from the door properly, the doorknob turned and Sloan slipped into the room. My aura slammed it shut behind her to ensure we were left alone.
Her gaze slid from my face to the bed and back again. “May I see her?”
“No.”
Sloan nodded slowly. Getting up on her toes, my sister-in-law rested a hand against my cheek, and I tensed beneath her touch. “I can’t imagine what you’re going through right now,” she said, eyes growing glassy with tears. “But don’t shut us out.”
“This has already got out of hand. I refuse to risk her, Sloan. I can’t…” Something painful lodged in my throat. “There will be no point in my existence without her.”
“Grayson, I am forever indebted to you for helping me with my bond. I promise I will do everything in my power to help you with yours.”
It was difficult to think of Sloan and Erik as anything other than the sickeningly perfect couple they were. But when Erik first found her, Sloan refused to have anything to do with him. Why would she risk her heart for a God who was known for salacious sex parties and a lack of commitment? Then there was Andreas to contend with. Even now, Erik wasn’t good enough for the war God’s only daughter.
