“You were getting better that time. You almost caught me with that knee.”
“I’m pretty sure you were two feet away from me before I got my foot off the floor," Aydin chuckles and grabs his side. He raises an arm silently indicating that he needs healing.
Evrin comes over, and before he can even ask where Aydin is hurting, Aydin starts pointing to all of his injuries. Watching others use their magic is something I don’t think will ever get old, and I become completely engrossed in watching Evrin heal Aydin.
“You’re incredible, Vinna. I’ve never seen anything like what you can do," Evrin tells me as he heals Aydin’s ribs.
“Right, and she’s totally holding back too," Aydin tells Evrin, and I can’t help but smile at the pride in his voice.
“We finished?” I ask Aydin, desperate to be done so I can move on to something else that will help me quench the bloodlust and aggression I’m still battling. It has me feeling anxious and twitchy, and I need to run my body into the ground to help relieve it.
“Oh, we’re done. I can admit when I’m out of my league. I mean really, you’re not even sweaty or winded," Aydin laughs and offers me a fist bump.
I give him my knuckles and thank him for thewarm-up, which has him bellowing with laughter and earns some snickers from Evrin. I tuck earbuds into my ears and nod at Keegan and Silva as they leave the gym. I pull up my playlist and select “I Hate Everything About You”by Three Days Grace. By the time the chorus hits, I’m running full out like my life is on the line.
Over an hour later, Breaking Benjamin’s “I Will Not Bow” is filling my head and I turn the treadmill off and climb down. I use the hem of my tank top to wipe sweat off the back of my neck as I try to ignore the aggressive itch still skittering inside of me. I immediately become aware that the guys are waiting throughout the gym, watching me and making it clear that I’m not leaving this room without acknowledging them.
I move to the pull up bar refusing to give into their demanding presence. I grip it and easily muscle my chin up and over. I’m on my third set of twenty-five when a pair of arms clamp around my waist and pull me away from the bar. I consider for a minute getting out of his hold, but maybe it’s best to get this over with.
I reluctantly pluck out my earbuds and tell Knox to put me down. He lets me intimately slide down the front of his body. Irritated that I’m completely turned on by the contact, I try to get as much sweat on him as possible before stepping away.
My traitorous body immediately rebels against the separation and starts to crave him. Knox sighs like he’s fighting the same battle. The sound pulls at me as it fans my own dissatisfaction. I want to lick his creamy, coffee-toned skin and find out if it tastes as good as it looks.
I run my gaze appreciatively up his thick muscled body until I land on his stormy gray eyes. Maybe sex is the answer. I can’t fight to get the rage and aggression out of me, so maybe angry sex will do it. Sabin’s voice shatters my thoughts and drenches me in cold reality.
“We were going to wait until you were done, but at this rate, we’ll be here all day. By the moons, are you even mortal?” Sabin asks.
I meet his awkward chuckle with an unamused glare. Sabin releases a defeated huff.
“This isn’t what I wanted. I didn’t mean for you to stop talking to everyone, to avoid us, to turn cold.”
I study him for a long moment.
“This is exactly what you wanted. You didn’t want them to get attached, or for me to push things. I’ve backed off.”
Sabin tries to respond, but Knox cuts him off. “I know Sabin talked to you about howhefelt, but the rest of us don’t agree with him. Sabin’s opinion shouldn’t be the only one that matters here.”
“I get that, but if he’s giving me a warning, who the hell am I to dismiss him? He’s part of your coven. You’re all connected. Despite what some people think, that does matter to me," I tell Knox, and narrow my eyes at Sabin.
Sabin runs both hands through his ash brown hair. His tattoos ripple over the muscles in his arm. “I feel like I’ve fucked everything up and I don’t know how to fix it. I’m sorry.”
I don’t know if he’s apologizing to me, the guys, or both but as far as I’m concerned, it’s pointless.
“Like you said, I am new to this world. I have no idea where I’m going or what my magic can do. I have no business dragging you guys into all my uncertain variables. I’m doing what you asked. Deal with it.”
“You said that to her?” Valen snaps at Sabin.
He doesn’t wait for him to answer before turning back to me. “Vinna you are paladin, not only is it in your blood, but I just watched you crush one of the best fighters the paladin have like it was nothing. I don’t need a Reader to tell me that you’re one of us," Valen declares.
“Well, I guess we’ll find out in a week when the Reader comes. Then Sabin can decide if I’m worthy.”
“I’m going to fucking throttle you, Sabin. I can’t believe you said that shit to her,” Bastien seethes at his friend. I try to leave, not interested in getting any more in the middle than I already am, but Bastien steps in my way.
“Bruiser, I know what’s going on with you right now isn’t just about us. I heard about all the shit that’s been going down with Lachlan and the coven. I’ve watched you withdraw more and more every time Lachlan shows interest or affection to one of us but ignores you. It has to be fucking with you. By the stars, it’s pissing all of us off, for you. Please don’t keep us from being there for you. We care, and it’s killing us to watch you suffer in silence.”
I look up into Bastien’s hazel eyes and everything inside of me wants to break and rage simultaneously. We stare at each other, and he watches as I dam up the sorrow that wants to pour out of me and harden my resolve. Bastien lets out a resigned sigh and interlaces his fingers behind his head, frustrated.
Valen moves closer to Bastien, in response to his twin’s distress. His chocolate waves sway with the movement, and the pair of them are so achingly beautiful I have to look away. I find no reprieve because my eyes land on Ryker and I can feel the sadness that radiates from his sky-blue gaze.
