I shoved another tendril through my shoulder to feel the pain explode within it. My blood dripped down, soaking into the carpet beneath my feet, leaving a trail as I paced.
“Damien…” Kian stepped over as the witches and Rowan started to discuss ways to purge the dark magic from her, but everything suggested we’d already tried.
I paused, staring at Kian with what I knew were wild eyes flashing from silver to gray. My pain reserves were fueled up, but I wasn't letting out enough magical energy.
“She wouldn't want you to do this.”
“She didn't want me to cut her arm up and hurt her, but I did anyway,” I growled out bitterly.
Kian pushed the glasses up the bridge of his nose and sighed. “When your head was cut off, things happened to your brain. Your impulse control is lacking due to that. She understands it. So do we.”
“How do you know about that?” I snarled.
“There were journals from the human facilities that ended up in the academy library. I’ve found there was extensive research on shadow demons and decapitation.”
“It doesn't matter. I still hurt our mate.”
“And then you hurt yourself, something she wouldn't want. You hurt her trying to save her, and she's going to understand that.”
“Maybe, but I don't understand it.”
Kian’s hand planted on my shoulder. His magic battled against mine until it somehow soothed mine. “She's going to be okay, we're gonna make sure of that.”
“You better be right, necromancer.”
“Wren, how’re you feeling?” Rowan asked, and both of our heads snapped toward the bed where Wren sat up.
“I’m fine.” No concern laced her voice, just…annoyance.
Irritation buzzed down the bond, and my brows furrowed.
“Little bird, are you pissed at me?”
Her gaze locked on mine, and my chest throbbed. She tilted her head, and white hair flowed down the side of her head like silk. “Am I pissed at you for cutting my arm and wiggling your tendrils within my veins? A little bit.”
I flinched, and the room went silent.
She tossed the covers off of her and wiggled out of the bed.
“Baby, maybe you shouldn't be getting up right now,” Rhett murmured.
“I'm pretty sure I’m fine. I just want to get up and go to class.” Her feet hit the ground, and she swung her hair behind her.
“You're not going to class, fledgling. Not after what just happened.” Rowan crossed his arms and stared at her.
She snorted, meeting Rowan's gaze with a fiery look of her own. “You might be the headmaster, but you can't just excuse me from going to class all the time. How else am I going to learn to be able to be a part of this war?”
“You will be a part of it,” Blair murmured. “But forcing yourself to go to class right now may not be the answer.”
Wren shrugged, wrapping her arms around herself. She glanced down, realizing that she was still in her pajamas and moved toward the dresser before starting to undress in front of everybody.
I tilted my head, prowling forward and caging her in against the dresser with both arms. She turned around fully naked and stared into my eyes with a very sultry expression.
Kian mentioned it would change her personality, but did that mean this was still Wren? The bond was effectively in place.
I leaned down and inhaled her scent. She still smelled of all of us, but with a hint of sulfur. She still looked as beautiful as she always did, and there was familiarity in her eyes. I could still see pink in her aura as she looked at us. She definitely still loved us, but the way she acted was very not Wren.
Her pheromones slipped up my chest before moving down straight to my cock, and I groaned.
