“Fuck that really hurt, huh?”
“Just shot in the fucking stomach,” I muttered bitterly as Rowan and Rhett came up to us with my mother in tow. “But thanks.”
“We have a lot of questions for you.” Rowan snarled at my mother before inhaling Wren’s scent as he stood behind her.
“I'm happy to answer them. But right now, they need to rest.” She gestured to Wren and me.
My brows furrowed before I glanced down and noticed a blue glow coming from her hands as she poured her magical energy into the salve.
My sweet ruby.
The warm tingle of healing spread around my wound, and my breathing was ragged.
Rowan placed his hand on Wren’s shoulder. “That’s enough, fledgling. He’s healing now. You did great.”
The glow of her hands faded as they dropped from the wound, and she swayed. Rowan’s grip on her shoulder tightened to help her stay upright.
She had given me a good amount of magical energy to start healing, and my body was finally accepting it.
“How are we supposed to fight specimens with repressed supernatural abilities?” Rhett growled.
“We need to create a ward that counteracts the effects of the crystal’s power.” My mother patted my back before straightening. “I'll be happy to share my knowledge with the academy witch so we can figure something permanent out, but I have somewhere I need to go first.”
“Fine, but be quick.” Rowan’s growl rumbled in his chest.
“Unfortunately, dealing with the warlock is never quick.”
“If you do not return within a month, we will assume that you're not on our side.”
“Understood, Barrington.” She shifted her gaze from him to Wren. “Take care of my son.”
“He’s my mate. I’ll always care for him,” Wren snapped, turning toward Damien. “Can you take us to his room? He’ll heal better with the crystals.”
His shadows began to curl around us as Rowan helped her to her feet and into Damien’s arms. “What happened at the facility?”
“Later,” Damien growled, and Rowan nodded before pressing a kiss to her forehead and stepping back.
“We'll talk later, baby,” Rhett murmured.
“Damien, get them settled and come back,” Rowan clipped, worry filling his eyes as he stared at us.
The shadows spread over us, and we were suddenly in my room.
My magical energy was drained, but every time it would fill it up, it healed me the best it could. It was a disastrous cycle.
I hobbled to the bed and collapsed on it as Damien laid Wren beside me.
“You need to fill your magic reserves so you heal faster,” Damien barked.
“I don't think I have it in me to bite.” I groaned as I flipped over and drifted my gazes from Damien to Wren. “Besides, Wren used enough of her magical energy. I shouldn’t feed on her.”
Wren rolled her eyes. “Damien, can you cut my wrist?”
“Wait,” I protested, but Damien's shadow tendril wrapped around her wrist before the sweet smell of her blood permeated the air, and Damien's eyes lit up a lighter silver as he fed from us both.
“Now, little bird, before you heal.” The shadows slipped from her wrist, and she placed it over my lips.
The sweetness dripped past my lips, and I moaned as I opened my mouth and rolled my tongue over the cut that was now healing on her wrist.
