A car door slammed.
That got her moving. She cleared up the bloodied cotton pads and stored the kit in the cupboard then washed her hands. As she hurried back, she sensed the tension in Reynner, even if she couldn’t read much from his expression. And wondered if he was in pain.
“Why don’t you sit down while I deal with this?” Then she headed for the door.
***
Sit down?Reynner couldn’t move to save his life.
His body vibrated with need at being so close to her. She had to go and touch the filthy brand on his chest. He didn’t want her tainted with that shit. And she thought he didn’t want her touching him. Yeah, he usually loathed when anyone got too close or touched him—but not Eve.
The sound of feminine voices drew him back. Reynner got his first glimpse of Aethan’s mate. She wore a sleeveless, flowing white top that skimmed the waist of her jeans. The color offset her light honey-gold skin. A shallow dimple dented her chin. A little taller than Eve, her black hair was cut in a spiky style.
She smiled at something Eve said and came to an abrupt halt when she saw him.
Her gaze widened, the mismatched eyes unexpected, one a light gray and the other amber. The otherworldly light glowing in them while she studied him made him uneasy. Then her entire manner changed as if awareness filled her.
Oh, shit, she sensed him. Knew what he was. How was that even possible? Hell, he should have left—no, he couldn’t leave Eve unprotected—especially not with those emotionless fuckers sniffing about.
“I didn’t know you had company, Eve,” Aethan’s female said, her voice held a hint of a rasp.
Eve came over to him and introduced her. “Reynner, this is Echo. Echo, Reynner.”
Reynner nodded. If this female mentioned his name or her suspicions to Aethan—fuck. Too late now.
“I’m so pleased to meet you.” A smile lit her attractive, angular features. Then her gaze lowered to his chest and her brow furrowed. “What happened? Was there a fight?”
Shit. Shirt. He needed his damn shirt!
Where was the bloody thing? A quick search, and he found it on the floor near the foot of the stool. He picked it up and yanked it on, ignoring the sticky blood plastered on his skin once more.
“It’s nothing. All sorted out now,” Eve said, surprising him at her discretion. “Come. Let me show you the sculpture. It’s almost completed. Another week or so and it should be done.”
Echo’s gaze settled on the metal figure that Reynner never in a thousand years would have guessed was a depiction of his friend. She stared at it for so long, Eve gave him a nervous glance. Reynner nearly asked the female to say something.
“It’s amazing!” She grasped Eve’s arm. Eve flinched. The female didn’t notice the way Eve immediately stuck her hands into her jeans pockets.
Echo let Eve go and circled the sculpture then ran a reverent hand over the metal.
The thought that Eve had done the same, hell, it was stupid, but he didn’t like it—didn't like her touching his friend, even if it was just a damn sculpture.
“I love it. You’ve captured exactly what he is. All that wildness, that power,” Echo said in delight. “He’s going to be so—”
“So what?” An amused voice asked from the doorway.
Reynner froze as three thousand years melted away. He stared at his old friend.
Aethan had changed. He appeared older, harder, tougher than the male he’d once been. All the shit he’d suffered through for so many millennia would do that to a person. Hell, Reynner knew more than anyone how life could change you. But that teasing tone remained the same.
The urge to walk over and say hello grew so strong, it took all of Reynner’s willpower to plant his feet and remain where he was.
“Oh, there you are.” Echo hurried over to him. “I want you to see this. It’s supposed to be a surprise, but I was too excited and couldn’t wait.”
“You called me,me’morae.” Aethan smiled at his mate and brushed her cheek with his knuckles. “It’s not like I’d ignore your summons.”
Calledhim? Reynner frowned. How? She didn’t use her cell—dammit! How could he forget? If theirs was a soul bonding, she must have mind-linked with him.
“Summons?” Echo snorted. “You follow no one’s rules but your own.”
