A smile. “The others will call if it’s anything urgent.”
Aerén lowered his focus to the glass on the table. He really should go back to Empyrea. Probably better for him. His enforcers could find the other Chosen.
More, he didn’t want to stay here, be so close to her.
Hell, he had no idea how the fuck he was going to move on when her sister would be in the same place as him, reminding him forever of Leya. It didn’t matter. He rarely stayed in Cidéra anyway, until Leya.
He leaned back, head tipped against the headrest, and glared at the dark ceiling.
“If you love her, don’t give up.”
Aerén lowered his glare to his brother.
“Mortal females aren’t easy,” Aethan added.
Aerén blinked. “You’re mated?”
He smiled. “Yes. Echo will be happy to meet you, finally.”
But Aerén shook his head. “I’m a mess right now. I’m not good company for anyone except for stubborn-ass brothers—”
“I’d forgotten that about you.” Aethan laughed, his happiness evident in his shining gray eyes.
A burst of love for his brother overwhelmed Aerén. He expelled a rough breath. “I’m leaving, Aethan, as soon I get out of here. It’s doubtful I’ll return. But I’m glad you’re okay.” He pushed to his feet.
Aethan rose, too. Then he grabbed Aerén in a rib-crushing hug. “I godsdamn missed you.”
“I did too. Missed you every fucking day. Life was never the same again—”
A blood-curdling scream tore through his skull, and he staggered back, grabbing his head.
“Ren!” Aethan grabbed him. “What is it?”
He shook his head, pain splintering his mind. His cell rang.
Breathing hard, he fumbled it free from his jeans pocket. “What?” he rasped, not even checking who it was.
“You havta come!”
“Hana?”
“Something’s wrong with Leya!” The heart-wrenching sobs reached him through the phone as the call dropped. Then it didn’t matter she’d broken him with her harsh words, that she didn’t want him. It hurt his soul that she was in pain.
“I got to go. Something’s happened to Leya.” His heart lodged in his throat, Aerén sprinted out of the club.
CHAPTER29
“No, no! Please, stop!”Leya crawled to her knees. “Don’t hurt him!”
Eerie laughter slithered through her mind. “He’s mine now!”
The cage shook, and the figure within swayed. Aerén’s hands dangled at his sides, as if broken, blood dripping onto the cage floor.
A hiss erupted.
Flames lit beneath him, roaring up and around the cage, shooting through the holes in the floor, revealing his matted, darkened blue hair and burned skin—
A heart-wrenching groan of pain broke free from him, twisting Leya’s heart. “Aerén!” she cried. “Leave him alone!”
