The guard tries to nod, and Neith’s grip on his neck tightens.
I realize with surprise that she really will kill him. I watch as she struggles with her instincts and what she knows she probably shouldn’t do, and since I know that the consequences of her killing him would be pretty fucking catastrophic, I move toward her, hoping like hell I’m doing the right fucking thing.
I’m following my instincts right now.
Neith
“Kill him,”the Voices mutter.“Judge his soul.”
The bars of the temporary cage where I have put the magic that destroyed the camp leader's soul in my dream begin to rattle, asking to be let out.
The magic asking to be able to do its job.
I want to let it out, I really fucking want to, but I also know that we’re being watched in here, and I really don’t want that part of me on film for everyone to see, not until I’ve figured it out at least. Not until I understand it.
Fortunately, the Voices agree with me and go back to muttering grumpily. Apparently, I’m not the only one who is protective of Dimitri. I still can’t quite bring myself to let go of the guard though. It’s like I’ve set my instincts on him, and they aren’t going to be satisfied until I punish him properly for what he’s done to Dimitri.
I feel someone approaching me from behind, but I don’t react. I know that it’s one of my men and not a threat that I have to be concerned about.
Hands hesitantly come to rest on my shoulders, and I feel momentarily confused until I hear him speak.
“You can let him go, he has been punished,” Baz mutters quietly.
How he knows that’s what my issue is, I have no fucking idea, but I am grateful that he gets it without me having to try to explain it. I’m not even sure how I would begin to adequately explain this feeling.
“I can’t,” I reply simply, and my hand flexes on the guard's neck.
Baz cautiously steps closer, and I lean back into him gratefully. There’s a hint of surprise in his tone as he replies, “Yes, you can. You have punished him enough physically.” He hesitates, and I feel tension go through his body before he relaxes. “Let me finish his punishment.”
My curiosity is piqued, and I glance over my shoulder at him, “How?”
He smirks, “I’ve got certain abilities that will allow him to feel and truly experience everything he did to Dimitri.”
“Do it,” I grin, and his eyes light with a fire that has nothing to do with violence.
“You have to let go first. It’s been a while since I’ve used it, and I don’t want my magic to transfer over to you because you’re holding onto him,” Baz explains.
Chapter Thirteen
Neith
The Voices mutter, they like Baz, and the need that I had riding me fucking hard because my magic needed the guard to be punished for what he did to one of mine has lowered considerably thanks to the offer that Baz has given me.
So, I let go.
The guard starts to fall to the floor, but before he can, Baz’s arm shoots out, catching him around the neck in the same hold that I had him in, although Baz doesn’t dig his claws in. He does, however, lift the guard off his feet, showing an incredible amount of strength, especially considering he’s still standing behind me.
“Do you need me to move?” I ask somewhat reluctantly.
“Do you want to move?”
I shake my head, “No.”
His arm slowly wraps around my waist, and I sink into his embrace. “Then don’t. If it gets too much for you, then just step away, okay?”
There’s something in his voice, a kind of resigned certainty. He’s sure that when he starts to use his magic, I’m going to have to walk away, and there’s a kind of loneliness in that as well, that clearly comes from past experiences.
“Neith?” Baz asks.
