"Parker," she called, her voice unnaturally sweet. "We're not finished, you and I. This is just the beginning."
I turned away, unable to stomach the sight of her smug smile. "Let's go."
We had barely made it back to the main corridor when the air crackled with furious energy. The hairs on my arms stood up, static electricity dancing across my skin. I knew that feeling. That scent. Alpha rage and barely contained power.
Trux.
He rounded the corner like a force of nature, eyes blazing amber, canines bared. Not shifted, but close… teetering on the edge of his control. Behind him, two Division security officers backed away, clearly regretting whatever attempt they'd made to slow him down.
"What. The. FUCK. Were. You. THINKING?" Each word landed like a physical blow, his voice distorting at the edges. The Hesolga… Trux was at his breaking point.
I straightened, forcing my spine rigid despite the trembling in my legs. "I was doing my job."
Wrong answer. His nostrils flared, scenting my weakness, my exhaustion, and the lingering taint of demonic power still clinging to my skin.
"Your job?" He laughed, a sound with no humor, just broken glass and fury. "Your job was to interrogate suspects, not fucking command demons! Your job was to stay safe, not drain yourself playing with powers you don't understand!" He stalked closer, each step precise, controlled, terrifying. "Do you have any idea what could have happened? What still might happen?"
Mephistral vanished from my shoulder in a puff of smoke, suddenly finding urgent business elsewhere. Smart imp.
"Trux," Grayson's voice was steady, warning. "Back off."
But Trux wasn't listening. His focus was laser-sharp, drilling into me. "You could have died. You could have been possessed. You could have opened a door that can't be closed." His hands shook at his sides. "And for what? To prove you could do it? To impress Zandia?"
Each accusation hit like a slap. Because he wasn't entirely wrong. Part of me had reveled in the power, in the control. Part of me had thought of Zandia's approval. To be fair though, I hadn't asked for any of this. And I didn't have an inkling of what I was supposed to do.
"I had to," I said, voice small and tight. "The demon was gathering information. Has been for months. We have to know what it knows."
"So you risked everything? Without backup? Without a fucking plan?" His voice rose, echoing down the corridor. "You think your life is worth less than some intelligence? You think I can just watch you throw yourself into the fire and say nothing?"
"Enough!" Rhiot appeared behind Trux, his own eyes glowing with power. He grabbed Trux's shoulder, spinning him around. "Leave her alone. This isn't helping."
Trux snarled, shoving Rhiot back hard enough that he hit the wall. "Stay out of this."
"Or what?" Rhiot pushed off the wall, stepping into Trux's space. "You'll what, Trux? Take it out on me instead? Go ahead. I can take it." His voice dropped, dangerous. "But you touch her again, talk to her like that again, and I'll show you exactly what I learned in those years before you met me."
The threat hung in the air between them, loaded with history I didn't fully understand but could feel in the sudden stillness of Trux's body.
They squared off like predators circling for dominance, neither willing to back down. The surrounding air crackled with tension and old wounds ripped fresh.
My stomach twisted into knots. I'd never seen Trux like this—so close to the edge, so raw. His hands shook at his sides, and beneath the anger, I caught something else in his scent. Fear. Pure, primal fear. For me.
The realization hit me like a punch to the gut. He wasn't just angry. He was terrified. And that fear was eating him alive.
"Stop it," I whispered, then louder: "Stop it! Both of you!"
They froze, heads snapping toward me in perfect, eerie sync.
"I'm sorry," I said, the words scraping my throat. "I didn't plan it. The demon exposed itself, and I reacted. I didn't think—" My voice cracked. "I didn't think about how it would affect any of you. About what you'd feel watching."
The admission cost me. Admitting I'd been wrong, that I'd acted without considering my mates, left me feeling naked and vulnerable.
Trux's face contorted, anger warring with something softer, more broken. "Parker..." He took a step toward me, then stopped, hands still trembling.
"I'm fine," I said, even as my vision swam. "I just need to rest. The power will come back." I had to believe that. Had to.
The air around us suddenly shimmered, turning cold and metallic. The temperature dropped ten degrees in an instant, breath fogging in front of our faces. I knew what was coming before she materialized.
Zandia.
