Eyes falling shut in defeat, he exhales heavily. “Enough with the lecture, you’re just going to kill me anyway. So get on with it, will ya?”
“You’re such an asshole.” With a swipe of my claws, I free his wrists, letting him fall to a heap at my feet. “But you have every reason to be. Fates know I lost my shit when my mate was taken from me.”
Cyrus whips his head up in surprise. “What did you do?”
I give him a pointed look. “I brought her home.”
Fire sparks to life in his eyes again, and he nods slowly. “What about the missing mysts?”
“Correlation does not equal causation, jackass. Mysts from all over the country flock here because they’re escaping shitty situations and seeking sanctuary. Ask the gargoyles to see the town records and you’ll see how many people leave town every year; not always by choice, but because they were foolish enough to leave the barrier for some reason or another and never came home. A supply run, visiting family, went too far on a run; the tragedies are endless. We can only protect people from threats that come here intending to harm someone. Youknow that.So you also know damn well that my mate never would have made it past the barrier if she intended to hurt anyone.”
He scowls, but stays silent, so I press on. “Put that anger to good use instead of letting it blind you. Find your mate,” I command as I finish freeing him from his restraints.
“Thank you,” he whispers, rubbing the raw flesh of his wrists as he tentatively moves for the door, growing confidence when I don’t stop him.
“But Cyrus?” He tenses up, expecting an attack, but I just… can’t. Not when I finally understand why he’s such a dick. “You’re right. Everisa threat. And yet, she didn’t lift a finger to retaliate whenyouattacked first, because all she wants is to be left alone. Remember that before you go off half-cocked again and become the same kind of monster as the one you’re searching for.”
He swallows and dips his head before limping out the door.
Swiping a hand down my face, I follow him out. It’s only been a day since Cyrus firebombed Myles’s store, but word is spreading like wildfire. By the end of the week, there won’t be a soul in Mercy Ridge that doesn’t know Ever is a mimic.
The walk back to her house only serves to amp me up, my instincts twitching with the open exposure of Ever’s yard. I scourevery shadow in the faint treeline, feeling eyes on me, waiting for an opportunity to strike the second my guard’s down. By the time I’m pushing open the back door, I’m strung so tight, I’m on the verge of snapping.
Nostrils flaring, a snarl is torn from my throat as I navigate the halls, finding my family in the entryway with Mr. Nocturne. Dooropenand leaving them exposed to attack.
Without preamble, I reach past Dane and slam it closed.
He eyes me cautiously, finishing his sentence slowly. “- be delivered to my house tomorrow evening. I heard about the incident at the workshop, so wanted to stop in while I was in the neighborhood and apologize personally. If I’d had any idea how people would react-”
We’re abruptly plunged into darkness, the lights cutting out in the house and everyone immediately going on high alert. Arson disappears, merging into the shadows as if he were one of them, returning a few minutes later with blood splattered across his upper body. “Found the guy that cut the power. He refused to talk, and I didn’t want to waste time torturing a lost cause if this was supposed to be a distraction to make a move on my mimic babies.”
“Arson!” Bellamy hisses, darting a nervous look in Dane’s direction.
“Oh like it isn’t already all over town,” the shadow demon argues, but grimaces and scratches his jaw, realizing he fucked up.
Dane adjusts his cufflinks, unfazed. “This is my fault. If it wasn’t for the project I commissioned, you’d never have been exposed.” He frowns in Ever’s direction. “The core is due in tomorrow anyway. I insist you come stay with me until this all blows over. I’ll have Bennett set up a workspace for you and you can finish the project there. Hopefully by then, tensions willhave cooled and people will have found something new to be upset over.”
I share a look with Myles, finding him actually looking relieved at the idea. And Ever is right behind, eyes closed and some of the tension seeping from her shoulders. Reluctantly, I have to admit… I think it might be exactly what she needs right now. Things are escalating far too quickly, and while we can take on a small army for our mate, even the four of us don’t stand a chance against an entire city of supernaturals if they turn against us. Now that news is spreading about mimics, it’s going to draw a whole new host of problems out of the woodwork to contend with, too. Scared townspeople are one thing, but if hunters start flocking in trying to get their hands on them?
We can only handle so many threats at once.
“Give us an hour to pack our bags. Arson, see if Oscar will pet sit while we’re gone.”
Arson picks up Adam's cage and shakes it to wake him up. “Be good for Gramps, or I’ll get you a couple more scaly roommates.” In a blink, he disappears.
Dane frowns. “What on earth was that?”
Ever sighs wearily. “Long story. Text us your address and we’ll meet you there?”
Dane grimaces, shaking his head. “The protections on the property won’t allow you to shadow walk in. I’ll have a car sent.” Immediately lifting his phone to his ear, he walks off to arrange everything.
I roll my eyes.Rich people.
Looking at Ever scanning the hallways of her dark house with anxiety, though, brings me back to reality and has determination settling into my bones. She needs a break. Atemporaryvacation. And I need time to make a plan for how to deal with all of these new threats long term. Because like hell am I going to let these people chase my mate out of her home.
Even if it kills them.
Chapter 25
