I know he’s trying to reassure me, but I sit up straighter until Lynx shifts slightly, and I relax back down, not wanting to disturb him.
“What do you meanthe onlywound?” I demand.
Knox purses his lip but decides to explain anyway when I give him a pointed look. “Keep in mind, I wasn’t completely there, but I did feel everything.” Knox’s cheeks turn a light pink, and I’m taken aback by the blush. I don’t think I’ve ever seen my shifter blush like this. “I had claw marks down my chest and abdomen, along with a new hole that I could put an earring in if I wanted to.” He smiles, trying to lighten the blow.
“What he’s trying to say is that you’re a hellcat, but we already knew that,” Ryker comments with a chuckle, but I ignore him and focus back on the issue with Slayer and Knox.
“Alright, back to this whole awakening thing.” I shake off my troubling thoughts of a new possible disaster. We don’t need animals popping up like roulette jack-in-the-box and having Knox disappearing on me. “Has that ever happened between shifters before? As in, one shifter will awaken but another one will experience the effects? How does that work with non-shifters? Or how about having one of your animals take over your body and shifting into a different person?”
He shakes his head, and my stomach plummets.
“Hey, cheer up, Buttercup! It could be another unknown talent of your species since we don’t know what you are yet. And maybe Slayer was lucky enough to get a perk of your mating bond with Knox,” Zeke offers up with a toothy grin.
“Thanks, Zeke. That’s a good point.” I smile, but it doesn’t reach my eyes. It’s just one thing after another that seems to pile on me. But if this is part of my powers, that might explain how Slayer was able to morph into a human body and allow me to fuck him.
“The most important thing is we got you back, and you’re safe,” Levi states, fiddling with his watch. “We made it out of that level barely, using up most of our time, so we should use this time wisely and get some rest.”
“Yeah. Rage was a horrible level, and I’m glad we don’t have to deal with anything like that again.” Chester yawns loudly before pulling Moni close to his chest.
“What’s next, by the way?” Moni asks, her bark cycling to dark gray, showing her nervousness.
“Sitri occupies Level Four. He’s about deception,” Knots speaks up finally. I almost forgot he was a part of our group with how quiet he’s been acting. Glancing over in his direction, he doesn’t look like he’s in bad shape at all. His wings are sprawled out as he sharpens his sword, and there seems to be an inner glow about him. It seems our break-up has done him well. The bitterness of that fact makes my jaw hurt as I clench it, and I close my eyes, blocking out the burning sensation behind them.
Pulling Reaper closer to me and snuggling into Lynx, I quickly drift off to sleep.
CHAPTER 26
Level Four- True Reflection
Rez
An unladylike groan vibrates out of me as I stretch, and my back pops before I lean down to put on Reaper’s armor once again.Protection first. Giving him some water and some meat, I turn to check on everyone else before reattaching my weapons.
“Do we have a game plan for this level?” JP asks with half-lidded eyes as he leans against Zeke, the latter licking the fresh wounds in his neck close.
A part of me is jealous that I’m not the one feeling the euphoria from Zeke’s bite, but I’m grateful that JP is taking care of our man’s needs.
“Surviving would be a good plan,” Lynx chimes in as he walks by, heading to the bathroom and winks at me.
“I agree,” Ryker calls out as he attaches more knives to his thighs.
“Who knows if we’ll even be together,” I grumble, shouldering my pack. The tent goes quiet, and I look back at everyone. “What? I’m only saying what we’re all thinking. We didn’t know it was a thing until the last level.”
“True. My only advice is not to rely only on your eyes with Sitri. He is the Prince of Deception for a reason,” Knots reminds us.
“Way to point out theobviousDoor Knob,” Lynx yells from behind a flap. Knots’ jaw clenches as he grabs a bottle of water.
“‘Sitri shall inflame men with women’s love, and women with men’s love; and causes them also to show themselves naked if it be desired.’”
“Is Ryker speaking in tongues? Do we need to perform an exorcism,” Lynx asks, popping his head out from the bathroom with a toothbrush in his mouth.
“No. He’s quoting one of his many books he’s read about demons,” Levi supplies with a deep chuckle, and Ryker rolls his eyes. Watching their laidback interaction brings a small smile to my lips as I notice how far Levi has come from his reserved persona.
“So you’re saying he’ll make us strip?” Moni asks with wide eyes and light teal bark.
“Not likely.” Ryker chuckles.
“So, what, you’re saying he’s a sadistic cupid?” I arch an eyebrow.
