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“Fucked if I know, but it’s going to be dark soon. We need to get out of the woods.”

He was right, there were more demons here, a lot more.

We ran back the way we came, and Draven didn’t say anything as we reached the ashy pile that was all that was left of the demons who’d tried to attack us. He did falter as we passed, though.

He was quiet on the drive home as well. And when he finally closed the bedroom door behind us, he led me to the bathroom, undressed me, and pulled me into the shower with him.

He washed my face, carefully scrubbing away the blood and remaining dirt without a word, without mentioning what had happened.

Washing away what remained of the magic I’d used, of what I’d done in the woods.

Then he dried me off and took me to bed.

CHAPTER 31

Iris

I gently ran the brush through Rose’s hair.

“So why are you here?” she asked.

“Rude. I thought you’d be pleased to see me.” I smoothed my hand over her freshly washed locks. They used to be so thick. I’d stopped in before I headed to the city. I had people to question and a few leads to follow. Ash was still following me, and I hoped she’d be up for searching Marina’s place with me today. The security her family had hired had left, which probably meant they’d already been through the place, but it was still worth a shot.

Rose laughed. It was soft and sweet. “I am, and you know it. I’m just surprised. I thought you’d be all loved up with your mate.”

My mate was still being weird. We’d reached for each other in the dark, and he’d taken me several times in the night. But there was a distance when we woke this morning, when the dark was gone, and the room was bathed in light. There was only one explanation. He’d seen me use my magic yesterday, and it had freaked him out.

“He’s busy with his warriors this morning, patrolling for demons.” He was taking them back to Oldwood, determined to clear the entire State Forest, it seemed, and take as much territory as he could. At least what he and the hounds had agreed on, anyway.

“Well, that’s good, the fewer demons in those woods, the better. When it’s Mags’ turn, she’ll have less to worry about.” She never mentioned her own task. Rose had accepted her time left was short, and she didn’t mind talking about it. Her family, however, had not accepted it and never would.

“Could you pass my water?” she asked.

The glass was empty. “Let me get you a refill. Be right back.” I headed downstairs and had just reached the bottom when Ronan walked out of the kitchen. He was carrying a packet of cookies.

His violet gaze met mine, and, as always, he gave away nothing. “Iris,” he said in greeting. “How is Rose this morning?”

“She’s much the same, but seems in good spirits.” The male in front of me looked different. The last time he was here visiting Rose, he’d been thinner, paler, the violet of his eyes duller. This transformation was a result of him feeding at The Vault. Had he been starving himself?

He inclined his head. “I’ll go up now and visit with her, if you’re agreeable?”

“Of course.” He started up the stairs, but I grabbed his arm, stopping him. He stilled, the muscle under my hand tensing, and he turned back. “The other night, at The Vault. I haven’t told anyone. I haven’t told Rose,” I said.

He blinked down at me but said nothing.

“How long have you been going there?” His gaze didn’t falter, and I struggled to hold it.

“A while,” he finally said.

I didn’t want to, but I had to ask. “Did you know the girls who went missing?”

“Know them?”

I’d have to spell it out. “Did you feed from them?”

“I don’t know,” he said.

“You don’t know?”