Page 47

Yes, I have a thing for tattoos and piercings. What can I say?

“You have a little something here.” Wren knocks her hand against my chin with a giggle, drawing both men’s attention.

Nex’s eyes meet mine, and for a moment, it’s like nothing else exists. It’s just me and him.

Then he looks away. “I should get going—”

“Actually,” I call out, hurrying over. “We’re about to have a meeting to plan how we’re going to take care of Michael—in case you’re interested in being a part of that.”

Nex refuses to look at me, keeping his eyes on Brenden as he shakes his head. “I shouldn’t…I need a shower after that run.”

“Oh, that’s okay. Brenden needs a shower, too. I’m sure he’d be happy to share with you so as not to waste any water.”

“Audrey!” Wren sounds scandalized, but I just ignore her and smile at Brenden, who seems to be considering my idea.

“You know…that’s not a bad idea. Conserving water is always high on my list,” he says with a smirk, stepping closer to Nex—who immediately takes a step back, running into me.

He jumps away, shaking his head. “I swear the two of you plan this shit.”

I shake my head. “Nope, but we’re both very good at taking advantage of a situation. But seriously, if you want to be here while we’re planning, you’re welcome to join us.”

“I…ummm…” Nex looks between the three of us before nodding. “Okay, yeah. I’d like to know what the plan is for that. But maybe I can take a shower in another bathroom.”

Brenden pouts, rolling his eyes. “If you insist. Come on, I’ll shower in Wraith’s room. You can use my shower. Let the others know we won’t be long since Nex doesn’t want to share a shower with me.”

“Are you okay, Ree?” Wren wraps her arm around my waist, hugging me from the side as I stare after them.

I sigh because what am I supposed to say to that? Of course I’m not okay. I have one fated mate who refuses to look at me, let alone talk to me. I have another who can’t stop fighting with another of my mates. I want to make them mine, but I’m beginning to wonder if it’s really worth it.

Is it time to just cut my losses and accept that I’ll only have three mates instead of five?

Pain courses through me at that thought, and I know I can’t give up on them yet. I don’t ever want to give up on them, but definitely not yet.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” I assure her before leading her inside.

It seems Wren isn’t the only one lying. I wonder if she’s lying to herself, too.

It’s another half an hour before Brenden and Nex join us, most of which I spend trying to convince Wraith to let Cassian come over to help us plan.

“I don’t need his judgmental ass here telling us we shouldn’t be doing this. Neither do you.” Wraith crosses his arms over his chest. “We’re not telling Cassian—end of story.”

I squeeze my eyes shut and pray for patience—something I’ve seriously been lacking when it comes to Wraith and my two wayward mates—while I remind myself that I need Wraith to help make a plan that won’t fail.

“Fine,” I finally spit out. “We won’t have him help us come up with a plan, but you’re sadly mistaken if you think I won’t be telling him.”

I had to stop inviting Cassian to the academy. Wraith loses his shit every time he sees him now, which isn’t helping Cassian talk to him. It’s hard to get a word in edgewise when he starts attacking with magic as soon as he sees you.

At least I’m able to shadow walk to his place in Ephonia, otherwise I’d never see him.

Maybe this is why I slept so long last night. Maybe my body just finally gave up after all the stress I’ve been forcing on it.

Not that any of this matters right now.

“Come have a seat.” I wave everyone over to the table where I have my iPad. “Wraith, a lot of the planning is going to depend on you. You’re going to have to tell me what we can and can’t do since you want to piss Lucifer off as little as possible.”

He nods slowly. “Yeah, I’ve actually been giving that a lot of thought. I was thinking we could use Michael’s death for Wren’s final.”

“What?” both of us ask at the same time.