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I shook my head slowly. “No. I didn’t ask, either. The guys showed up with them and Dante, and I was more focused on him and the fact that Aziel was missing. Who were they?”

“A prominent businessman and a politician in the run for senator. Both were unconscious at the time and can’t tell me how they got to the apartment.”

“Aziel took them when he rescued me,” a small voice murmured. Ollie stood by the door with Dante at his side, both of them frowning. I didn’t notice them arriving, so I was worried about how much they heard, but the councilwoman didn't ask. She tipped her head, ushering Dante closer.

“I was going to wait to talk to you until later. Do you think you can tell me what happened?”

He looked uncertain, and he held Ollie’s hand like a lifeline. I beckoned them both, and they joined me on the bed, one on each side of me. With Dante tucked into my side, he felt safe enough to speak to Melvina. He told her about how his father wanted to hurt them both for protecting humans, how Aziel was going to fight, but he used all his magic to rescue the humans and Dante from his uncle. He told her about Athena protecting them with weird magic and using some communication thing that looked like a marble to call for help. Then Aziel’s friends showed up, fought off the few soldiers who were trying to get to him and the humans, and took them back to the apartment.

“He wasn’t part of it. Aziel doesn’t hurt humans. He was protecting me.” He was getting loud, defensive, and worried about his cousin. Melvina put up her hand to stop him.

“I believe you. This isn’t the first crime family we’ve had to deal with, unfortunately. Some family members aren’t there by choice. As long as he didn’t participate, he won’t be tried with the rest of them.”

“He didn’t! That’s why my dad hated him so much! He said Aziel was soft because he wouldn’t hurt humans!”

Melvina nodded, soothing him with soft words. “It will be okay, Dante. I promise, we’re only here to help. Now, can you tell me if there’s someone I can call for you? Your mother, perhaps? You won’t be going home with your father, I’m afraid.”

He shook his head quickly. “I don’t live with him. I live with Aziel. He takes care of me. He’s my guardian.”

She pursed her lips, glancing at her assistant, who stood just inside the door. “Find out if there is paperwork regarding that. It would make this easier.”

The assistant nodded and hurried off without a word. Another healer replaced him, this one a little older, with long black hair. She had a kind smile and when Melvina saw her, she looked relieved.

“Healer Malatesta. I hope you have good news for us.”

The healer sighed. “As good as we could’ve hoped for, I suppose.” She turned to me. “You’re Aziel Shadowwalker’s mate, correct?”

When I dipped my chin, she stepped up to the end of my bed. “First and foremost, I’m going to start with the good news. Aziel is alive. His injuries were severe, but he got here in time.”

Dante looked elated, but I held back from celebrating.

“What’s the bad news?”

Her smile turned sad. “Unfortunately, there were some things we couldn’t heal. Members of the Shadowwalker clan have been known to use poisons on their enemies that hinder our ability to heal them. He won’t be in any pain, but I’m afraid the horn he lost could not be reattached. And one eye was damaged quite severely. He’s not awake yet, but we don’t believe he’ll be able to see out of it. We did our best, but–”

“But you aren’t miracle workers. I understand. When can we see him?”

“When you’re through answering the council’s questions, I’d be happy to escort you to him,” she reassured me. “We moved him to a bigger room so that you all could stay with him if you wish.”

“We’re done here,” Melvina interjected. “I’ve gotten all I need. I’ll let Aziel get his rest for now and come back in the morning to get his full statement. I believe this family has dealt with enough for tonight.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

AZIEL

The last thingI remembered was my sister’s face. Seeing her, I thought I’d never wake up again. She was psychotic, my uncle’s top torturer, and she didn’t give a flying fuck that I was her brother. The chances of me surviving an encounter with her were slim to none. And I was too drained from realm hopping to fight back. So when I woke up warm and without any pain, I was confused, to say the very least. I almost thought it was a nightmare, but when I blinked my eyes open, I wasn’t in my bed. The ceiling was unfamiliar, what of it I could see anyway. I blinked a few times, trying to figure out why my right eye wouldn’t open, but when I reached up to touch it, a gentle hand pushed my arm back down.

“You’re on the mend, but I would suggest for now not touching your injuries,” the warm voice warned.

Clearing my throat, I turned toward the woman who stood beside my bed. “Why can’t I see?”

“When they attacked you, they used a poison. It blocked our ability to heal you. It took a while just to get the bleeding under control, but unfortunately, we weren’t able to reverse the injuries you incurred.”

Injuries. A memory of the night at my uncle’s home flashed through my mind and I reached again, this time toward my horn. The woman looked sympathetic, once again pulling my hand away.

“How much do you remember?”

“Not much. Where–” My heart stuttered in my chest. Dante. Where was Dante? Did I get him out in time? What about Declan? Oliver? Were they still safe?