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Chapter Twenty-Three

Sutton

I tried to stand tall in the main room of the clubhouse, but it wasn’t easy when it was full of huge males grunting and growling with seemingly no ability to communicate efficiently.

And Dirk, Brick’s sire, looked ready to punch something.

He and his mate wanted their son back and weren’t happy that we’d left him there, but they understood why we’d had to.

This wasn’t just about Brick, or Luke for that matter, it was about all the other people as well, human and demi-demon, that Tarrant had already hurt and the ones who needed help now.

The knight with long black hair and yellow eyes looked my way, and I couldn’t stop myself from pushing into Jagger’s side.

“You think more of these tunnels are warded?” he asked me.

I tried not to flinch, but as soon as I heard his voice it was impossible not to.

The big male quickly glanced away, at least self-aware enough of the effect he had on people.

Zenon was scarred and completely covered in ink and, according to Jagger, Lucifer’s grandson, and with those eyes it was obvious.

Each of the knights was mated to a demi-demon, which meant they were intense while directing their questions at me.

There was also a seriously weird vibe between Warrick and the knight’s leader, Chaos.

It seemed as if War wanted to cause the other male physical bodily harm, and the knight kind of just ignored it.

“Sutton?” Jag said. “The wards?”

“Oh…sorry.” I chewed my lip. “We didn’t go any farther along the tunnels, so I don’t know for sure.

I felt the vibrations of power. I think it’s safe to say that, yes, there would be more.

We thought it was too easy to get in, and I assume that’s because it’s the public gallery, so to speak, and needs to be accessed regularly.

From what Poe said, there will be a lot of powerful demons in that room auction night.

Tarrant would want to protect his prisoners,” I said, anger shaking my voice.

“I’d bet anything that the other areas are heavily warded with demon sigils as well. ”

Boo peeked out from under my hair, sensing my volatile emotions. He took in the big males standing around us, then ducked back but remained alert, as if he thought he could actually protect me should I need it. I rubbed his little head with my finger.

Rune straightened. “So, this auction’s definitely happening tomorrow, lovely?”

“Yes, that’s what Poe sa?—”

“Use her name, motherfucker,” Jagger growled.

Rune tipped his head to the side. “And what do you call her?” He tilted his head back and scented the air. “Not mate, apparently.”

One minute Jagger was beside me, the next he was grabbing Rune by the front of his shirt and slamming his fist into the demon’s face. Rune didn’t even swing back, he just laughed, while War and Rome dragged Jagger away.

Every pair of eyes slid my way, and my face heated.

Their stares felt like an accusation. Did they think that I was purposely letting Jagger suffer?

Probably. I didn’t know where to look. Jagger yanked me against his side, and humiliating anger washed through me.

I felt my panic rise and suddenly I couldn’t breathe.

I pushed away from Jagger. “I…I need some space, Charming.”

I used the name to soften the blow that I was pushing him away, but I couldn’t deal with the guilt on top of everything else.

More unhappy looks were directed at me, and I tried to slow my breathing, even as I clenched my fists.

I didn’t deserve their judgment. They didn’t know me.

They didn’t know any damn thing about me.

“So what’s the plan?” I asked, probably a bit too sharply, but my feelings of inadequacy, of being judged in this room full of powerful immortals had taken hold.

“Do you even have one, or are we all just gonna stand around while you unzip your pants and pull out a ruler?”

The room went silent, and my face burned hotter. What the hell was wrong with me?

Rune chuckled, probably because I’d accused him of penis measuring before.

“I don’t need to measure mine, I know my number by heart,” a knight named Rocco said with a big grin on his face.

Chaos shook his head, his lips twitching, while another knight named Gunner huffed a laugh. Zenon did absolutely nothing.

Chaos turned to me. “We have a plan. The demi in this city are under our protection, and one of our own, James, is missing as well. We want him back, the others too.” His gaze slid to Jagger.

“And your female’s right. We’re going to have to get over the past and work together.

” He turned to War then. “You think you can do that?”

“I can do anything I put my mind to, Chaos. Just don’t piss me off and we won’t have a problem.”

I didn’t know their history, but I was over all this male posturing. I didn’t know where my courage was coming from, but it wasn’t letting up. “Cool. Care to fill me in, since I’m gonna be the one with my head on the block.”

“We won’t let anything happen to you,” Rune said. “We have this under?—”

“Don’t placate me. Something’s already happened, so don’t you dare feed me that crap. They cut off my friend’s finger right in front of me, and Poe is losing patience. I’ve had to endure his hands on me, his disgusting mouth, every time I see him.”

All the males in the room went on alert, and Jagger’s face filled with strain as if he were struggling to control the beast from coming through. I didn’t want to upset him, but that was my reality, and it wasn’t my job to manage his or anyone else’s emotions, new or otherwise.

War studied me. “We know this has been a lot to ask?—”

“You have no idea. None. You don’t have the lives of a whole lot of people counting on you to be strong and brave, when you are utterly fucking terrified.”

There wasn’t a sign of judgment on any of their faces now, only anger and determination.

Rune stepped forward. “I promise you’ll be rewarded for this when this is all said and done. Tarrant is going to burn in the deepest pit of Hell for what he’s doing.”

“I don’t want a reward, I just want this over with. What’s the plan?”

Jagger

“What’s going on?” Sutton asked, watching as everyone headed to the dens below the clubhouse.

“Movie night.” The knights had left and everyone still here was heading down to our common room.

There was nothing we could do until tomorrow.

I risked taking her hand and breathed a sigh of relief when she didn’t shove me away.

She’d been unbelievably strong tonight, again proving what a warrior she was. “You wanna stay? Watch the movie?”

She chewed her lip, glancing at the exit.

She was going to leave. I couldn’t have that, not tonight, not when tomorrow she’d be risking her fucking life for this mission, and not after how upset she’d been during our meeting.

If she left, I was going with her, but I needed her here with me in my den.

I needed to soothe her the way she had me. I needed to take care of her.

“Fern will be there, and Wills and at least one of her sisters or cousins usually come as well.”

She looked back at me. “I haven’t seen Fern in a while, I’ve been avoiding her. I’ve been avoiding everyone since this mess started.”

I tucked her hair behind her ear. “You don’t need to hide shit from her anymore, sunshine. This will all be over tomorrow.” I shrugged. “Relic’s probably already shared some of what’s going on. Why don’t you come down, catch up with your girl? Tell her what’s been going on?”

I watched the tension drain from her face, and she nodded. “I really want to see her.”

“Then let’s do it?” Relief filled me when she nodded.

I led her down the stairs to the dens, and when we walked into the common room, everyone was already seated.

As soon as Fern saw Sutton, she jumped up and rushed over.

Reluctantly, I let go of her hand and watched as Fern took her aside.

I couldn’t hear what they were saying, but a moment later, they walked out together, no doubt headed to Fern and Relic’s den to talk.

I wanted her back immediately, but if this helped, if reconnecting with her best friend made her happy, then I could deal.

I sat on one of the vacant couches, and Relic tossed me a beer. “Good seeing them together. Fern’s been worried.”

I nodded. He was right, but I couldn’t help but glance at the door as I opened my beer. Then the movie started and everyone cheered as bags of chips and candy were tossed around the room.

It was hard, but I forced my shoulders to relax and tried to focus on the movie being projected on the wall. Tonight, Sutton was staying with me. In my bed. And I hoped like fuck she didn’t fight me on it, because I needed this, and I knew she did too.

The movie was halfway through when she and Fern walked back in.

Both had red-rimmed, puffy eyes. Fern headed for Relic and climbed into his lap.

I was about to call to Sutton, but she was already searching me out and, finding me, walked straight over.

She climbed onto the couch beside me and tucked in close on her own, letting me wrap my arm around her.

“Okay?” I asked.

She nodded against my chest. “Yeah, I’m good.” She tilted her head back, smiling up at me. “Better than good.” Her gaze moved over my face and dipped to my mouth, then it shot back up. “Oh, and I put Boo in your den. I made him a little nest in your bathroom, if that’s okay?”

“Of course.”

She smiled wider, then she turned to the movie. “Oh, I love this one.”