Page 3

Everything—the fight, the shouts, all of it—stops, and heads swivel once again toward the dais at the raised voice of one of the previously silent councilman’s words.

“This is nonsense. Everyone, back away from Miss Foss.”

The crowd’s displeasure is palatable in the air, but thank the Gods they listen, creating a death circle once more with me directly in the middle. Luka throws the last person off him and runs to my side, immediately erecting a shield around us, protecting me from anyone that may decide to say screw his words and attack once again.

Axel is breathing hard in front of me, his tuxedo ripped to shreds with blood coating his body. He walks straight through the shield and pulls me into his arms, careful of the injuries on my shoulders, and holds me tight. The tension in my body disappears instantly now that I’m in the arms of my mate. One of them at least.

But it doesn’t last long.

“What’s the meaning of this?” the disembodied voice of the head councilman rends the air, lashing out with a force that could have knocked me to the floor if it wasn’t for the strong arms holding me up.

Axel turns me around, keeping his arms around me as Luka takes up the other side of me, entwining our fingers.

Gasps fly from all directions as another councilman steps forward and slips his hood down off his head, giving us an unencumbered view of the man underneath. By the sounds of the others, I’m guessing this isn’t something that’s ever happened before.

“You heard me. This is absolute nonsense. I stayed quiet when you condemned them all to death the first time. But no more. How are we any better than them by doing this?” His head swivels toward the irate head councilman as my mouth drops open, and I gape at him, unable to form any words.

A council member is… sticking up for me.

Glancing around, I find that I’m not the only one staring at the man with his hood down, so besides showing his face, this also must be unheard of.

Dissension in the ranks is the first thought that comes to mind. While that helps in my favor for the moment, it’ll hinder me more than help. My presence alone is enough to tear apart the council that’s been instated for the last fifty years, and that’s dangerous.

“We can’t kill with a single thought!” the head councilman booms, his voice echoing around the silent hall.

Kill with a single thought? I can't even do that, so what is he going on about?

“And who says Miss Foss can? You know as well as I do that every curiomancer is different,” he tsks, shaking his head. “What will her death prove? Absolutely nothing. It won’t bring him back, Head Councilman. So, it’s time to end your vengeance.”

Harsh inhales and whispers ring out, causing the head councilman to stumble back like he’s been slapped.

I’m so damn lost. All I know from the councilman’s words is that something happened, and curiomancers have been paying for it ever since.

“You have no right to speak of him like that! Silence yourself immediately!”

If anything, the councilman sticking up for me puffs up even bigger at the attempt to be silenced before tossing his cloak from his body like the fabric offended him somehow. A quick flash of light blinds me, white spots obscuring my vision, and after a few quick blinks, my vision finally clears. A gasp tears from my lips at the man before me.

Gorgeous, white fluffy wings expand from behind the councilman, stretching toward the high ceilings. The ambient lighting of the room causes the feathers to shimmer, almost as if they’re laced with silver. At this point, I wouldn’t doubt they were with how little I know of angels.

Because that’s what he is. An angel. My… guardian angel. I shake my head. Guardian angels are a human myth, one we were taught were looking over us to keep us safe. And while that rings true in this situation, he’s not my anything.

“I will not, Dirk.” The angel casts his gaze over the crowd before returning his attention to the head councilman. “We’ve followed your decree about curiomancers long enough. Your son is not coming back. And no matter how many curiomancers you sentence, it won’t change that he’s dead. It’s been twenty years. It’s time to end this madness.”

“Madness?” the disembodied voice chuckles, the sound harsh in the quiet of the room. “You would do the same if it was your son!” he booms.

“No.” The angel shakes his head, his blond hair sweeping over his shoulders with the movement. “All you’ve done is take advantage of your position. You are self-serving and undeserving of your status.”

It’s so damn silent you could hear a pin drop with how everyone is hanging on the words exchanged between the councilmen.

The head councilman—or well, Dirk, I guess—sweeps his hooded face over the crowd, briefly stopping on our group, but quickly turns away toward the angel again.

“Let’s discuss this.” He turns on his heel and heads toward the door behind the dais, disappearing from view. The other councilmen follow behind him, but the angel waits until they’ve all entered before stalking after them.

Before the door closes behind him, he turns back around. “Stay away from Miss Foss. If anyone goes against my word, you will pay for it with your life.” Stunned silence meets his words as the door slams closed after his retreating form.

“ Cor meum ,” Axel’s husky murmur pulls my attention from the door behind the dais, where they are currently deciding my fate. “You need to heal yourself.”

I glance up over my shoulder, taking in the features of my mate, seeing the pain etched on his features from his own injuries. I know he’s right, but what right do I have to heal myself when he’s hurting too.

“Come, Goddess.” Luka pulls our little group through the throngs of people, who all shy away from the glowing shield still surrounding us. He takes us to an empty corner, away from the prying eyes of the supernaturals watching us warily. “Go ahead.”

Luka attempts to pull his hand free, but I clutch it tighter, needing the contact after the hell we’ve just been through. Snatching up Axel’s too, I cling to both of their hands like my life depends on it and close my eyes, focusing on the healing rune on my chest.

Magic floods my body, centering on my chest, and I grit my teeth as I feel the skin on my shoulders slowly knit themselves back together.

A cry of terror shocks me out of my concentration, my eyes snapping open to the fearful stares pointed in my direction. The glow of the rune between my breasts seems to be where their attention is, but my magic still seems to be working as the burning in my shoulders continues.

Moments later, the pain subsides as my magic burrows back behind my heart, but it’s the quick intakes of breaths on both sides of me that draws my attention away from the stares.

“ Cor meum , how?” My gaze collides with Axel’s ruby orbs, a question resting in his eyes. It’s then I notice that his injuries to his handsome face have disappeared. I almost break my neck whipping my head toward Luka, seeing the marks and bruises from his own scuffle have disappeared too.

My lips tilt in a small smile, and my sarcasm returns, if only for a moment. “Magic?” I question with a shrug of my shoulders.

Both of my mates chuckle, but it immediately cuts off as a hulking shadow falls over us. My body tenses once again at the sight of Hudson in his monstrous form, unsure where he went after Luka and Axel finally had made it by my side. His silver orbs crash into my pink ones, but I avert my gaze and swallow hard knowing I need to thank him for protecting me.

“Thank you,” Luka murmurs, taking the words right out of my mouth. “If it wasn’t for you, I don’t know what would have happened.”

Hudson’s eyes never leave mine, even as he replies, “She’s our mate. I would never let anything happen to her.” My lips pop open in a snarky retort, but he beats me to it. “Again.”

A group of people shove their way through the crowd not far from where we are standing, drawing my attention. Marion is front and center, a slight limp to her stride as she pushes people out of her way, her lips twisted in a sneer. Following behind her are the four guys who are always by her side, snarling and growling at anyone who seems to try to retaliate against her ministrations.

The surrounding people shy away from the five of them, the fight from earlier having fled their veins now that they’ve been ordered by the council to stay away. It won’t last long, though. I know the second the order is reinstated, the fire will be back.

Marion comes to a stop in front of me, her four guys fanning out at her sides. I bite my lip, shame coating my flesh at my continued lies. But that ends now.

“Mare-bear, I–”

“Save it, Bailey.” My heart clenches. The absence of her nickname for me hits harder than I expected. “Later.” I bite my lip, giving her a hesitant nod. I knew this was going to be the result; I just wish things were different. But I can’t and won’t hold it against her.

Marion and her four guys turn their backs on us, standing in line next to Hudson, and it’s then I realize she’s here to protect me. Again. Fuck. Even after lying and her getting hurt. She’s still protecting me. That’s a true friend, and I would be stupid not to try and fix our friendship. I’d kill for one of her hugs. Okay, maybe kill isn’t the best thing to say given the current situation, but damn.

I blink back tears once again, hating myself for how damn emotional this whole situation has made me. And I’m not talking about just tonight. My emotions have been all over the damn place since I found out I’m a supernatural. There’s no doubt in my mind people think I’m a freaking whiny baby. But I vow, here and now, to myself, that I’m done crying. I’m done letting everyone affect me this way. The only people that should are the ones closest to me.

I always thought I was thick-skinned before the damn waters of Neptune Lagoon. But I’ve learned that was a false lie I told myself. That changes now, though. I’m supposed to be this super-feared supernatural, not a weak, emotional mess. And that’s exactly what I’ll show them. That I’m strong. That I have my shit together. That I won’t cry over everything .

Now I just have to hope the council will give me the chance to prove it to everyone.

A scream of rage pierces the air, the name one I know well. “Thaddeus!”

The surrounding crowd snap their heads in the direction of the raging fae, my eyes following along to find out what the hell is going on. There’s no reason I know of for her to be acting like a bitch. It’s not like her life is in peril.

Fucking drama queen.

Thaddeus storms through the throng of supernaturals, the cruel twist of his lips causing my heart to jolt. The telltale shimmer of ice starts to encase his body, highlighting the anger radiating off him. Damn. He shouldn’t look this upset. I shift from foot to foot, wanting to intervene but knowing I shouldn’t. This isn’t my problem. Dealing with Miss Izzicle and whatever is going on is his business.

“Fuck off, Veronica.” The tone of Thaddy’s voice is one I haven’t heard from him before. Danger lurks in those three words, sending an unpleasant shiver down my spine.

Miss Izzicle charges right behind him, not caring about the spectacle she’s making of herself. She reaches out, latching a manicured hand on his bicep and stopping him in his tracks. Right in the one empty spot, leaving their drama on full display for everyone to witness.

“I’m your fae-damned girlfriend, Thaddeus. How dare you walk away from me when I’m talking to you.”

“Talking?” He chuckles mirthlessly. “More like screaming and demanding. But I’m done, Veronica. Done.”

“What?” Miss Izzicle stumbles back a step but catches herself, trying to brush off her misstep.

“You heard me. I’m done. We’re over.” Thaddeus stalks closer, pointing a frozen blue finger in her face. “You’re a fucking teacher, Veronica. A teacher. You think I didn’t hear you cheering for her death? You’re supposed to teach, to mold. To help students find their way. But here you are, no fucking better than everyone else here but a select few.” He waves his hands around, calling out every other person here. “But no. You held me back from keeping my student safe. From protecting her just like you should have. So, we’re done, and you’re gone.”

“Gone?” Miss Izzicle rushes forward, latching onto Thaddeus’ tux jacket. Her bottom lip trembles as she peers up at him. “You can’t do this to me. Don’t send me back. Please.”

Thaddeus brushes her off and steps back. “I warned you the last time you started bullshit that if you continued, I’d send you back to Faerie. You just used up your last chance. Goodbye, Veronica.”

Before Miss Izzicle can say another word, the floor beneath her opens and she disappears from view.

That feeling to rush forward and comfort him hits me again, but before I can move, Axel grabs my hand, holding me back. I glance up at him in question, but he gives a small shake of his head like he knew what I wanted to do.

Shit. He’s right.

I stay rooted to my spot, watching with a breaking heart as Thaddeus’ shoulders heave before his sigh goes off like a gunshot in the silent room. He seems to get himself together and spins on his heel, marching over to our little corner of relative safety. His lips tilt in a small, self-deprecating smile, but he doesn’t utter a word. And neither do we because really, what just happened is self-explanatory.

Thaddeus just ended his long-standing relationship.

And this time, there’s no denying that it’s all my fault.