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T wo grim-faced fada were guarding Jace’s entrance. Jace stopped to talk to them, but Evie pushed past them to run down the steps to the den.

Beau opened the door for her. She barely noticed him saying hello, her gaze searching the room for Kyler.

His face lit up. “Evie!” He bounded off the couch toward her and then halted. “You’re okay?” He rubbed his hands nervously over his shorts.

She gathered him into a hug. “I’m fine.” Her vision blurred, and for a few moments, she just held him tight. Then she swiped a hand over her eyes and pulled back to look him over. “What about you? You’re okay? The wolves—they didn’t hurt you?”

“Nah.” Kyler knuckled a tear from his cheek and she pretended not to notice. “They left right after you. But you…that prick didn’t—”

“I’m fine,” she repeated, because he didn’t need to know how close Tyrus had come to breaking her. “Jace was with me.” She nodded at Jace, who had come up behind her.

“Thank you.” Kyler stuck out a hand to the earth fada.

Jace ignored his hand to pull him into a hug. “Hey, it was a team effort. Your sister smacked the bastard with a fae light.”

“You did?” Kyler’s gaze swung to her. “Seriously?”

“Yeah. Don’t ask me how.”

Kyler looked back at Jace. “He’s dead? You’re sure?”

“Yes.”

“Good,” Kyler said, low and vicious. “Because I was the one who let him in. I’m sorry, but I couldn’t help it. I—”

“You did?” Evie knit her brow. “But why?”

“He got to me.” His Adam’s apple worked. “He—showed me things. Of you, dead—all of you. And—and—” He pressed his knuckles into his eyes. “I’m sorry. So sorry.”

“Oh, Kyler. It’s okay—you don’t have to talk about it.” She took a step toward him, but Beau was there first, dropping a massive arm around his shoulders.

“You have nothing to be sorry about. The man was a fucking fae lord—one of the strongest night fae around. It could’ve happened to anyone.”

“But it didn’t.” Kyler’s eyes were stark in his narrow face. “It was me he got to. Me who let him in—and not just him, but the wolves. And Horace—he’s hurt bad. Suha’s still with him. Sam’s hurt, too, but not as bad.”

“Horace is hurt?” Evie’s stomach tightened. She met Jace’s eyes.

“Fuck,” he said, and strode toward the bedrooms.

Her brother hung his head. “If he dies, I’ll never forgive myself.”

Evie’s heart hurt for him. It could’ve easily been her—she knew all too well how strong Tyrus was. “It’s not your fault. I know. He tried that crap on me, and I…I couldn’t break away.”

“Really?” Kyler shot her a hopeful look. Then he shook his head. “But at least no one got hurt because of you. I’m the fucking weak human.”

Evie swallowed and tried to think of something to say, but Beau just gave him a shake. “Enough with the self-pity,” he growled.

Kyler flushed. “Sorry,” he mumbled.

Beau gave him a squeeze and then released him and headed for the kitchen. “I could use your help here,” he said over his shoulder. “Suha’s going to be starving when she gets done with Horace, and your sister and Jace could use some food, too.”

“Kyler,” Evie said. “Horace is going to be okay. Suha’s good at what she does.”

He nodded, and then gave a little shrug. “I’d better help Beau. You don’t want to mess with a bear.”

“Yeah.” She watched, bemused, as he hurried after Beau. What had just happened? But that rough male compassion seemed to be exactly what her brother needed.

She left the two of them debating whether to make breakfast or lunch and headed after Jace.

Horace was on his back, the cover drawn up to his waist. Evie sucked in a breath.

He was so still, his cheekbones tinted a fevered red.

Suha hovered over him like a benevolent witch in a lime green tunic, her quartz glowing.

On the other side of the bed, Jace had pulled up a chair and had Horace’s hand clasped between his two palms. His jaw was set.

He looked like he was trying to heal his friend through sheer willpower.

Evie touched Suha’s shoulder. “Can I help?”

The healer shook her head. “Almost done,” she muttered.

Evie set her hands on Suha’s back anyway and concentrated on sending her energy.

The healer visibly perked up. A minute later she sat back. “There,” she said with satisfaction. She put a hand to her sacrum, massaging it. Her pretty face was drawn, but she winked at Evie. “Thanks for the boost. He’s going to be all right.”

Tears stung Evie’s eyes. She met Jace’s eyes across the bed. The relief on his face made her heart twist. “Good,” she said. “That’s good.”

Horace’s eyes opened and he glanced from Jace to Evie. “You’re all right,” he murmured. “I thought—”

“No fucking traitor is going to take me out. Or a fae, either.”

“Yeah.” Horace’s mouth curled in a shadow of his usual smile. His gaze moved to Evie. “Sorry, love. Tried…to stop them.”

She touched his hand. “I know.”

“Don’t talk, you ass,” Jace said tenderly. “Save your breath to get better. We’re fine, and that motherfucking fae is dead. Here.” He slid an arm under Horace’s shoulders and held a glass of water to his lips.

The other man drank thirstily before sinking back onto the pillows. Then his eyes popped open, and he clutched Jace’s wrist. “What about…Corban and Kane?”

“Kane’s dead,” Jace assured him. “But Corban got away. Adric said a fae ’ported him out.”

“Lord Prick?”

“Nah. We’re not even sure it was a night fae.”

“Well. Two…out of three…ain’t bad.’

“Horace needs to rest,” Suha inserted. “You, too,” she told Jace and Evie. “The two of you look like you’re running on fumes. If a night fae fed on you, you need to recharge. That’s the alpha’s order, by the way.”

But they waited until Horace’s eyes closed before slipping out of the room.

“Shower first,” she said. “I can still smell that night fae on me.” Residual fear rippled up her spine. She had a feeling she was going to have nightmares about Tyrus for a long time.

Jace’s fingers spread across the small of her back, large and warm. “It’s over, angel.”

“Yeah. And the good guys won, didn’t they?” She gave him a crooked smile.

“You go ahead,” he told her. “I have to call Rock Run.”

“I’ll wait.”

She listened as Jace patched into the Rock Run Clan’s landline and asked for Rui do Mar. “You didn’t hear this from me,” Jace told him, “but Tyrus is dead.”

He wrapped an arm around Evie’s shoulder and she leaned close, nuzzling his neck. She couldn’t hear Rui’s side of the conversation, but she could guess the river fada was relieved.

“Yeah,” said Jace. “I think he planned to go after your family next.”

Rui’s growl came through the phone. Jace held it away from his ear.

The other man spoke and Jace nodded. “You’re welcome. Tell Merry I love her and I’ll be up to see her in a couple of days.” He ended the call and brushed his lips over Evie’s. “How about that shower?”

He nudged her into the bathroom, locking the door behind them and stripping off his shorts. She had time to remove her shirt, and then he pushed her up against the stone wall. Hot and aroused, and yet his fingers on her face were so gentle, fresh tears welled up.

She blinked them back. “I don’t know why I keep crying.”

“Reaction. It hits everyone a little different. Me, I’d like to rip Corban’s head off. We’ll find him, I promise you.”

“I know.” Because these men weren’t going to let a threat like Corban walk around alive for long.

Jace set his forehead against hers. Concern poured off him. “Don’t ever do that to me again—go off with a fucking night fae. My heart can’t stand it.”

She was tired and hungry, but at his touch, a slow burn started in her belly. Her fingers slid into his hair. “It’s not like he gave me a choice.”

“I don’t care.” He brushed away her tears with his thumbs. “Promise me anyway.” He didn’t wait for an answer, just slanted his mouth over hers. His tongue swept inside, tasting her deeply. She sucked on it, and he groaned, a primal sound that made her insides tingle.

His mouth moved to the turn of her shoulder, his night beard an erotic scrape against her skin. He bit her—a sharp nip that made her nipples pebble. “I’m mate-claiming you.”

Yes , shouted her heart. But practical Evie said, “What does that mean?”

His gaze bored into hers. “That you’re mine—forever. Any objections?”

“I—” He was moving at the speed of light. She felt like she was on a carnival ride, whipping dizzily through space. Her fingers dug into his shoulders, seeking equilibrium.

But he seemed to want her dizzy. Green fire flashed in his irises.

“Mine.” The word was intensely possessive—but his hands moved over her as if she were the greatest treasure on Earth.

Tracing the line of her collar bone…cupping her breasts…

teasing her nipples through the satin bra until her knees turned to jelly.

She would’ve slid down the wall if he wasn’t holding her up.

Kisses seared her throat, the tender skin of her cleavage. Need washed through her, rich and intoxicating.

Her head fell back against the wall. If it were only her, she’d take the chance—jump on the ride with Jace and see where it led. But it wasn’t only her.

She caught his wrists, stopping those clever fingers as they started down her abdomen. “I want to say yes—you know I do—but I have Kyler to think about.”

Jace didn’t hesitate. “He’s mine, too. I always wanted a kid brother.”

God, she loved this man.

“But—”

He lifted his head. “What are you afraid of, Evie? Because I’m not sure this is only about Kyler.”

“What do you mean? Of course, it is.”

“Is it? Or are you afraid that someday I’ll leave you—that it’s just for a few years like your mom and dad?”

She opened her mouth to say no, and then swallowed. “How do you know it isn’t?”

“Because we’re mates. I’d cut off my hand before I’d leave you. Say yes, and you’ll see.”

“Jace—” She shook her head, unable to bring herself to say the word.