Page 76 of Seared Fates

“Erm…”

A pained noise bursts from this new addition to our group, and he slaps both hands over his chest. “Maker, I’m wounded. You didn’t tell him about your favourite offspring?”

Sen’s inky dark eyes shine—like he’s about to tell a dirty joke, steal your wallet, or seduce you.

Maybe all three. And the order varies wildly.

“I’m his favourite,” Ramy interjects defensively. His eyes dart to me, then back to Sen. “Second favourite.”

Sen’s long-fingered hands glide down his sculpted torso, wrapped in an expensive turtleneck. He tucks both palms into tailored slacks, thumbs hooking into a glossy leather belt to frame his groin.

“I can see why, honey.” The corners of Sen’s mouth slice into dimples that on anyone else would look innocent, but on Sen promise sin. “Wanna be my favourite, too?”

“Nice to see you're still an asshole,” Rurik deadpans, but there's a warmth there.

“My friend nearly died, and you're flirting with me?” Ramy bristles.

Sen drops an elbow on Lucero’s shoulder, and the other vampire only rolls his eyes like this is normal Sen behaviour. “Is there any better time? Life and death.” Sen’s blunt teeth snap. “Gets my blood hot.”

“Sen, shut the fuck up,” Vidar’s voice slashes out like a whip.

Sen snickers.

Vidar tugs on my chin, and our eyes clash. “Little prince, I nearly lost you.”

Under a whole lot of fury, Vidar’s gaze is wet, only making my shame and guilt curdle.

“Tell me what happened, and then I will rip Emma to pieces for what she did to you.”

Vidar’s dark tone shouldn’t dissolve under my tongue like burnt sugar, speeding up my pulse. And yet no matter what happened between us, I guess nearly dying fried my brain. Because when Vidar is speaking threats, all I hear is romance.

“Vidar.” I chew on my bottom lip. “I made such a big fucking mistake.”

“Nothing I can’t fix, got it?” The silver in his eyes becomes steel. “Nothing. Just tell me.”

I wanna believe him so badly, but in the hollow ache where Emma dug her nails, I’m scared Vidar won’t stand by me.

“I gave Emma the spellbook.”

Vidar’s chest freezes.

“Shit,” Golden mutters.

I try to wiggle out of Vidar’s grip and away from my friends. None of them deserves to be tainted by my stupid mistakes.

Vidar doesn’t let me run. Same with Golden and Ramy, who never once let their grip lessen.

“It was a lot to put on you, Kai. Don’t blame yourself,” Vidar soothes.

I shake my head.

“Exactly!” Golden insists. “Emma ain’t no shitty mage like Jace was, and we shouldn’t have let you go off on your own.”

“I didn’t tell anyone I leftSucker…”

“Doesn’t matter,” Ramy says, brow pulled in. “Like Vidar said, we’ll handle this together.”

Tears gather in my lashes.