Page 111 of Third Offense

It was like a bloody nightmare. Onlyreal. And outlined in ash.

Novak appeared in the doorway, his expression haunting, his body that of an avenging angel. “I can’t smell Auric,” he gritted out.

My eyebrows rose.

That couldn’t be a good sign. Not with their history.

His icy gaze went to Layla. “I… I can’t either,” she breathed, her eyes flicking down at Ketos before going to the window. “And the portal…”

Portal?I repeated, following the line of her stare.

And feeling my worldshiftin response. “Oh, fuck.”

Nora Warriors.

Everywhere.

We needed to get the fuck out of here. “We need togo.”

“No,” Raven said, her voice brittle. “We needhim.”

“What?”

“He’s the key.” The words were spoken between clenched teeth. “We need him, and Layla, tolive. Tosurvive.”

I wasn’t sure how she knew that or what it all meant, but I recalled her father using the termkeyin reference to Layla. And while I didn’t care for any of the shit that had happened since she’d arrived, I couldn’t deny her powerful position in this world.

Novak made a sound, one that had me locking gazes with him. An intense moment settled between us, one where he left the figurative crown in my hands.

The pressure settled on me with that single look.

Because he was telling me to protect his mate.

While he went to pursue his other one.

I wasn’t sure how I knew that, but it was just Novak’s way. He conveyed so much with his eyes alone.

Last time he’d told me to guard, I’d fucked up. I’d chosen my mates over his.

And while he knew I would do it again, this occasion was different. Because Raven had just said we needed to ensure Ketos and Laylasurvived.

Novak was asking me if I could handle it, if I could protect them all.

It was a heavy burden, one that had my heart pounding again in my chest.

But my chin dipped down, confirming I would try.

His gaze narrowed.That’s not good enough, he seemed to be saying.

So I glowered right back.There’s a fucking portal outside.

No shit.

My confidence is feeling a bit wounded,I wanted to snarl.

Get over it,he demanded with a look.Get over it and fucking fight.

I swallowed, uncertain if this was a real conversation or just one I was having inside my own head.