“You would kill everyone at the meeting for me?” I asked seriously, running my fingers through his dark, warm-toned hair, loving the golden hints I could see in it. He had changed from his school uniform into a dark long-sleeve shirt pushed up at the forearms, and a pair of dark jeans with matching boots. The look was extremely appealing, and I didn’t stop myself from running my hand up his chest.

  “That isn’t in question.” Cage smirked. “And I would thoroughly enjoy it.”

  “You forgot zaya’s clothes,” Alek called out, his eyes narrowed on Cage as he appeared in the doorway.

  “I didn’t forget shit.”

  “I should get dressed,” I murmured, slipping around Cage to grab the clothes Alek had brought. Cage looked annoyed with Alek’s interruption, or maybe the fact that he brought me clothes in the first place, which had me smiling and shaking my head.

  As I ushered them out, I closed the door but didn’t lock it, able to feel that all of them were in the next room. My nap hadn’t been nearly long enough after such an insane morning, but the time with Grim had left me feeling as though I was damn near glowing. It wasn’t often that I felt good about myself, especially after coming off the streets—I had gone from survival mode to experiencing an array of insecurities I hadn’t even known were possible.

  I’d always hated my scars, but between the mix of the marks my men had left me on me—despite not being permanent—and the moonstone in my chest, my eyes were drawn away from the old marks. Although I had absolutely no doubt there were new scars on my back from the classroom incident. I was learning to live with them though, choosing to view them as a sign of strength.

  After brushing through my richly colored hair and drying it to just damp, I dressed myself in a pair of dark jeans that sat on my waist and paired it with a dark shirt that I tucked in. I’d put on some black socks and leather boots before leaving the room. I considered finding a hoodie, the urge to cover myself completely to avoid eyes on me still prominent, but I knew that no matter what I was wearing, there would be attention on me.

  Turning from the mirror and opening the door, I was almost immediately met with Alek’s large frame. Had he been waiting for me to finish getting ready? That was sweet. His navy eyes ran over my face before looking at my neck with interest, a flash of possessiveness running through his gaze.

  “Zaya, you look far more well rested now,” he said softly. He looked somewhat the opposite, his inky hair disheveled, and dark tattoos on full display in his wrinkled short-sleeve shirt. It was almost like he’d tried to take a nap and hadn’t been successful. Still, despite being tired, there was a natural energy that surrounded and vibrated from Alek, reminding me the man was absolutely lethal.

  I craved for him to teach me more about my magic since it was similar to his—for him to show me that maybe having more than one form wasn’t all bad. That my mutated magic could be used for something more. Something good.

  “I feel better,” I admitted. “Although I’m not sure what to expect tonight.”

  Before he could respond, a familiar animal trill had my gaze snapping towards the black velvet bed. Relief soared through me, and I moved past Alek, nearly sighing at his expensive cologne and thunderstorm scent before immediately going down on my knees in front of the bed.

  “Boo,” I whispered, my eyes prickling at the sight of my unique-looking familiar. I didn’t know how to describe my shape-shifting friend except that she was feline in nature…most of the time. She had a fluffy tail with spike shaped ears and was covered in smoky shadows. But I knew she could shift—in fact, she’d shifted into nearly every other form that coincided with the other familiars around her, all of them comfortably spread out among the bed.

  Springer, Oz’s jumping spider, was seated on her paw happily, watching me with interest, his body large enough that I could see the dark hair that covered him, making him sort of look fluffy and cute if we were being honest. I didn’t think Fozy—Lazaro’s charcoal gray owl—agreed though, his position nearby as he glared at the other familiars surrounding her, a bit too much like his broody owner. Either that or he was thinking of eating Springer…which was possible.

  “Completely safe and happy,” Alek said, crouching down and running a hand over my back. Christov, his brightly colored fox, immediately stretched and stood up, coming over to me and booping my nose with his own, making my chest squeeze happily. I loved the familiarity that all of these familiars had with me as well as one another.

  “I was worried,” I admitted. “Although it looks like Magus is completely unbothered…” I narrowed my eyes at the red and white striped cat who was spread out on his back, belly exposed, sound asleep. I darted my gaze towards Cage who was spread out on one of the couches laughing at something Grim said to Lazaro, the two of them in a heated debate of some kind.

  “He always is,” Alek agreed. “The only one who has been acting a bit off is Orix.” My gaze moved to the tiny white rabbit that was curled against Boo, almost melded to her side, eyes closed. I reached a hand out and pet the creature, Grim’s head snapping towards mine out of my peripheral. I felt relief as Orix blinked large red eyes at me and pushed his wet nose against my hand. He seemed fine, but maybe his owner’s stress was taking a toll on him…

  “Lazaro, if Fozy goes for Springer, we will have an issue.” Oz walked through the main doors, calling out what I had sort of assumed was a potential problem. Alek helped me stand as I turned to the unblessed witch, the small box he carried no doubt having to do with something regarding either potions or health-related stuff…or maybe poison. That was always a very strong possibility.

  “He won’t,” Lazaro said, almost sounding offended, before letting out a whistle that had Fozy flying towards him. I had a feeling he wasn’t nearly as confident as he pretended. Alek pressed a kiss to the top of my head before leaving me with Oz, who sat his box down on a nearby table and motioned for me.

  Inhaling, I walked hesitantly over and looked into the box, although not before running my gaze over the 6’5’’ intoxicating—completely sociopathic serial killer—that I’d been in love with since he first took me in. His black hair was longer than when we first started school and damp as if he had just showered, his violet eyes running over the contents of the box as his large fingers picked up a vial. I knew now just how extensive those tattoos were and how they covered every single part of him…and I loved it. I loved him so damn much. Even if he was more than a bit crazy.

  “Nothing to fear, starlight, just some healing potions.” His lips pressed into the faintest smirk before running a hand up my waist.

  “Not scared,” I countered before teasing, “Maybe I was just interested. After all, apparently there are a ton of different options when it comes to potions.” Namely, the one he’d used on my skin, the warm oil making me feel like a puddle under his hands before he’d fucked me into the damn bed.

  Oz’s eyes flashed with an electric light as his hand tightened on me. “Careful what you wish for, Deva—I could keep you tied up to a bed playing with you and testing shit on you for days on end.”

  My center tightened, my breath catching as his gaze moved to the necklace still placed around my throat—the one made of bone. “Anytime you want that, starlight, all you have to do is ask.”

  And I predicted I would—in fact, once this was all over, I had a feeling I would willingly let Oz tie me up and completely stop caring about time. Hell, I’d do that with any of them, if we were being completely honest.

  “Until then, I need you to take this medicine.” Oz handed me a vial, easily popping off the lid. “I know you’re healed, but I can tell you’re nerve endings are fried from that damn burning ward. This will help soothe them until your body fully catches up with the healing process.”

  “Thanks, Oz.” Going up on my toes, I pressed a kiss to his lips before stepping back and chugging the liquid. It was a quick sip, and when I was finished I handed the bottle back to him, his gaze running over my face with something very affectionate and surprised.

  “What?” I asked curiously.

  “I don’t think I’ll ever get used to the trust you place in me.”

  Stepping into him, I placed my hand on his chest and went up on my toes, brushing my nose against his before admitting, “I know you would never hurt me.”

  Even if he thought about wanting to cut me open sometimes…but he wouldn’t do it.

  “I would never, no matter the thoughts in my head,” he agreed, echoing my thoughts and making me smile against his shirt, loving that I got to so openly touch him.

  “Deva.”

  Lazaro’s demanding voice had my smile growing. If there was anyone who was the polar opposite to Oz’s intensity, it was Lazaro. His mix between indifferent arrogance, wild segmented magic that was absolutely lethal, and his need to control me for reasons he viewed as wrong—well, it wasn’t one I fully had a wrap on. What I did know? Everything about him drew me in. I didn’t hesitate to turn and face him, finding him right in my space as Oz muttered something but left us for a moment, going to sort through something in the box.

  “Lazaro, you look nice,” I commented. He wore a dark button-down shirt that exposed his golden brown chest. Between his chocolate-colored hair with golden highlights and his metallic nickel-colored eyes, the man was like a beam of sunshine, pure light despite there being a much darker side to him, one that turned the moon symbols on his arm a vibrant pulsating silver and had a darkness seeping over his skin that frankly turned me on way more than it should have—probably because it was fueled purely by magic. Raw, powerful magic.

  “Although…” I tilted my head. “You look upset.”

  Which absolutely was not surprising, for the record.

  His jaw clenched as he tugged me against him, wrapping a hard arm around my waist and burying his nose in my hair. His movements were possessive, demanding, and hard—impatient, almost. I melted into him, unafraid of the intensity, as I realized just how worked up the man was.

  “Never fucking again,” he demanded. “You don’t leave my side around anyone associated with that bastard Astaroth, understand? I don’t care if we have a cloaking spell on. That fucker found you way too easily.”

  Pulling back just slightly, I examined his expression and found fear there. True fear that he was trying to mask. “They are powerful, I won’t lie about that, but for this to work, we’re going to have to all fight to the best of our⁠—”

  “You said you wouldn’t leave,” Lazaro bit out. “He almost took you, little thief—he almost fucking took you.”

  Oh man.

  Sliding my hands up to his cheeks, I hesitated only momentarily before pressing a soft kiss to his lips. A deep sound left his throat, but he didn’t move to deepen it despite his grip on me growing tighter.

  “I’m here and I’m perfectly fine. I promise you.”

  “Don’t fucking like it,” he said in a hard tone. “Promise me you will stay by my side tonight. I may trust the Nyx family, but I can’t handle others touching you right now, not anyone outside of us.”

  Normally I may have tried to argue with him, but he was so upset that I couldn’t deny him.

  “I promise,” I agreed softly, surprise filling his gaze. What he didn’t realize? I had absolutely no issue staying right next to him all night, especially considering I felt like I was about to walk right into the fucking lion’s den.

  8

  DEVA

  Walking down these halls felt almost surreal since that last time I’d been here my life had been so different, running to avoid a problem I was now facing head-on. And that wasn’t even including having to meet Grim’s father or anyone else in an official capacity. When I met Circe, Grim’s mom, I hadn’t realized who she was, but now…well, now was far different. I just had to hope that they had absolutely no clue what Grim and I had been up to in their treasure room. I wouldn’t be able to look them in the eye otherwise. I mean, seriously—I wouldn’t normally care, but that wasn’t something you wanted parents to know about.

  “Everyone from the organization will be here at the meeting tonight,” Grim said, the five of them walking on all sides of me with him and Alek leading the way. “I would love to say that they won’t ask you questions, little jaguar, and we sure as fuck can tell them not to, but if this meeting is really about taking final action against Astaroth, and we want to be part of it…”

  “I want to help,” I agreed.

  “You said the entire organization?” Lazaro asked tightly, his hand suddenly catching my own, intertwining our fingers from my right.

  “Yes—including your parents and Cage’s parents.”

  I came to a dead stop as I felt the breath whoosh out of me, Oz making a concerned noise as his muscular back hit my chest. I blinked at Grim, who turned around to stare at me in slight confusion.

  “What did you say?” I asked softly.

  “She’s worried about meeting our parents,” Cage translated. Lazaro tilted his head, fascination filling his gaze.

  “That idea scares you?” he asked sincerely.

  I faltered for a minute before looking down at my boots on the stone flooring. “Scares me…maybe not fully. But I also have never done this. The idea of you having parents honestly throws me for a loop, let alone trying to explain to them what I’m doing here with all of you. Or my past.”

  “It will probably be my brothers instead of my parents,” Cage offered helpfully. “And probably not all nine of them.”

  Holy shit. Nine brothers? That…that was a lot.

  “We should just go,” I said with determination rising in my voice. “I am not going to chicken out, but the longer I sit around thinking about this, the worse it will be in my head.”

  Oz squeezed my hip in comfort as we continued forward, Lazaro seemingly trapped in thought. I didn’t blame him. I knew the man had a bit of a fascination in what scared me and what didn’t…I also never questioned where the man’s mind went because it was so damn convoluted.

  “Here we are.” Grim threw open a set of doors, and immediately I knew that I was about to feel horribly overwhelmed. This wasn’t even everyone. A quick glance told me it couldn’t be more than fifteen people, but my instincts were telling me they were all related to my men.

  All in the same room.

  No fucking pressure.

  “Grimshaw, glad you could join us,” said a man that shared the same dark eyes as my shadow witch, causing the entire room to focus on us.

  “Resting up,” he explained easily, looking around the room. “Seems everyone important is here.”

  “Are you feeling better?” Circe asked me, stepping away from the conversation she’d been having with another woman. I was thankful, because I was able to focus on the familiar face instead of the growing silence around me. Grim’s mom had changed clothes, now dressed in a black gown that enhanced her elegant frame and had me feeling terribly underdressed.

  “Was she injured?” the other woman asked. She had a very soft pair of maroon-shaded eyes. There were so many little details I was noticing all at once, and it was more than a bit overwhelming.

  “Yes, Astaroth attacked them right out of the portal, trying to get a hold of her.” The first man spoke clearly, his gaze focused fully on me. I was nearly positive it was Grim’s dad, but I wasn’t totally sure.

  “And who is she, exactly?”

  That was a voice. My gaze snapped to the far side of the room where a woman stood looking…well, I really didn’t have a word for her. Beautiful. Overpowered as fuck. Luminescent. Related to Lazaro—his mom, if I had to guess. They had very similar features, her eyes and hair were the exact same shade as Lazaro’s except for the silver running throughout her waist-length locks.

  “This is Deva, mother,” Lazaro said, his gaze filled with caution as he ran a hand over my back. I briefly noticed that Oz and Alek were being far more quiet overall, but Cage’s chuckle was a familiar one, telling me that he found this situation authentically amusing.

  “She knew that,” Cage mused. “They all know who she is.”

  I completely believed that.

  “But who is she to you?” another man, who stood near Grim’s father’s desk, asked. His rigid posture and golden skin marked with lunar runes was similar to Lazaro as well.

  “Well that’s easy,” Grim answered confidently. My eyes widened, knowing what he was probably about to say. “Deva is ours.”

  Subtle…subtle was just not a thing with these men. I should have known by now.

  I didn’t know what reaction to expect from Grim’s words, but the man I assumed was his dad laughing, literally chuckling—was better than nothing. With that, Grim led me forward to meet the man in question as the room broke into a larger conversation, Oz following with us but the others splitting off throughout the dark, cozy office.

  “Figured it was better to clear the air,” Grimshaw explained as we neared his father, whose dark eyes warmed on his son and then on me. “Dad, you know Oz, and this is Deva. Mom met her earlier when she grabbed us from Garnet Hall.”

  “Deva, please call me Phelan. It’s wonderful to meet you.” Grim’s dad put out his hand and I met it easily, feeling his shadow magic instantly spark through the space. I nearly shook my head, wondering if maybe taking Astaroth down a notch or two was possible…I mean, the power these people had was insane.

  “Thank you for letting us come here after leaving campus,” I said a bit easier than I expected. “And for the help at Garnet Hall.”

  “Of course,” he said as I dropped his hand. Grim pulled me further into his side, Oz’s hand sliding along my upper back in comfort. “We can’t let that stand, especially when he’s targeting our own family. They’ve crossed far too many boundaries lately, but this one was egregious, even for them.”

 

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