Page 37 of A Spark Of Revenge

“Yes. At first we were going to use you, Meyer. I’m not going to lie, but then I fucking fell for you,” he whispers, taking a step closer to me, his eyes burning with so much emotion that my breath hitches as I watch him. “I fell so hard and fast that I didn't even realize it until I held you in my arms that morning after we were together. You were talking in your sleep, and I knew you were who we needed to find our brother. But I knew I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t risk your life, even if that meant not finding Valen.”

Creed's words hang heavily in the air, both of us staring wide-eyed at each other as Creed curses and runs a hand through his messy curls. Both of us jump when Creed's door flies open, revealing a frustrated-looking Valen as he storms in, his light eyes coming to rest on me the moment he steps in.

“Valen?” I whisper, stepping toward him as Creed sighs, glaring at his brother while tossing his hands in the air.

“I thought you were taking Nox to the church this morning,” Creed grumbles as Valen walks over, his frustrated look melting into weariness as he draws near. I watch the brothers interact, Valen only sparing Creed the briefest of looks, nodding to him once before tentatively reaching a pale hand out toward me.

“I am. But I needed to make sure Meyer was okay and wanted to say good morning,” he says in a melodic voice, answering his brother but never letting his eyes stray from my face, a small smile gracing his face as he studies me. “Besides, Nox is at the Training Center with Elaine. We’ll leave for the church after he gets the Rangers started on their new training.” My eyes widen at Valen's words, and I slap my hand in his, not paying much attention to the beautiful smile that lights his face as I run from Creed's room, pulling Valen behind me.

“Shit! He’s going to roast my ass for being late,” I hiss under my breath, my stomach knotting as I rush down the hall, Valen chuckling in amusement behind me as we go.

“Lemon Drop! Wait up!” Creed yells after us, catching up in a matter of seconds as I barrel down the stairs of the Ranger Barracks and rush out into the snowy day, shivering from the cold winter air.

“Don't worry, Mi Sol. Lennox won’t roast you,” Valen reassures me, making Creed and me laugh.

“You and I must know a different Lennox because nothing and no one will stop him from roasting anyone,” I mutter, throwing open the door to the Castle and racing inside, sighing at the instant burst of warmth.

“Yeah. Pretty sure I’ll be getting it for making you late,” Creed admits, making Valen frown and toss a confused look at Creed, who shrugs and nods.

“Hmm,” Valen mutters, his hands darting out to catch me when I almost trip on one of the stairs leading down to the Training Center. “Things have changed since I was taken,” he muses, and Creed laughs.

“That's an understatement. Lennox has only grown more powerful. He’s still the same brother we know and love, but Father has taken the time and effort to shape him into our future King. He’s no longer the carefree boy you last knew.”

Creed’s words make me frown and wonder what Lennox used to be like before now. Had he been like Creed and Valen? Intense at moments, but happy and carefree? I wrinkle my nose at the thought and shake my head. No way. That doesn't fit the imposing man I know. I would be surprised if Lennox didn't come out of the womb with a scowl on his absurdly handsome face.

I run down the long hall, panting with exertion, my hand still clasping Valen’s with Creed jogging at my side. I side-eye him and then glare when I notice he’s not even sweating. It looks like he just woke up from a refreshing nap instead of making a mad dash for the Training Center. Creed runs ahead a little, opening one of the heavy wooden doors for me, and Valen and I rush in, then stop dead in our tracks, mentally groaning when a set of furious eyes land on us, followed by every single Hunter standing at attention in the room.

Shit! We’re so screwed.

EIGHTEEN

Valen

“You’re late,” Nox hisses between clenched teeth, and I eye him in amusement. When had my baby brother become so… angry? And why was I having such a fun time provoking his ire?

Meyer’s hand squeezes mine as the eyes in the room fall on us. I use my thumb to stroke the inside of her wrist while holding my magic back when it tries to spring out, wanting to calm her racing heart. The pull I feel toward Meyer has grown overnight. At this point, I’m pretty sure I have formed an unhealthy obsession.

My gaze flicks from the wide-eyed stares of the young Rangers gathered in front of my brother and the woman I met last night with the angry son. There is a line of Hunters standing behind them, all dressed in fighting gear in a variety of colors with different weapons strapped to their bodies.

“Oh, good. Meyer, dear. Right over here, please.” The woman beams at my girl and points over at a group of Rangers dressed in blue and black. Meyer nods and, much to my disappointment, lets go of my hand, rushing around a group of Rangers dressed in a god-awful combination of yellow and brown to stand next to one of the shortest guys in blue.

I move to follow her, but Creed's hand darts out, stopping me. Instead, he tugs me along with him, and I scowl at his hand as we step up to Lennox’s side. Nox gives me a dark look before his attention moves to Meyer, who is whispering with the shorter boy.

“Who’s that?” I ask Creed, nodding over at them as Meyer’s friend, Jordan, moves to stand at her other side. My eyes slide from them to the shadows in the corners of the room, looking for my brothers. I quickly spot Razar, his cloaked body concealed by a wisp of dark magic, and I grin. He’s improved his control of the darkness since the last time I saw him four years ago, and I couldn't be prouder. Archer and I had been training with him relentlessly to make him an active part of our Legion.

Speaking of… I look around for my other brother, frowning when I don’t see him in his usual spots. Archer likes to hide, similar to Razar. Their behavior is so similar, yet different. Razar hides as a safety mechanism, while Archer hides for the thrill of the hunt. Out of all of us, Arch and Razar are the only actual brothers. Twins, despite how different they are from each other. One dark as night, the other light and full of life. Their father, the king's brother, was lost during the wars that eradicated my people. The same wars that killed my parents and destroyed the Dream Walker kingdom.

I glance back at Razar, whose eyes are locked on Meyer, and my frown deepens. It's odd for him to leave Versipellis without his twin, but I have yet to see him. Maybe he stayed back with Father and Jesthren? I already know my oldest brother will never leave our world unless commanded to do so by Orcus. He despises Hunters and has been actively against helping them, preferring to put our time and resources into our own world.

“That’s Ranger White, but everyone calls him Billy,” Creed whispers, pointing to the shorter Ranger, who stands only a few inches taller than Meyer. “Jordan’s on her other side, and most of the Regalis bloodline is behind them. Two are still in the holding cells and need to be cleared by Lennox. He’s worried about their intentions toward us and Monroe, since he’s now standing with us.”

My eyes move to the red-haired giant standing behind Lennox, whom Creed had pointed out to me earlier. The scowl on his face could rival Nox’s, and the air around him is dangerous as his hand moves to rub at the thick, rope-like scars crawling up his neck. I can tell by simply looking at this man he has a dark side born of pain and fear.

I like him immediately.

The woman next to Nox starts talking, ignoring his obvious anger at the three of us for arriving late, and I nod at her. “What's her name again?” I whisper, frowning when I realize I haven't the vaguest recollection of her name being mentioned.

For the most part, my mind seems to be recovering from the four-year-long coma it had been forced into. But my memories of the first twenty-four hours after Meyer woke me up are spotty. I thought I remembered seeing my brother at the church. My vision was hazy, and my mind had a dense fog from a lack of magic and energy. What I can remember is Meyer. Her beautiful eyes were red-rimmed from crying. Her stunning, pale face upturned, our lips so close when we talked. I had to use every ounce of self-control I possessed not to ravish her then and there on the dirty floor of my prison.

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