Page 38 of Of Bone and Ash

“You were… wait. When were you at the house? Zane never mentioned…”

“Zane didn't know,” I admit, making Atlas’ confusion melt into annoyance.

“Gabe’s going to kick your ass,” he states, and I shrug.

“He can try,” I respond. Truth is, my magic has only grown. The last time I spoke to Gabe face to face was a little over four years ago when he came here to check on me. And for the first time since I met the Reaper, who welcomed me into his family, his magic no longer held dominance over mine. I could tell he could sense it. Before he left he had clapped me on the shoulder and leaned in, warning me to be careful with the people around me.

Gabriel would be able to rip my soul from my body since he’s a Reaper. But his Demonic magic is no longer stronger than mine. There is only one person who still holds more power than I do, and she would rip her brother's balls off if he tried to kill me.

Well… that is if she doesn't do it herself. I cringe at the thought of Fina’s wrath, the way her body goes completely still before she loses her temper. I’ve only had the anger directed toward me a handful of times over our years growing up together, and it only got worse the older and stronger she became.

I look back down at the pictures in my hand and sigh, my heart sinking at the dead look in her eyes. Something happened. More than what Zane has told me since I should have returned the moment she turned eighteen, but I wanted her to have a chance to live a little before my Dragon came in and attempted to bind her to us. My Dragon growls in anger as he shifts under my skin, wanting to leave Atlas’ office and find her.

“Evans, the Covington girl yours?” Boris asks, cutting into my thoughts as I stare down at the pictures. I nod, making Boris curse, and stand up. “You don't let that get in your way with the Patrol or you’re out. You understand? The moment one of my men finds their mates, I put them on a year's leave in order to control the primal shit we go through or until they’re mated, but I need you here. Can you handle her being here, or do I need to contact the councilman?”

“I’m fine. She won’t distract me from my job,” I snap, furious that he would think otherwise. Yes, Fina is and always will be my main priority. But she always has been. That has never changed; she’s just closer than she was before. I’ll be able to handle my Dragon… I think.

Boris growls at my tone. “Don't be like that. I need all this information, or I can't decide what's best for the girls going missing and my team!” he grinds out, crossing thick arms over his equally thick chest. “How long have you known she was your mate? I need to know how temperamental your Dragon is going to be.”

I glare at him, turning to give him my full attention as Atlas slowly takes his seat again. His legs had started trembling despite his efforts to hide them behind his desk.

“A little over three years. I came to work here about two months after I found out,” I admit and Boris’ eyes bulge from his face, making him look like one of those stress toys for children.

“Three years! Damn, no wonder you're such a grumpy bastard,” he chokes out, running a hand through his hair. Atlas chuckles at that comment as Boris’ head explodes. “Well, I guess I have nothing to worry about then.”

Atlas frowns at Boris and tilts his head to the side.

“Why is that?” he asks the big Dragon Shifter.

“Because that girl will be mated to him by the next full moon. I’ll place money on it,” Boris says with a smirk, making my blood run cold as my Dragon growls in agreement.

“No, she fucking won't!” Atlas snaps, standing from his chair so fast that his knees buckle and I have to lunge across his desk to help support him as he glares daggers at me. “I swear to God, Ryland. If you mate Fina without her consent…”

“I wouldn't do that!” I roar, shoving him a little harder than I need to back into his seat before walking around his desk and kneeling on the ground next to him, concerned he may have hurt his legs in his mad attempt at trying to put me in my place. I shoot Boris a dirty look for what he said, but to be fair, he’s only voicing the exact same concerns I’ve been thinking about since I felt Fina’s dark magic caress my skin. I shiver at the reminder of it as I grab Atlas’ knee, pulling his leg out and fully extending the joint before letting it go. “Any pain there?” I ask as Atlas grumbles something I can't quite understand and shoos me away with a waving hand.

“I’m fine,” he mutters, cheeks red as he looks at his legs in disgust. My Dragon growls low in my chest wanting to come out and smother Atlas and I curse.

Patience, I chide, stuffing him further down. I already know there is no talking him out of stalking after her the moment we’re done here. And if I’m being honest, I don’t want to. I need to talk to her and fix whatever I have to. I know I’ll have to earn back her trust. It’s something I’ve been preparing for. Something I will gladly do for however long I need to, but I need to know what else is going on before I can work on rebuilding our relationship.

“Ryland,” Atlas continues, glaring back up at me, but I shake my head, cutting him off.

“I won’t.”

“You didn’t have much control in the courtyard,” he points out, and I roll my eyes. Yeah, he has a point there, but to be fair, I was surprised to see her here. Knowing she was so close and in danger, I didn’t have time to restrain myself or my Dragon. Now that I know I can have a better grasp on myself.

“If I knew she was here, that wouldn’t have happened,” I try to say calmly, but it comes out with a bitter edge that Atlas picks up on and at least has the fucking decency to look a little guilty. “Did she know I was here?” I ask, hating that I need to know this answer.

If she knew, and didn't seek me out…

I growl under my breath and yank the hair tie off my wrist, gathering my long black hair and tying it into a tight knot on top of my head. I don't have any right to be upset whether she chose to find me or not. I left, not her.

“No. Gabe wanted to talk to you before I was supposed to tell Fina. He said he would call you last night, but I’m guessing he got caught up with something and hasn't had the time to call yet.”

Hope I shouldn't feel at the knowledge that Fina didn’t choose to stay away from me fills my chest as I wince, remembering the three missed calls from Gabriel I had ignored this morning. I have a lingering resentment toward the man despite how much I love and respect him. We have had our share of fights and arguments over the last few years. All of them surrounding Fina and how she should be taken care of. Sometimes, I have a hard time letting go of my stupid pride. I knew he would have texted me with instructions to call him with Boris if it had anything to do with the missing girls, meaning whatever he had called me about was personal, and I was too damn mad to answer his calls.

“He.. shit… Gabe called me this morning. I ignored his calls,” I admit, making Boris whistle under his breath and side-eye me like I’ve lost my mind.

“Jesus. Ryland, you can't ignore him. He’s going to end up coming here, and then we’re going to have a fight with him and Fina on our hands,” Atlas complains, whipping out his phone and tapping on the screen as he shakes his head. “I’ll handle Gabe. You handle Fina,” he adds, shocking me to the core.

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