Page 84 of Their Pretty Little Monster

“A vendor in the market. Why?”

Wolfe glances over to Killian, also looming over me. He tilts his head, touching the necklace, too, leaving me slightly claustrophobic.

“What’s going on?” I ask.

“Is that chain made of blood-gold?” Killian quips, staring at Wolfe, not me.

I watch them both. “Nyko said it was crafted using his blood.”

Wolfe nods his head. “That explains why you were drawn to Nyko’s energy. The necklace connected you to him, and the blood in the metal had your power reaching out to him.”

“Wait, how is that even possible?”

They both stare at me as if they’re having the same thought, and the darkness behind their gazes worries me.

“Such powers are rare. I’ve only heard of them connected through true mates,” Killian explains. “It’s why when you mated with Wolfe and me, we were supercharged with unimaginable adrenaline. We were both buzzing around for hours afterward.”

“You were? I had no idea,” I state, feeling like it’s a thing for them to keep me out of the loop, and I fucking hate it. “Wait, so you’re saying Nyko’s my true mate. too?” My head’s spinning. How many mates can a girl have?

I’m trying to take it all in, unsure how I feel about three intended mates, but then it does make sense, seeing how attracted I’ve been to all of them.

“So, if I understand correctly, when I have sex with any of you, I fill you with a burst of energy, but when I use my power, I draw on yours, almost draining you to death?” I’m shaking all over. “This is too much. I simply won’t use my ability ever again.” I gulp the orange juice down. “Aren’t those red flags to you?” I ask. “Or is this where you lock me up and use me for my energy?” I’m unsure why I even said the last part out loud.

Their expressions wear their gravity—the same heartache breaking me.

“We’ve only read about such abilities in history books,” Wolfe explains.

“On the bright side, now that we have a handle of your shadow side,” Killian suggests with a small smile, “it means we can help you tame it, learn how to control it.”

I’m slightly scared. “You make it sound easy, but my ability didn’t feel simple back in the cave.” My knees are bouncing, my anxiety rising.

Wolfe’s expression softens as he places a comforting hand on my thigh. I flinch, pushing his hand away, feeling a surge of irritation.

His brow furrows at me.

Caught between the frightening potential of my newfound powers and the unnerving plans the three Shadowfen had for me, I’m left feeling edgy and on guard.

“It’s going to be all right,” Wolfe reassures me gently, but his words don’t soothe the angst burning up inside me.

“I’m not so sure,” I murmur, skepticism heavy in my voice.

Just then, the door to the infirmary swings open, interrupting us. The doctor steps out, his expression somber, a slight grin on his lipless mouth.

“Lord Nyko is stable,” he announces, and relief washes over me. “He was drained close to death, but with rest and proper care, he should recover in a few days.”

“Can we see him?” I ask immediately, moving to the edge of my seat.

“Yes,” the doctor responds. “He’s on a strict regimen of medications and will need constant monitoring for the next few days. We can transfer him to his quarters in the morning, but he will need constant supervision for the first twenty-four hours.”

“I’ll do it,” I interrupt swiftly. Taking care of Nyko feels like the least I can do after everything that happened. “I need to be the one to do this.”

“Perfect,” the doctor retorts, while Wolfe studies me with curiosity.

“Very well,” the doc agrees. “Come inside with me, and I’ll show you what needs to be done.”

Getting to my feet, I glance back at Killian and Wolfe, still in their seats. There’s a haunted expression on their faces, as though they suspect something else is going on with me, and they aren’t wrong.

Right now, focusing on Nyko is a necessary distraction and a chance to maybe right some wrongs.

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