Page 28 of Place of Torment

Cries of pain echoed across the rooftop, and I had to return Samir’s smile as we continued to fight.

Bright light blinded me for a second, and I had to take cover, particularly, at the wide portion of the roof. My hiss of pain when the bright light blitz blinded me was answered by Dominic with a feral growl. He jumped on a Guardian and shook his head until he ripped the body apart and took a running start from across the roof to reach me. On a good note, taking a break for a second gave me the opportunity to realize we were almost at the end of our fight. There was a handful of Guardians, and I hope that maybe one of them was down in the yard tormenting Alice.

My friend was resourceful. She'll figure out a way to the Phantom herself.

The second scream that came much later put me more at ease. Normal friends could recognize each other's voices from afar. Sadly, I knew Alice’s scream whether it was one of panic or one of anger and triumph. Whatever was happening down in the yard, Alice was coming out on top of it. The burst of bright red magic that illuminated the night confirmed my suspicions.

“Smart girl.” One glance at Samir confirmed he was paying very close attention to my best friend as well. Returning his nod, I joined back in the fray so we could finish this ridiculous fight.

“What was the Council thinking anyway?” Punching and kicking, I was talking more to myself than anyone else. “They think they can send Guardians and we are just going to tuck tail and run? We should pack some of these body parts and heads in boxes and express mail them to the Council members with a big fat bow.”

“I have better use for these body parts.” Rowen spoke from next to me making me jerk away from him. I didn't even hear him coming. The witch was proving to be a good ally. Sneaky as hell, too.

“You didn't develop ghoulish tendencies, did you?” Samir looked at the witch with a grimace.

“What? No.” Ruffling through his robes, he pulled out a vial just like the ones he had given Alice. He threw it at the three Guardians left on the roof and they flew off of it along with chunks of the tiles. Rowan gave Samir an apologetic smile, I guess, for destroying his home; not that anyone would be upset with him.

“Well, that was fun while it lasted.” Slapping his hands on his hips, Samir looked around the rooftop, assuring himself there was nobody else left he could fight. “Now if you would excuse me, I need to go and check on the human. It will make me a poor host if I have allowed my guests to be injured while they visit.”

“I didn't get any apologies for getting hurt while I'm here.” Rowan chirped, which earned him a glare from the ancient Atua.

“That's because no one invited you to stay.” Samir sniffed and looked down his nose at the witch. “Do feel free to disappear at any time. No need to bother with goodbyes, I understand.”

“I should go check on Alice.” Halfway there as I said it, so I can jump off the roof and go find my friend. I froze when I heard what Samir said next.

“Your friend is the least of your worries.” The ancient Atua smirked at my surprised face. “How about I take care of the human and you sort things out with your mate?” He slowly turned his gaze from my face to somewhere behind my shoulder, and I was too afraid to follow the direction of his sight because I knew that Dominic stood there. “I am no expert on mating bonds, but even I can tell you that nothing good comes out of it if you try to ignore it. The Fates made sure, avoiding it is not an option.”

I held his gaze for a long moment, and as much as I wanted to argue with him, I saw the sadness there. Mate bonds were not something you come across often in our world. They were sacred and should be respected.

I knew that. And it's a lot like I was avoiding it. I just needed time.

To come to terms with it maybe.

I had no clue.

But Samir was right. I had heard what he said to my friend before I stupidly left and got myself kidnapped by the demons. And I knew that she meant more to him than what he was ready to admit, even to himself. He will take a good care of Alice. I need to speak to Dominic alone. With that, I slowly turned to face my mate.

The Black Panther stood rigid, watching me warily, as if I was the wild animal on the roof.

“Hey.”

I approached him slowly, lifting a hand so I can press it between his eyes.

Pushing his head firmly into my palm, he nudged me to the side, and I had no other option, but to plop on the low wall to keep my balance. It was either that or I had no doubt if he pushed little harder, he would've flung me off of the roof. On a sigh, I pulled him closer and started scratching around his neck and behind his ears. A soft purr came from the center of his chest and elicited a smile from me.

“As much as I hate to admit that Samir is right, we do need to talk.” Pressing my forehead to his, I closed my eyes.

The panther growled something low under his breath and I giggled from the sound. “You sound like a grumpy old man, Dominic.”

If I was not mistaken, the chuffing sound coming from the panther was a chuckle. It kept the smile on my face. And while I listen to my friends’ allies, or whatever you want to call them, one by one abandoned the roof. I kept my eyes closed and just breathed the night in. Although, one might say the stench of blood, sweat and what not was disgusting. It smelt like freedom and victory; one more day to fight another battle, one more opportunity to destroy the Syndicate.

Nothing smells better than that.

“It's just the two of us.” Dominic spoke when the silence stretched too long around us.

I open my eyes and fid myself still pressed forehead to forehead with him, but instead of the panther, the male was kneeling at my feet. My heart picked up the beat when my eyes locked on his with the same depth of emotion I felt was reflected back at me. I could've rejected the bond but look at him now; I realized what kind of colossal mistake that would've been.

He was mine.

---