Page 72 of These Wicked Desires

“No,” Kai whispers, his breath tickling the nape of my neck.

I feel like I’m intruding on something, but I don’t want to move. I don’t want to let go of Cade. Besides, knowing Kai, he already knows I’m awake.

“Everytime I close my eyes, I see you both,” Kai says. “I see your body, bloody and still. I see Ellis laying on top of you, the brightest golden flames I’ve ever seen pouring from her. I almost couldn’t get to you guys.”

The vulnerability in his voice, the trembling echo of fear, makes me ache. I wasn’t the only one who thought Cade had died.

“I’ve never been so scared in my life. I thought I lost you both.” His voice cracks, and his chest brushes against my back as he takes a deep breath. “I don’t know how I would have ever survived, losing both pieces of my heart.”

“Kai,” Cade says gently. He leans over, squishing me even more between them, but I don’t complain.

I can tell they’re kissing by the way my heart speeds up because of Kai’s, and the way Cade’s heart beats harder under my ear. I soak it all in. Tears threaten to fall again just thinking about … No. I won’t let myself think that. He didn’t die, and I won’t let that fear fester and ruin what we have.

A soft knock on the door draws them apart. “Is she still sleeping?” Sterling asks.

“No,” Kai says, tugging one of my curls. “She’s awake.” His smile is evident in his tone.

My eyes pop open and land on Sterling in the doorway. His silver hair is in a bun on the back of his head, and his icy blue eyes pierce me straight to my soul. The first full breath fills my lungs. All three of my guys are okay. All three of my guys are right here, with me.

I haven’t seen Sterling since we went our separate ways—me to deal with Sam, him to rescue?—

I sit up in bed so fast the room spins. “Gracie!” I look at Sterling, pleading with him with my eyes alone. Please tell me you got her out of there!

He walks to the bed and pulls me into his arms. “I got her out,” he says, kissing the top of my head. “She’s at my mom’s.”

“Is she … okay?” I ask, pulling away to look at him.

“She’s as okay as can be expected. Allie has looked her over and she has no injuries, besides malnutrition. She’ll just need time to heal.” He gives me a small smile, cupping my cheek in his big palm. “Her and Chloe have developed a sort of friendship. They don’t talk much, but I think they take comfort in knowing they aren’t alone anymore.”

I close my eyes and lean into his touch. I know all too well what it’s like to climb out of the pits of hell. I had my guys, my Shields, to help me through it. Without them, I don’t think I’d be where I am today. No. I know I wouldn’t be. How will Gracie do it?

Sterling kisses my forehead. “I’m glad to see you awake, kitten. I’ve missed you.”

I scoot to the head of the bed between Kai and Cade, and let Sterling climb onto the bed in front of me. “How long have I been asleep?”

“Three days,” Kai says, taking my hand.

“Three days?” I gasp.

“You used a lot of magic,” Cade replies, taking my other hand. “Your body needed to heal and replenish.”

“What happened?” I ask, squeezing their hands harder. “I mean, is it … over?” I know I killed Sam, a fact I don’t think has registered in my mind yet. Not that I feel remorse over it. But, taking a life should never be easy.

“The warehouse has been completely destroyed,” Sterling says. “I went back with Cole to go through the debris, and there is nothing left of the building. Your flames incinerated it. Along with the building, all of the creatures Sam created were destroyed. Not a single one survived.”

“Were there …” I stop to swallow and lick my lips. “Were there any other prisoners? Did I kill anyone?”

Sterling shakes his head. “Not that we could tell. It seems like he was in between batches of prisoners.”

I release a breath, relieved I didn’t kill any innocent people. “What about the magicals who supported him?” I ask.

“I can’t imagine they will cause many problems with Sam gone,” Sterling answers. “Especially after how it all went down. They will slink back into society and pretend like nothing ever happened.”

“I think it’s safe to say that it’s over.” Kai gives me a small, encouraging smile. “It’s over, Ellis. Your life is yours again. To do with it as you please.”

Tears burn my eyes and slide down my cheeks. Over. A word I never thought I’d hear. I’m not being hunted anymore. I can live my life how I've been dreaming of lately. I squeeze my eyes shut and press my lips together.

Over.

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