Page 56 of Jayce

The man promised for Shay, stands ready for battle. Another man, whom I suspect is Shay’s maker, whispers in his ear.

We’re ready for whatever underhanded scheme they have planned.

Chapter 38

Shay

Not even the look of murder on Circe and the bull who thought he owned me can cut through the peace and joy surrounding my soul.

Next to pair is Emjay and the man who must be our sperm donor. “You know this won’t work. You’ll not find a mate here.”

She shrugs. “At least I know our daughters won’t return to your prison.”

The failed match is over quick enough. At least as fast as it can, with their entire herd going full animal every time it’s their turn.

Watching Nik and Tare’s confirmation moved me, but not to tears like Cill and Anjal. Probably because I barely know Tara and that I could feel Cill’s joy and pain through it all as her twin.

Later, I’ll ask her if Helios gave them a message, too.

We suffer through watching a few more of their men shift and fail to match before Emjay and Damian’s turn arrives.

As someone close to Jayce, I’m happy for Damian. I want to feel happiness for Emjay. I just don’t know how to forgive her. She didn’t even try to keep us. I’ve always believed in the principal: “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” A part of me fears she hates kids as much as I do, and she just didn’t want us. Another part of me doubts that theory as her clock ticked for Damian.

Is there hope for Jayce that I might want children when I’m over fifty?

The commotion and yelling coming from my sperm donor’s herd over Helios blessing Emjay and Damian takes our attention off of their union.

“It’s not possible!” many of them scream.

Once half of them shift, our men join them. Their clothes shredded and flying in pieces off their bodies.

You and the others surround Damian and Emjay, Jayce’s bull orders. I’m going to name him. I’m tired of calling his other half Jayce’s bull when he’s very real and talks to me.

Circe’s the only one who refuses Jayce’s command. Let them stomp on her for all I care. Our Minotaurs form an outer circle around the one we’ve made.

My head turns at Jayce’s bull’s roar. How did I know it was him and not one of the others? A question I’ll ask when I’m not panicking at the sight of Elena hanging in the air by a new Minotaur who wasn’t here for the mating ritual.

Another new male emerges from behind him. “We’re taking all the heifers or this one and the child dies.”

Where’s Jamie? If they killed my sister’s brother, I’ll find a way to kill all these beasts myself.

Despite the hulking mass of muscle and fury holding captive my new sister in a cruel display of dominance, I feel no fear.

Amidst the chaos, Damian and Emjay have emerged from their cocoon. Damian’s Minotaur stands with the rest of our men.

Out of nowhere, a swift and decisive stroke of a blade slices through the sinewy neck of the Minotaur holding Elena like a marionette doll, with a precision born of years of training. It’s for moments like these that our men gather every evening.

A roar of pain fills the air as the Minotaur staggers, his grip on Elena falters before finally releasing its hold. My heart stops for a moment as she falls to the ground. Unseen hands catch her before she lands.

Just when we believe we’ve won, Jamie’s beaten body slides across the concrete thrown by another new male who’s arrived on the scene.

Torn clothes hang from his body. Angry welts and cuts mar his skin. Blood trickles from his split lip, mingling with the dust and grime on his face.

Every movement and breath causes him pain, evident by his protesting limbs.

My heart beats again as his chest rises and falls—slowly. But for how long?

“ENOUGH!” a voice from above roars.

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