Page 3 of The Syphon King

The second her restraints fell away she shot forward and lowered to his lifeless body, her sobs coming uncontrollably. Her hands hovered along the strange ink markings on his back, wanting desperately to touch him, to see that he was okay whilefearing to do something that might mess it up.

Why? Why did he do this for her? Why did he save her from that hell? How did he find her?

One of the men approached her and she threw herself on him, holding him tightly with her eyes shut. “Don’t make me leave, please,” she gasped. “I need to be with him. He needs me.” She prayed they understood she wasn’t being hysterical—these were facts that she knew. She needed to be with him, and he needed her. And yet, there was nothing in her brain or memory to explain it, and still she knew this somehow.

“Leave her with him,” the Seer said to them. “She’s where she’s meant to be.”

Her eyes slowly opened and locked onto the blue gaze mere steps away as wonder and awe filled her. Who was this man? It was miraculous for her to have a savior, but to have two? She had never known anything so profound.

ZEN FOLLOWED CLOSELYas two of the men carried her King to his private quarters. When they entered, a beautiful,sweet canine began yelping.

“Jinxxy,” one of the Kings called. “Sit girl.”

“Your Pere’s gonna be just fine,” the man named Seer cooed as they passed through the dark, cave like interior of a living room.

Jinxxy. She eyed the pup as she wondered why her savior lived in such darkness. They entered a room with a large bed on a platform and Zen spied the exact continuation of décor here.

“Watch your step,” one of the Kings muttered. “Can’t see a damn thing.”

“Feral, call the infirmary and arrange for a nurse to assist him.”

“I can,” she hurried, raising her hand. “I can take care of him.”

They all eyed the Seer when he said, “If that’s what she wants.”

She nodded, wondering why she was getting a say in the matter. “I do want. Just tell me who to call if I think he needs more than I can provide.”

“Send an aide and instruct her to assist however Miss...”

All eyes turned to her, and she suddenly panicked. “Zenith,” she said. “Or Zen. I can cook a little.” She was sure she could. But...it had been so long. How long?

“We have twenty-four-hour catering with our cafeteria. The Kings are served prepared food from there.”

She clutched the closure at the top of the hospital like garment, shifting from foot to foot. “Alright. I can feed him, then. If he needs that.”

They exchanged silent glances. “Oh, I’m sure he’ll be thoroughly grateful.”

“Might want to steer clear of his teeth,” the same one said on his way out.

She turned to her warrior on the bed, almost glowing against the solid black of it.

“You’re in good hands with him.”

Zen glanced up at the one called Seer and stared into his eyes with a nod. “Thank you,” she whispered, swallowing down the rogue need to cling to him and sob.

“Take care of him for me.”

She nodded a lot. “With my life.” Whatever that counted for.

He gave a soft smile and she realized he was beautiful inside and out, even with the scar on his face. She watched him leave then turned, moving closer to better see him. How long would he be sleeping? She stood right next to the bed, gazing at the markings on his magnificent body. His skin appeared rough where all the black swirling decorated him. She considered the numerous chains he wore. Some were embedded into his body.They seemed to begin at the back of his neck, but she couldn’t see how exactly those were attached. She barely moved her finger over the nearest links on one of his sleek, muscular arms. What purpose did they serve?

Her eyes carefully took in the rest of him. Such sharp muscles, even while sleeping. He was...immaculate. Beyond beautiful. Was he in pain? Her gaze stopped at the chains on his arm and hand. So many there. She allowed the tips of her fingers to graze over them. His large hand snatched her wrist like the bite of a viper as he bolted up with his pointed teeth bared and terrifying, bright eyes right on her.

Her breath came in bursts as she stared back into the most striking silvern eyes.

He imprisoned her face in his hot hands and yanked her forward, bringing her gaze inches before his. He looked brutally deep into her as her pulse went crazy from the power pushing into her. She watched the light in their depths gradually dim followed by the lowering of his eyelids as he fell back onto the bed. He lay unmoving while she pressed her palms against the terror in her chest.

“You are clean,” he mumbled, turning slowly until his magnificent backfaced her. “But you must leave if you are to stay that way.”

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