Page 22 of Origins

I reached the door to my apartment, the world a blur from the alcohol and unshed tears. It was almost three a.m., and I expected the place to be quiet. But behind the door, I heard laughter and conversation.

I pressed my ear to the door. Kane and Jace were home, but there was another voice—Callie’s. My stomach twisted into knots. I was planning to break up with her over text in the morning. How the hell was I supposed to doit now? Lie to her face? No thanks.

I took a deep breath, trying to prepare myself for whatever waited on the other side. But what I walked in on was anything but normal.

Kane and Jace were sprawled out on the couch, which wasn’t unusual. But Callie was between them, Kane’s arm draped around her shoulders, his fingers toying with a strand of her golden hair. Jace was leaning back, his hand resting on her thigh, tracing slow circles on her skin.

She looked completely out of place, dressed in pastels, nestled between two men covered in tattoos. But she seemed to be at ease, her breathing deep as she rested on Kane’s chest.

Part of me liked seeing her there. It was like she was becoming a part of my world. But another part of me bristled at the sight of them touching her without my permission. The boys knew our dynamic, and more than that, they knew the rules.

I crossed my arms and cleared my throat.

Their eyes snapped to me, Kane freezing, while a smirk danced across Jace’s lips.

“Shhh,” Jace pressed a finger to his lips. “We don’t want to wake the girl.”

“We don’t want to wakemy girl,” I corrected, doing my best not to sound irritated. “And we don’t touch what’s mine without permission.”

Jace’s smirk faltered, and Kane slowly withdrew from Callie, suddenly eager to distance himself.

“Come on,” Jace groaned. “It’s not fair that you have a girl.”

“Fair?” I repeated, sarcasm dripping from my tone. “Since when do we care about fairness? Kane pickpockets people for a living, and you—” I pointed to Jace— “are amassive fucking brat.”

“Wanting to cuddle with a girl isn’t a crime,” Jace said, either oblivious to or reveling in the fact that he was digging his own grave.

“It doesn’t need to be a crime,” I growled, stepping closer. “You know better than to touch what’s mine,pet.”

I twined my fingers into Jace’s long hair, tightening my grip until he gasped, then looked back at Callie. She was still asleep, her face almost angelic. Seeing as she had yet to stir, I had time to remind my two playthings why they didn’t touch what belonged to me.

I focused on Jace as I pulled him to his knees. He glared at me, but I knew he was more than willing to submit.

Jace was a hemomancer, a blood manipulator, albeit a shitty one. If he wanted to, he could make me stop.

Normally, I savored these moments. But tonight, patience wasn’t a luxury I could afford, not with the alcohol in my system destroying any restraint I normally had.

“Look at you,” I sneered, dropping to his level. “Thinking you can get away with touching what’s mine just because you have a pretty face.” I ran my thumb along his cheekbones, then used it to part his lips. “You’re lucky I don’t make you crawl like the disobedient dog you are.”

Jace’s breathing hitched, and I turned my attention to Kane, who stood with his eyes locked on mine.

“I bet you both want nothing more than to fuck my girl, don’t you?” I softened my tone, almost teasing. “But tell me, why did you think this was a good idea? Did you think I’d let you? Or that you wouldn’t get caught?”

If they’d asked, I might have enjoyed making them grovel at Callie’s feet. But they didn’t ask, and no one breathed in her direction without my permission.

Kane’s jaw tensed, his gaze dropping to the carpet.

“You weren’t thinking, were you?” I tightened my grip on Jace’s hair, loving the way he whimpered in pain.

Kane cleared his throat, managing a weak, “No, I wasn’t.”

“You’re missing something,” I prompted.

“I’m sorry, My Lord,” Kane whispered, his voice sending a shiver down my spine.

“There’s my good boy.” I glanced back at Callie, still sleeping peacefully. “Now, take her to my room and tuck her in… Be gentle. She’s precious to me.”

Kane didn’t hesitate. He moved toward the couch, scooping Callie up as if she were the most delicate thing in the world. She melted into his touch, letting out a contented sigh, and I wondered if some part of her wanted this life. If she was drawn to the danger like a moth to a flame.

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