Page 11 of A Surrender Of Hope

“Then…” Drakos looks up, glaring at Nox. “Some people wouldn’t let me help Jordan,” he almost growls, an accusatory look crossing his face as he moves his attention from Nox to me.

I shrug, crossing my arms over my chest as I stare the kid down. I don’t regret my choice to sling him over my shoulder while Razar grabbed Jennings. At that point, Meyer had a heartbeat again, and I knew if, by some miracle, she survived and woke up, she would never forgive us if her friends were killed under our watch. Jennings was already bleeding out from the deep wounds the Rogue Hunter gave him, and I wasn’t about to risk the Drakos kid as well.

“You’re both alive. Stop whining,” Nox mutters, the orange ball of raging fur clutched in his hands as he strokes its back like it’s a gentle kitten and not the evil little shit that it is. I can feel its beady blue eyes staring at me, and I step back, wanting more distance between us.

I attempted to make friends with the cat while Meyer was resting, knowing that if I won her precious Milo to my side, it would be easier to earn her forgiveness. But it didn’t work despite my best efforts. Hell, I even saved a bite of my chicken from lunch to get the damn cat to warm up to me a little, but he bit my finger, not the chicken, then scratched the shit out of my arm when I tried to pick him up.

I have no idea why Razar has a weird obsession with him, but it seems to make my brother happy, which is good, considering Arch just tried to kill him and Meyer. No, not tried—Arch succeeded in killing Meyer, which fucked us all up, though I’m most concerned about Valen and Razar at the moment. I’m still not sure how Jesthren and Nox managed to bring her back, but I don't envy him that conversation. Especially when she realizes she’s stuck with Nox for the rest of their lives.

There’s a good chance for stabbing and ball kicking, and I hope it happens in my presence so I can watch the show. I havenever, and I mean NEVER, seen my youngest brother get his ass handed to him before, and I find it incredibly ironic that it’s a small, half-human girl doing it.

Lennox has grown up somewhat spoiled. As the heir to the throne, the only person who’s ever challenged him is our dad. So Meyer giving him shit for every decision and choice he makes has been entertaining as hell. Frowning, I return my attention to Lemon Drop, watching as she leans over Jenning's bed and strokes away a lock of hair as she fusses over him like a mother would her child.

Drakos glares at Nox, moving to grip Jennings’ hand protectively as Meyer purses her lips and turns to Valen, who has been one step behind her the entire time. I’m honestly surprised he set her down. From the strained look on his pale face, he’s only done so because she asked, not because he wanted to. I watch her step effortlessly into his arms, leaning forward to whisper something, her hand mindlessly stroking down his chest, making his tense shoulders relax. She earns a nod in response to whatever she said as one of Valen’s big hands clasps her waist, and the other moves to her slim neck, fingers pressing to her pulse point as she keeps talking to him.

“Have you told Mom she’s awake?” Drakos suddenly snaps at us, sounding way too disrespectful, in my opinion. Lennox arches a thick brow, probably thinking the same as he stares the boy down. “Well, have you? That one was supposed to tell me when Meyer woke up, and he didn’t,” he accuses, throwing a dark look in my direction.

“That's because she was only awake for five minutes before we were headed your way,” I grind out, trying to stifle the need to touch Meyer again. Valen looks like he’s two seconds away from shifting back into his Shade form, and I don't want to make it worse. But damn, I want to touch her, too! I may be holding my crap together better than he is at the moment, but that doesn'tmean I’m okay. Every time I shut my eyes, I see Meyer, covered in blood, held against Lennox’s chest as he yells at her to wake up. I feel the pain that shot through me when I realized her chest wasn’t moving, saw how her cheeks were an unnatural shade of white, and her tiny hand hung limply at her side.

I swallow the bile that threatens to climb up my throat at the thought. It wasn't until Lennox had her back in his bed with a steady heartbeat that I finally went into the bathroom and threw up. Not once have I been sick during a battle. I never lost composure at death. Even Arch’s death, which had been my fault, hadn't brought me to my knees. Death is a natural part of life and something I’m well acquainted with. But seeing her like that—I was in front of the toilet, heaving and trembling like a damn child.

“Stop arguing,” Meyer hisses at us, glaring at Drakos, then at Nox and me. Valen’s expression hardens as he stares us down, and I’m suddenly very grateful that he’s our brother because the look he’s giving us promises death for upsetting the girl in his arms.

Drakos’ mouth snaps shut, side-eyeing Valen before shuffling closer to Jennings. “Is he safe to be around? He’s not going to go all…” Drakos hesitates as he looks for the word to describe my brother in his Demonic form. “Shady,is he?” he finally says, looking from Valen to me. I shrug, unsure if Valen is stable right now. But good luck getting him away from Lemon Drop, even if he’s not. I'm pretty sure that’s a one-way ticket to a very painful death.

“He has his Shade form under control,” Lennox reassures Drakos, staring Valen down with a hint of his magic wavering between them. Valen narrows his eyes on him, arms tightening around Lemon Drop. I know Valen is grateful Nox was able to save Meyer, but their fight for dominance will only worsen now that Nox has a mate claim on her. Valen’s Demonic instincts willpressure him to form the bond, and I know he’ll feel guilty trying to rush Meyer. He’ll suffer in silence instead, which I’m afraid will lead to resentment toward Nox.

“Yeah, sure.” Drakos looks at Meyer like he wants to remove her from Valen’s arms, and I can’t blame the guy after what he witnessed yesterday. After the Rogue Hunter hurt Jennings and Meyer was stable, Valen lost control. His Shade form came out in a dark and bloody way, razing the battlefields and eradicating all the remaining Beastia and Rogue Hunters. It’s something I had never witnessed before.

Valen has gone to battle several times in his life, and it wasn’t until that moment I realized what he was capable of. I knew he was supposed to be stronger than regular Dream Walkers. As the son of the late Dream Walker King of Aurelya, Valen is one of the strongest magic users I know. But the magic he used, the way he tore the Beastia apart like they were silly little ragdolls… I shiver and shake my head. It’s something I hope never to witness again.

Stepping forward, I walk past Drakos and grab Lemon Drop’s hand, squeezing it gently and finally breathing a sigh of relief. The pain in my chest ebbs the moment her slender fingers twine with mine, easing the panic of her possible rejection. I wasn’t sure how she would react to my touch, considering she’s still upset with me, but now that I’m holding her hand, all I want to do is wiggle my way between Valen’s arms so I can wrap myself around her. I don’t care if he stays; I’m fabulous at sharing. I just need her in any way she’ll allow.

A low growl breaks from Valen’s throat, and I narrow my eyes at him. “She’s not just yours. She belongs with all of us,” I hiss under my breath, sick to death of catering to these assholes. I’ve tried to be nice. I’ve kept my distance and would continue to do so if that’s what Meyer wanted, but she’s holding my hand and not telling me to get lost, so I’m staying here! Screw my brothers.

“I would like to point out that I’m not a possession and belong to no one,” Meyer whispers, keeping her voice low so she doesn’t disturb the Jennings boy. I hear a low growl from Nox at that statement and watch as he glowers at her. Meyer winces, unaware of Lennox’s anger at her words, and lowers her head to rest on Valen’s chest. The action makes my heart skip a beat as worry comes rushing back in. I throw a look at Nox, making sure he sees her pain. I can't do anything to help, but he can.

“Yeah. Plus, Jordan and I called dibs on her first,” Drakos says, glaring at Valen and me and offering Meyer his hand, which, to my horror, she takes with a laugh and steps toward him.

“Lemon Drop,” I whine as Valen’s hand darts out, circling the wrist that has the red mark. I watch his thumb shakily run over it, Valen’s gray eyes locked on her as she steps closer to Drakos. He doesn't hold her back, allowing her to move wherever she wants, but he keeps himself glued to her side. Aw fuck, he’s going to be a delight to be around for the next couple of days. Hopefully, Meyer can get him to calm down a bit.

“Little Demon, you’ve seen the Jennings boy. Now, go back to my room. I haven’t finished healing you fully, and I know you have a headache, so don’t pull that shit with us,” Nox commands when our girl opens her mouth to argue. Meyer’s mouth snaps shut with an audible click, and I watch her jaw tick to the side, her teeth grinding in annoyance. I sigh, closing my eyes and pinching the bridge of my nose, and groan at my brother’s stupidity. Come on, dude, use your brain and ask, not demand.

I open my eyes just in time to see a rebellious fire lighting in Meyer’s eyes at his demand. She yanks her hand from Drakos and turns on Nox, shoulders squaring like she’s readying for battle. Only her hands are trembling slightly at her side; her eyes narrowed a little as if in pain, and the short wheezing breath Ihear as she tries to calm herself sets me on edge, so I decide it's probably best to intervene… for her of course; not Nox.

“I got it, babe,” I offer, shooting her a grin as I walk over to Nox, wink at him, then glare at the devil cat in his arms before hooking my foot around his ankle and yanking as hard as I can. Nox shouts in surprise, letting Milo fall to the ground. His hands dart out as he tries to regain his balance. “Sorry, dude. You need to learn when to turn your Prince shit off and ask nicely.” Reaching out, I shove his chest, sending him sprawling to the ground with a loud curse.

“Really!? What the hell happened to being quiet so we don’t wake him up?” Drakos snaps when Jordan darts up in bed, looking panicked, his hand moving to where his Kalis lies on a small side table. I nod in approval, happy with the Ranger’s response to danger, as Nox curses me out under his breath. He pushes himself to his knees and glares at me, but doesn’t move to retaliate. Hopefully, that means he agrees and will say please next time.

“Jordan!” Meyer rushes to his side, making the young man blink in surprise, trying to clear the sleep from his eyes. Valen doesn’t even bother to give Nox a sympathetic look. Instead, he looks around, his wary gaze moving to the room’s shadows. I’m not sure if he’s looking for Razar or if he’s ensuring there are no threats in the room.

“Meyer! Holy shit. Are you okay? Turn around and let me see your back,” he rasps, trying and failing to sit up in bed, his wounded arm shaking under him. “Why are you out of bed? Theo, don’t just sit there! Get her in bed, what the hell is wrong with you!?” Jennings snaps, kicking Drakos when he tries to reach over and calm him down, sending the young Ranger to the ground beside Lennox.

“Jordan! You’re the one who needs to be in bed. Chill out!” Theo huffs as he sits up, glaring at Jennings.

“Jordan, I’m fine!” Meyer shouts, lunging forward and grabbing Jennings’ hand, urging him to lay back down with a gentle hand pressed to his shoulder. “Hey, hey!” she whispers, holding his hand and pressing it to her cheek as she leans down. His chest is heaving, and I’m starting to feel bad for startling him awake when he’s still this injured. Nox stopped the bleeding and healed the exterior wounds, but he said the muscles, tendons, and nerves were still shredded. Jennings has at least another week of healing until he’s back to full strength.

“You died, Meyer.” His voice is thick, eyes wide and watery. She hesitates for a moment, then nods.

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