Page 56 of A Surrender Of Hope

“I was trying to teach you. You were mad about being hauled around, so I thought I was helping… I simply forgot to tell youhow to land.” I scoff and place my hands on my hips and round on him so we’re toe to toe.

“Yeah. When you teach, you need to use actual words, or you can stay out of it. First, the fighting lesson, where all I got was grunting, and then the cliff.” I wave my hand in the air between us. “You want to teach me. Fine. I’m happy to learn, but you have to actually teach, not just push me around and expect me to read your mind.”

“I’m not good at…” he starts to say, then snarls, stepping back as he grabs the hood on his cloak, tugging it over his long black hair as he turns to his shadowed corner. My hand darts out, catching his wrist, making him pause as I step forward, curious about what he was about to say.

“What?” I ask, softening my tone a little, hoping he’ll talk to me.

“Let go,” he clips, twisting his wrist from my hold. I sigh, release him, and step back. I can’t force him to talk or stay, but damn, I wish he would just speak to me.

“Fine. Run away and hide in your shadows. It's all you ever do,” I mutter, frustration filling me as I turn away from him, looking at Theo, who’s watching the two of us with raised brows. The room is silent momentarily and I sigh as I keep my eyes on my friend.

“Is… he gone?” I whisper, not sure if Razar actually left since I didn't hear him move, but not wanting to turn and risk looking at him again. My feelings about the dark Prince are more than a little conflicting, especially after our kiss yesterday. I know that watching him walk away would have hurt more than I would like to admit. Theo narrows his eyes on the corner and nods slowly.

“I… I think he is. Damn, where the hell does he go when he does that?” My shoulders hunch as I stomp toward Nox’s rumpled bed, wincing at the mess that was revealed when Razar lit the room.

“Who knows? He’s probably still somewhere watching us like a stalker, so keep an eye out for him.” I grab one of my throwing blades and hand it to Theo, who takes it with a questioning look. “If you see any shadows move, toss that at it,” I say with a wink.

“You two fucking? Because the tension between you two just now…” Theo lets out a low whistle as I flip him off.

“Does Elaine know you’re here?” I ask, trying to change the topic. I really hope she does, but I’m guessing that’s probably wishful thinking.

“No,” Theo admits, confirming my fears while looking at his feet as he shoves his hands in his pants pockets.

“Jordan?”

Theo deflates at that question, and he shakes his head. “No. We had a fight. He didn’t want me around… then you didn’t want me to come with you, and I… fuck, I just want to help someone I care about. That’s why I followed you,” he whispers, swallowing so hard I hear it from where I’m standing.

Well, dang, now I’m having a hard time staying mad at him.

“I guess I can understand that,” I finally say, nodding a little when Theo peeks up at me. I see his eyes are wet with unshed tears. Oh, shit! I hope he doesn't cry. I don't handle tears well and don't like seeing my friend in distress. I’ll try to help and only make it worse, and then we all will be uncomfortable.

“Um…” I nod at the open door that leads to the bathroom when Theo remains silent. “Shower, and I’ll try to find something clean that fits you. Maybe in Valen’s room,” I muse as I strap the knife holster around my thigh and cinch it tight. My eyes move to the shadowed corner, but it's empty, the shadows lighter than they had been before. Disappointment fills me, but I shove it down as I stand back up. “Then we need to go find Creed and let him know you're here so he can break the news to Nox.”

Theo winces at that comment but nods, already heading for the bathroom. “Thanks, Angry Girl,” he whispers, and I nod, watching as he walks stiffly toward the door.

“Theo?” I call after him.

“Hmm?”

“I… I’m glad you're here. I’m not saying what you did was smart, but I am glad to have a friend here,” I admit, making Theo's expression brighten enough that I know he’ll be okay. We just need to survive the Demon realm, figure out some answers to our problems, and then get home so I can help him repair things with Jordan. It should be easy… right?

TWENTY-SEVEN

Lennox

Istare down at the boy in front of me, trying not to let my anger get the best of me as Meyer shifts nervously at my side. The fact that he’s here in the castle makes my eyes twitch.

“How the hell did we miss him following us through the portal?” I grind out, looking up from Elaine's son to Valen, who looks far too amused for my liking.

“You didn't close the rift after we came through. Remember? You sent me to close it while you talked with Meyer,” Valen points out, and I curse, turning on my heel and pacing the width of the small room as I thread my fingers into my hair and glare back down at Ranger Drakos.

“Fucking hell. We don't have time for this. Razar!” I snarl, looking to the back of the room and waiting for my brother to reemerge from the shadows. Meyer’s eyes narrow on him as he steps forward, his hood pulled over his eyes, hiding his face from the room. “Bring the boy back to the rift. I’ll send word to Elaine and have her meet him there.”

“What? No! I want to stay here with Meyer,” Ranger Drakos retorts, stepping closer to my mate and setting my teeth on edge.Meyer must see the reaction because she rolls her eyes and steps away from the boy and closer to me.

“No,” I growl, hand moving to grab my Little Demon and tug her close before I pause and look at her for permission. She rolls her eyes with a laugh and steps into my embrace, making me relax a little.

“I want him to stay,” she whispers before Elaine's son can argue with me. I glare down at her and shake my head.

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