I know she’s quick to anger and act on emotion, but this is beyond that. This is calculated treason. This is her putting us in the middle of a war we were working hard to prevent.
It’s only a matter of time before Mammon and the blessed breeds come to us for retribution. We’re strong, but we can’t fight a war against all of them.
Charlie’s breath hits my cheek as she exhales, and I resist the urge to wake her up and demand answers. I want to take her home, but I won’t force her to live in a place she doesn’t want to be.
She went through this much work to run away, and I’ll honor that decision, even if it hurts. I’m not in the business of imprisoning females and forcing them to love me.
My fingers ache with how hard I’m clenching them, and I stare at Charlie for a moment longer before leaving the room.
Mammon wears a cocky smirk as she follows me back to the sitting room.
“I assume I’ll be receiving visits from the other males tonight?” Mammon asks, her shoes clicking quietly against the ground.
I’m unable to speak.
Silas and Aziel will deny what I say, and they’ll probably call me foolish for believing Mammon before coming here to see Charlie themselves.
“I’d like to meet with Aziel in three days to discuss the report. I have many questions,” Mammon says. “You’ll have the opportunity to speak with Charlotte then.”
My lungs burn as I hold my breath, hoping the action will keep me from lashing out.
“We’ll be there,” I confirm.
“Have them bring Shay when they come tonight,” Mammon continues. “She was supposed to be here by now, and I’m assuming you brutes have something to do with her absence.”
I nod.
I’m not in the mood to fight over Shay.
We enter the sitting room, and I don’t hesitate to teleport back home. The back-to-back travels are draining, but it’s not like I’ve got many other options.
Silas and Aziel are still in the foyer with Shay and Don. All four pairs of eyes land on me, and I run a hand through my hair as I search for the right words.
“You lied to us,” Silas says, pulling his knife out of Don’s chest.
I gasp. “Wait!”
It’s too late, and Silas’s knife is slipping into the man’s throat before the word’s leave my mouth. It’s a fatal wound, and I wince as Shay screams and lunges for her son.
Aziel’s in front of her in a heartbeat, his body shaking as he buries his hand in her chest. He shows no emotion, but his lips twitch upward as he grabs her insides and yanks his hand back out.
She falls to the ground with a thud, and Silas tosses her son on top of her body as I drop my head into my hands. Could they not have waited three fucking seconds for me to explain the situation?
Mammon’s going to be pissed to learn we killed Shay. So is Levia.
He’s not the most affectionate man, but he’s kept an eye on Shay since his brother died long ago.
“Shay was telling the truth,” I say, stepping over the bodies and throwing myself on the stiff couch.
“No. She was lying, and now we have no way of finding Charlie,” Silas snaps. He turns to Aziel. “Way to go.”
I shake my head.
“I saw her myself. She shared the report, and she’s sleeping like a baby at Mammon’s.” The words are bitter on my tongue. “Mammon wants to meet with us in three days. We’ll have the opportunity to speak with Charlie then.”
“I don’t believe it,” Silas argues, reaching for Aziel.
They touch their arms and disappear. I’m sure they’re in Mammon’s sitting room right now, and I shift my attention to the bodies on the ground with a quiet sigh.